Today’s first reading is from the first letter of St. Peter, written to Christians in far-flung areas of Asia Minor who were experiencing ostracism and persecution for their faith. He speaks to them of the ancient prophets who foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit with the promise of grace…
The Church’s liturgical calendar is a well-structured and interconnected cycle. The placement of the different liturgical feasts through the year is not done arbitrarily but usually guided by their meanings and interconnections. Today, the Church celebrates Mary as the Mother of the Church, and it is linked to the solemn…
The most common and ancient prayer to the Holy Spirit is this: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.” It comes directly from the liturgy of Pentecost. These first lines are the verse of the Alleluia before the Gospel.…
Before the Gospel of today in John 21:15-19, Jesus had breakfast with Peter, where he tasked Peter to tend his lambs and ‘feed his sheep’ (cf John 21:16-17). He then informed him of the type of death that would befall him, as we see in today’s Gospel. THE BELOVED DISCIPLE…
“Do you love me more than these?” A very personal question by Jesus that goes deep into the heart of Peter to the extent that he finally answered, ‘Lord, you know everything’. ‘Lord, you know everything’ is the spiritual stage in one’s life where the ‘I’ dies and the ‘Lord’…
Supper: before the Feast of the Passover, that night was unlike any other. I look back to the time as if it took place in another lifetime. It was the beginning of a time of such intensity that it burned into my memory forever. We celebrated the Passover together, following Our…
In today’s First Reading, Scripture reaffirms that our Lord Jesus Christ established a visible Church, founded on the visible leadership of his apostles (Eph. 2:19-22); and that the apostles and their successors had—and have—God-given authority to watch over the flock, making sure they are not seduced by doctrinal error. Episkopoi…
Today’s readings present us not one, but two farewell speeches. The apostle Paul is concerned with finishing his course faithfully with the remaining time he has on earth. In the Gospel of John, we tune into God the Son praying to God the Father. This is Jesus’ high priestly prayer…
Yesterday we celebrated the Ascension of our Lord. For the last week, we have heard messages of the coming of the Holy Spirit, encouragement of acceptance, hope, the prophecy of hardship, and the promise that hardship shall not have victory. Peace in Christ Today’s Gospel reading, yet again, reminds us…
Many countries, including the Vatican City, celebrated the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord last Thursday. Other countries, due to pastoral reasons or convenience, are celebrating the Solemnity of Ascension today, which is supposed to be the Seventh Sunday of Easter, of course, approved by the church’s liturgical calendar.…