Friday, June 24, 2011

Corpus Christi

Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we are reminded that Jesus makes himself truly present in the Eucharistic Mystery, which is renewed on every altar in the world. Pope John Paul II reminded us that in commemorating this solemnity, the Church “does not only celebrate the Eucharist but solemnly bears it in procession, publicly proclaiming that the sacrifice of Christ is for the salvation of the whole world.” We rejoice in this expression of our Eucharistic affection in order to deepen our attachment to the unique and unending vent that transforms our lives. As the Sequence for Corpus Christi begs: “Jesus, of Your love befriend us, You refresh us, You defend us, Your eternal goodness send us in the land of life to see.”

Today the Most Blessed Sacrament will be present on our altar after the 11:00 AM Mass until 2:30 PM when there will be prayers, a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Please come and make some prayer time with our Eucharistic Lord. He will appreciate that!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Most Holy Trinity

There is a story told about St. Augustine, who one day was walking on the beach contemplating the mystery of the Holy Trinity. He came upon a boy who was digging a hole in the sand. The boy was pouring water from the sea into the hole. When St. Augustine asked him what he was doing, the lad explained, “I am going to pour the ocean into this hole.” “That’s impossible,” St. Augustine declared. “The whole ocean will not fit in the hole you have made.” The boy quickly replied, “And you cannot fit the Holy Trinity into your head.” The legend then says the boy vanished, leaving St. Augustine to wonder if he had been talking to an angel.

The Holy Trinity simply expressed is love. As we contemplate and celebrate the Holy Trinity today, let us consider all the dimensions and expressions of love that the Holy Trinity reveals to us. As we celebrate Father’s Day let us also pray for and thank our fathers for the love they have expressed to us.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Pentecost

For the last fifty days, we have celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised to send to the apostles the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, the helper that would guide them in their mission. Today, Pentecost, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the apostles. Pentecost celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on Jesus’ apostles.The vivid story in the Acts of the Apostles, in which the Holy Spirit comes as a mighty wind and is seen as tongues of flame, is told each year. This year’s Gospel is a repeat of what we heard on the second Sunday of Easter, the extended version of which included the story of Thomas. But today we only hear of the risen Lord’s appearance on Easter night. He breathes on his disciples and he strengthens them with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that we received at our baptism and our confirmation. It is the Holy Spirit that will give us the words we need to use to proclaim Jesus is the Lord and the prayers we need to pray when we find that we do not know how to pray. Thank the Holy Spirit today!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Easter 7

We wait in these days between the Ascension and Pentecost much like the disciples of Jesus waited. The difference is that we are not locked away in some upper room, fearful of what may occur. Even though we await the celebration of Pentecost, we already know that the gift of the Spirit has been poured out on all who have been baptized. That same Spirit that strengthened and encouraged the apostles is already active in us. As we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus prays for his followers who are in the world. We have his promise that he is with us in all we do.