Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples to remain in Jerusalem and await the coming of the Holy Spirit. We heard that on Ascension Thursday just ten days ago.  The disciples did this, and in today’s first reading we hear an account of that powerful day when the Holy Spirit descended upon them.  With a noise like a strong driving wind, and tongues as of fire that came from the sky, the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples and gave birth to the Church.  This is such an important moment […]

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and you had time with family and friends.  Mine was particularly precious since I was able to spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law who were visiting from California.  They were here to celebrate with their oldest granddaughter – my oldest great niece – as she graduated from college.  We are all proud of her as she fulfilled her goal of working at the Smithsonian Institute and aiding in the conservation of endangered species throughout our country.  I also enjoyed […]

If you knew that the prayers you offered up today would be among your last, what would you pray for?  Wouldn’t you focus on your highest priorities and most heartfelt desires – for yourself, for those dear to you?  That’s what Jesus did.  Our gospel passage today is part the last major prayer Jesus offered before his arrest and crucifixion.  He had just spent three years in his public ministry sharing God’s love.  Thousands of people had heard his message and seen and experienced his miracles.  By his death, he […]

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”  Jesus spoke these words on the night before he was to suffer a most grueling, painful death on the cross.  And yet, he is in peace and offers his peace to his followers.  How is this possible? 

It’s important to recognize that there are two kinds of peace: worldly peace and heavenly peace.  Worldly peace is temporary and varies from person to person.  To a lazy person, peace […]