A well-known insurance company has one of my favorite sayings: “You’re in good hands.” This pledge is repeated in a calm voice by a man whom we seem to trust. The message is reassuring, caring, and comforting, just like the readings for today. Paul questions the present disciples who tell him they received the baptism […]

6th Sunday of Easter Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled… How profound these words are to 21st-century disciples. We need to hear and believe in them. As we look around our world, we see so much that troubles our hearts—a pandemic, war, divisions […]

As disciples of Christ and sons of the Father Almighty, we are also called to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are called to be now through our recognition of the Holy Trinity acting upon our lives, as the Apostles were two millennia ago. We hear in Acts 16:7 that Paul […]

I call you my friends . . . As I read the scriptures for today, a majestic song comes into my head: Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, or “Ode to Joy.” Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love. Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Op’ning to the sun above. I go […]

When I read the account of the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, what strikes me the most is how well they listened. After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them… (verse 7) The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened… (verse 12) After they had fallen silent, James responded… […]

In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims that he is the vine and we are the branches. What does the image of Jesus as a vine connote? All nourishment comes to us through Jesus. Without our attachment to him, we are lost. And what is this nourishment that we draw from Jesus? It is grace, a share […]

Saint Paschal Baylon, Patron Saint of the Eucharist We have quick reports of what the apostles were doing in these readings. Paul is stoned and then gets up and keeps on going! He is like the Energizer Bunny, who continues with the other disciples to share with as many people as they can about Christ. […]

The Acts is the story of the beginning of our Church and the struggles that had to be faced by those summoned and sent out by Jesus. His devoted followers were determined to make his teachings come alive for the multitudes. We all are familiar with some of those early leaders chosen by Christ: Peter, […]

5th Sunday of Easter We’re reading from John’s account of the Last Supper, the beginning of the Book of Glory. Jesus and his disciples were at table the night before the Jewish Passover when Jesus shocked them by getting up from the table and washing their feet as if he were the house slave. He […]

“If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love . . . I have told you this so that my joy might be in you, and your joy might be complete … love one another as I love you.” Today’s Scriptures promise a reward: joy! When we remain in God’s love, joy is […]