THE BEAUTY OF FRIENDSHIP

1^ST READING - Sirach 6:5-17

P S A L M - Psalm 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35

R: Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes. (R)

16 In your statutes I will delight; I will not forget your words. (R) 18 Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of your law. (R) 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds. (R) 34 Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. (R) 35 Lead me in the path of your commands, for in it I delight. (R)

GOSPEL - Mark 10:1-12 

SABBATH

A faithful friend is a sure shelter. Friendship is a wonderful gift of God yet a rare treasure. Once found, it is the elixir of life. All of us seek a friend in our life, one to whom we can turn to in the depths of our heart. They are few and far between. There are three types of love according to the Greek mind: sexual love (eros), friendship love (philos) and sacrificial love (agape). Take note of your friends. Do they love in an agape way? Take a look at Jesus and you will see that He is the best friend we can ever have: faithful, honest, loyal and sacrificially loving.

       The First Reading from Sirach mentions three kinds of friends — seemingly to be avoided at all costs! One kind of friend will stand by you when all is going well. Come some trial and confrontation, they are quick to depart and leave you abandoned. He is there as long as it suits him — for selfish pleasure. Another friend stands alongside you, but as soon as a quarrel begins, they will publicly display their anger. They will in turn become bitter with gossip, and false rumors will spread about you. A third kind of friend will share all things with you, even quite intimately, but trouble comes and you find him nowhere in sight.

       The author Frank Crane states that a friend is one “with whom you dare to be yourself.” With a true friend, we can come from behind the masks of insecurity and be truly who we are. Many of us are hidden from others; we pretend to be who we really are not. Many of us live with a sense of false security and identity, we don’t know who we really are. We become afraid of ourselves.

       Jesus is the most loyal friend. With Him, we can be truly ourselves. He loves and calls us His friends by sharing with us His most intimate secrets. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to develop our friendship with the Lord. And let us pray for good friends in our lives.Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Consider those whom you call friends. Are they loyal, faithful and loving in all circumstances?

Jesus, You have called me Your friend. Help me to be loyal and faithful to You. Guide me, Lord, in the way of Your commands. Amen.

Anti-Catholic: 500 years of world history

"History is a set of lies agreed upon," said Napoleon.   More lies have been aimed at destroying the good name and holy work of our Roman Catholic Church than any other institution in the world. Even most Catholics believe the lies they were taught in high school or have seen on television. Do you know—and are you able to— defend the true history of our Catholic Church? Here's a test . . . Is this really how Cortez and other Catholic Spaniards treated the Aztecs? Do you know why Galileo really  faced the Inquisition? Europe was once united. Do you know what event led to divisions, revolutions, and even to modernist thinking? Do you know which democratic revolutionaries were considered to be the enemies of the Church? *       *       * Many books have been written about the history of the Catholic Church. But few history books have been written from a Catholic perspective. That is, until Sophia Institute's newest release: Here is an unabashedly Catholic history that documents scores of assaults on our Catholic Faith these past five centuries—and it delineates our Church's brave response to each one.   For 500 years, wave after wave of cynical anti-Catholic men and movements have wrought havoc on the Faith—men like Luther, Marx, Darwin, Hitler, and Rousseau.   Together, they ripped the heart from our culture’s chest, leaving our once noble Christendom a ruined city, devastated politically and spiritually, morally and intellectually.   Celebrated Catholic historian Diane Moczar counters here with an unflinching sketch of these five woeful centuries with sound reasons for hope, for even after 500 years of sustained persecution, our Church has not merely survived, but continues in many places to flourish. Almost 2,000 years ago, Tertullian noted that the “blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church,” a truth borne out these past 500 years. Time-after-time, as Moczar shows, persecution has not snuffed out the Faith, but brought forth great saints whose brave examples gave strength to our besieged Church.    These pages will convince you that the Church is, indeed, Christ acting in the world. And this book will convince you that no matter how strong or ruthless or vicious her opponents, Christ's Church will not be vanquished, but will endure to the end of time.   The Church Under Attack: Five Hundred Years that Split the Church and Scattered the Flock by Diane Moczar 256 Pages - $18.95   Order online HERE Save 30% when you order the set: The Church Under Attack and Islam at the Gates for only $26!   In Islam at the Gates: How Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks, Diane Moczar pulls back the curtain on one of the most important acts in the drama of Muslim aggression against the West: the 500-year-long siege of Europe by the Ottoman Turks. Tracing the rise of the Turkish people from wandering Asian tribe to mighty pan-continental empire, Islam at the Gates chronicles the heroes and villains, the battles and atrocities, the tragic errors and timely miracles, that marked the Ottomans’ incursions from Europe’s borders to the very heart of Christendom; and then, by the grace of God, their eventual repulsion and final defeat. In these pages you’ll encounter: The bold sultans, timid emperors, and vile traitors who aided the Turkish advance — and the popes who tirelessly preached Crusade against it   Brave saints who rallied Christian forces against the invaders — including the hardy warrior-monk who died in battle at the age of sixty-one   The island fortress whose rag-tag defenders continually thwarted superior numbers of Ottoman attackers — defying even the great sultan Suleiman   The suffering of millions of Christian families in occupied lands — their children kidnapped and forced into Muslim armies and harems   Folk heroes from the hills of Hungary and Albania who rose up against their Ottoman overlords — and whose guerilla tactics inspired their people   The tragic fall of Constantinople, seat of Eastern Christianity — its people slaughtered, its treasures plundered, its sacred places befouled   Europe’s pivotal, improbable pair of victories at Lepanto and Vienna, and the defeat of the last great Turkish offensive on September 11, 1697 Solid history and dramatic narrative make Islam at the Gates a moving look at Europe’s long struggle against the Turks. But the author’s shrewd Catholic outlook also makes it an edifying one. Had these events unfolded just a little differently, Christian civilization might have been conquered by the sword of Allah. If we fail to learn the lessons of history, Dr. Moczar warns, the West may yet fall. Save 30% Order the set online HERE   Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com

Today's Gospel Reading - Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013 with Reflection

Pentecost Sunday

1^ST READING - Acts 2:1-11

1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontusand Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

P S A L M - 

Psalm 104:1, 24, 31, 34, 29-30

R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, you are great indeed! 24 How manifold are your works, O Lord! The earth is full of your creatures; (R) 31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord be glad in his works! 34 Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the Lord. (R) 29 If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. 30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. (R)

2^nd READING - 

Romans 8:8-17 (or 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13)

8 Brothers and sisters: Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. 12 Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “ Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

John 14:15-16, 23-26 (or John 20:19-23)

15 Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another

Advocate to be with you always. 23 Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. 24 Those who do not love me do not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. 25 I have told you this while I am with you. 26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name — will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

SABBATH

THE LORD IS TRULY RISEN Happy birthday to us! Today, the Church is born of the Spirit.        In the Gospel, Jesus breathes on the Apostles His gift of life and love —the Holy Spirit. The Spirit dispels all fear and the Apostles boldly proclaim that Jesus is Lord and Savior.        I like to reflect on the greetings of our Easter brothers and sisters. In Russian Orthodox tradition, on this Easter morn, they greet each other like this: “The Lord has truly risen.” What a wonderful greeting. In the West, as we exchange niceties about the weather and family, our Orthodox friends greet one another in the way just mentioned. Often we forget the beauty and wonder of this day. Yes, my friends, the Lord has risen indeed!        Today is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost was that ancient agricultural feast celebrating the first fruits of the field 50 days after the Passover. The Church now celebrates Pentecost as the day the Risen Jesus sent His Spirit 50 days after His death — a first-fruit offering to the Father. Let us receive that offering, the breath of God.        As God breathed first into the nostrils of man, and man became a living being, so now the Holy Spirit is breathed upon us. Today, let us thank God for the gift of breath, which we so easily take for granted.        Allow the Lord to breathe into our lives again. May His Spirit bring healing to our wounds, renew our strength, and bend our stubborn hearts to His will. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL REFLECTION QUESTION: What areas of your life need the fresh breath of God — the Holy Spirit? Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of Your faithful and renew us. Amen St. Theophilus of Corte, pray for us.

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Lots of surprises await.

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

from a facebook post. author not stated

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on the ground.

The man slowly looked up.

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled....

To his amazement, the woman continued standing.

She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it.."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled....... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus...... He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways....

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And.. And thank you for the coffee."

God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor.

If you believe, send it.

If you don't believe, delete it.

God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close..

If you need God to open some doors for you...send this on.

Do you know the Holy Spirit?

"Every Catholic serious about the spiritual life needs to read this profound and beautiful book, and meditate upon it." Fr. Benedict Groeschel The Holy Spirit is God's supreme gift to you and me, and your devotion to Him should be profound and encompassing. Huge in scope and yet simple and readable, True Devotion to the Holy Spirit covers virtually everything there is to know about the Spirit's role in our salvation—and it does so with a refreshing and absolute reliance on God's Word, not on opinions or subjective visions. Only $9.95 this week—a 30% savings! In beautiful, practical terms, former Mexico City Archbishop Luis Martinez illuminates the difference the Spirit can make when He is given His proper place in your soul. Even more, each of the Spirit's gifts and fruits get detailed treatment here.  Archbishop Martinez shows how each contributes to the maturing of the soul, so that by means of the Spirit's active help, you can conquer your sins, learn how to make proper use of the things of this world, become master of yourself, and fully realize the greatness that is available to you as a Christian. Through this book you'll learn virtually everything we can know about the Holy Spirit's work in the world and in your soul, including: Why you will never attain true holiness without the Holy Spirit's constant help   How the Holy Spirit tenderly teaches you all that you need for salvation   Inspirations of the Holy Spirit: they're not extraordinary and superfluous  in the spiritual life!  How to become attuned to them   Maturity in Christ: it doesn't happen automatically as you grow older.  How the Holy Spirit can help you gain it today   The virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit: the distinctive role of each in your salvation.   Consecration to the Holy Spirit: why it must be total—or it's useless   How the presence of the Spirit in your life will increase your faith, hope, and love   Three main characteristics of devotion to the Father, inspired by the Spirit: examine your soul in their light   The Cross: how and why the Holy Spirit will teach you to love it in your own life   The gifts of the Holy Spirit: how to understand them properly—and gain their help in your soul's perfection   And much more that will help you not only to know the Holy Spirit better than ever, but to gain His help in your salvation! "I profited greatly from reading this work." Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR President Emeritus, Franciscan University of Steubenville "The finest book on devotion to the Holy Spirit." Paraclete "I highly recommend True Devotion to the Holy Spirit to all those who would participate in the Church's mission to sanctify the world." John Cardinal O'Connor Only $9.95— A 30% savings! True Devotion to the Holy Spirit by Archbishop Luis M. Martinez 288 pages - Paperback and eBook Order online HERE Or order the set for only $19!   In The Little Book of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Bede Jarrett helps you penetrate the great mystery of God's presence in our hearts.  He explains the ineffable dignity that this presence of the Holy Spirit gives you, no matter how lowly your station or how small you may feel. He shows you how to listen for the soft voice of the Spirit calling you from within, inviting you to know Him, to love Him, and to cooperate with Him in all things great and small. No longer need you struggle alone.  Let Fr. Jarrett show you how to grow close to the Holy Spirit—the Consoler—who Jesus sent to assuage your loneliness and renew your strength and your hope.  In these pages, you'll also discover . . .  Why you mustn't be troubled when you can't feel the Spirit's presence in your soul How the dignity of each human soul depends upon God's presence in it The gift of God that's greater than Creation itself How the presence of God enables you to see everything in a new light Can you hear God as he speaks to you constantly?  You can learn how Plus: many other topics to help you know the God who dwells within you. For only $19, you can own two of the most spiritually enriching books on the Holy Spirit.   Order the set HERE for only $19!   Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com

Carl Schmitt and the Vision of Beauty

by Father John McCloskey

Have you ever heard of the American Catholic painter Carl Schmitt? I imagine that of the thousands of people reading this article, the vast majority would have to say no. And that is why I am writing about him. Because he deserves notice.

Among the many signs of the truth of our faith, one must certainly be the beauty it has engendered throughout the centuries, through the work of Catholic men and women in all spheres of the arts. In music, consider Gregorian chant and the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and many more composers; in architecture, Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque cathedrals by the hundreds; in literature, among countless authors are Dante and Cervantes; and of course in painting, Rubens, Raphael, Michelangelo, Giotto, and Velazquez, among many more.

You get the point. All of these and innumerable more in every category are products of God's gift to mankind, giving us insight into the world that awaits us. Now what has the Catholic Church in the United States produced of perennial artistic value in its approximately 250 years of existence?

In the area of literature, it has produced some fine writers, as Russell Shaw points out in his latest book American Church. The post-war boom in fiction was a moment of hope for the state of Catholic culture. Catholic writers such as Flannery O'Connor were being sent up the same flagpoles that flew pennants for Saul Bellow and John Updike. Catholics even managed to capture back-to-back wins of the coveted National Book Award with Walker Percy's The Moviegoer (1962) and J.F. Powers' Morte d'Urban (1963). And, yes, we have novelist Ron Hansen today, but in general we have little likely to last for centuries, and this is true generally for the world of music, sculpture, and architecture.

Which brings us finally to Carl Schmitt.

Here, I will only sketch his early years (the rest you can find on his website).

Schmitt's fierce pursuit of the arts began early. Born in 1889 in Warren, Ohio, to Prof. Jacob Schmitt, an accomplished musician and music teacher, and Grace (Wood) Schmitt, the young Carl was encouraged to further his artistic interests and evident gifts. These found wider scope through his friendship with a Youngstown photographer, Jimmy Porter, and with Zell Hart Deming, the owner of the Warren Chronicle. As a patroness of the arts, Mrs. Deming held an informal salon for local writers and artists. Quickly recognizing the talent of this spirited teenager, she encouraged his ambitions and helped finance his formal studies in New York at seventeen.

Schmitt first attended the Chase School, where William Merritt Chase was still giving classes and Robert Henri was the dominant figure. The following year he switched to the National Academy of Design to study for several years under Emil Carlsen. Schmitt excelled at the Academy, studying intensely the fundamentals of color, line, and form, and gaining an intimate understanding of their individual properties and relations. He won a best picture award each of the years that he was there. He had great respect for his teachers, but especially Carlsen, keeping for the rest of his life several pages of notes from his class. Nonetheless, Schmitt was determined to be his own man in art. Carlsen had offered to teach him privately, but Schmitt's strong convictions soon headed him in a different direction.

He wanted to understand the "energy that is behind the arts" and which "no one can in terms of science explain." Later in life, he explained the three principles that motivated him: "My philosophy may be summed up thus: First, to receive from God gratefully everything possible that I can get. Second, to give back to God through my neighbor everything which I can give. To give gifts to my neighbor I must use art, because a gift must be made – hence I must be an artist."

And he delivered concretely in his paintings what his words described. As Terry Teachout, a Protestant drama critic for the Wall Street Journal and culture critic atCommentary magazine, has put it:

Of course the sheer quality of the work is beyond question. I don't think that you could possibly look at his paintings, especially those extraordinary late still lifes, without feeling the visceral excitement of having discovered an unknown master, a modern Chardin, I was stunned – there is no other word for it.

If you like the several pieces of his art displayed here, you can see one in person in Washington, DC, at the National Portrait Gallery. And you can learn more about Carl Schmitt by purchasing the coffee-table book Carl Schmitt: The Vision of Beauty published by Scepter, which includes over forty of his works accompanied by biographical data and commentary.

Yes, Catholic America has produced an artist of genius and his name is Carl Schmitt. Get acquainted with his art and the deep Catholic philosophy and theology that lay behind it.

First appeared on The Catholic Thing, May 2013.

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Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, May 12, 2013 with Reflection

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

1^ST READING - Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 Whilemeeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”6 When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

P S A L M - Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. 2 [3]For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 5 [6] God mounts his throne amidshouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 6 [7] Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R) 7 [8]For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 8 [9] God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.(R)   

2^nd  READING - Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 (or Ephesians 1:17-23)

24 Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. 25 Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own;26 if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 27 Just as it is appointed that men and women die once, and after this the judgment, 28 so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him. 10: 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary 20 by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,” 22 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.

Luke 24:46-53

46 Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. 51 As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple praising God.

SABBATH

BLESS US, O LORD

Do you often wonder what it must have been like on this day, the Ascension of the Lord? How must it have looked to the human eye to see Jesus ascending before you into the heavens? I often feel a bit sad when I reflect on it. I imagine being used to seeing Jesus around and then going before us. He is not around anymore. We have these experiences when loved ones leave us, and move to another place, or when they die. It is sad to see our loved ones go. But Jesus tells us we are not alone, as we have His presence in the sacraments, in His word, in the Church, and through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

       This year, we reflect on Luke’s account of the Ascension. In the FirstReading, Luke tells us of the conversation that goes on between them and Jesus. The conversation is short, explaining to them to wait for the promise of the Father. In his Gospel account, Jesus is lifted from their sight while blessing them. The blessing of Jesus remains. The last gesture, physically seen and received, is the same blessing He gives through the hands of His priests — He absolves, baptizes, feeds and anoints His people. As the disciples return with great joy after receiving the blessing from Jesus, so too are we filled with joy at the blessing of the Lord.

       Let us be conscious that when the priest blesses us, baptizes the infant, anoints the sick, and consecrates the bread and wine, it is really Jesus blessing, anointing and feeding His people. The same Jesus who ascended is the same One who remains in our midst through the ministry of the priest.Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you receive a priest’s blessing?

Lord, we sing our praise to You. Give us Your blessing today and always.

Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs, pray for us.

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