Daily Quote - Let our hearts ascend with Him…

Pentecost Sunday, Cycle A May 31, 2020

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles gathered in Jerusalem.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
God’s Spirit renews the earth.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13
We are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading
John 20:19-23
Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Gospel JN 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”


Background on the Gospel Reading

The Season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration, the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading. The account in today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is enough that we know that after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.

We already heard today’s Gospel proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter this year (Lectionary Cycle A). That Gospel passage, however, also included the description of Jesus’ appearance to Thomas. In that context, we were led reflect on belief and unbelief.

In the context of the Feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act of breathing the Holy Spirit mirrors God’s act of breathing life into Adam at the time of Creation. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also be translated as “breath.”

This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.


Family Connection

Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Church. The Gospel for Pentecost reminds us that the Church begins with the command to forgive. Within the family, the domestic Church, we learn how to forgive and how to accept forgiveness. The gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to do both. Today is a fitting time to share a family celebration of reconciliation.

As you gather together as a family, sit quietly for a few minutes, inviting everyone to reflect upon their need to forgive and to receive forgiveness. If there is a situation or an issue within the family that needs attention, spend some time reflecting on how your family might address it. Read together today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23. Talk together about how Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us in the work of forgiveness and to bring us peace. Pray together today’s Psalm or the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking that the Holy Spirit help your family. Share with one another a Sign of Peace.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings

A call to arms for spiritual warriors

Why are so many leading Christians watering down the robust teachings of our Faith? Ignoring Christ’s clear direction to boldly confront evils, they preach a different gospel, one that’s more feel- good, non-confrontational, lax.   Instead of exhorting the faithful to edify the wayward, they urge them to submit . . . with catastrophic results personally, for the Church and for society at large. Now comes Fr. Dwight Longenecker with this potent book that shows how good Christians can cure this trend and repair the damage it has caused. How? By engaging in the lost art of spiritual warfare. But be forewarned: this book is not for the half-hearted. If you read it seriously, you will be shaken to the core. For Fr. Longenecker plunges deep into the abyss to lay bare the heart of darkness. Without fear, he maps out the myriad places where the Evil One  lurks in our world, shines a light on its many faces and details the clever tricks it uses to hide. He offers 10 sturdy principles that must motivate all Christians who seek to extinguish evil and prevent it from returning. And he explains in detail the art of immortal combat, showing how embracing the Cross can bring victory over any evil, no matter how hidden or how grave. This book calls you to sanctity. And sanctity is impossible apart from heroic virtue, which in turn is impossible without spiritual warfare. So if you want to accept Jesus’s command to become a warrior for Him, this book is for you. As the author puts it, “Find a saint, and you’ll find a warrior.”  Immortal Combat: Confronting the Heart of Darkness by Fr. Dwight Longenecker Paperback — 160 pages $17.95 BUY NOW Praise for Immortal Combat: "As a bishop in this devastating time I encourage you to read and ponder Fr. Longenecker’s book, Immortal Combat." Bishop Joseph E. Strickland Diocese of Tyler "This is a powerful book that will deepen the spiritual lives of many." Dan Burke President of the Avila Institute "Immortal Combat grabs you by the scruff of the neck, holds you up to the mirror of Truth, and dares you to become the warrior for Christ you are called to be." Johnnette Benkovic Williams Host and Founder of EWTN's Women of Grace "Immortal Combat helps us understand—in clear and unambiguous language—how we live, what we live for, and what we would die for." Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Author, Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Priest "Immortal Combat will help equip you to triumph in the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, as well as against laziness, compromise, and error." Patrick Madrid Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio Further fortify your mission with advice from spiritual expert Dan Burke. In this concise yet powerful book, former EWTN News President Dan Burke presents the time-tested wisdom of Catholic mystics to explain the influence the Enemy has on your mind and heart, and the tactics you need to combat him. With St. Ignatius as his guide, Burke presents an indispensable manual for engaging in daily battle with the Adversary—combat that is both necessary and winnable. The book will help you recognize the ebbs and flows of consolation and desolation, and distinguish between the voices of God and of Satan. Best of all, you’ll come to see the spiritual life not as a science to be learned, but as an intuitive art to be practiced as you move with increasing success from habitual sin to sanctity. For the Christian who is awake, the battle for one’s soul is unavoidable. The saints triumphed by learning how to be spiritual warriors and by recognizing that we become stronger through battle and grow weaker from avoidance. Read these pages and be prepared for battle.   Get BOTH  books for only $24.99! BUY NOW Order online above, or call 1-800-888-9344 www.SophiaInstitute.com   Invite friends to receive our newsletters and get these books for FREE! LEARN MORE Get one discounted book per month—and never pay shipping! Learn more:

More Wisdom from St. Teresa of Calcutta

Share everything with Mary, even the cross—as Jesus did.

— St. Teresa of Calcutta From Love: A Fruit Always in Season

More Wisdom from Pope Leo XIII

Men always work harder and more readily when they work on that which belongs to them; nay, they learn to love the very soil that yields in response to the labor of their hands, not only food to eat, but an abundance of good things for themselves and those that are dear to them.

— Pope Leo XIII from Rerum Novarum

Daily Quote - …an inheritance incorruptible

Wisdom from Pope Leo XIII

Man not only should possess the fruits of the earth, but also the very soil, inasmuch as from the produce of the earth he has to lay by provision for the future. Nature must have given to man a source that is stable and remaining always with him. And this stable condition of things he finds solely in the earth and its fruits.

— Pope Leo XIII from Rerum Novarum

NEW! Chicken Soup for the Soul: Everyday Catholicism

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Daily Quote - Courage...

Wisdom from St. Teresa of Calcutta

Our Lady had to declare that she was the handmaid of the Lord before God could fill her. Even seeing Jesus die, Our Lady trusted God… Our Lady became the Mother of Sorrows because she said yes continually with full trust and joy, trusting in Him without reserve.

— St. Teresa of Calcutta From Love: A Fruit Always in Season

More Wisdom from Dr. Scott Hahn

The Eucharist is the Lord’s Supper. It’s the family meal. Christ is our true breadwinner, only the bread that he has won is his own life that he gives us. We gather as a family. That is not some quaint, sentimental mishmash. That is the spiritual reality of what we do in the Eucharistic liturgy—of who we are as baptized children of God.

— Dr. Scott Hahn from How to Bring Fallen-Away Catholics Back to the Church

Wisdom from Dr. Scott Hahn

From the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Confirmation, Catholics have something within that is supernatural—a larger thirst and hunger than your average American. Through the sacraments, Catholics have something that is strong within them that desires to know God and desires communion with the Lord Jesus Christ.

— Dr. Scott Hahn from How to Bring Fallen-Away Catholics Back to the Church

The Ascension of the Lord May 24, 2020

First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
Jesus is taken up to heaven in the presence of the apostles.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 47:2-3,6-9
Sing praise to God as he mounts his throne.

Second Reading
Ephesians 1:17-23
God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus charges his disciples to make disciples of all nations and promises to be with them forever.


Gospel MT 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”


Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel is taken from the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel quickly moves from the disciples’ discovery of Jesus’ empty tomb, to Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, to the commission that Jesus gives his disciples in today’s Gospel.

The Final Commission, as this Gospel is sometimes called, is given on the mountaintop. Throughout Scripture, the most important events happen on the mountaintop, and Matthew has used this motif throughout his Gospel. Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, Peter, James, and John had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop (Matthew 17:1-8). Also in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus taught the crowds from the mountaintop in what we now call the Sermon on the Mount.

Here we are told that the eleven disciples go the mountaintop in Galilee, as Jesus had instructed through Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (cf. Matthew 28:9-10). They see Jesus, and both worship and doubt at the same time. Jesus approaches them and commissions them to baptize and teach, "to make disciples of all nations." It is a task which Jesus had previously prepared his disciples for; recall that Jesus had sent the twelve apostles to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal (cf. Matthew 10:1-15). However, earlier the Twelve were sent only to the House of Israel; in this Final Commission, the eleven are told to go to "all nations." The mission of Jesus is now to be taken to all people; the task now is to baptize and to teach.

Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in the name of the Trinity, one of the clearest attestations found in Scripture for baptism in the name of the Trinity. In the Acts of the Apostles and in the Letters of Paul, baptism is more frequently offered "in the name of Jesus."

The ending of Matthew’s Gospel can be understood as the beginning of the Church. Jesus commissions his disciples to continue to teach in his name and to bring others into the community of disciples through baptism. The Gospel ends, as it had begun, with the promise that Jesus will continue to be Emmanuel, "God with us" (cf. Matthew 1:23), for all eternity.


Family Connection

Just as Jesus sent his disciples to make disciples, our family, the domestic Church, is called to bear witness to the life of discipleship. That act of witnessing can take many forms. First and foremost our family should call people to discipleship by the example of our love for one another. That example is only the beginning; our love must extend beyond the family, reaching out to others and to the world.

Together with your family, identify one or more ways in which your family lives the life of Christian discipleship. Thank God for the blessing of the opportunity to be able to show God’s love. Then read together today’s Gospel, Matthew 28:16-20. Discuss what Jesus sends his disciples to do. Work together to identify one or more ways in which your family would like to do a better job bearing witness to the life of discipleship. Choose one of those ways and work together to make it happen. Pray as a family for the grace to be witnesses to the world of the life of discipleship. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings

Daily Quote - Patience...

More Wisdom from Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen

The greatest word that a human being has ever uttered is amazingly simple. Our first reaction when we hear this word is perhaps: ‘Is that all?’ Yes, that is all! Mary said Yes to God.

— Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen From Mary in the Bible and Our Lives

More Wisdom from Tim Staples

As the Queen Mother, ruling and reigning with her Son, Mary is involved in the redemption, the restoration, and the salvation of the world. If we understand who Jesus Christ is—the Messiah, the King of Israel—then we know who Mary is: the Queen.

— Tim Staples from All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed

Daily Quote - A long life…

Wisdom from Tim Staples

Knowing Mary is essential if we are truly going to know who Jesus Christ and the living God in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are. If you don’t know Mary, you don’t know Jesus.

— Tim Staples from All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed

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