Adult Initiation & Sacrament Preparation

During the Easter Season the Church celebrates our faith’s greatest mystery – the Resurrection.  As we transition to Ordinary Time, the Church likes to take a moment to reflect on our other great mysteries.  Last Sunday was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.  This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (what we used to call Corpus Christi).  It is a recognition of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Word for Corpus Christi Exodus 24:3-8 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 Our first reading is from the book of Exodus.  Prior to this passage the people of Israel have arrived at Mount Sinai and Moses has received the 10 Commandments (and the entirety of the Law code) from God.  Moses presents this to the people, and as our passage opens, Moses is asking for their acceptance of the Law.  With the approval of the people, the Covenant is ratified by the blood s...

The fifty days of Easter are now behind us, but as is often the case, the Church isn’t quite ready to leave the party.  As we enter this long period of Ordinary Time the Church takes these first two Sundays after Easter to reflect on two of her most sacred mysteries.  This Sunday, with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, and next Sunday with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Word for Trinity Sunday Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 Psalm 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22 Romans 8:14-17 Mathew 28:16-20 We open with a reading from the book of Deuteronomy – the 5th and final book of the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible).  Our passage has Moses speaking to the people of the wonders of the Lord… A God who chose them, Israel, a captive nation under Egypt, for his own.  The continuation of this special relationship, however, requires each party to perform.  In order to receive the grace of the Lord, one must ...

This Sunday we bring the Easter Season to a close with the celebration of Pentecost… that moment when the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles, whose gifts allowed them to leave the upper room and spread the Gospel to Jerusalem, all of Judea and Samaria, and throughout the world.  It’s the birthday of the Church! The Word for Pentecost Sunday Acts 2-1-11 Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5:16-25 John 20:19-23 or John 15:26-27, 16:12-15 Our Sunday readings open fittingly with the Pentecost story in Acts of the Apostles.  This is the story from which our traditional stories of this moment originate.  It is after the Ascension and the Apostles are gathered again in the upper room.  Our passage has two distinct parts.  First is the actual descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, followed by the experience of the people in the street after the Apostles leave the upper room. The first line of o...

This week the Church in the US celebrates the Ascension of the Lord... the moment Jesus, after the resurrection, left us to join his Father in Heaven.  Traditionally this day is celebrated today... the Thursday before the 7th Sunday of Easter, 40 days after the resurrection, and 10 days before Pentecost.  The US bishops, however, have opted to celebrate this important Solemnity on Sunday, because it's message and meaning are important aspects of our faith tradition, and should not be missed. The Word for the Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Ephesians 1:17-23, or 4:1-13, or 4:1-7, 11-13 Mark 16:15-20 We open with the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles.  This book, the sequel to Luke's Gospel, begins like all great sequels, with a recapping of the story thus far.  Like any good writer, Luke takes this time to give us some additional details that were not included in his gospel.  This is the story we hear today in our first rea...

Love.  One small word, but it means so much.  The ancient Greeks had at least five different words to describe the different types of emotions love can evoke.  If you had to some up our entire faith tradition in one word, it would have to be “love.”  Love is how God brought us into existence.  Love is the primary teaching that Jesus gave us.  Love is how the Holy Spirit is made manifest in us today.  Spring is in the air, and so is love… The Word for the 6 th Sunday of Easter Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 1 John 4:7-10 John 15:9-17 Our first reading from Acts of the Apostles centers on the conversion and baptism of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion.  Cornelius is a foreigner in every sense, yet he is compelled by a vision to seek out Peter.  Peter bravely accepts his invitation, knowing full well that it is against Jewish law to meet with a Gentile.  But Peter knows better…that God’s love...