Adult Faith Formation & Initiation

This Thursday is traditionally the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord – the end of our 40 days after the Resurrection, and beginning the 10 days between the Lord’s Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  But because the celebration of the Ascension is such an important holy day, many parishes and diocese have moved this celebration to the Sunday before Pentecost. Now I have written several times on the readings for the Ascension, and these readings are always the same.  So instead, for those celebrating the 7th Sunday of Easter this coming Sunday, I thought it would be nice to take this opportunity to unpack those readings. The Word for the 7th Sunday of Easter Acts 7:55-60 Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9 Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 John 17:20-26 Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the martyrdom of St. Stephen.  Stephen was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to the Church in Jerusalem.  Within the course of his ministry he

Following the traditional calendar, the Solemnity of the Ascension falls on a Thursday… 40 days after the Resurrection, and 10 days before Pentecost.  But since the Ascension is such an important moment for us as Church, many diocese, including our own, have moved this celebration to this coming Sunday (in place of the 7th Sunday of Easter).  But regardless of when we celebrate it the readings are the same: 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 Hebrews 9:24-28, 10:19-23 Luke 24:46-53 Our first reading is from the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles.  While it might be more appropriate that this reading should follow our Gospel reading for today (as it naturally follows after Luke’s Gospel), the book-end effect of these two readings remains intact, reminding us how this was a pivotal moment for the Church.  Like most sequels, our reading opens with a recap of where we left off at the end of Luke’s Gospel with the Ascension of Je

A few years back I was very moved by the graduation message by St. Francis High School (La Canada, my alma mater) principal, Tom Moran.  It was a message about not becoming a "none" - those who claim no religious affiliation.  Since then I've been moved by and posted his subsequent graduation addresses.  My three brothers and I knew Mr. Moran from our days as students, and through these graduation messages I see his love for St. Francis High School and those students who pass through those hallowed halls.  This was his address for the Class of 2019: Mr. Moran's Address to the Graduates - May 25, 2019 “Do you believe in miracles?” That classic question was posed by sportscaster Al Michaels in the closing seconds of a pivotal 1980 Olympic Ice Hockey game between the US and Russia, with America clinging to a 4-3 lead. In those days, the US Hockey Team was comprised of amateurs; the Russian Team members were, for all intents and purposes, professionals.

"Peace be with you."  These were the first words Jesus spoke to the Apostles when he appeared to them in the upper room after his resurrection.  They are also the same words used by the Bishop during Confirmation after having been “sealed with the Holy Spirit.” But what does this “peace” mean?  As our readings will show, it means allowing space for the Holy Spirit to work around us, within us, and through us… The Word for the 6th Sunday of Easter Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 John 14:23-29 How does the Church handle a problem?  This is the challenge faced in our first reading from Acts of the Apostles, which gives us a summary of the Council of Jerusalem.  The question they need to address:  Do Gentile converts need to be circumcised?  Circumcision was established under the covenant with Abraham, and codified in the Mosaic Law.  Though circumcision was traditionally done during infancy, it was also a requirement for any male

“Behold, I make all things new.”  These were God’s words to the prophet Isaiah.  These were the words spoken by Jesus to his disciples.  These were the words that drove the disciples onto the street to spread the good news.  How fitting that we should be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Easter Season when all our candidates take on this new persona as they are sealed with the Holy Spirit, a reflection of the season of Spring and the Easter Season which has us all looking at something new: The Word for the 5th Sunday of Easter Acts 14:21-27 Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13 Revelation 21:1-5a John 13:31-33a, 34-35 Our first reading from Acts of the Apostles has us continuing our journey with Paul and Barnabas as they continue to spread the good news.  But not all has gone well.  While they continue to gather followers, they also find themselves literally being dragged out of some towns.  After a successful stay in Derbe, we rejoin Paul and Barnabas as they

The image of Jesus as “the good shepherd” is a popular and beloved representation of Christ.  Even for those of us who are long separated from this type of agrarian life, the image of a shepherd as someone who is both leader and caretaker is one that we can easily understand.  Though it’s an image for our Lord that’s often used by the prophets, none have done it better than John’s gospel, and leading us to refer to this day as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Word for the 4th Sunday of Easter Acts 13:14, 43-52 Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5 Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 John 10:27-30 Our first reading from Acts of the Apostles has us traveling with Paul and Barnabas on their first journey to Antioch..  Their first visit to the Synagogue went so well that they are invited to come back the following week.  Our narrative opens with their next visit, only this time their reception is mixed.  This rejection by some of the Jews drives Paul to take their message to the Gentiles in Antioch, where it is

Answering the call.  The Lord calls us to be with him, to follow him… but what is our response?  Our readings for this Third Sunday of Easter all show us how others have answered that call… The Word for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19 Our first reading, from Acts of the Apostles, takes place shortly after our reading from last Sunday.  After preaching and healing in Jesus’ name outside the Temple, the Sanhedrin had the Apostles arrested and put into jail.  That night, however, an angel of the Lord opened the jail and let them out, whereupon the Apostles returned to preaching and healing.  This takes us to our passage today where they are brought before the Court and told that they are forbidden to teach in Jesus’ name.  Here Peter, who only a few weeks ago was so afraid of the Sanhedrin that he denied his connection to Jesus, now speaks passionately in his defense, proud of the fact that they had th

Living in “Hollywood” we are very familiar with sequels.  When you have great characters involved in a great story, you almost naturally want to continue the journey… to see what happens next.  The same was true for Luke’s gospel.  After giving us the story of Jesus, perhaps the greatest story ever told, the people wanted to hear more.  So what does every author do when he knows he’s got a hit?  He gives us a sequel:  The Acts of the Apostles.  And one of the beauties of the Easter season is the opportunity we have to explore this story in place of the usual Hebrew Scriptures for our first reading. The Word for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) Acts 5:12-16 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 John 20:19-31 In our first reading from Acts, we see Peter and the Apostles gathering in the Temple are (Solomon’s Portico).  None of the religious establishment dared to be present, but the people held them in great esteem.  The crowds continued to grow as th