Adult Initiation & Sacrament Preparation

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 dioceses, including our own, have moved this celebration to this coming Sunday (in place of the 7th Sunday of Easter). 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 Jesus.  Also like most sequels, this “recap” of t...

“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 (and not coincidentally, the first words spoken by our new Pope Leo XIV to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square).  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...

“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.  This is also how Jesus presents God’s Law to his disciples.  How fitting that we consider this “newness” in the Easter Season – Spring – 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 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 are now heading home returning through the cities they had visited earlier.  As they return t...

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 was 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 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...