The feast and its objectivesToday, we celebrate the solemn feast of Corpus Christi. It is three feasts in one: the feast of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the feast of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the feast of the Real Presence of Jesus in this Sacrament. Corpus Christi is a doctrinal feast established for three purposes:…
The Mystery of the Holy TrinityToday’s feast invites us to live in the awareness of the presence of the Triune God within us: The Father,the Son and the Holy Spirit. The mystery of the Holy Trinity, a doctrine enunciated by the ecumenical councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, is one of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity…
Pentecost FeastAfter the Ascension of the Lord, the apostles were reunited with the Mother of Jesus. It was the dayof the feast of Pentecost. They were afraid to go out and preach. Suddenly, a strong wind was heard andsmall tongues of fire settled on each one of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit…
The Feast of Ascension of the LordForty days after Jesus’ Glorious Resurrection, Our Lord ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:6-11).The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 665) says, “Christ’s Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain, whence he will come again (cf. Acts 1:11); this humanity in the meantime hides him…
The Holy Spirit is Promised In today’s readings there is a constant allusion to the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus. He comes to tell them that the “passage from him to the Father” does not mean “empty” or “absence”. His presence among his own is assured even after his departure: “I will not leave you…
Jesus is the Way“Where are you going in life, or what are you living for?” It is the most important question we have to ask our people, the Church, each other, and ourselves. Many do not know what answer to give. Even we Christians sometimes feel lost. However, we should not feel that way, since…
OUR PROTECTORToday’s readings invite us to recognize our need for one who ensures our safety, nourishes us, andleads us to peace and security, like sheep who rest in the care of a good shepherd. Such a shepherd will protect and save the sheep, even from the most deadly of predators. Today, we ponder the incredible…
EXEMPLAR OF THE FAITHPoor Thomas. Singled out from among the disciples because he refused to believe what theywere telling him—that they had seen, in the flesh, their friend and their Lord, Jesus Christ. Can any ofus really blame him? All of the disciples were terrified, crestfallen, hiding. But what of Thomas? Justwhere was he when…
REJOICE AND BE GLADIf Christmas is the “most wonderful time of the year,” then Easter is the most joyous, glorious, awesome time of the year! Really? Today’s readings don’t exactly brim over with the kind of holiday cheer we find at Christmas—except for the responsorial psalm, which admittedly rings with gleeful joy. But otherwise, not…
LIFE FROM GODAs we approach Holy Week, our readings speak of a God who, in the midst of death, brings newlife to the people. In Ezekiel, we hear that God will open the graves of the people of Israel, who facednear extinction. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives new life to Lazarus in a…