They ran the race, sometimes battered and worn, but always sustained by their faith and grace, knowing the day would come, and they’d be done. Thy will done, earthly cares in better view, they’d lay down all they carried, all they held. Gone, so it seems, more than wind came their way. Left with love in their hearts, and on their minds, pure as saints, these souls in great shape proceed, with everything gained, and not a bit lost.
“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” – St. Clare of Assisi
Under the surface, coursing deep within The passages and chambers of one’s heart, Is what pulses through, leads them by the nose, Causing stumbling, bumbling, fool hardy ways.
If humans move to the things they admire, Walking to the beat of what sets their fire, Never stopping to seek something higher, The better of us, will be lost—gotten.
Under the surface, coursing deep within The passages and chambers of one’s heart, Is what pulses through, leads them to good will, Causing careful, kind, faithful, loving ways.
If humans move to things worth admiring, Walking to the beat of great communion, Pausing often to seek something higher, The best of us, will be rediscovered.
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others. Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 2:1-5
Through the waves of dissonance, steady and in great calmness, Truth works its way to the front, making known what was hidden, replacing what’s distorted, shining light on what’s debased, transforming what’s been disturbed, renewing all purpose and bringing a meaningful state.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord; and you also will testify. – John 15:26b, 27a
The readings for the Solemnity of Pentecost offer an opportunity to contemplate faith from the perspective of both personal experience and communal experience. In the First Reading (Acts 2:1-11), it is written:
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
The Spirit not only rested upon each one, but penetrated them, and more than filled them up. The apostles were given what they needed, the ability to communicate effectively with those whose languages were different than theirs.
In what area(s) of your life do you desire the Holy Spirit to assist or inspire you?
The reading continues with the people shocked at what they are hearing and trying to understand what is going on:
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.
Recall how you have been taken by surprise, experiencing or witnessing the mighty acts of God.
The Psalm response is from Psalm 104:
Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. (cf. 30)
Inspired by the mighty acts of the Lord, take some time to pray for the things that your heart longs for the Lord to bring His peace, love, healing, wisdom, and/or unity to.
After naming and praying for each thing, repeat the response from Psalm 104. As you pray, be aware of how your heart and mind are stirred. Allow yourself time to communicate your thoughts and feelings about both personal matters and those regarding your brothers and sisters in your community and around the world.
In the Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13), St. Paul gives voice to the fact that, yes, we are different (not all have the same gifts, or are called to serve, or to be the same), but that underneath those differences, we are born of the same God. And furthermore, he writes:
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
What’s it like to consider that the Holy Spirit can work in each, and every, person, no matter who they are or what they have done, to bring forth the good that God has in mind? How does, or how might, this notion influence you in your words, actions, and thoughts and prayers?
In the Gospel reading (John 20:19-23), it is written:
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.”
Reflecting on this Gospel passage and the fifty days since Easter, what catches your attention? What have you carried forward for yourself, and regarding others? What, if anything, might be interfering with your ability to be guided by and to cooperate more fully with the Holy Spirit? What do you sense the Lord wants you to know at this moment?
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. – Gospel Acclamation
In the Gospel passage for the Foruth Sunday of Easter (John 10:1-10) it is written:
Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
The thief and robber, thinking themself clever, sneaks their way in. They side-step or going over or around the gate, and sometimes even appear to be the gatekeeper. However, Jesus says, though they may get in, they are still a thief and robber, and the sheep will not be fooled by them.
How do you invite the Lord, the Good Shepherd, to help you discern the differences between His voice and that of the stranger who robs and steals?
Take some time to contemplate a situation that might be weighing you down? What might there be that is being robbed or stolen from you when it comes to this? Pray to the Lord for insight and wisdom so that His voice can be stronger or more clear, having greater influence on you and your response to the situation.
In what ways does the Lord want you to have life more abundantly?
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. – Psalm 23:1
In the First Reading for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, it is written:
If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him. Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing. The eyes of God are on those who fear him; he understands man’s every deed. No one does he command to act unjustly, to none does he give license to sin. – Sirach 15:15-20
Take some time to reflect on your words and actions this past week. Consider to what or to whom you “stretched forth your hand” as you went about the week. Invite Jesus to reflect with you. As you review situations that come to mind, how is your heart touched? How do you imagine Jesus’s heart is touched?
The final verse in this week’s Psalm is verse 34 of Psalm 119:
Give me understanding to keep your law, to observe it with all my heart.
There are 613 laws within the first 5 books of the Old Testament (the Torah), there are 10 commandments revealed by God at Mount Sinai, and there are Jesus’s words and example among which is:
You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. – Matthew 22:37-40
Taking what you have learned through both Scripture and personal experience, how would you describe the heart of God?
In the Second Reading (1 Corinthians 2:6-10), St. Paul gives voice to the fact that knowledge born of the earthly is different than wisdom, pure and true, which is a gift that emanates from God.
But as it is written: What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him, this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. – verses 9-10
Contemplate these verses. Notice where your heart is drawn and what comes to mind. As you do so, enter into conversation with Jesus. Reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings and ask him for whatever you need (healing, peace, insight, etc.).
In the Gospel for this week (Matthew 5:17-37), Jesus tells his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” – verses 17-20
As you navigate the world around you, how is your heart informed and motivated by God’s laws and commandments, and the spirit of them, along with Jesus’s words and example?
The Gospel passage continues with Jesus stating a few examples of what the disciples have heard or what’s been said of the law of God followed by “But I say to you…”:
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you…”
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you…”
“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you…”
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you…” – excerpted verses 21-37
In these verses, Jesus is teaching the disciples a deeper understanding of what they have heard or what’s been said; what they’ve come to know. He’s shifting the focus to connect the law/commandments back to their divine intent—preserving the goodness of God in our hearts.
How might the wisdom of God bring a new understanding or bring greater depth to what you have heard or what’s been said? In what ways might your heart exercise more like the heart of God, the intent of God’s law and commandments, and the teachings and example of Jesus?
Lord, God, creator of all, stretch forth our hearts, So that your goodness and mercy may shine through. Let our words and deeds, give you honor and praise. May they spread hope and love, light and peace, to all.
Blessed those who keep the Lord’s testimonies, who seek the Lord with all their heart. – Psalm 119:2
Beating still, beating quietly, beating nonetheless, Attention becomes the disciple of intention. A stir within, roars within, formation from within. Look and listen closely as true passion is revealed.
Following the leader? Where? To what good do they lead? Igniting hearts? Uniting hearts? On whose behalf? All hearts can and must choose for whom and for what they burn. Discern! Discern! Deception has so many voices.
Does the message uplift all of us, like the true one Who gracefully overcomes the small, in all of us, Helping the steadfast to be ready, set, and to ask, How does this represent the good teacher serving all?
The Lord keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. The Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those who were bowed down. The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers. The fatherless and the widow the Lord sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. – Psalm 146:6-10
The Baptism of the Lord in the Gospel according to Matthew describes an interaction between Jesus and John the Baptist. John is a prophet who has his own disciples, and of whom it is written, “At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.” (Matthew 3:5-6). And Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed one, of whom John said, “the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11). Yet, as it is written, they meet and engage with each other without pretense or posturing.
Read and reflect on the Gospel passage for the Baptism of the Lord (below), receiving it as an invitation to prayerfully consider human interactions, both your own and those that you witness. Ask the Lord for insight and wisdom as you do so.
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:13-17
What divine qualities do the words and actions of John the Baptist and Jesus exemplify in this exchange? What strikes you most?
Next, put yourself in John’s shoes as the prophet of whom it is written, “A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” (Isaiah 40:3). What’s it like to encounter Jesus, knowing that He is the one of whom you’ve been preaching and waiting for? and knowing that it is time for you to step back while He steps forward? What thoughts and feelings arise when you envision saying to Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you” and he replies, “Allow it now. For thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness”?
Now, ask Jesus to help you to envision His experience in this passage. In what ways might His perspective enlighten your interactions and/or assessments of interactions to which you have been a witness?
How might you be inspired by the example of Jesus and John the Baptist in interactions and when you encounter something or someone known, new, or different?
“You are sent into this world to believe in yourself as God’s chosen one and then to help your brothers and sisters know that they are also beloved sons and daughters of God who belong together. You’re sent into this world to be a people of reconciliation. You are sent to heal, to break down the walls between you and your neighbors, locally, nationally, and globally. Before all distinctions, the separations, and the walls built on foundations of fear, there was a unity in the mind and heart of God. Out of that unity, you are sent into this world for a little while to claim that you and every other human being belongs to the same God of Love who lives from eternity to eternity.” – Henri Nouwen
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