In today’s Scripture readings we hear of God‘s plan for us. It involves our identity and our calling. A calling is a vocation. Typically we think of vocation in terms of one dedicated to a religious life of ministry. However vocation is one’s fullest identity in relationship with God applied to many different scenarios.

One can be called to the vocation of fatherhood or motherhood. One can be called to the vocation of nurse. One can be called to the vocation of teacher. One can be called to the vocation of friend. Vocation goes beyond any particular job. It elevates the job, the duty to God. It lifts up our daily activities to the Lord. Vocation allows God’s grace to work through us in our sense of who we are. Having a vocation connects our mind, spirit, and heart to God. Having a vocation is an openness to laying our plans for our lives at the altar of God. Our very identity, who we are, what we do, is grounded in our relationship with God.

Many times in the Bible, God calls someone forth to ministry, to a vocation, to a relationship that surprises and even shocks. Certainly Abraham did not expect to be the father of countless generations in his old age. And yet he is now considered the father of the Jews. In today’s first reading from the Old Testament, Amos was a keeper of flocks He was a shepherd. And yet God calls Amos forth to proclaim His message. Think of the Apostles. Fishermen were called. A tax collector was called. Think of St Paul. He was Saúl the great persecutor of Christians. Jesus called him directly and we have so much of the New Testament Scripture because of Paul’s yes to the call of Christ.

In our second reading, St Paul reminds us of God‘s plan. He tells us that God “chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy.” That means to be close to God. “He destined as for adoption to Himself through Jesus Christ”

And then Paul reminds us that we “all exist for the praise of God’s glory”

So as you think about your day and your life and who you – do you see yourself as being called by God? Do you see yourself as one connected to God in your daily activity?

Let me echo Paul’s words to you today. You have been called. You are called each day to give glory to God by what you say and by what you do. What does this mean for us? What does this look like for us? One way to give glory to God is to share your blessings with others. To give simple praise to God by sharing the good things that have happened to you in any day. Another way to give glory to God is to devote your day to the Lord. Devote your work to the Lord. For those who are working, see it as more than just a job. See it as a way to serve God by serving others.

Perhaps we often think of giving testimony to God as a loudmouth obnoxious activity. It certainly does not have to be that way. Giving testimony to God can be as simple as sharing with a friend a recent blessing that you recognize as having come from the Lord.

Today and every day let us pray to see the big picture. Let us pray to see ourselves through God‘s eyes. We have been called to align our lives with God‘s plan. May we always place our plans at the foot of the altar. May we always offer our day up to the Lord. Let us count our blessings, share our gratitude and joy for graces received, And may we way all always exist to give glory to God.

Am 7:12-15

Go, prophesy to my people.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Amos

Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos,
   “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
   but never again prophesy in Bethel;
   for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
   nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
   I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
   Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

R. :

R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

I will hear what God proclaims;
   the LORD—for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
   glory dwelling in our land.

R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Kindness and truth shall meet;
   justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
   and justice shall look down from heaven.

R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
   our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
   and prepare the way of his steps.

R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

---

Second Reading
Eph 1:3-14 or Eph 1:3-10

God chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
   who has blessed us in Christ
   with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
   as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
   to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
   in accord with the favor of his will,
   for the praise of the glory of his grace
   that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood,
   the forgiveness of transgressions,
   in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
   the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
   that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
   to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

In him we were also chosen,
   destined in accord with the purpose of the One
   who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
   so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
   we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
   the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
   were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,
   which is the first installment of our inheritance
   toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.

Or: [Shorter Form]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
   who has blessed us in Christ
   with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
   as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
   to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
   in accord with the favor of his will,
   for the praise of the glory of God’s grace
   that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we have redemption by his blood,
   the forgiveness of transgressions,
   in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
   the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
   that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
   to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
cf. Eph 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 6:7-13

He began to send them out.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
   and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
   but a walking stick—
   no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
   but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
   “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
   leave there and shake the dust off your feet
   in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
   and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.



It has often been said that, “an expert is someone with an opinion who does not live or work with you”.

This saying means that we have a tendency to believe people from the outside and difficulty believing people close to us. There is an inherent irony here. One would think that we would trust more the ones we know. If we know someone well, then we should therefore have that much more trust in that person. However, many times we think we know someone completely – and in that prideful claim of knowing the other – we limit that person‘s ability. Very often we like to define another person in our own mind. We think we know them and what they are capable of doing or not doing. The tragedy of this is that we could perhaps prevent someone from real growth and reaching full potential

In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to His native place. He returns to His home town. He begins to preach about God and the kingdom of God. His neighbors and relatives do not accept this. As a footnote, we should not be bothered by today’s Gospel saying that Jesus has brothers and sisters. This was a loose term the ancient Jews used for close relatives. Typically this term was applied to cousins. We do this even today when a close family friend is referred to as an “uncle” even though not a true blood relative. The close friends and relatives of Jesus thought they knew who He was. They had boxed Him in – in their own mind. They had defined Him as a carpenter. To their are thinking – that’s who Jesus was. They thought they knew His identity completely. It was ridiculous to them to think otherwise. Jesus as the Son of God or the Messiah was not possible in their minds. We should take a special note the effect this had on Jesus. We are told that they took offense at Him and He was downcast

Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. The last three Sundays we have heard Jesus say that we need to have faith. We need to say “yes” to God. In today’s Gospel, the people are saying “no” to God. They are saying “no” to God’s plan. They are saying “no” to Jesus as the Messiah

Let us receive the words of today’s Gospel and take note of our own attitude towards others. Let us be careful in thinking we know someone else completely. Instead – let us allow ourselves to be surprised by the gifts that can come forth from even those we think we know best. Let us do everything we can to encourage the growth and talent and giftedness of everyone in our life (including ourselves). Let’s pray to have God set our minds, our feet, and our way. May the Spirit of God keep our minds and hearts open to God‘s plan – in surprising and amazing ways. Let us never limit the goodness and giftedness of another. Let us be the voice of “You can do it.” and “I believe in you”

May we always be a source of encouragement for others.

Let’s live each day – with faith in God and faith in others.

First Reading
Ez 2:2-5

They are a rebellious house but shall know that a prophet has been among them.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel

As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me
   and set me on my feet,
   and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
   Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
   rebels who have rebelled against me;
   they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
Hard of face and obstinate of heart
   are they to whom I am sending you.
But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD God!
And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—
   they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4

R. :

R. (2cd) Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

To you I lift up my eyes
   who are enthroned in heaven—
as the eyes of servants
   are on the hands of their masters.

R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

As the eyes of a maid
   are on the hands of her mistress,
so are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
   till he have pity on us.

R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
   for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
   with the mockery of the arrogant,
   with the contempt of the proud.

R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

---

Second Reading
2 Cor 12:7-10

I will boast in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:
   That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
   because of the abundance of the revelations,
   a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
   to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
   but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
   for power is made perfect in weakness.”
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
   in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
   hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
   for the sake of Christ;
   for when I am weak, then I am strong.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
cf. Lk 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
for he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 6:1-6

A prophet is not without honor except in his native place.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place,
   accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
   and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
   and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
   “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
   and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
   apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

“Your faith has saved you.”

“Do not be afraid, just have faith”

These are the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel. In response to serious illness and in response to even death itself Jesus directs us to have faith. It overcomes fear. It overcomes sickness. It overcomes death. It brings forth healing. It brings forth life. So therefore what exactly is faith?

In the English language faith is one of those words that has many meanings to many people. It is akin to the word love. We say that we love our spouse or we love our children. And then we turn around and say we love ice cream. Does this word have the same meaning for our children as it does for ice cream? Of course not. So what about the word faith? What does this mean?

Theologically the word faith is defined as the “consent of one’s will to God”. It is our assent to God. It means we GIVE our assent to God. As opposed to dissent. We know what it is to give our dissent. It means we disagree or we simply say “no” to something. To give our assent means we say “yes” to something. So to say it quite plainly, faith is defined as saying “yes” to God. Think of the great “yes” that Mary gave to God. In the Gospel of Luke, Mary was invited by the angel Gabriel to be part of God‘s plan. She did not understand it. She had fear. But she trusted God. And she gave her great “yes” to God‘s plan.

In today’s Gospel, we have a woman who has suffered a serious illness for 12 years. She has faith in the healing of Jesus. More importantly, she has faith in God‘s desire to love her and to make her whole. Jesus tells her – her faith has saved her. So if faith is saying “yes” to God‘s plan, what does this woman say “yes” to? She says “yes” to Jesus being God. She says “yes” to Jesus being the Messiah – the One Who saves. She says “yes” that Jesus is ABLE as God to heal her. She says “yes” that Jesus is WILLING as God to heal her. She says “yes” to God healing her. She says “yes” to God loving her. She says “yes” to believing in God‘s love for her. This was remarkable for this woman. At the time of Jesus, because of her illness, she would have been told that she was a bad woman being punished by God. That was the mentality of the day. But she said “no” to that. And she said “yes” to God‘s love for her.

Do we say “yes” to God‘s love for us? Do we say “yes” to God‘s plan for us? Do we allow God‘s plan to overcome any fear we might have? Do we trust in God? Is our trust stronger than our anxiety?

Jesus brought the little girl back to life. He specifically states, “Do not be afraid. Just have faith.” Jesus directs us to overcome fear with faith. Many of us have good reason to have concerns, worries, anxieties. And Jesus calls us to trust Him. He calls us to trust that God‘s plan will show forth His love for us. Perhaps there will not be a miracle in our life, but we are assured that God is with us and cares for us. Many of us are like the apostles in last week’s Gospel. We are tossed about by the storms of life. We become quite afraid thinking that we will perish. And yet Jesus says to us, as He did to the apostles, “Do you not yet have faith?”

I can personally attest to the power of faith. God has shown over and again that his plan is greater than anything I could possibly imagine. I can say with today’s psalmist, “You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.”

Today let us mark well the activity and the words of Jesus. We call upon God for healing. We call upon God for life. May we have healing in all it’s forms – healing of mind, heart, body, and spirit. May we have life. May we have life to the full – which includes a life of joy, peace, and gratitude. May we eventually have eternal life – fully in communion with God. This day and every day – may we have faith. Together let us trust in God. Together let us say “yes” to God.

First Reading
Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24

By the envy of the devil, death entered the world.

A reading from the Book of Wisdom

God did not make death,
   nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
   and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
and there is not a destructive drug among them
   nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,
   for justice is undying.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
   the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
   and they who belong to his company experience it.

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13

R. :

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
   and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
   you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
   and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
   a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
   but with the dawn, rejoicing.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
   O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
   O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

---

Second Reading
2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15

Your abundance should supply the needs of the poor.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:
As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
   knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,
   may you excel in this gracious act also.

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
   that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
   so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
   but that as a matter of equality
   your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,
   so that their abundance may also supply your needs,
   that there may be equality.
As it is written:
   Whoever had much did not have more,
      and whoever had little did not have less.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Cf. 2 Tim 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

Little girl, I say to you, arise!

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
   to the other side,
   a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
   “My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
   that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
   and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
   and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
   and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
   turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to Jesus,
   “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
   and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
   approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,
   people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
   “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
   Jesus said to the synagogue official,
   “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
   except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
   he caught sight of a commotion,
   people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
   “Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
   and those who were with him
   and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
   which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
   and said that she should be given something to eat.

In today’s Scripture, we have God calming the storms. In the first reading from the Old Testament, God speaks to Job from the midst of the sea. “God addressed Job out of the storm”. And in today’s Gospel, Jesus is in the boat with His disciples as the waves were breaking over the boat and it was beginning to fill up. In both circumstances, God is present in the middle of the storm and brings peace.

This is a powerful reminder of God‘s immanence. That is the fancy way to say God‘s presence in our lives. Nothing challenges our faith more than suffering or hardship. When we face trials and pain, we are easily tempted to question God‘s love for us. We our tempted to question God‘s presence in our life. It seems very easy for us to conclude that God does not love us or care for us if we suffer needlessly. In certain circumstances we may throw our arms up and conclude that God is in fact absent from our lives.

However we must remember that God left the power, glory, and majesty of heaven to be born as man. He was born as one of us. He did not live among us as a king or prince or even a wealthy man. He lived humbly and submitted Himself to the cruelty of evil men. Our God entered into our suffering. He experienced it firsthand through the scourging and Crucifixion.

We would rather that God take away all our suffering in order to prove His love for us. That makes most sense to the human mind. Having a God who enters into our suffering and then conquers it through transformation is something very difficult for us to understand, but we must remember that God is with us. We must remember that God conquers all suffering – even ultimate suffering of death itself. Suffering is not the end of us. Death is not the end of us.

We may go through immense pain but in the end we are called to be united to our God in eternal life. In the moment this might not bring much consolation but it IS reality and truth. Our God does not abandon us when we need him. He is with us in a powerful way. Our God Who did not spare His only Son is certainly with each and every person who suffers. Our God allowed Himself to experience the cruelest suffering this world could provide. Therefore He knows firsthand what it is to suffer in this world. And we place our hope in the fact that He transforms are suffering. Death itself cannot conquer His love for us. Death itself cannot conquer our connection with our God

So what do we do when we feel overwhelmed by the storms of our life? What do we do when it seems like our boat is filling up with water? What do we do when we feel like we are drowning in our troubles and struggles? In those moments we call upon the God who is with us. We call upon the God who is more powerful than any storm that we could face. We remind ourselves of His love and presence for us. We remind ourselves that in the end our God loves us and calls us to Himself.

We may have struggles and trials and significant storms in our life. Can we see any presence of God in these moments? When you face hard times, who do you most appreciate? The ones who are with you. They may not be able to solve your problems or take them away. However you receive the love and support just because they are with you in hard times. Our God does the same for us in a very unique way. He is with us. We call upon our God to bring peace to the storms of our life. We call upon our God to give us a spirit of peace and confidence in His love and ability to overcome any hardship.

This is not easy for the human mind and human heart. We pray that we do not give into fear and despair. We pray that we have hope and trust in God. And we always know that our Ever-Present God is indeed the Lord Who calms the storms of our lives.

We look to the example of Jesus. What did Jesus do on Holy Thursday night? Jesus knew he was to be handed over to evil men. Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus asked his Apostles to be with Him. In our moments of difficulty, we do the same. We pray and we gather together those who love us. We pray together. We remember the Good Friday becomes Easter Sunday.

For those who are feeling overwhelmed by the storms of life, God is with you. God is present. God loves you. In time, God will bring you peace. No matter how difficult the struggle, it will NOT take away God‘s love for you. It will NOT be the end of your story. Together let us gather in prayer. Together let us call upon our God. Together let us have hope, faith, and love. The storms may come – but we will not drown.

 reading from the Book of Job

The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said:
   Who shut within doors the sea,
      when it burst forth from the womb;
   when I made the clouds its garment
      and thick darkness its swaddling bands?
   When I set limits for it
      and fastened the bar of its door,
   and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther,
      and here shall your proud waves be stilled!

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31

R. :

R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
  or:
R. Alleluia. Alleluia.

They who sailed the sea in ships,
   trading on the deep waters,
these saw the works of the LORD
   and his wonders in the abyss.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

His command raised up a storm wind
  which tossed its waves on high.
They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths;
   their hearts melted away in their plight.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

They cried to the LORD in their distress;
   from their straits he rescued them,
he hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,
   and the billows of the sea were stilled.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

They rejoiced that they were calmed,
   and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness
   and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.

R. Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

---

Second Reading
2 Cor 5:14-17

Behold, new things have come.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:
The love of Christ impels us,
   once we have come to the conviction that one died for all;
   therefore, all have died.
He indeed died for all,
   so that those who live might no longer live for themselves
   but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh;
   even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh,
   yet now we know him so no longer.
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
   the old things have passed away;
   behold, new things have come.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Lk 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has risen in our midst.
God has visited his people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 4:35-41

Who is this whom even wind and sea obey?

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
   so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
   “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
   rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
   “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

How does anything become a part of you? How does something become a part of who you are?

Take for instance your favorite sports team. When did you first enjoy watching your team? Were you just a child? Did you watch your favorite players on TV or in person? Did you imitate them? Did you strive to adopt their ways? Did you try to move like them when you played the game?

With your favorite sports team, do you have anything that lets other people know that you are a fan? Do you have a shirt or a cap or a sweatshirt that proclaims your loyalty to your team? Do you talk about your favorite sports team to others? Does your sports team still bring you joy?

The answer to these questions for most of us is – YES! We were most likely introduced to a particular sports team by our family and it just became a part of us over time. We looked to those who play the game well and tried to imitate what they did. And we proclaim our loyalty through clothing or other objects in our home – like a baseball, a pennant, or a poster

Now that we understand this in terms of sports, what about our faith? When did we first began a relationship with God, a prayer life – both private and within the context of a faith community? When did you first go to church? Did your family teach you prayers? Do you seek to follow the example of Jesus? Do you seek to follow the example of holy men and women – both the official saints and also those personal living saints that we have in your lives ? Do you talk about your faith with others? Do you have any proclamation to the world that gives public witness to your faith and your identity as one who follows Christ?

Scripture today uses an image of a seed. A seed is something that has growth. However the growth is slow. It happens over time and often is unseen. This is an image we can understand. However seeds need to be nurtured. They need sun and water. How do we nurture the growth of our faith? Daily prayer is one answer. Worship in community is another answer. Reading and praying Scripture is another way to have our faith grow.

It seems that the image used in Scripture is delivering a simple message. We need to allow our faith to grow overtime. It needs to be a part of who we are. It needs to be in our very mind, heart, and spirit. More than a sports team it needs to be integral to our identity.

Today let us receive the Holy Word of God. May the gift of faith always grow in our hearts and in our lives

First Reading
Ez 17:22-24

I have lifted high the lowly tree.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel

Thus says the Lord GOD:
   I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
   from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain;
   on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
   and become a majestic cedar.
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it,
   every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
And all the trees of the field shall know
   that I, the LORD,
bring low the high tree,
   lift high the lowly tree,
wither up the green tree,
   and make the withered tree bloom.
As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

R. :

R. (cf 2a) Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
   to sing praise to your name, Most High,
to proclaim your kindness at dawn
   and your faithfulness throughout the night.

R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

The just one shall flourish like the palm tree,
   like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
They that are planted in the house of the LORD
   shall flourish in the courts of our God.

R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

They shall bear fruit even in old age;
   vigorous and sturdy shall they be,
declaring how just is the LORD,
   my rock, in whom there is no wrong.

R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

---

Second Reading
2 Cor 5:6-10

Whether we are at home or away, we aspire to please the Lord.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:
We are always courageous,
   although we know that while we are at home in the body
   we are away from the Lord,
   for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
   and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
   whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
   so that each one may receive recompense,
   according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the word.
All who come to him shall live for ever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 4:26-35

It is the smallest of all seeds, and becomes the largest of plants.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus said to the crowds:
   “This is how it is with the kingdom of God;
   it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
   and would sleep and rise night and day
   and the seed would sprout and grow,
   he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
   first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
   for the harvest has come.”

He said,
   “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God,
   or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
   is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
   and puts forth large branches,
   so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
   he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
   but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

In modern times there are so many people that don’t believe in God. Even more than that, there are people who do believe in God but don’t believe that we owe God anything. It is a challenge for many people to understand the idea of worship. It is a challenge for many people to think that we need to include worship in a relationship with God. Many people believe that a simple one on one conversation with God is enough. Catholics believe that one’s relationship with God includes both worship and also personal dialogue in prayer. The people during the days of Jesus focused very heavily on worship and sacrifice.

For the people at the time of Jesus, the idea of worship included sacrifice. The ancient Jews would sacrifice an animal such as a goat or small bird with the intention of offering atonement for their sins. They had the idea that the blood of the animal would satisfy God and pay the price for their sins. This comes from centuries of many people throughout the world doing the same thing. It is a universal ancient concept that sacrifice somehow satisfies God.

However, we are told in the Old Testament repeatedly that such burnt offerings and animal holocausts are empty in the sight of God. “It is a contrite heart I desire says the Lord.” In other words, Scripture is telling us that animal sacrifices mean nothing to God. God desires our love. God desires our contrite heart in response to our sins. God desires us to be truly sorry out of love for Him. It is our true sorrow and then subsequent intent to amend our lives that truly pleases God.

As a Jew, Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples. this was the Jewish celebration of being set free from slavery in Egypt by the power of God as He led Moses who in turn led the people. Traditionally, a lamb was offered as sacrifice in the moment of worship. It was a meal sacrifice. The Jews would offer the lamb to God and then eat the lamb. This showed communion with God and one another.

Jesus becomes the Lamb of God. He is the sacrifice that atones for all sin for all time.

Jesus transformed this feast of Passover and instituted Holy communion. We hear Jesus say in today’s Gospel, “This is my Body”. This is my Blood”. Jesus makes Himself the sacrifice. Jesus offers Himself in our place. On the Cross, Jesus offers Himself in bloody sacrifice for the atonement of all sin. He pays the price for us. When we sin, we owe God reparation for the damage done to the relationship. God does not desire a bloody sacrifice, but does desire an act of love from us towards Him. Jesus offers Himself on the Cross as the greatest act of life possible. For there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus does this for every human being. It is the greatest act of love.

By transforming the Passover feast Jesus not only becomes the Lamb of God in sacrifice but He also changes the nature of the meal shared during worship. By saying this is my body, Jesus now brings us into Holy Communion with God through Him. We receive communion with Christ and have Communion with God.

Jesus is both the sacrifice and Holy Communion.

This is the feast we celebrate every Sunday. This is why Christians seek Communion. In this moment of worship we are receiving our God.

Today as we receive His Holy Word in the Gospel, let us marvel at what He has done for us. Our understanding has been lifted up. We move from the empty sacrifice of the ancient world into what truly matters to our God. Jesus shows us the way because He is the way for us to have Communion with our God.

Today let us resolve to be grateful for this great gift. Let us in turn follow His example of sacrifice and love. Let us reach out to those we love and perform as many acts of love as we can possibly imagine. Acts great and small. If we do this, then we will follow the example of Jesus and we will be in communion with our God.

A reading from the Book of Exodus

When Moses came to the people
   and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
    they all answered with one voice,
   “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.”
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
   rising early the next day,
   he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
   and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites
   to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls
   as peace offerings to the LORD,
   Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
   the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
   who answered, “All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do.”
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
   “This is the blood of the covenant
   which the LORD has made with you
   in accordance with all these words of his.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18

R. :

R. (13) I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

How shall I make a return to the LORD
   for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
   and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Precious in the eyes of the LORD
   is the death of his faithful ones,
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
   you have loosed my bonds.

R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

To you will I offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
   and I will call upon the name of the LORD,
My vows to the LORD I will pay
   in the presence of all his people.

R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
Heb 9:11-15

The blood of Christ will cleanse our consciences.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came as high priest
   of the good things that have come to be,
   passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle
   not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,
   he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
   not with the blood of goats and calves
   but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls
   and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes
   can sanctify those who are defiled
   so that their flesh is cleansed,
   how much more will the blood of Christ,
   who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
   cleanse our consciences from dead works
   to worship the living God.
For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant:
   since a death has taken place for deliverance
   from transgressions under the first covenant,
   those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Jn 6:51

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

This is my body. This is my blood.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
   when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
   his disciples said to him,
   “Where do you want us to go
   and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
   “Go into the city and a man will meet you,
   carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
   ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room
   where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there.”
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
   and found it just as he had told them;
   and they prepared the Passover.

While they were eating,
   he took bread, said the blessing,
   broke it, and gave it to them, and said,
   “Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
   and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
   “This is my blood of the covenant,
   which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
   I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
   until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Then, after singing a hymn,
   they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today is the feast of the Holy Trinity. It is a feast celebrating the fullness of our God. It celebrates that our God reveals Himself to us. It celebrates an invitation by God to us to be in full relationship with Him.

The Trinity is a concept very difficult for the human mind to understand. This is because God is a reality very different from us. We are very singular in our thinking. This is especially true of us as Americans. As Americans we are fiercely independent. We focus on the individual. This is the western world philosophy inherited from the ancient Greek philosophers who placed their focus on the ability of the self. Other cultures and countries have a focus on the collective, on the group. So it is a significant challenge for us to understand the Trinity. Ultimately we have to resign ourselves to both accept that: 1) God is a mystery and also 2) there are revealed truths that we can understand about God.

One clear revealed truth is that God is a Trinity of Persons. Not three gods, but three Divine Persons that exist as one reality, one God. Why would we possibly believe such a thing? This is because we believe the words of Jesus. We believe Jesus is God born as man. We believe that Jesus is, as St Paul writes, “the image of the invisible God”.

We hear clearly in today’s Gospel what Jesus says about God. Jesus commands the Apostles to go and baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Many times Jesus speaks about God in these terms.

The First Person of the Trinity is God the Father. Jesus instruct the Apostles to pray using the words Our Father Who art in heaven. God the Father creates all that is. God the Father sends the Second Person of the Trinity into the world.

The Second Person of the Trinity is the Son, the Word. This Divine Person was born as one of us, becoming human. As Saint John writes “the Word became Flesh. This is the Incarnation. This is the person of Jesus the Christ. Jesus shows us, invites us, commands us to follow His example. His example is one of sacrificial love. We love God with our whole heart mind soul and being. And then we love others as ourselves. In fact we are called to love others first. And we know what it is to sacrifice for those we love certainly. When we do so we follow the example of Jesus.

The Third Person of the Trinity is God the Holy Spirit. Also known as the Breath of God. it is the Holy Spirit that gives power to all that the Father and Son accomplish. It is the Holy Spirit that directs, guides, and inspires the Church and those who follow Christ. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Advocate, the Guide, and the Helper.

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Trinity, we accept the limitations of our humble human mind. And we accept the revealed truths about our God. There are things that we can understand about our relationship with our Lord and God. We know that we are made in the image and likeness of our God. Although we are not a Trinity of persons, we can willingly embrace Godlike attributes.

We can strive to be like God the Father and bring forth into this world things of God. We can share in the creative activity of God the Father and in our own way it be creative in showing love to others. We can bring forth the best in others, bring forth life, by words of encouragement and affirmation.

We can strive to be like God the Son and willingly make sacrifices for those we love and for all we encounter – in ways big and small. We can place the needs of others before our own. We look to the Gospels and follow the way of Christ.

We can strive to be like God the Holy Spirit. We can live in the spirit of kindness, patience, generosity, humility, awe of the Lord, purity of mind and body, Charity, and gratitude.

This side of paradise we may never be able to fully understand the Trinity. However we can understand here and now that our God loves us, calls us into relationship, and shows us the way to live. Today let us resolve to be like our God. May we always act and speak in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

First Reading
Dt 4:32-34, 39-40

The Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below and there is no other.

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy

Moses said to the people:
“Ask now of the days of old, before your time,
   ever since God created man upon the earth;
   ask from one end of the sky to the other:
   Did anything so great ever happen before?
Was it ever heard of?
Did a people ever hear the voice of God
   speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live?
Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself
   from the midst of another nation,
   by testings, by signs and wonders, by war,
   with strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors,
   all of which the LORD, your God,
   did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
This is why you must now know,
   and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God
   in the heavens above and on earth below,
   and that there is no other.
You must keep his statutes and commandments that I enjoin on you today,
   that you and your children after you may prosper,
   and that you may have long life on the land
   which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”

---

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22

R. :

R. (12b) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Upright is the word of the LORD,
   and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
   of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;
   by the breath of his mouth all their host.
For he spoke, and it was made;
   he commanded, and it stood forth.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
   upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
   and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD,
   who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
   who have put our hope in you.

R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

---

Second Reading
Rom 8:14-17

You received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters:
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
   but you received a Spirit of adoption,
through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
   that we are children of God,
   and if children, then heirs,
   heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
   if only we suffer with him
   so that we may also be glorified with him.

---

Acclamation before the Gospel
Rv 1:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

---

Gospel
Mt 28:16-20

Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
   to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
   “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
   baptizing them in the name of the Father,
   and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
   teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today is the feast of Pentecost. It is the birth of the Christian church. It is the moment when The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles. It is the fulfillment of Jesus‘s promise. Repeatedly, Jesus said to His Apostles that He would send the Advocate, the Guide, the Helper.

We believe in God. We believe that God was born as one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. So when Jesus speaks about God, we believe what He says. Jesus spoke of God as Father and as Spirit. Jesus also spoke in terms of Himself. We believe in one God but a Trinity of Divine Persons. This is very different from how we exist. And yet we believe this because it has been revealed to us through Jesus.

The Third Person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit, also known as the Paraclete. I think it’s safe to say that most of us easily pray to God the Father. Afterall, this is the very prayer Jesus provided when asked how to pray. Our human minds can understand the image of a loving father and therefore somewhat understand this approach and connection to God. It is most likely easiest for us to pray to God the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity – Who became one of us. The Word made flesh is Jesus. He is God born as man. We know the most about Him due to the eyewitness accounts in Scripture- most especially the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.

Today however is the feast of the Holy Spirit coming to the Apostles. What do we know about the Holy Spirit? We believe that all that exists was created by God the Father, through God the Son, by the power of God the Holy Spirit.

I would venture a guess that it is a challenge for most human minds to have a connection to God through the Holy Spirit. We need a concrete image for our minds to embrace. Although all images and human expression does indeed have limitations when trying to understand God, there are things that help us better understand God the Holy Spirit.

One image used throughout Scripture for the Holy Spirit is as the Breath of God. We need to breathe – in order to live. Even when we sleep, our body is breathing in and out. Our brain needs oxygen or it begins to die. Our breath allows us to stay alive. We can understand this. This image is used for the Holy Spirit and is one that is very powerful. When Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, Jesus breathed on them. We can understand that the Holy Spirit is a vital part of the Trinity- in fact, the Holy Spirit gives life to all that exists

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Advocate, our Helper, our Guide. Think about these names as a description of what the Holy Spirit does for us. And what does the Holy Spirit guide us or help us with?

The answer is – to live in the image and likeness of God. Or to say it another way to live in the spirit of God. The Holy Spirit helps us to have things of God in our own mind and heart, in our own soul. It is the Holy Spirit that moves the minds and hearts of the Apostles from fear to bold proclamation. The Apostles were afraid and locked in an upper room hiding. They were afraid to talk about Jesus. Once they received the Holy Spirit, their hearts were on fire to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. The image that comes to mind is a flame hovering above each of their heads. They became impassioned, they became emblazoned, they became “on fire“ for Jesus. They could not contain their joy and desire to share the message of Jesus.

This is why another image for the Holy Spirit is one of fire – hearts set ablaze, burning to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Have you ever known someone whose heart was set on fire? Have you ever known someone filled with passion about a particular thing? I once had a roommate who loved golf. It was his great passion. We would say that John lived and breathed golf. Have you ever said this about someone? She lives and breathes dance. He lives and breathes baseball. I think we can understand this kind of statement.

For those who follow Jesus, we need to live and breathe things of God. We need to live and breathe – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, and self-control.

The Holy Spirit helps us to have in our souls things of God such as wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear/awe of the Lord. These are known as the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

On the feast of Pentecost, today let us pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to come upon us. Let us continue to pray, “Come Holy Spirit – enter my mind my heart my soul. Give me the gift of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, awe of God.” May we receive these gifts, and in turn give them to others. May we move beyond any fears and live free and fully in the love of God. May we pray daily to the Holy Spirit. May we take in and out the Breath of God in everything we say – in everything we do.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
   they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
   a noise like a strong driving wind,
   and it filled the entire house in which they were.
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.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
   but they were confused
   because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
   “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
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.”

Responsorial Psalm
104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

R. :

R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
   O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O Lord!
   the earth is full of your creatures;

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
   may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
   I will be glad in the LORD.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish
   and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
   and you renew the face of the earth.

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians

Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit
   and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
   and the Spirit against the flesh;
   these are opposed to each other,
   so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
   immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry,
   sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
   outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
   dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
   drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
   that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
   patience, kindness, generosity,
   faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
   with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
   Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, Source of all our store!
   Come, within our bosoms shine!
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome Guest;
   Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
   Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of Thine,
   And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we has naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
   Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
   Wash the stains of guilt away;
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
   Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
   In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward
Give them your salvation, Lord;
   Give them joys that never end. Amen.
   Alleluia.

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Acclamation before the Gospel

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel
Jn 20:19-23 or Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15

As the Father sent me, so I send you. Receive the Spirit.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

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.”

Today we celebrate the feast of the Ascension. We celebrate Jesus Risen from the dead. We celebrate that Jesus was taken up into heaven in glorified form – both body and soul. We celebrate that He now brings our humanity into the Trinity. We celebrate His commission to His disciples (and to us) to go and continue His ministry. We celebrate that He will come again in glory. we celebrate that He will raise us up with Him if we follow His commands.

So today we celebrate a lot! Let’s think about the experience of Jesus and then what it means for us. Jesus preached publicly for three years. It is well recorded that He was crucified. And we have eyewitness accounts in the Gospels. His disciple John, His mother Mary, and His women disciples were at the foot of the Cross. They saw Jesus crucified. And we have heard in the Gospels, as well as the Acts of the Apostles, the eyewitness accounts of those who had a direct experience, a direct encounter with the Risen Lord in glorified form – both body and soul.

We are then told that Jesus appeared and said many things over the course of 40 days following the Resurrection. This is significant. For the Old Testament mindset, the number 40 has meaning. The Jewish people wandered in the desert for 40 years – moving from slavery to freedom. This is an arc of human movement in relationship with God. This means that through Jesus, we move from the slavery to sin towards freedom of the promised eternal land. Additionally, Noah was in the ark for 40 days as there was a renewal and re-creation of humanity. And so 40 days for Jesus after the Resurrection means moving from slavery to sin and towards freedom of heaven, as well as a renewal and re-creation of humanity in the image and likeness of our God. To follow the example of Jesus – Who as St Paul tells us, is the image of the invisible God. So the number 40 is significant.

40 days after the Resurrection until the feast of the Ascension. Jesus is taken up on a cloud in glory. And we are told by the angels that He will return in the same way.

Jesus went back to God the Father in heaven into the full union of the Trinity and He takes our humanity with Him because He was born as man. It is now part of Him. This elevates humanity to the highest level. How much does our value increase! How we are now so precious to our God that we are included in His very being!

Jesus ascends to the Father in heaven and hands over His ministry to the apostles and His disciples. He will continue to guide through the power of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus places tremendous trust in the ability of His followers to continue His work. His followers must make His kingdom at hand. This is the way Jesus spoke. What this means is that those who follow Him must make His kingdom present. That’s what it means to make it at hand. It means that His followers must transform earth into heaven. We must change our own hearts so that we are more like Christ. When we live and act and think in His spirit then we transform the earth and make the heavenly kingdom a reality. We must live here right now as citizens of heaven. All of this is happening by the fact that Jesus ascended back to the Father in heaven. If Jesus lacked trust in His disciples He would have remained in glory on earth and simply issued edicts for everyone to follow. How much easier for us would that be? However Jesus trusts that we will be guided by the Holy Spirit and continue His work.

We can become dismayed and disappointed at the lack of human achievement in this matter. We can look around at the suffering and cruelty and evil in the world – and think that it is too large a task to overcome.

What we must keep in mind is that we transform the world one act at a time starting with ourselves. So what will we do today in order to re-create who we are – to have a renewal, a better version of ourselves? How will we better live in the Spirit of Christ today? Will we be more patient? Will we be more kind? Will we be more gentle? Will we be more calm? Will we strive to have more peace? Will we strive to be slow to anger and quick in mercy? These are ways we can do it.

Together let us celebrate the feast of the Ascension. Together let us celebrate how much value God now gives to humanity. Let us celebrate that our God trusts us to continue His work. Let us go forth forth living acting and changing the world – in His spirit .

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In the first book, Theophilus,
   I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
   until the day he was taken up,
   after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
   to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
   by many proofs after he had suffered,
   appearing to them during forty days
   and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with the them,
   he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
   but to wait for “the promise of the Father
   about which you have heard me speak;
   for John baptized with water,
   but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him,
   “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
   that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
   and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
   throughout Judea and Samaria,
   and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
   he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
   suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
   why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
   will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R. :

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

All you peoples, clap your hands,
   shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
   is the great king over all the earth.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
   the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
   sing praise to our king, sing praise.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

For king of all the earth is God;
   sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
   God sits upon his holy throne.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

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Second Reading
Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13

God seated Jesus at his right hand in the heavens.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
   give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
   resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
   that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
   what are the riches of glory
   in his inheritance among the holy ones,
   and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
   for us who believe,
   in accord with the exercise of his great might,
   which he worked in Christ,
   raising him from the dead
   and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
   far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
   and every name that is named
   not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
   and gave him as head over all things to the church,
   which is his body,
   the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Gospel
Mk 16:15-20

The Lord Jesus was taken up to heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Go into the whole world
   and proclaim the gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
   whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
   in my name they will drive out demons,
   they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
   and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
   was taken up into heaven
   and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
   while the Lord worked with them
   and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Today is Mother’s Day. So many people have good happy memories of celebrating this day from childhood. Many of you have a good happy memories of celebrating this day as mothers, and being celebrated by your own children or grandchildren. And yet there are also those of us who are not mothers. And those of us who unfortunately did not have the best experience or best relationship. Too many times relationships with parents are not what they should be. So what do we do in order to understand how this relates to our relationship with God?

Our God calls us to the best relationships possible. Our God speaks to us of His own love that He, in turn, gives to us. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that the Father loves Him. Jesus then tells us that He loves us as the Father loves Him. That is the strongest statement of love that could ever be made. Next – Jesus calls us to follow His commandments, to be faithful to His commandments. That is how we remain in His life. His words are very clear. He also tells us to go forth and bear fruit.

What does it mean to bear fruit? Jesus is talking about spiritual fruit. He is talking about relationships. We see this happening in our reading from the Acts of the Apostles today. Peter shares with the Gentiles (the non-Jews) the message of Jesus. Remember that in the early days of the Church there was debate about whether or not the message of Jesus was to be extended to non-Jews (i.e. Gentiles). Having received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter clearly understands that the message and salvation offered by Jesus is intended for everyone.

Now think about this. Peter goes to those who were thought to be outside of God‘s love. Peter goes to those who were thought to be difficult to love. Peter goes to those who were thought to be written off or dismissed. That is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus went to those who needed His love the most. He went to the unwanted and to the cast aways‘s.

If we follow this example, then we too must reach out in kindness to those who are – in our mind – difficult to love. This may even be some members of our own family. Many of us have broken relationships with family members, perhaps even parents or children. This is a painful reality. What can we do to reach out to these people? Even if they reject or slap away our effort, we still can send a simple message wishing that person well. Perhaps we will never have a fully restored or fully healed relationship with this person. That may not be possible.

However, what amount of kindness can you offer? Perhaps you can send a message that says, “I’m thinking of you,” or “I am praying for you” or “I am always willing to talk to you” or “I am wishing you the best blessings of God”. Perhaps these are messages that you can send. We send them not based on how they will be received, but rather based on our love for God and our effort to love those who are a challenge to us.

If we do this then we are increasing the love of God in this world. We are increasing generosity and patience and kindness in this world – and that way we share in the creative activity of our God as we bring about things of His Spirit. This is by no means easy. But it is following the example of our God

One final thought for today, Peter knew his relationship with Jesus. When someone tried to worship Peter as a God or as divine, Peter gently corrected the person saying, “I am just a man.” Peter knows that he is not to be placed higher than Jesus. Because of his firm connection with Jesus, Peter knows who he is. And the same thing is true for us. When we know who Jesus is in our life, then we know who we are. We are not shaken by what other people say to us – that is very important. Because it allows us to have a sense of who we are rooted in our relationship with Christ. Whether we are well received or poorly received, we still know that we are the beloved of our God. It is God‘s love for us that gives us a sense of who we are. It is from God‘s love for us that we are able to have healthy relationships with others. As Jesus shares the Father‘s love for Him with us, we share Jesus His love for us with others. It continues to overflow and grow.

This Mother’s Day let us celebrate the creative love of our God. Hopefully we experience this through healthy nurturing supportive relationships with our own mothers. Let us receive God‘s love and give it to others. Jesus tells us, “As the Father loves me, so I love you.” How wonderful it would be if we could live every day saying to others – as Jesus loves me, so I love you.

First Reading
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles also.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him
   and, falling at his feet, paid him homage.
Peter, however, raised him up, saying,
   “Get up. I myself am also a human being.”

Then Peter proceeded to speak and said,
   “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
   is acceptable to him.”

While Peter was still speaking these things,
   the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.
The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter
   were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit
   should have been poured out on the Gentiles also,
   for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.
Then Peter responded,
   “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people,
   who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?”
He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

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Responsorial Psalm
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R. :

R. (cf. 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
   for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
   his holy arm.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
   in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
   toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

All the ends of the earth have seen
   the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
   break into song; sing praise.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

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Second Reading
1 Jn 4:7-10

God is love.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John

Beloved, let us love one another,
   because love is of God;
   everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
In this way the love of God was revealed to us:
   God sent his only Son into the world
   so that we might have life through him.
In this is love:
   not that we have loved God, but that he loved us
   and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

Gospel
Jn 15:9-17

No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
   just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
   and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
   and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
   to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
   because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
   because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
   and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
   so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”