Joyful Suffering (Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47; Jn 16:20-23) ************************************* “You will have pain, but your pain will be turned into joy.” Today’s gospel invites us into a radical stance towards suffering and pain – to see it as redemptive, full of purpose, and even a source of joy. Jesus uses the image of childbirth to […]

Singing A New Song (Acts 18:1-8; Ps 98: Jn 16:16-20) ********************************* Are you singing a new song? The readings today invite us to sing a new song, that could be expressed this way: “Jesus is Risen; The Spirit is Given; We are Forgiven!” In the first reading, we see Paul doing what Paul constantly did […]

Faith: Lived Out or Just Worn? (Acts 17:15, 22-18:1; Ps 148; Jn 16:12-15) **************************************** Are we just wearing our faith, or truly living it? The readings today invite us to have a mature, genuine faith in God as Trinitarian relationship and Jesus as Risen Lord that will make a difference in our lives. Rose is […]

Abiding and Loving – The Way to Joy (Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 Jn 4:7-10; Jn 15:9-17) ******************************************************** Henri Thoreau once said most people live lives of quiet desperation. What a sad statement! What has happened to our ability to experience joy? Would you like to live a more joyful life? The liturgy today offers […]

Steadfast Faith and Love (Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100; Jn 15:18-21) ***************************************** In the gospel, Jesus warns that as he was misunderstood and persecuted, his followers will also be misunderstood and persecuted. We must pray for the faith to stay faithful in the light of that persecution. Karl Rahner, commenting on Jesus’ prayer on the cross, […]

Living and Praying the Paschal Mystery (1 Cor 15:1-8; Ps 19; Jn 14:6-14) ***************************************** Today’s first reading begins with St. Paul reminding his readers of the Good News that he proclaimed to them in which they were “standing,” and by which they were “being saved.” That Good News is ours to “stand in” as well. […]

Abiding in Jesus and Bearing Fruit (Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122; Jn 15:1-8) **************************************** In the Domano Retreat center in the Diocese of Prince George, there is a vine covering most of a wall that both clings to and reaches out. That vine is a metaphor for today’s readings and message they hold out to us. […]

Abide in Me and Love One Another (Acts 9:26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8) ************************************************************ Did you know that in France, there is a protocol around grapes? When traveling by a vineyard, you can stop and feast on grapes all you want, but do notbreak off a branch to take along. As well, […]

Homecoming – A Place For Us All (Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2; Jn 14:1-6) *********************************************** A Place For Us is a song in the opera West Side Story that resonates with the gospel today in which we are assured Jesus gives us a home with the Father – all we have to do is believe in him, and […]

Faith Expressed in Loving Service (Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89; Jn 13:16-20) ************************************** “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heal against me. I tell you this now before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe that I am he.” The readings today invite us to be true disciples – […]