It is the time of year when we celebrate young people concluding their studies and graduating from either high school or college.  The celebration of graduation often is called “commencement,” and for very good reasons.  The graduates will commence a new life where they …

Last week we witnessed the glorious Ascension of Jesus back to his Father.  Back to our Father.  Back to his home. Back to our home.  Now we are waiting for Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit will again descend upon us and be with us …

“… that they all may be one, as you, Father, and I are one … so that the world may believe …” Unity seems to be the theme for the readings during this seventh week after Christ’s resurrection Easter Morning.  In many ways, these …

The farewell words of Jesus and Paul in today’s readings (John 17:11‑19; Acts 20:28‑38) are wonderful.  Jesus is addressing his Father, and Paul is saying goodbye to the priests of Ephesus.  It is moving to listen to Jesus pray for us.  It is powerful, …

“But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem.” Like Jesus, the master he knew in the Spirit but not in the flesh, Paul takes leave of his friends to whom he has selflessly preached the kingdom of God, and heads for …

As we approach the feast of Pentecost this coming Sunday, our readings lead us to reflect on how the Spirit intervenes in gathering the Church. In today’s Gospel (John 16:29-33), Jesus predicts that the disciples will fall apart under pressure and abandon Him, despite …

Most of the World celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven exactly 40 days after the resurrection of Christ on Easter (remember the importance of the number 40 in biblical writing?).  If you count the days after Easter, you will discover …

The gospel passage for today (John 16:23-28) comes as Jesus is preparing the disciples for what was to come:  his death, burial, and resurrection.  This passage, like every verse in the Bible, is timeless. Jesus is not only talking to his disciples, at that …

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” John 16:20 In today’s gospel passage (John 16:20-23), Jesus informs His Apostles that sorrow and grief will be a part of …

(Pope May 8, 2025 to the present) During the conclave that followed the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. Upon his election, he took the …