The Eucharist is truly Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity!

Do you doubt the real presence of the Eucharist? When asked the most quoted verse in all the Bible, we turn to “This is my body that is given up for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” This is a verse we hear every time we celebrate in the most Holy Mass. It is a statement that is so well known, and yet, so difficult for many to understand. Even the Disciples say “This saying is hard, who can accept it?” Despite the many miracles that Jesus has performed, His followers, still to this day, often doubt. 

Yet in the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly declares that He is the Bread of Life, in verses 35, 48, 51, 53 and 55. Jesus could not be more clear in his language here. He explains over and over again that this is the truth! This is the central belief of Catholicism: If we eat of His flesh, we shall live forever! Jesus is speaking literally, not figuratively. The Eucharist is truly Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity. This teaching should change our lives; it should be a belief worth dying for. Christ loves us so much that He has died for us. In this life we are constantly hungry, yet we are never alone, if Christ resides in us. 

How blessed I am that our oldest living child is to receive her holy Communion this year! I cannot begin to express my gratitude. On her first communion, I want her to know that her family loves her, but that God loves her so much more than she could ever imagine. I pray that my daughter will believe this is truly Jesus, that He longs for her, that He is there waiting for her in the church at every Mass to be a part of her always. He is all that matters. We should always be ready and willing to give up everything for Him. There is nothing more valuable. To receive the Eucharist is to receive Heaven on earth. May all praise be to the Lord Jesus, today and forever!

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¡La Eucaristía es verdaderamente Jesús, cuerpo, sangre, alma y divinidad!

¿Dudas de la presencia verdadera de Jesús en la Eucaristía? Cuando nos preguntan cuál es el versículo más citado de toda la Biblia, recurrimos a “Este es mi cuerpo, entregado por ustedes. Haz esto en memoria mía.” Este es un versículo que escuchamos cada vez que celebramos la Santa Misa. Es una declaración muy conocida y, sin embargo, muy difícil de entender para muchos. Incluso los Discípulos dicen: “Esta palabra es dura, ¿quién podrá aceptarla?” A pesar de los muchos milagros que Jesús ha realizado, sus seguidores, hasta el día de hoy, a menudo dudan.

Sin embargo, en el Evangelio de Juan, Jesús declara repetidamente que Él es el Pan de Vida, en los versículos 35, 48, 51, 53 y 55. Jesús no podría ser más claro en su forma de hablar. ¡Él explica una y otra vez que es cierto! Esta es la creencia central del catolicismo: ¡si comemos de Su carne, viviremos para siempre! Jesús está hablando literalmente, no en sentido figurado. La Eucaristía es verdaderamente Jesús, cuerpo, sangre, alma y divinidad. Esta enseñanza debería cambiar nuestras vidas; debería ser una creencia por la que valga la pena morir. Cristo nos ama tanto que murió por nosotros. En esta vida tenemos hambre constantemente, pero nunca estamos solos, si Cristo reside en nosotros.

¡Cuán bendecida soy de que nuestra hija mayor viva reciba su sagrada Comunión este año! No puedo empezar a expresar mi gratitud. En su primera comunión, quiero que sepa que su familia la ama, pero que Dios la ama mucho más de lo que jamás podría imaginar. Pido que mi hija crea que este es verdaderamente Jesús, que Él la anhela, que Él está ahí esperándola en la iglesia en cada Misa para ser parte de ella siempre. Él es todo lo que importa. Siempre debemos estar listos y dispuestos a renunciar a todo por Él. No hay nada más valioso. Recibir la Eucaristía es recibir el Cielo en la tierra. ¡Que toda la alabanza sea para el Señor Jesús, hoy y siempre!

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Shortly after the breakup of the Beatles, George Harrison released a peppy little single entitled “What Is Life” — with no punctuation, so we don’t know for sure if it was a statement or a question. Music fans seemed to love it, as it became a top 10 hit in America. Today’s Gospel reading, from John, in which Jesus tells us both “I am the bread of life” and “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life” has me thinking of Harrison’s song in terms of a question.

What is life? The secular world has a pretty limited answer to that. Life begins at birth and ends at death. It’s earthbound and centered on the individual in the here and now. That’s it. That’s all you get. 

We Christians, however, reject that narrow view vehemently. The trouble is, the secular view is pervasive, and it has for years been encroaching on people’s understanding. The Catholic Church is clear: Life begins at conception. Earthly life ends at natural death. And the goal of this earthly life is to have everlasting life in union with God in heaven.  

The secular view seems to be the easier view. Focus on this life, on the here and now, on myself. Dig a little deeper, and you get a more disturbing view. Unexpected pregnancy? No big deal — not born yet, not a life. Do you have something I want – land or things of monetary value? No big deal. I’ll trick you out of it, take it from you, fight you for it or start a war over it. If I’m focused on me, how can you matter?

Jesus tells his followers and the crowds throughout his ministry, that is not the way it’s supposed to be. God sent his only Son to show us the way to the Father: to love as the Father loves, to serve others as Jesus served. “Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” He is what we need. He will raise us on the last day. But we have to choose Him over ourselves.

In the George Harrison song, reading the lyrics lets you know it’s most likely a romantic song, not an existential treatise. But the chorus serves us in this reflection, too. He sings, “Tell me, what is my life without your love; tell me who am I without you by my side.”

Make the “love” the love of God, make the “you” Jesus. Life, then, is our relationship with our God and Savior. That’s where our fullness and completeness lie. That is the life waiting for us. What are we waiting for? Jesus says, “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” Let’s run to Him, over and over and over again.

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Poco después de que los miembros de los Beatles se separaron, George Harrison lanzó una pequeña canción alegre titulada “What Is Life”(Que es la vida), sin puntuación, por lo que no sabemos con certeza si fue una afirmación o una pregunta. A los fanáticos de la música pareció encantarles, ya que se convirtió en una de las 10 primeras canciones más exitosas en Estados Unidos. La lectura del Evangelio de hoy, de Juan, en la que Jesús nos dice “Yo soy el pan de vida” y “La voluntad de mi Padre consiste en que todo el que vea al Hijo y crea en él, tenga vida eterna ” me hace pensar en la canción de Harrison en términos de una pregunta.

¿Qué es la vida? El mundo seglar tiene una respuesta bastante limitada a eso. La vida comienza con el nacimiento y termina con la muerte. Está ligado a la tierra y centrado en el individuo en el aquí y ahora. Eso es todo. Es todo lo tienes.

Nosotros los cristianos, sin embargo, rechazamos con vehemencia esa visión estrecha. El problema es que la visión secular está omnipresente y durante años ha estado invadiendo la comprensión de la gente. La Iglesia Católica es clara: la vida comienza en la concepción. La vida terrenal termina con la muerte natural. Y la meta de esta vida terrenal es tener vida eterna en unión con Dios en el cielo.

La visión seglar parece ser la más fácil. Concentrarme en esta vida, en el aquí y ahora, en mí mismo. Si profundizas un poco más, tendrás una vista más inquietante. ¿Has salido embarazada inesperadamente? No es gran cosa: aún no ha nacido así que no tiene vida. ¿Alguien tiene algo que quieres: tierras o cosas de valor monetario? No es gran cosa. Te sacaré de esto, te lo quitaré, pelearé por ello o comenzaré una guerra por ello. Si estoy concentrado en mí mismo, no me importas.

Jesús les dice a sus seguidores y a las multitudes a lo largo de su ministerio que así no es como se supone que debe ser. Dios envió a su único Hijo para mostrarnos el camino hacia el Padre: amar como ama el Padre, servir a los demás como sirvió Jesús. “El que viene a mí no tendrá hambre, y el que cree en mí nunca tendrá sed.”  Él es lo que necesitamos. Él nos resucitará en el último día. Pero tenemos que elegirlo a Él antes que a nosotros mismos.

En la canción de George Harrison, leer la letra te permite saber que lo más probable es que sea una canción romántica, no un tratado existencial. Pero el coro también nos sirve en esta reflexión. Él canta: “Dime, ¿qué es mi vida sin tu amor? dime quién soy yo sin ti a mi lado.”

Haz que el “amor” sea el amor de Dios, haz de que el “tú” sea Jesús. La vida, entonces, es la relación que tenemos con nuestro Dios y Salvador. Ahí es donde reside nuestra realización y plenitud. Esa es la vida que nos espera. ¿Qué estamos esperando? Jesús dice: “al que viene a mí yo no lo echaré fuera”. Así que, corramos hacia Él, una y otra vez.

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Today’s Gospel is taken from John chapter 6. Throughout these verses the people are seeking a sign – tangible proof that would validate Jesus as the Messiah. The peoples’ inquiries reflect a common human desire for tangible evidence when faced with uncertainty. When we are scared, angry, or sad we tend to question our faith just like the people Jesus was speaking to, because our human brains cannot always wrap our heads around pure belief and faith without evidence. 

When met with this uncertainty in our own lives we can reflect on what Jesus pointed out to the people in this passage. He states “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). This proclamation speaks volumes and echoes throughout the centuries, challenging us to reflect on the nature of our own uncertainties, and to remember the only nourishment we need comes from God. 

In conclusion, today’s Gospel prompts us to reflect on the nature of our hunger and the avenues we explore to satisfy it. Jesus, as the Bread of Life, offers a profound solution, redirecting our focus from human desires to enduring sustenance found in a strong relationship with him. As we respond to this invitation, may we discover a transformative fulfillment that is beyond the limitations of our worldly desires, finding true satisfaction in Jesus Christ, the Bread that leads to eternal life. 

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Our readings today describe the Jews’ encounter with St. Stephen and Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse, in which He invited the crowds to eat His flesh and drink His blood. It is the beginning of both scenes. In the following days, we will follow both passages to their conclusions.

When the Jews heard Stephen’s words, “they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke” (Acts 6:10). They knew that he was inspired by God, and they were powerless to argue against him. Instead of arguing, they made up false charges against him to silence him. They knew that there was something there, but they did not want to follow it to its conclusion. Doing so would mean changing their lives to follow Jesus. Not only that, but it would mean a complete reinterpretation of everything they had known before about their faith.

When the crowds encountered Jesus in Capernaum, they were hungry for more bread. Jesus said, “You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life” (John 6:26–27). They witnessed the multiplication of the loaves, but did not recognize that the miracle came from God for the sake of their faith in Him. Instead of changing their lives to follow Jesus and reinterpreting everything they had known, they continued to seek after the things of this world.

The Jews and the crowds had parallel reactions here: they could not let go of the world for the sake of the Kingdom of God. The Jews knew that Stephen spoke by the Holy Spirit, but they chose to frame him. The crowds, when they heard Jesus’ words about His body and blood, left him in large groups. They knew that He spoke with authority, but they did not want to accept what His message would mean for them.

These two stories are instructive for us, true as they are. St. Stephen’s message about the Messiah is still true, and Jesus’ message about eating His flesh and drinking His blood is still true. When we grasp the significance of these messages, we understand that to accept them means to change our lives to worship Jesus as our Lord, our Savior, God incarnate. Accepting the words of Christ means to act as if we truly believe that He is present in the Holy Eucharist.

At times, our actions do not reflect our belief in Jesus as Lord and as present in the Eucharist. These readings give us the opportunity to reflect on how we are living our Faith practically. How do we act around the tabernacle? Do we go to adoration? Are we attentive and respectful at Mass? How do we receive Communion? Let us take the opportunity to compare our lives with the truth of St. Stephen’s and Jesus’ words, and let go of our attachment to this passing world.

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Nuestras lecturas de hoy describen el encuentro de los judíos con San Esteban y el Discurso del Pan de Vida de Jesús, en el que invitó a las multitudes a comer Su carne y beber Su sangre. Es el comienzo de ambas escenas. En los próximos días seguiremos ambos pasajes hasta sus conclusiones.

Cuando los judíos escucharon las palabras de Esteban, “no pudieron refutar la sabiduría y al Espíritu con que hablaba” (Hechos 6,10). Sabían que estaba inspirado por Dios y no podían argumentar contra él. En lugar de discutir, inventaron cargos falsos contra él para silenciarlo. Sabían que había algo allí, pero no querían seguirlo hasta el final. Hacerlo significaría cambiar sus vidas para seguir a Jesús. No sólo eso, sino que significaría una reinterpretación completa de todo lo que habían sabido antes sobre su fe.

Cuando las multitudes encontraron a Jesús en Cafarnaúm, tenían hambre de más pan. Jesús dijo: “Yo les aseguro que ustedes no me andan buscando por haber visto signos, sino por haber comido de aquellos panes hasta saciarse. No trabajen por ese alimento que se acaba, sino por el alimento que dura para la vida eterna ” (Juan 6,26-27). Fueron testigos de la multiplicación de los panes, pero no reconocieron que el milagro procedía de Dios por causa de su fe en Él. En lugar de cambiar sus vidas para seguir a Jesús y reinterpretar todo lo que habían conocido, continuaron buscando las cosas de este mundo.

Los judíos y las multitudes tuvieron aquí reacciones paralelas: no podían abandonar el mundo por el Reino de Dios. Los judíos sabían que Esteban hablaba por el Espíritu Santo, pero decidieron incriminarlo. La multitud, cuando oyó las palabras de Jesús acerca de su cuerpo y su sangre, lo abandonaron en grandes grupos. Sabían que Él hablaba con autoridad, pero no querían aceptar lo que significaría Su mensaje para ellos.

Estas dos historias son instructivas para nosotros, por muy ciertas que sean. El mensaje de San Esteban sobre el Mesías sigue siendo cierto, y el mensaje de Jesús sobre comer Su carne y beber Su sangre sigue siendo cierto. Cuando captamos el significado de estos mensajes, entendemos que aceptarlos significa cambiar nuestras vidas para adorar a Jesús como nuestro Señor, nuestro Salvador, Dios encarnado. Aceptar las palabras de Cristo significa actuar como si realmente creyéramos que Él está presente en la Sagrada Eucaristía.

A veces, nuestras acciones no reflejan nuestra creencia en Jesús como Señor presente en la Eucaristía. Estas lecturas nos dan la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre cómo estamos viviendo nuestra Fe de manera práctica. ¿Cómo actuamos en frente del tabernáculo? ¿Vamos a la adoración? ¿Somos atentos y respetuosos en la Misa? ¿Cómo recibimos la Comunión? Aprovechemos la oportunidad para comparar nuestras vidas con la verdad de las palabras de San Esteban y de Jesús, y dejemos de lado nuestro apego a este mundo pasajero.

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Back in 2007, a group of researchers compared the amount of food consumed between two groups. They were curious to discover if the evidence of food already eaten (in this case, individuals were given chicken wings to eat while watching a football game) would impact the amount they ate altogether. They found that the participants ate less at the tables where the bones were left out in plain sight in comparison to the tables where the bones were removed. “The results suggest that people restrict their consumption when evidence of food consumed is available to signal how much food they have eaten.” (Brian Wansink, Cornell Chronicle, April 9, 2007). 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus miraculously appears before the apostles. If His resurrected body wasn’t shocking enough, He still bore the wounds of His crucifixion. There is nothing that Jesus cannot do. His very presence before the Apostles is a testament to that. So if He can do anything, why did He choose to leave those wounds, the very gruesome and heart wrenching places that we, humanity, created?

The wounds of Christ bear witness to the truth of His sacrifice. His wounds are proof to the Apostles that He is who He says He is. In a way, Jesus is providing them a second chance to look upon Him on the cross. Only John was at the foot of the cross, but he was not the only one to witness the marks of it. We too, are invited to gaze upon the broken body of Christ. We need to see, we need to remember.

Each time we enter a church, we see the cross behind the altar. Without the cross, there would be no resurrection. St. Augustine said, “The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon himself the death that he found in us, he has most faithfully promised to give us life in him, such as we cannot have of ourselves.”

For the same reason that the people eating chicken wings need a visual to remind them of how much they have eaten, we need Jesus’ wounds to vividly remind us of the lengths He was willing to go to save us. We humans are slow to learn and quick to forget. We quickly forget the price that was paid for our salvation. We bemoan all the things we are lacking, rather than lifting our empty hands in adoration to the God who gave us everything we have. 

Jesus’ wounds should shock us, yes. But they are also the most precious things we have ever received, for through them we are reborn to eternal life.

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En el 2007, un grupo de investigadores comparó la cantidad de alimentos consumidos entre dos grupos. Tenían curiosidad por descubrir si la evidencia de los alimentos ya consumidos (en este caso, a los individuos se les dieron alitas de pollo para comer mientras veían un partido de fútbol) afectaría la cantidad que comían en total. Descubrieron que los participantes comían menos en las mesas donde los huesos se dejaban a la vista en comparación con las mesas donde se retiraban los huesos. “Los resultados sugieren que las personas restringen su consumo cuando hay evidencia disponible de los alimentos consumidos que indican la cantidad de alimentos que han consumido”. (Brian Wansink, Cornell Chronicle, 9 de abril de 2007).

En el evangelio de hoy, Jesús aparece milagrosamente ante los apóstoles. Si Su cuerpo resucitado no fuera lo suficientemente impactante, todavía llevaba las heridas de Su crucifixión. No hay nada que Jesús no pueda hacer. Su misma presencia ante los Apóstoles es un testimonio de ello. Entonces, si Él puede hacer cualquier cosa que desee, ¿por qué decidió dejar esas heridas, los lugares tan espantosos y desgarradores que nosotros, la humanidad, creamos?

The Sea of Galilee is tempestuous. It is located amid mountains and storms can come over the hills unexpectedly and stir up the waters.  One moment it may be calm and sunny and then the clouds come quickly and the wind picks up and a storm arrives. Life can be like that too. We don’t always see the storm approaching until we are caught in the deluge without our raincoat.

One such storm forced its way into my life a couple months ago when despite loving his job, my husband was unexpectedly let go. Up until then it had been a beautiful experience but we couldn’t see the clouds on the other side of the mountain and got caught. 

Jesus, as he said he would, was there. He is still here. We invited Him into our boat and He calmed us. We are not afraid because He has told us over and over in the Bible and in prayer that we should not be. Our God is a God of hope. He is true to his word. He has asked people throughout history to trust in Him and He is faithful. 

Just as Jesus calmed the storm and brought the disciples safely to land, He will do the same for us in the storms life throws at us. God is so good.

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El Mar de Galilea es tempestuoso. Está situado entre montañas y las tormentas pueden llegar inesperadamente sobre las colinas y agitar las aguas. En un momento puede estar tranquilo y soleado y luego las nubes aparecen rápidamente, el viento se levanta y llega una tormenta. La vida también puede ser así. No siempre vemos que se acerca la tormenta hasta que quedamos atrapados en el diluvio sin nuestro impermeable.

Una de esas tormentas pasó en mi vida hace un par de meses cuando, a pesar de que le encantaba su trabajo, despidieron a mi esposo inesperadamente. Hasta entonces había sido una experiencia hermosa pero no pudimos ver las nubes al otro lado de la montaña y quedamos atrapados en el diluvio.

Jesús, como había prometido, estaba allí. Él todavía está aquí. Lo invitamos a subir a nuestra barca y nos calmó. No tenemos miedo porque Él nos ha dicho una y otra vez en la Biblia y en la oración que no deberíamos tener miedo. Nuestro Dios es un Dios de esperanza. Él es fiel a su palabra. Ha pedido a la gente a lo largo de la historia que confíen en Él y Él es fiel.

Así como Jesús calmó la tormenta y llevó a los discípulos sanos y salvos a tierra, Él hará lo mismo por nosotros en las tormentas que la vida nos depare. Dios es muy bueno.

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As Catholic Christians we celebrate several weeks of Easter joy with readings from the Acts of the Apostles. The first reading today brings the joy of Jesus’ resurrection to the forefront. A Pharisee, very respected in the Sanhedrin, Rabbi Gamaliel, and Paul the apostle’s teacher, strongly cautions the Sanhedrin. He tells the gathered supreme leaders of the Jewish faith and court system, “So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” 

Gamaliel was known for seeking the truth and justice in Scripture and the matters that came before the Sanhedrin. He recommended a wise path forward with Jesus of Nazareth’s apostles.
The apostles were flogged and ordered to stop teaching about the Way of Christ. They rejoiced at their release. The apostles continued to proclaim and spread the Good News they learned from Jesus.

In the Gospel, Jesus healed many people as well as miraculously fed a multitude from five loaves of bread and two fish. What an amazing day! Can you imagine experiencing a healing yourself or seeing someone else transformed and then literally being fed by miraculous means. Praise God!

Jesus exemplified compassionate care to all which was very counter cultural at the time. The ability to see into the hearts and minds, the needs of the other in every circumstance, this is the unconditional love of the Lord. Jesus pays that love forward with each healing and miracle. This causes my heart to sing and rejoice!

Let us rejoice together in the healing and saving power of Christ Jesus. Rejoice! Alleluia!

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Today’s Gospel reading is packed with wisdom. One way to read Scripture is simply to spend time meditating verse by verse, and this passage provides a lot of material. Let’s consider three small verses within this passage today. Each verse provides important themes for this Easter Season. First, we must trust in God. Second, God showers us with gifts. Third, believe! 

Trust: “Whoever does accept [Jesus’] testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.”

Do you believe that God is trustworthy? He is trustworthy over anything and everyone. When we are in a difficult period in life, we tend to turn to God and put our trust and hope in Him because we know that we are not strong enough to carry the burden – whether illness, family challenges, career difficulties, or any other difficulty. When we realize that a burden is beyond our strength or control we turn to God. But what about putting all of our trust in God in the day to day activities that we can control? Do you entrust your health, your family, and your career to God on a daily basis? If we believe that Jesus is Lord, let’s entrust our entire lives to him, even the simple things that we think we have control over. 

Gift: “For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.”

Do you see the Most Holy Trinity in this passage? Walk with me. God sent Jesus, the one who “speaks the words of God.” God does not ration his gift of the Spirit – the Holy Spirit. Here we see how God pours out His love upon the world continuously, through Jesus, the Word of God, and the Spirit. 

This verse is a call to remember that the Triune God is generous. He teaches us, offers himself to us, and moves within us. God does not ration his gift of the Spirit. When you are tempted to doubt, ask for the Holy Spirit to make Himself known to you.

Believe: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”

You may hear echoes of John 3:16 in this verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” In John’s Gospel and his letters, we find a refrain of believing in God, remaining or abiding in God, and the promise of eternal life. 

Whenever you feel yourself doubting God, pray the words of the Father from Mark 9:24, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Doubt and fear happen in our human condition. Sometimes we question God’s love for us or even his existence. The promises in today’s Gospel reading are strong. Take a minute to consider how God has made Himself and his love known to you.

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Recently, I was teaching a group of students about the Mass. We had reached the end of the Liturgy and were focused on the dismissal: “Go and proclaim the Gospel with your life.” We hear it all the time, but do we think about what it actually means? It is more than just a signal that Mass is over and we are free to go. It is a call to carry God’s light and life into the darkest corners of our world.

Mass isn’t just an obligation. It isn’t just something we do because we are Catholic. Being fully present at Mass is a choice and a discipline, and a whole lot of grace. We go to confession so that we can be open to all the graces offered to us in the Holy Sacrifice re-presented on the altar at every Mass. When we are fully present at Mass, we offer ourselves, our hearts, our happy thoughts, our distractions and our struggles. We give all of it to be used to glorify and worship God. We hear the Gospel, we share in Christ’s sacrifice by offering our own lives back to God, so what is left? 

It isn’t enough to experience God’s love and light within the walls of the Church. It’s a start, but it isn’t enough. At the dismissal, we are reminded that we take what we have received, Christ himself, and carry Him out into the world. We don’t carry Him for our benefit, but for the world’s benefit. Our world can be a dark and dreary place. One doesn’t have to look far to become discouraged. In the midst of this world, we can take refuge in the One who created us. We have the grace and mercy of Our Lord. We have the tender love and example of His Mother. We have the intercession and advocacy of the Holy Spirit. “Go and proclaim the Gospel with your life,” is our call to action. It is when we choose to move from the protection of the Church to carry God’s love to our neighbor. It is when we choose to follow the example of the saints and be Christ’s light to others. It’s risky and it’s hard and it can also be incredibly scary, but it’s our calling.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill us with the fire of your love. Guide us to always choose to share your life and light with others.

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” The community of believers was of one heart and one mind.” 

Imagine for just a moment the founding of a family company. The excitement in the air that comes from branching out and believing in what the family can do must be a feeling like no other. Everyone working together towards a common goal to provide for their families must give hard work a deeper meaning. Then fast forward about a year and you start to see the division forming, gossip, and anxiety. 

I think inevitably whenever people gather together in a group they start by being warm and fuzzy but then quickly the differences and weaknesses of each member of the group start to form. It is no different in the Catholic Church. Think about how united the Apostles must have been, especially after Jesus rose from the dead. They needed each other for everything and grew together as a community with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

I have an experiment for you. I want you to walk into your local parish at some point during this next week, and think about what you see and hear. Do you see an atmosphere of togetherness and family? Or do you see one of division and cliques? It is no secret that some Catholics are more conservative, some are more liberal, some are more traditional, and some prefer a more modern type of worship. But at the end of the day, as the first reading reminds us, we should all be of one heart and mind. 

God desires to unite, Satan desires to divide. Now, of course, this is not an easy task when we try to do it all on our own. Every time I try by my own strength to be a good person I am reminded of how I am not very strong. This is why we need to pray for the grace to bring people into the family of God and not be the cause of disunity. As the Catechism says in the very first paragraph, Jesus “calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church.” (CCC #1)

Jesus is the one who desires that we all be one. Let us pray during this Easter season for the grace needed to be a source of unity and invitation. 

From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!

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“La multitud de los que habían creído tenía un solo corazón y una sola alma”.

Imaginemos por un momento la fundación de una empresa familiar. La emoción en el aire que surge al expandirse y creer en lo que la familia puede hacer debe ser un sentimiento como ningún otro. Todos los que trabajan juntos por el objetivo común de mantener a sus familias deben darle al trabajo duro un significado más profundo. Luego, aproximadamente un año después, comienzas a ver cómo se forma la división, los chismes y la ansiedad.

Creo que inevitablemente cada vez que las personas se reúnen en un grupo comienzan siendo cálidas y acogedoras, pero luego rápidamente comienzan a formarse las diferencias y debilidades de cada miembro del grupo. No es diferente en la Iglesia Católica. Piense en lo unidos que debieron estar los Apóstoles, especialmente después de que Jesús resucitó de entre los muertos. Se necesitaban unos a otros para todo y crecieron juntos como comunidad con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo.

Tengo un experimento para ti. Quiero que en algún momento de la próxima semana entres a tu parroquia local y pienses en lo que ves y oyes. ¿Ves un ambiente de unión y familia? ¿O ves uno de división y grupitos particulares? No es ningún secreto que algunos católicos son más conservadores, otros más liberales, otros más tradicionales y otros prefieren un tipo de culto más moderno. Pero al fin de cuentas, como nos recuerda la primera lectura, todos debemos tener un solo corazón y una sola alma.

Dios desea unir, Satanás desea dividir. Ahora bien, por supuesto, esta no es una tarea fácil cuando intentamos hacerlo todo por nuestra cuenta. Cada vez que intento ser una buena persona con mis propias fuerzas, recuerdo que no soy muy fuerte. Es por eso que debemos orar por la gracia de traer a las personas a la familia de Dios y no ser causa de desunión. Como dice el Catecismo en el primer párrafo, Jesús “Convoca a todos los hombres, que el pecado dispersó, a la unidad de su familia, la Iglesia.” (CIC #1)

Jesús es quien desea que todos seamos uno. Oremos durante este tiempo pascual por la gracia necesaria para ser fuente de unidad e invitación.

De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesano, ¡Dios los bendiga!

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