Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2: 1-11; 1 Cor 12: 3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20: 19-23

05-28-2023Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

GROW: As a college student, I found myself sitting near the information desk during a layover at a German airport. This was in the days before mobile phones and Google Translate. I remember being so impressed that the two young women behind the desk were able to answer questions in so many languages without missing a beat. Whether it was Spanish, French, German or English, each traveler heard an answer in their own language. I often think that must have been what it was like for the travelers to Jerusalem during Pentecost.

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The Ascension of the Lord: Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1: 17-23; Mt 28: 16-20

05-21-2023Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

GROW: Actions speak louder than words. How many of us have heard or said this exact phrase? I suspect most, if not all of us are quite familiar with this old adage. In fact, this is exactly what we are being told by Jesus himself in today’s Gospel when he says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Jesus continues his direction of action by telling us to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We are not directed to simply speak about Jesus with our families and church communities, we are told to GO among all nations and add to Jesus’ flock. We continue Christ’s mission when we seek to spread his love. Before Jesus joined his Father in heaven, his instructions were very clear. This is an opportunity to think about the commission we were given as part of the baptized community, and how Jesus is asking us to take action in his name.

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Sixth Sunday of Easter: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21

05-14-2023Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

GROW:  I know a few people whose method of book buying is to read the last few pages of a book first. They want to know if buying, or reading, the book is going to be worth it. As an avid bibliophile I find this to be something I could never do, but I understand their impulse. After all, it makes sense to want to have some kind of assurance that the journey one is taking – whether physical, spiritual, or literary – has a decent “payoff,” as it were. In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples that when he leaves he will provide “another Advocate” for them. We see this truth in action in the first reading, as with the laying on of hands by the apostles, those who had been baptized in Jesus’ name “received the Holy Spirit.” Christ’s life, death, and resurrection not only conquered death and brought us new life, it made way for the Holy Spirit who has come to dwell among and within us. The Lord has not left us alone. So while we may have a sense of what the sequel to our journey is, we trust the author of our story to help us write the ending of this one.

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Fifth Sunday of Easter: Acts 6:1-7, 1 Pt 2:4-9, Jn 14:1-12

05-07-2023Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

GROW: Recently, I went through a period of spiritual dryness, and I questioned my ability to make faith the central tenet of my life. Although I had always loved reading Scripture, I felt I needed reassurance that God was truly present with me. So I did what many people do: I asked God for a sign that he was real. Nothing happened. The sky didn’t open; doves and rays of light didn’t magically appear announcing God’s presence.

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