"In and through Jesus we come to know God as a powerless God, who becomes dependent on us. But it is precisely in this powerlessness that God’s power reveals itself. This is not...
"Breath in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy." - St. Augustine
We called him the Holy Spirit because one of his essential works in those who have been baptized is to sanctify them, to make them and keep them holy. When we were baptized, we became the adopted sons and daughters of God. God's own divine life pulsated within us. Throughout our lives, the Spirit sustains us in this life of God in different ways. He is working within us now, sustaining us in God's life. Just as we may not be conscious of the maintenance of our human life, we may not be conscious of the continuation of our shared life with God. It is the Holy Spirit who accomplishes this in us. Give thanks to the Spirit for his personal care of us! Do nothing to grieve the Holy Spirit, so that the life of God may remain in us. The above prayer may help to keep us attentive.
Homily Fourth Sunday of Easter Year A Reading 1: A central mystery of our faith is that Jesus, who was crucified, has risen and he is both Lord and Christ. Calling him...
Have we ever resisted the move of the Holy Spirit? Have we ever felt like Peter as he experienced the transfigured glory of Jesus on Mt. Tabor? Have we ever felt: "Lord, it...
Reflections on the Scriptures Fourth Sunday of Easter Gospel A Good Shepherd
By spiritaflame 10:47 AMFourth Sunday of Easter Gospel A“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters...
“When we pray, it is because the Holy Spirit inspires prayer in our heart. When we break the cycle of our self-centerdness, and move beyond ourselves and go out to encounter others, to...
"The quiet repetition of a single word can help us to descend with the mind into the heart. This repetition has nothing to do with magic. It’s not meant to throw a spell...
"The difficulties of life do not have to be unbearable. It is the way we look at them - through faith or unbelief - that makes them seem so. We must be convinced...
"We cannot force God into a relationship. God comes to us on his own initiative, and no discipline, effort, or ascetic practice can make him come. All mystics stress with an impressive unanimity...
Homily: Third Sunday of Easter Year A Reading 1: What is the context of this reading? Pentecost has occurred. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preaches his first sermon. The focus is...
A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the...
Reflection on Scripture Third Sunday of Easter Gospel A Breaking of the bread
By spiritaflame 10:31 AMThird Sunday of Easter Gospel ANow that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had...
In today's first reading we read: " The community of believers were of one mind and heart." This is the unity that Jesus prayed for at the Last Supper. It is the ideal...
An unknown author says that a person who starts a new life (such as in Baptism) similar to that of a newborn infant can follow these Seven Rules that promote good health in...
On Easter we had the opportunity to renew our baptismal promises. Listen to the words of St. Peter in his First Letter: "You are now saved by a baptismal bath which corresponds to...
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit we receive is that of courage to be frank and bold in the sharing of our faith. We see this in the life of Jesus,...
Because Jesus has risen from the dead, we are able to live a new life, a share in his own divine life. Without his death and resurrection, we would still be alienated from...
Information Talks on Youtube
By spiritaflame 10:34 AMInformation: The Seven Last Words of Jesus' talks are now available on YOUTUBE. If you put Bishop Sam Jacobs in search, you should be able to see the various talks. Hope you enjoy...
In today's Gospel reading Mary Magdalene is told not to focus on the empty tomb but on the Risen Christ. So she initially clung to his feet, as if to hold him for...
As we celebrate the Octave of Easter, we are given a grace moment to reflect on the event of the Resurrection. In today's Gospel there are two responses to Jesus' resurrection. One was...
Information He is risen!
By spiritaflame 6:01 PMHE IS RISEN. WE LIVEHE GOES BEFORE US.WE FOLLOW!HE SENDS US TO WITNESS THIS GOOD NEWS.WE PROCLAIM: HE IS RISEN!BLESSED EASTER! HE IS RISEN. WE LIVEHE GOES BEFORE US.WE FOLLOW!HE SENDS US TO...
Information. The final talk on the Seven Last Words of Jesus, "It is finished" is now available on Zoom. If you wish a link to this as well as to the other six...
"The cross as suffering and contradiction, as persecution and even death, is a result of faithful commitment to Jesus and his Gospel of the Kingdom. This is the fullest meaning of participation in...
"The cross is the price and path of conversion. Because we are immersed in egoism and the tendency toward sin, the path of conversion to the following of Jesus is a path of...
I invite you to participate in the Lenten series on the Last Words of Jesus from the cross that I will give on Apr 4. This week we will reflect on the seventh word from the cross: "It is finished." If you missed the first six and would want to view them, just send me your email address.
April 4, 2023 6:30pm Central
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81387050682?pwd=aG5DZm1ZSEJrdVQ1NUVCeFE0NGdOUT09
Meeting ID: 813 8705 0682
Passcode: 261718
Feel free to share with others
During Holy Week, let us reflect on the mystery of the cross. "We are limited and vulnerable; illness, frustration, suffering, and death are integral parts of our life." To place this experience in the...
