Exploring the depth of our prayers
Continuing with the Glorious Mysteries, today we celebrate Mary as Queen of Heaven.
It’s kind of a weird phrase if you think about it. God is King, so … Mary is equivalent to God?
Not at all.
Continue reading “Coronation of our Mother”
This certainly is the season of Mary. We’re paying attention to her absolutely unique relationship with God and His Son.
As Catholics, we believe that Mary is already present in Heaven. Body and soul. Why?
Because it was revealed to us in the book of Revelation. John was shown the glory of the Son, uncountable angels, and myriad souls. And Mary.
Continue reading “Mary’s Assumption”
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
John 20:21-23
Today we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. He said He would send His Spirit, and indeed he did. The promise was fulfilled!
Continue reading “Come, Holy Spirit!”
I have this amazing image in my mind about what it must have been like to witness Jesus’ ascension first hand. But it’s probably more influenced by movies I’ve seen than anything else.
He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11 NASB
We know it was up. We know there were clouds. We know He rose into the sky, or heaven, depending on the translation.
Continue reading “He ascended into heaven”
Jesus is risen! Christus resurrexit!
But, honestly, this isn’t about an event which happened nearly 2,000 years ago. No, it’s about what’s happening now.
Today.
Continue reading “New life!”
I never knew that much about Our Lady of Loreto, so it was fascinating to learn about this new celebration just recently announced by Pope Francis. Squeezed in between the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec 8) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12), I’m getting the feeling that this first half of Advent is trying to remind us of the amazing role of Mary in our redemption.
It’s a pretty amazing story.
In the early church, people revered the house in which Mary was raised. It’s believed to be where she gave her fiat to Jesus’ conception, then lived with Joseph.
Continue reading “Our Lady of Loreto”
Today is the celebration of Mary’s queenship. A particularly Catholic thing, for sure.
I was surprised to find out today that it was typical in ancient Israel for the mother of a King to be addressed as Queen. It’s not something I’m particularly familiar with, but it is an additional connection which is powerful.
And certainly Mary should hold a special position in our personal connection to God and Christ, right? Because she’s the first, most important disciple of God’s incarnation.
She’s the supreme model for all of us.
Today we remember and celebrate the Assumption of our Blessed Mother. Such a powerful and hope-filled doctrine of our faith!
This is when Mary, body and soul, was conveyed into heaven at the conclusion of her earthly journey. Yet it’s never mentioned directly in the Bible.
Continue reading “Mary’s Assumption”19 God’s temple in heaven was opened,
Rev 11:19a; 12:1, 5, 10ab
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
1 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
5 She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed One.”
Today, with great joy, we focus on the Spirit that Jesus said the Father would send.
“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
John 14:26
Without the Holy Spirit, Jesus is just a remembered character from a story 2000 years old. Compelling, yes, but a lot less active.
Continue reading “Coming of the Holy Spirit”
The resurrected Son of God left us after just a few weeks – forty days in the Christian tradition.
But there was so much more to learn! There still is, nearly 2000 years later!
At some stage, you have to let your kiddos grow up and navigate the world in their own way.
Continue reading “Ascension”