Trinity Sunday (May 30, 2021)

 

“I Am With You”

Matthew 28: 16-20

 

The Gospel According to Matthew concludes with these final words of Jesus, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

 

Earlier in Matthew, we learn through the name of the Son of God that God is with us (Emmanuel).  With the Incarnation of God’s only Son, God draws us into God’s life and love.

 

Now, we always live in that love. 

 

We can never fully understand nor explain the mystery of the Trinity.  Nor can we ever fully grasp the depth of God’s love.

 

But we know one thing, that we are living in that mystery of love.  

 

 

 

Pentecost (May 23, 2021)

 

“Peace Be with You”

John 20: 19-23

 

With the gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of peace.

 

These were the gifts Jesus gives to the disciples who had betrayed him.  These were the gifts given to the disciples who were staying behind locked doors, afraid. 

 

These very disciples are now sent forth with the Holy Spirit to be the instruments of God’s forgiveness and peace.

 

The Risen Christ is giving us the same gifts and the same mission today. 

 Image source: www.agnusday.org

The Ascension of the Lord (Mary 16, 2021)

Jesus is With Us

Mark 16: 5-10

 

Jesus told the disciples, “Go.”

 

At that command, “they went forth and preached everywhere.”

 

The Gospel of Mark was written sometime after that, recording the experiences of the disciples and the early Church.  It testifies, “the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.”

 

To us today the Lord commands, “Go.”

 

Let us continue the mission with the same knowledge and trust that the Lord works with us and accompanies us.  

 

 

Image source:  The image of the globe is from https://en.wikipedia.org

6th Sunday of Easter - B (May 9, 2021)

 

“My Love”

John 15: 9-17

 

Jesus’ commandment of love is revolutionary because he does not tell us to love those who love us, or only those who are lovable. 

 

But how could we do that?

 

With the love of God. 

 

God has loved us first.  Then, the love of God empowers us to love.

 

Jesus tells us, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.”  Jesus loves us first, and now invites us to “remain in my love.”

 

With Jesus’ love comes the commandment and the power for us to love.  “Love one another as I love you.”

 

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

5th Sunday of Easter - B (May 2, 2021)

 

Remain In Jesus

John 15: 1-8

In the Gospel for last Sunday, Jesus spoke to us on God’s love, and our life mission of knowing God and making God known.

 

Today’s Gospel can be a continuation of that theme.  If we want to live that life mission, we must remain with Jesus.  With Jesus we will have abundant life and bear much fruit.

Image source: www.agnusday.org