Pentecost Sunday, May 31 (Year A) Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

The term “Holy Spirit” is often used in ambiguous ways.

Ascension of the Lord, May 24 (Year A) Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

What did Jesus tell the disciples during the 40 days He was with them after the Resurrection? We can only imagine and speculate, and some in the early Church did just that.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17 (Year A) Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Psalm 66; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21

Samaria must have been quite a sight. Demons shrieking, the paralyzed and lame regaining their strength and mobility, and countless other signs and wonders amazed the multitudes. Many were moved to accept the word of God and be baptized.

Fifth Sunday of Easter May 10 (Year A) Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

The period of serene apostolic simplicity and unity did not last long.

It was a trying Lent. The Church has lived something historically unprecedented, as Catholics worldwide were able to go to church nowhere and everywhere. Friends and family shared the joy of seeing Mass around the world and the grief of fasting from receiving communion, even on Good Friday, even on Easter Sunday.

Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3 (Year A) Acts 2:14a, 36b-41; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10

When we have done something terribly wrong, it is impossible to call it back. Words remain spoken, deeds remain done, hearts remain broken.

Third Sunday of Easter, April 26 (Year A) Act 2:14, 22b-28; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35

The ways of God and the ways of human beings are seldom in harmony.

Second Sunday of Easter, April 19 (Year A) Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

The quality of the communal life of the early Christian communities was a major source of their power and growth. It was certainly not a once-a-week experience, but an experience of sharing their lives.

Resurrection of the Lord, April 12 (Year A) Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18

When is good news truly good news? When it comes at the right time, giving people hope and comfort.

A young woman told me how she almost took her own life at 21. Not because she had no friends or family (she knew she did) but because she felt alone in her pain, isolated in the anguish she had carried so long, and convinced nobody could hear.