Scripture: Acts 19:1-8John 16:29-33 Reflection: The first thing that strikes me about our reading from the Acts of the Apostles is the mention of John the Baptist for the second time in as many chapters (18:25; 19:3). Perhaps John’s reach…
The Ascension of the Lord Scripture: Acts 1:1-11Ephesians 1:17-23 or 4:1-13Mark 16:15-20 Reflection: Today, the feast of the Solemnity of the Ascension is celebrated in most dioceses in the United States. The Ascension was traditionally celebrated on the 40th day…
Scripture: Acts 18:23-28John 16:23b-28 Reflection: “Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.” That verse sounds as if God has given us a blank check to ask anything of him. We know, however, that prayer is…
Scripture: Acts 18:9-18John 16:20-23 Reflection: I remember what labor was like for me – long and intense. Despite what it says in the Gospel, once my son was born, I didn’t immediately forget the pain; it was too real. Over…
Scripture: Acts 18:1-8John 16:16-20 Reflection: The Church of Jesus with Signs Following! The daily readings for this week speak of Church building: the home of Lydia, a prosperous dealer in woven and dyed cloth becomes the house church of Philippi.…
Scripture: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1John 16:12-15 Reflection: Today’s reading from Acts is so vividly recounted that it is easy to picture ourselves there, listening to the apostle Paul as he proclaims the core of the Christian message in first-century Athens. Paul…
Scripture: Acts 16:22-34John 16:5-11 Reflection: But Paul shouted out in a loud voice,“Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.”He asked for a light and rushed in and,trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas.Then he brought…
Scripture: Acts 16: 11-15John 15:26b-16:4a Reflection: Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan said, “every truth starts as a blasphemy.” Certainly, when Pope Francis speaks truth about militarism, poverty, capitalism, racism, sexual orientation, and protecting our environment, some have turned away, criticized him…
Scripture: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-481 John 4:7-10John 15:9-17 Reflection: In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. -Acts 10:34,35 This I command you: love one…
Scripture: Acts 16:1-10John 15:18-21 Reflection: Witnessing Jesus These Easter days’ readings from the Acts of the Apostles continue to impress upon us that St. Paul was truly a zealous traveling missionary who, along with a variety of companions, went from…