END OF OPPORTUNITY

The Easter season concludes on May 20th with the Feast of Pentecost. Easter was real game changer. With the renewal of the act of Baptism on Easter Day we took on a New Life, with New powers, in short, a New Day for us. This all takes place in the world of faith, which for us is reality. This reality is opposed to the world which forgot Easter on Easter Monday. When we speak of the "world" we speak of any reality without God. The "world" is not the beautiful universe filled with the wonder of God's creation. Wherever you have unity, truth, beauty, grace, goodness and love, you have God. We don't live in the world bereft of God. We live in God's world, the New Creation, announced at Easter that caused us to call out, Alleluia!!

The best time to renew that is right now, when we are hearing the nature of our relationship with God, Shepherd and Sheep, Vine and Branches, permeated by love. Our realization of this takes place best when these images and symbols are placed before us. Actually, the moment of discovery of the New Life can be anytime, but best during this time of the Church Year. The world of God's presence and activity exists in each of us. It is always present, always active, always loving. Make a decision to be open to this, call a halt to a life without God. Two weeks to Pentecost.

Love Monsignor

May 13, 2018 - Ascension of the Lord (click to read)

The Ascension marks a turning point for the disciples.  This is the last time that they will see Jesus in the flesh.  For years they had turned to him for guidance and direction.  Jesus was right there to instruct them, to counsel them, and sometimes to reprove them.  In fact, in Mark's account Jesus directs his disciples immediately before ascending to the Father: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).  Now they have to take the lead.  As the angels who make an appearance in the first reading say to them, "Why ar you standing there looking at the sky" (ACTS1:11) They couldn't just stand around and wait for the Second Coming.  They needed to act.  They were called to teach, or preach, or prophesy, or evangelize, each according to his or her talents, all "for building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12).  The ascension, then, was the moment of transition.  The church the people of God, The Body of Christ, commissioned by Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit, though still in its infancy, was now the visible presence of God's work here on earth.  At this point the church's mission truly begins.  

How can you assist the work of the Church today?

• First Reading - Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
• Second Reading - Ephesians 1:17:23
• Gospel - Mark 16:15-20
• Msgr McGough's Homily (Click and listen) to be added on May 13th 
• Music to reflect (click) - Be not afraid