Readings Acts 2:1-11  Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34  1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13  John 20:19-23 Chants Altarpiece of Pentecost, Unknown Hungarian Master, 1510 A Mighty Wind The giving of the Spirit to the new people of God crowns the mighty acts of the Father in salvation history. The Jewish feast of Pentecost called all devout Jews to Jerusalem to celebrate their birth…

Readings Acts 1:15-17, 20-26  Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20  1 John 4:11-16   John 17:11-19 Chants Ascension of Christ, Guariento d'Arpo, c. 1344 The Kingdom Remains Today’s First Reading begins by giving us a time-frame—the events take place during the days between Christ’s ascension and Pentecost. We’re at the same point in our liturgical year. On Thursday we celebrated the Ascension, His…

Readings Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48  Psalm 98:1-4  1 John 4:7-10  John 15:9-17 Chants Bust of Christ, Catacomb of Pontianus (9th c.) Begotten By Love God is love, and He revealed that love in sending His only Son to be a sacrificial offering for our sins. In these words from today’s Epistle, we should hear an echo of the story of…

Readings Acts 9:26-31  Psalm 22:26-28, 30-3 2 John 3:18-24  John 15:1-8 Chants Tree of Life, Pacino di Bonaguida, 1310 On the Vine In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that He is the true vine that God intended Israel to be—the source of divine life and wisdom for the nations (see Sirach 24:17-24). In baptism, each of us was joined to…

Readings Acts 4:8-12  Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 29  1 John 3:1-2  John 10:11-18 Chants Christ the Good Shepherd, Tomb of Galla Placidia, near Ravenna, Italy, 5th c. The Shepherd’s Voice Jesus, in today’s Gospel, says that He is the good shepherd the prophets had promised to Israel. He is the shepherd-prince, the new David--who frees people from bondage to…

Readings Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 Psalms 4:2, 4, 7-9 1 John 2:1-5 Luke 24:35-48 Chants Supper at Emmaus, Jacopo Pontormo, 1525 Understanding the Scriptures Jesus in today’s Gospel, teaches His apostles how to interpret the Scriptures. He tells them that all the Scriptures of what we now call the Old Testament refer to Him. He says that all the promises found…

Readings Acts 4:32-35  Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24  1 John 5:1-6  John 20:19-31  Chants The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Hendrick Terbrugghen, 1604 The Day the Lord Made Three times in today’s Psalm we cry out a victory shout: “His mercy endures forever.” Truly we’ve known the everlasting love of God, who has come to us as our Savior. By the blood…