This weekend we celebrate our founding fathers, Saints Peter and Paul. It is through them that Jesus gave the Church the foundations that will help us to eternal salvation. The origins of a liturgy honoring both Peter and Paul dates back to mid-sixth century Rome. The prayers we use today are based on the same ones used in that early Mass. Peter and Paul were unique in the role they were called to play in the foundation of the Church, but they did not keep their formula for greatness a secret. The Lord invites all of us to the same greatness, whatever the specifics of our mission here on earth may be and to let go of ourselves and let Jesus live in us.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi celebrates the gift of the Eucharist. It reminds us of God’s love and the unity of the Church through the Body and Blood of Christ. Corpus Christi is not merely a celebration of bread and wine. It is a proclamation that Christ has not left us hungry. He has chosen to remain with us, not as a symbol alone, but as a real presence. In every Eucharist, heaven reaches down to us as God places himself into our hands. Like those seated on the grass long ago, we too are fed by His generosity. The bread we receive is not just nourishment for the journey; it is love made touchable, a divine life shared freely.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity which is a mystery difficult to comprehend. 5 In the readings for Trinity Sunday, Wisdom is described as being with God right from the beginning. This means that God’s wisdom was part of creating everything. God planned everything with great care and understanding and He even found delight in the human race. We can experience God’s joy by living according to His ways and enjoying what He has created because God wants us to be happy and find joy in life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…..have you wished your fellow parishioners or people from other Catholic Parishes a happy birthday? Today is the Birthday of Our Catholic Faith.

This is Pentecost Sunday, when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles as tongues of fire and this event marked the birth of the Church and empowered the apostles to preach. During Pentecost, the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke in diverse languages, astonishing a multinational crowd in Jerusalem as each heard God’s words in their own tongue.

Traditionally the Ascension of Our Lord was held 40 days after Easter, falling on a Thursday. However in most dioceses in the United States, the observance of the Solemnity of the Ascension is moved to the following Sunday, superseding the 7th Sunday of Easter. The Ascension of the Lord celebrates Jesus’ return to heaven after His resurrection. It highlights the completion of His mission on earth and the promise of His return.

Most of us know this parable:

"What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray." (Mt 18:12-13)

It speaks of the importance of finding what is lost. This parable is fitted neatly between two discourses on sin and its dangers and is followed by the parable of the unforgiving servant. The relationship is to the need for repentance and the joy in heaven that comes with it.

Readings this week focus on the growth of the early Church and Jesus’ command to love one another. These readings highlight the importance of faith, community, and the promise of a new heaven and earth.

Paul and Barnabas are spreading the good news, which shows us the importance of sharing our faith with others. They encourage believers to remain true to the faith despite hardships. This reminds us to stay strong in our faith through difficulties.

This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday because it focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He cares for His sheep, calls them by name, and leads them to safety.

Jesus reminds us that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. This shows the close connection between Jesus and those who believe in Him.

Jesus also speaks about eternal life—living forever with God in heaven. He promises this to those who follow Him.

The Third Sunday of Easter is full of lessons for our faith. Take time to reflect on the readings and what they mean for your life. The readings call us to follow Jesus with joy, love, and dedication. They remind us to obey God, worship Jesus, and show love through our actions. They help us to grow in faith and live out our call as Christians.

The apostles show courage and trust by obeying God rather than men, even when facing suffering. Their example encourages us to put God first, no matter the challenges. This obedience shows our commitment to Him.

Divine Mercy Sunday focuses on God’s mercy and love, inviting us to trust in Him and share His forgiveness. The readings are about faith, healing, and the importance of believing in Christ’s resurrection. They show how Jesus brings peace and healing to His followers. When He appears to the disciples, He gives them the gift of peace, calming their fears. This reminds us that we can always turn to Jesus for comfort and strength.

The Gospel highlights Thomas’s doubts and his declaration of faith when he finally encounters Jesus. This teaches us to believe in Jesus even when we cannot see Him. It also encourages us to deepen our trust in Him, especially when faced with uncertainty. The readings also emphasize forgiveness. Jesus gives His apostles the authority to forgive sins, showing that mercy is a main part of His message. We are invited to seek forgiveness through the sacrament of confession and extend mercy to others. Sharing kindness and compassion helps us live out the message of this special day.

Today we celebrate the high point of the Christian liturgical year. On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the faith in Jesus’ promise of redemption and eternal life to humanity. It should be a day brimming with the joy of the Risen Lord, which also begins the Easter Octave—eight days of unbroken celebration, each treated as though they are one and the same day. This period invites us into deep reflection and joy over the life-giving mysteries of Christ’s triumph over death. During this time, the faithful engage in daily Masses that resonate with Easter’s hopeful and renewing message, culminating on Divine Mercy Sunday. This special day highlights God’s endless mercy and love. This is not just a remembrance of a past event but an invitation into a more personal encounter with the Risen Christ today.

Palm Sunday calls us to trust God and follow Jesus with faith and obedience. As we meditate on the events of Palm Sunday, we are reminded of Jesus’ unwavering faith and obedience. Let us open our hearts to welcome Him and live according to His teachings. May we find strength and hope in His love and sacrifice and strive to follow His example every day.

Think about this: How can we glorify Jesus one day and then crucify Him on the cross later? Jesus does deserve to be glorified for the great love that He has for us. This was shown to us when He suffered and died for us on the cross on Calvary. Do you know of anyone else that would take on so much suffering and then die for you? Jesus sacrificed His own comfort, including His body and blood, to take our punishment that we deserve for our own sins. We should rejoice gratefully for this every Sunday with hosannas and admiration, for in the Eucharist we reunite ourselves with that tremendous love.

With the Third Scrutiny the Gospel tells us about the raising to life of Lazarus. This shows us that Jesus is “the Resurrection and the Life”. Jesus in His obedience to His Father has the authority to give life to whom He will. The raising of Lazarus shows us what is to take place on the last day. In this Gospel, Jesus through His obedience to the Father, has the authority to give life to whom He will. This reading is a dramatic demonstration of the truth already declared in John 5.21 (“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will.”) which is the best way anyone can comment on this story.