Reflection for Sunday June 26th- 

Sunday Gospel Lk 9:51-62

What does it mean to really follow Jesus, to be a disciple? It can be easy to focus on the positive teachings of Jesus: loving, forgiving, and serving others. Or we can focus on the “benefits”: lifelong friendship with God, mercy, grace, and heaven. There are many good things that come with being a disciple of Jesus. There are also things that we are called to give up and challenges that come with following Jesus. This week’s Gospel comes from Luke. The symbol of Luke is the winged Ox which represents sacrifice.. He focuses a lot on the cost of discipleship and the sacrificial nature of Christ’s call to each of us. He makes it clear that it’s not easy to follow Jesus. In the passage this week Jesus and his disciples were turned away from a Samaritan village and then Jesus explains the consequences of following him. “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And “ No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God”. Both of these teachings remind us that to follow Jesus is to be all in and to be kingdom focused. We focus on the Kingdom to come and how we can make it a reality. We recognize that we are just pilgrims on this earth and that all things will pass. We are challenged to rely on God’s providence and to avoid being attached to the things of this world. Jesus wants us to follow him. What things in your life get in the way of your ability to follow Jesus as a disciple?

Reflection for Sunday June 19th- Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood

Sunday Gospel: Lk 9:11b-17

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood and also the start of the Eucharistic Revival taking place in the U.S over the next three years. The Eucharist is one of the essential teachings of our faith as Catholics. When we understand that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist at every mass then it can change our entire experience of the Mass. Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist to nourish us and strengthen us. The bread and wine become so much more than what they appear to be and this happens at every mass! In today’s Gospel, after Jesus feeds the crowd of people they are truly satisfied. Jesus desires to satisfy our longing and our hearts in a way that only He can. How do you allow Jesus to satisfy your needs and desires? What can you do to better prepare yourself to receive Jesus in the Eucharist?⁠ ⁠

Teens, join us Wednesdays this Summer for daily mass and breakfast! 7:00am at the church.

Reflection for Sunday June 12th- Holy Trinity Sunday

Sunday Gospel:  Jn 16:12-15

This Sunday is the solemnity of the Holy Trinity. Our Gospel passage is confusing but it does mention all three persons of the trinity: God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The word trinity is one of the teachings that comes from the Bible but is not mentioned in the Bible. The actual word is introduced later in history. Many analogies have been used to help us grasp the trinity. Ultimately it is a mystery that we will never fully understand. It helps me to focus on relationships when grasping the trinity. They all have the same mission but different roles. God is above us, Jesus is beside us, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Each is complete while also unique. What helps us to make sense of the trinity and how do you relate to each aspect of God?

Let Paul know if you know a teen that would like to write a brief reflection.

Reflection for Sunday June 5th- Pentecost

​Sunday Gospel: Jn 20:19-23

Come Holy Spirit! Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, when the apostles received the Holy Spirit and where sent out into the world to preach the Gospel. In this passage Jesus gives the disciples peace, the Holy Spirit, and the ability to forgive sins and then he sends them out into the world. While the forgiveness of sins is reserved for priests, all of us are given the Holy Spirit at confirmation and we are called to live in the peace of Christ. Personally, the Holy Spirit is the aspect of God that I am least comfortable with. I know it’s powerful and important but it is much easier for me to go to God the Father or Jesus. On this feast day, I always reflect on the image of a gift. The Holy Spirit is given to us for our benefit. Like any other gift, it is up to us to open it, to care for it, and to use it. A key difference between the Holy Spirit and other gifts is that the more we use it the more value it has. The Holy spirit is not a pristine collectible but rather a person that we can live life with. How are you using the gift of the Holy Spirit in your life?