ST. MARK’S GOSPEL: A MURDER MYSTERY? A REFLECTION FOR PALM SUNDAY
Seems odd, doesn’t it, that Jesus, for the first and only time in the narrative, offers detailed instructions for the sort of rendezvous one might expect in a spy novel?
Seems odd, doesn’t it, that Jesus, for the first and only time in the narrative, offers detailed instructions for the sort of rendezvous one might expect in a spy novel?
ONCE WE WERE STARDUST, AND WHAT WE WILL BE IS THE GOOD SURPRISE
What was first just a daring truth in the body of Jesus is made universal truth by the descent and indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon all the races...
What was first just a daring truth in the body of Jesus is made universal truth by the descent and indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon all the races...
CHRIST ALIVE TODAY, ALWAYS HELPS BEGIN ANEW
Celebrating the 9th Easter of his pontificate, Pope Francis delivered a homily at the Easter Vigil Mass, reflecting on what it means to go to Galilee, where the Risen Lord would precede His disciples.
Celebrating the 9th Easter of his pontificate, Pope Francis delivered a homily at the Easter Vigil Mass, reflecting on what it means to go to Galilee, where the Risen Lord would precede His disciples.
THREE WHISPERS THAT TELL THE WHOLE STORY OF EVERYTHING
For the things that matter most in our lives, the things we dare to believe and fear to say out loud, the most precious way to put those things into words is to whisper.
For the things that matter most in our lives, the things we dare to believe and fear to say out loud, the most precious way to put those things into words is to whisper.
CROSS AND RESURRECTION
Despite every possible failure, the life that rises in Christ is already now, in daily life, the joyful proclamation that the Father loves us and saves us in Christ...
Despite every possible failure, the life that rises in Christ is already now, in daily life, the joyful proclamation that the Father loves us and saves us in Christ...
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER CALL US TO SERVE THE RISEN CHRIST
There is a rhythm from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to the shared meal and foot-washing, to the agony of the cross and the joy of light bursting forth from the tomb.
There is a rhythm from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to the shared meal and foot-washing, to the agony of the cross and the joy of light bursting forth from the tomb.
RESURRECTION, RE-CREATION, AND LIVES MADE NEW
Each year, we recapitulate this Easter story and each year it recreates us. It returns us to the ground of our being. It asks us to be deeply present to what’s true and what’s not in our selves...
Each year, we recapitulate this Easter story and each year it recreates us. It returns us to the ground of our being. It asks us to be deeply present to what’s true and what’s not in our selves...
THE RISEN CHRIST IN THE FOUR GOSPELS
Just as for Christ the resurrection did not undo the marks of crucifixion, so for us the resurrection will not be so much the reversal of death as its completion.
Just as for Christ the resurrection did not undo the marks of crucifixion, so for us the resurrection will not be so much the reversal of death as its completion.
THE EASTER VIGIL IS THE LONGEST LITURGY OF THE YEAR. AND IT’S SO, SO WORTH YOUR TIME
It bears only a basic resemblance to typical Catholic weekend worship, but in breaking from that form it brings home the power of the Resurrection anew.
It bears only a basic resemblance to typical Catholic weekend worship, but in breaking from that form it brings home the power of the Resurrection anew.
THE RISEN CHRIST AND THE POWER OF LOVE
Only when Christ rises from the dead in all of us will this world know peace; for then love alone will prevail and the whole cosmos will sing for joy.
Only when Christ rises from the dead in all of us will this world know peace; for then love alone will prevail and the whole cosmos will sing for joy.
EASTER SUNDAY: FAITH IS ALWAYS A RISK
The Easter Sunday Gospel seems very disappointing. After the blowout of the vigil, today’s Gospel presents “good news” of confusion, misunderstanding and at least a touch of fear. Maybe we should let Peter and Paul lead us through the day.
The Easter Sunday Gospel seems very disappointing. After the blowout of the vigil, today’s Gospel presents “good news” of confusion, misunderstanding and at least a touch of fear. Maybe we should let Peter and Paul lead us through the day.
HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS AT THE EASTER VIGIL 2022
"Let us allow the women of the Gospel to lead us by the hand, so that, with them, we may glimpse the first rays of the dawn of God’s life rising in the darkness of our world."
"Let us allow the women of the Gospel to lead us by the hand, so that, with them, we may glimpse the first rays of the dawn of God’s life rising in the darkness of our world."
POPE FRANCIS' URBI ET ORBI BLESSING 2022
In his Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter 2022, Pope Francis lamented an “Easter of War” as he prayed for peace in Ukraine and around the world.
In his Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter 2022, Pope Francis lamented an “Easter of War” as he prayed for peace in Ukraine and around the world.
INVITATION INTO THE EASTER STORY
Jesus Christ is Risen! Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus, the central feast of Christianity. Learn more about Easter and find Easter activities.
Jesus Christ is Risen! Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus, the central feast of Christianity. Learn more about Easter and find Easter activities.
WHY IT MATTERS THAT JESUS REALLY DID RISE FROM THE DEAD
Easter, if it’s worth anything at all, is more than a metaphor. But it is more than mere history as well.
Easter, if it’s worth anything at all, is more than a metaphor. But it is more than mere history as well.
EASTER IN THE LITURGY
In the Roman liturgy, Easter begins with the solemn Vigil on the night of Holy Saturday and continues for the 50 days of Eastertide, which ends with Pentecost. It is the time when the Church rejoices with the risen Christ, as she awaits his return in glory.
In the Roman liturgy, Easter begins with the solemn Vigil on the night of Holy Saturday and continues for the 50 days of Eastertide, which ends with Pentecost. It is the time when the Church rejoices with the risen Christ, as she awaits his return in glory.
EASTER — NOT CHRISTMAS — SHOULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY
The Easter moment was powerful enough in the Christians of the early Church to infuse new life into the dying pagan world. What it did once, it can do again.
The Easter moment was powerful enough in the Christians of the early Church to infuse new life into the dying pagan world. What it did once, it can do again.
EASTER IS AN INVITATION TO FALL IN LOVE
The Jesus who emerges from the empty tomb shows no interest in proving his resurrection to unbelievers.
The Jesus who emerges from the empty tomb shows no interest in proving his resurrection to unbelievers.
THE RESURRECTION IS A PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE EVENT
Christ is risen! What more can be said about Easter, other than those remarkable three words? Maybe it would help to, as spiritual directors like to say, “unpack” each word.
Christ is risen! What more can be said about Easter, other than those remarkable three words? Maybe it would help to, as spiritual directors like to say, “unpack” each word.
'THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BEAUTIFUL DAY OF HISTORY' – POPE FRANCIS ON EASTER 2023
"Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against the wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life."
"Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against the wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life."
EASTER HOPE MEANS SOLIDARITY WITH IMMIGRANTS
When we stand with immigrants against racism and prejudice, we live the truth of the Easter message.
When we stand with immigrants against racism and prejudice, we live the truth of the Easter message.
THE RESURRECTION CHANGES EVERYTHING
What Jesus' resurrection did to the disciples shows us what impact it should have on us.
What Jesus' resurrection did to the disciples shows us what impact it should have on us.
ENCOUNTERING THE RISEN CHRIST: ORDINARY LIVES TRANSFORMED
Encountering the Risen Christ in our ordinariness and woundedness. When the inner is utterly transformed, we don’t need symbolic outer validations, special hats, or flashy insignia.
Encountering the Risen Christ in our ordinariness and woundedness. When the inner is utterly transformed, we don’t need symbolic outer validations, special hats, or flashy insignia.
NEW LIFE, STRONGER THAN BEFORE
Jesus risen from the dead made life the stuff of eternity. Jesus transformed leads us to look beyond the obvious, to allow for the presence of God in alien places, in unanticipated ways.
Jesus risen from the dead made life the stuff of eternity. Jesus transformed leads us to look beyond the obvious, to allow for the presence of God in alien places, in unanticipated ways.
EASTER HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS 2024
"In the darkness, let an unexpected shout of joy resound: He is alive; he is risen! Let a new flame be kindled in your heart, let new vitality be heard in your voice. It is the Pasch of the Lord, brothers and sisters; it is the feast of the living.”
"In the darkness, let an unexpected shout of joy resound: He is alive; he is risen! Let a new flame be kindled in your heart, let new vitality be heard in your voice. It is the Pasch of the Lord, brothers and sisters; it is the feast of the living.”
CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION OF THE BODY. THE RESURRECTION MAKES THAT CLEAR
The Son of God, taken with love for humanity, chooses to embody that love in the highest form by dwelling among us, as one of us, for us.
The Son of God, taken with love for humanity, chooses to embody that love in the highest form by dwelling among us, as one of us, for us.
REMEMBERING JOANNA, THE FORGOTTEN WITNESS TO CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
We know more about Joanna than about some of the Apostles. Yet, while we celebrate their feasts every year, we neglect her completely.
We know more about Joanna than about some of the Apostles. Yet, while we celebrate their feasts every year, we neglect her completely.
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS DECISIVE, FOR THE FIRST DISCIPLES AND FOR US
We Christians may argue and disagree about certain scriptural passages. What unites us is this belief that the tomb was empty and, just so, that Jesus is himself the criterion by which we must judge ourselves.
We Christians may argue and disagree about certain scriptural passages. What unites us is this belief that the tomb was empty and, just so, that Jesus is himself the criterion by which we must judge ourselves.
STATIONS OF THE RESURRECTION: MEDITATIONS ON JESUS’ APPEARANCES
Similar to the Via Crucis (the Way of the Cross), the Via Lucis (the Way of Light) is composed of 14 stations that highlight various episodes in the Gospels that occur after the Resurrection of Jesus.
Similar to the Via Crucis (the Way of the Cross), the Via Lucis (the Way of Light) is composed of 14 stations that highlight various episodes in the Gospels that occur after the Resurrection of Jesus.
CHRIST IS RISEN, BUT HAS ANYTHING REALLY CHANGED FOR US?
In the heart of Eastertide, we can ask ourselves: Has Easter changed us? What are the consequences of truly accepting the reality of the Resurrection?
In the heart of Eastertide, we can ask ourselves: Has Easter changed us? What are the consequences of truly accepting the reality of the Resurrection?
WAYS TO MAINTAIN JOY THROUGHOUT THE EASTER SEASON
In celebrating the full 50 days of the Easter season, we accept the offer salvation provides us. Moreover, we evangelize to others the joy of the Gospel because they see us living, and practicing daily, a sustained encounter with Jesus.
In celebrating the full 50 days of the Easter season, we accept the offer salvation provides us. Moreover, we evangelize to others the joy of the Gospel because they see us living, and practicing daily, a sustained encounter with Jesus.
THE TRIUMPH OF GOODNESS
The stone which rolled away from the tomb of Jesus continues to roll away from every sort of grave. Goodness cannot be held, captured, or put to death. It evades its pursuers, escapes capture, slips away, hides out, even leaves the churches sometimes, but forever rises, again and again, all over the world. Such is the meaning of the resurrection.
The stone which rolled away from the tomb of Jesus continues to roll away from every sort of grave. Goodness cannot be held, captured, or put to death. It evades its pursuers, escapes capture, slips away, hides out, even leaves the churches sometimes, but forever rises, again and again, all over the world. Such is the meaning of the resurrection.
EASTER IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE 'DEEP RESURRECTION'
The notion of "deep resurrection" begins with theological reflection on the significance of the incarnation of the Word for the whole of creation, and not just humanity.
The notion of "deep resurrection" begins with theological reflection on the significance of the incarnation of the Word for the whole of creation, and not just humanity.
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