Imagine that the Lord was calling you to a mission, and he tells you to go to a country you have never been before. He tells you not to worry about any of the common preoccupations... and that you would have to depend on the hospitality of strangers. How many would respond to such a call? If the Lord would ask you to travel with just one suitcase, or none at all, how many would take him seriously? Imagine that the mission the Lord is sending you was to a country famed for its hostilities to strangers, would you still go? [Click to read more]
The readings for this weekend suggest that the call of God requires our urgent but free response. It leaves no room for delays. In the First Reading, the Lord calls Elisha to be a supporter and helper of Elijah. Although Elisha wanted to follow Elijah, he however asked for leave so he could kiss his parents goodbye... [Click here to read more]
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi Solemnity, from the Latin meaning “Body of Christ.” This feast originated in France in mid thirteenth century, but was extended to the universal Church by Pope Urban IV in 1264. It is typically celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday (which was last Sunday), but for pastoral reasons the bishops of the United States and elsewhere have moved it to the Sunday following Trinity Sunday. This solemnity focuses our attention on the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, and calls us to profess our faith in the Eucharist, Christ’s gift of himself to us for our salvation and sanctification. This solemnity is also a privileged moment to reflect on the mystery of the Church as the Body of Christ. [Click to read more]