of the human person from conception until natural death
The Ascension of Jesus has theological affinity with Yom Kippur, the annual Jewish Day of Atonement. Both observances revolve around the notions of the cleansing of sin, God’s forgiveness, and reconciliation with God. This Jewish ritual involved sacrifices, the scapegoat ceremony, and the cleansing of the Holy of Holies, all…
Between the glory of the Resurrection and the fire of Pentecost lies an often-overlooked event in the life of Christ and the Church. Forty days after Easter, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension, where we read of Christ’s bodily ascent into heavenly glory. According to the Catechism of…
In this week’s Gospel, there is one of the several references to the Paraclete (Jn 14:26) rendered, in English, as Advocate. All references to the Paraclete (or the Spirit of Truth) occur multiple times in the Farewell Discourse of John’s Gospel (Jn 13:31–17:26) that are the extensive teachings and promises…
5th Week of Easter Psalm 115 or Psalm 113 This week, on Monday, the chosen psalm is Ps 115 (113) and the response is “Not to us, O Lord, but…
According to one biblical scholar, while Jerusalem is the focus of Jewish identity, faith, and hope, in the Book of Revelation, Jerusalem signifies “the election of a new people and the sealing of a new covenant” (Wilfrid J. Harrington, Sacra Pagina: Revelation, p. 209). John the Revelator writes, “Then I…
4th Sunday of Easter The Book of Revelation The Church is cautious with the Book of Revelation. There are only seven occasions when that book is an official Sunday reading.…
The fourth stage of what is now known as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is called mystagogy, a term dervied from the Greek words meaning “to lead through the mysteries.” Traditionally, mystagogy extends throughout the Easter season until the feast of Pentecost. This is a period of…
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?”…
Nature and dignity 