It isn’t enough to simply talk about reconciliation and healing, we must do the hard work of forgiving, which, for disciples of Jesus, is just one aspect of taking up one’s cross and imitating Jesus himself.

Peter’s faith is more than intellectual knowledge; it is his relationship with Jesus. When he confesses that Jesus is the Christ, Peter is speaking out of his own deep, loving, and personal knowledge of who Jesus is.

The encounter with Jesus and the Canaanite woman marks pivotal moment in the story of our salvation, in large part because it opened up a space for us within the community of believers. 

For each of us, regardless of our unique vocation, to invitation to “Come”—to leave the safety of the boat—is there. But with that invitation is the promise that God will not allow the storms to overwhelm us.

The Kingdom is a reality—a gift—that is revealed to those who are attentive and searching.

This Memorial is an opportunity for us to reflect on our own place within the unfolding story of salvation and to become more mindful on the impact of our decisions, our failings, and our faith for those who will come after us.

God’s mercy provides each of us with that time and space which allows for conversion and renewal, so that we can truly come to that abundance of life promised to each of us.

Saint Camillus offers a prophetic witness to the Church today, challenging each of us to also take a long, honest look at the world around us and to respond to what we see with a spirit of solidarity and sacrifice.

God scatters the seed whether we’re ready, paying attention, or willing to receive the seed at all. This is part of God’s gracious self-giving. God is always speaking to us and the seed is always being sown. 

Jesus opens his heart to embrace the heaviness that we carry in ours; he doesn’t take away our cross, but he labors with us. And this is how burdens become light: because he carries them with us.

We can never stop listening or learning. And so, in a sense, in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is asking us, “How well are you listening?” and “Who are you listening to?”

If God cares so much for tiny bird, how much more is God concerned for the disciples? How much more is God, who hears the cry of the poor, concerned for us?

Our task is simple: to share good news—to proclaim Christ—by sharing with the world what we ourselves have seen and come to believe.

The Eucharist is an act of communion and we are brought into the life of Christ and the Church, as we are brought out of ourselves.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity invites us to consider that all of our relationships are reflections of that unique and dynamic communion that exists within God.

Mary and Elizabeth had experienced God’s miraculous intervention in their lives in ways that left them permanently changed and, ultimately, transformed history.

Our Pentecost mission is to share our gifts and spend ourselves nurturing others, drawing them into the unity of the Spirit and the Church, and to open ourselves to the workings of the Spirit in the diversity of the gifts and lives of others.

Looking forward to that day when we recall the gift of the Spirit’s fullness on that first Pentecost, the liturgy and the witness of these martyrs invite us to reflect on our own call to mission and evangelization.

Jesus disappears from the disciples’ physical sight so that he might become more present to the eyes of their hearts.

The invitation for us this Sunday is to reflect on how we understand the Holy Spirit and to open our minds and hearts to the Spirit’s transforming love.