What does it mean to be courageous? Sometimes courage means standing up for or with someone through a conflict, or a big game, or through a punishing sickness. Two brothers play basketball in the Spirit story; one has to struggle with cancer. The other shaves his head in solidarity. Taylor Swift’s song “You’ll Get Better […]
Music and the Gospel: “Soon You’ll Get Better” Taylor Swift Read More »
When Joseph didn’t know what to do about his pregnant fiancée, he slept on it. In his dreams, an angel eased his doubt and gave him courage to act. Pray to Joseph today to fill your heart with hope and with the willingness to see God at work where you never imagined. Joseph is patron
Joseph of dreams, be with us Read More »
Scripture Readings: 1 Samuel 16.1, 6-7, 10-13; Ephesians 5.8-14; John 9.1-38 “A man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, said to me, ‘Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” – John 9.11 In John’s gospel Jesus often jumps into people’s lives. Last
Gospel Reflection for March 22, 2020, 4th Sunday of Lent Read More »
“Without roots in the people, no government can avail, much less when it wants to impose its program through bloodshed and sorrow.” In 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated not long after he spoke these words. Romero challenged the government in El Salvador to end the violence that was sweeping through his country and killing
Music and the Gospel: ” Shooting Star,” Owl City Read More »
Scripture Readings: Exodus 17.3-7; Romans 5.1-2,5-8; John 4.5-42 The woman said to Jesus, “I know the messiah is coming, the one called the Christ who will announced all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am the one, who is speaking to you.” – John 4.35-36 On the strength of a Samaritan woman’s witness, her
Gospel Reflection for March 15, 2020, 3rd Sunday of Lent Read More »
When Jesus asks James and John if they can drink the cup he will drink, they speak a bold and brash, “We can.” These two words in Latin form the motto of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet — possumus. The pioneering sisters in our community and other religious communities indeed lived bold and brash
Spirit explores what it means to be in a healthy relationship. The high school years are prime time for making friends and dating. Most of us spend those years within a wide circle of friends and, as we get older, we start to pair off into more exclusive relationships. When we date, we explore and
Music and the Gospel: “10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber Read More »
Scripture Readings: Genesis 12.1-4; 2 Timothy1.8-10; Matthew 17.1-9 “This is my beloved Son, on whom my favor rests.” – Matthew 17.5 The 2nd Sunday of Lent focuses on the story of Jesus’ transfiguration and ours. In prayer on a mountaintop, Jesus’ glory shines through his humanity. The vision knocks Peter, James, and John off their feet in
Gospel Reflection for March 8, 2020, 2nd Sunday of Lent Read More »
Spirit explores our ideas of self-image and beauty in this issue. High school can be a difficult time. A lot of personal and social changes take place in these years; we’re constantly trying to fit in and fit an image of who we think we should be and who people will accept. Trying to live
Music and the Gospel: “Lose You To Love Me,” Selena Gomez Read More »
Scripture Readings: Genesis 2.7-9; 3.1-7; Romans 5.12-19; Matthew 4.1-11 Scripture says, “Not by bread alone do people live but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Scripture also says, “You shall not put the Holy One your God to the test.” – Matthew 4.4, 7 The temptation gospel asks us to examine the
Gospel Reflection for March 1, 2020, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »