Sunday’s gospel is about investing in our talents. SPIRIT encourages us to look at our talents and gifts and to use them. Who benefits from our gifts, who beside ourselves? Do we use our gifts to enrich our spirit, team, and community? The song “Champion” is about how champions are forged out of their experiences […]
Music and the Gospel: “Champion,” Fall Out Boy, 33rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
SPIRIT asks us, “When do you pray?” Our lives are often busy with school, work, family, and friends, constantly in motion. We often forget to slow down and snatch a moment of reflection. Slowing down (even a 15-minute walk) can often be a prayerful and centering. It helps us to clear our heads and open
Music and the Gospel: “Breathless,” Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Our first impressions are often stereotypes. We make assumptions based on people’s appearance, how they talk, and how they act. We have to look beyond what our eyes see. The song “Go As You Are” reminds us to keep our eyes open to see who the people we encounter day by day really are. Key
Music and the Gospel: “Go As You Are,” Curtis Harding, 31st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus teaches us the way to love God is to love one another. It doesn’t matter who we love, what religion we adhere to, what color our skin is, where we are on the economic scale. What matters the most is that we treat each other with respect, fairness, and
Music and the Gospel: “Here For You,” Kygo ft. Ella Henderson, 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Not all the people in our communities and nation have the same access to education, healthcare, and justice. This week’s SPIRIT spotlights Appalachia and the effects of mountaintop mining. The song “Sea Change” asks us why are we closing our eyes to the plight of people in our midst who are poor when we are
Music and the Gospel: “Sea Change,” Thrice, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Immigration is a fiery topic today. Some people welcome immigrants; some resist others different from them. This week’s SPIRIT explores how accepting new people and cultures can benefit our communities and schools and expand our relationships with those around us. The song “One of Us” is about celebrating our differences and accepting people into our
Music and the Gospel: “One Of Us,” New Politics, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Some decisions stay with us and even define us for the rest of lives. Some choices seem so clear that we forget we made them. Serious choices demand time to weigh the pros and cons of our actions, the positive or negative ways the choices affect other people. Occasionally, someone (a friend, a parent) will
Music and the Gospel: “Calm Down,” Skip Marley Read More »
“Eucharist is the central action of the Christian community…It’s where we find the future we want to commit ourselves to build.” Spirit explores how every Eucharist calls us to put our faith into action and to love with our lives as Jesus did, reaching out to all, familiar friends and new and different people. Hollyn’s
Music and the Gospel: “Love With Your Life,” Hollyn, 3rd Sunday of Easter Read More »
Easter is where Christian faith begins. It celebrates Jesus’ resurrection. The Church often baptizes new believers at Easter time. Spirit is about a young woman who wakes up to what she believes at a baptism. For some people, believing is as natural as breathing; others journey a longer way through doubting and questioning. They may
Music and the Gospel: “Open Hands,” Urban Rescue, Easter Sunday Read More »
As we move through Holy Week, we reflect on Jesus’ ministry and his last days. We reflect on his message of love, compassion, and forgiveness. The song “Love Is Alive” is a reflection on love, how it sustains us and gives us something to strive for. When we embrace Jesus’ call to love wholeheartedly, we
Music and the Gospel: “Love Is Alive,” Louis The Child, Palm/Passion Sunday Read More »