SPIRIT asks us, “When do you pray?” Even during a pandemic, our lives are still busy with school, work, family, and friends. On top of that, we have the added pressures of trying to maintain these relationships while also social distancing. We are constantly in motion, even if we seem to be sitting still. It’s […]
Music and the Gospel: “The Great Divide,” The Shins – 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Revelation 7.2-4,9-14; 1 John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit; the reign of God belongs to them.” – Matthew 5.3 The beatitudes turn our assumptions about whom God blesses upside down. The eight sayings challenge us to live in ways quite contrary to profit-motivated values. The beatitudes expand in detail what the
Gospel Reflection for November 1, 2020 – Feast of All Saints 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: “You Need To Calm Down,” Taylor Swift – 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT is about caring for others, being a caregiver and showing compassion for those around us. Whether we care for an elderly person, a child, or someone with a disability, people have remarkable ways of living that can inspire us. Someone’s capacity for strength and resilience can teach us how to approach each
Music and the Gospel: “Smile,” Sidewalk Prophets Read More »
This week SPIRIT focuses on open-mindedness and communication, on discovering what we can find in common with people who hold different beliefs, come from different cultures, and have life experiences unlike our own. We live in a global world with social media and the Internet at our fingertips. We need to learn how to build bridges between
Music and the Gospel: “Everyday Life,” Coldplay Read More »
The holidays pull us in many directions. Sometimes we don’t recognize the people most important to us—those who love us, shelter us, feed us—until something forces us to slow down. Waiting can give us time to remember what and who we count on and how fortunate we really are. Chris Janson’s song “Good Vibes” is
Music and the Gospel: “Good Vibes,” Chris Janson Read More »
Resentment and anger are powerful emotions that can lead us to lose control and say or do things we don’t mean. These feelings can lead us to inflict our own pain on someone else, can make us push away those we love, and resent those who seem to “have it all.” On the other hand,
Music and the Gospel: “Lose Control,” Meduza, ft. Becky Hill & Goodboys Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT theme is about taking responsibility for the consequences that can result when we make hurtful decisions and break our promises. Sometimes we make risky decisions. I don’t need to study for a test. I stay out a little later than I tell my parents. One drink at a party won’t hurt anything.
Music and the Gospel: “Let You Down,” NF Read More »
We all make choices, some safe and some risky. As the main character in this week’s SPIRIT story sits in the ditch in a car full of friends, she wonders if God kept her safe because rubbed the cross on her visor before they started out. Her friends point out that God is always with
Music and the Gospel: “To The Ground,” Death Cab for Cutie Read More »
People react to grief or to breaking up in different ways. Some people distance themselves and internalize their grief. Others may express their grief and adapt quickly to their loss. The loss of a loved one can shake up any family and environment. The song “My Song Too” is a reminder that even when those
Music and the Gospel: “My Song Too,” Hunter Hayes Read More »