“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 song “Love […]
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 through doubting and questioning. They may find people in
As Christians move through Holy Week, we reflect on Jesus’ ministry and the final events of his life. In doing this we reflect on Jesus’ message of self-giving love, compassion, and forgiveness. The song “Live Again” reflects on God’s love, how God sustains us and calls us to love one another. When we embrace Jesus’
Music and the Gospel: “Live Again,” Sean Curran, Palm/Passion Sunday Read More »
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 »
“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 »
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 »
In Sunday’s Gospel the Spirit leads Jesus into the desert where he fasts, prays, and chooses his path. The devil offers temptations to show off magical powers—turn stones to bread and test if angels catch him if he jumps off the temple. Jesus chooses the path of keeping the commandment to worship and follow God alone. Jesus
Music and the Gospel: “Keep On,” Sasha Sloan, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
Turning the other cheek when someone hits you is an act of nonviolence, of stopping violence rather than taking it to another level. Whether a bully by choice or a child soldier by force, fighting leads to more fighting, violence feeds violence. Jesus challenges us to stop the payback cycles, “to love our enemies, pray
Music and the Gospel: “Lights Up,” Harry Styles Read More »
In high school, moments when we feel on the outside looking in happen a lot. Everyone wants to be popular; everyone wants to be included. Often we feel socially tested, judged about everything from the people we hang out with to the very clothes we wear. It’s also a time when we determine what and who are
Music and the Gospel: “Epiphany,” BTS Read More »
This week SPIRIT talks about what influences us, especially how what and who we love influence our decisions. SPIRIT describes a process for practicing how to make change together. The song “Count Me In” is about asking oneself, “If I don’t, who will?” It’s also about counting ourselves in, even when the obstacles to positive change seem
Music and the Gospel: “Count Me In,” Switch Read More »