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 ft. The Chicks Read More »
This week’s Spirit discusses relationships, dating, and 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
Music and the Gospel: “Love,” Lana Del Rey – 3rd Sunday of Lent 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
Music and the Gospel: “Keep On,” Sasha Sloan, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
SPIRIT explores service and ways to put our faith into action this week It isn’t easy to see the poverty around us if we are not living in it. People living without what they need don’t want us to see what is happening. Most of us, especially young people our own age, want to help
Music and the Gospel: “Higher Love, ” Kygo, ft. Whitney Houston Read More »
SPIRIT this week explores ways the Holy Spirit moves in us—in our failures and regrets as well as our gold stars and friendships. Sometimes we sense the Spirit stirring during quiet contemplation. The Spirit risks new friendships with us or pushes to give our best to a challenge. Sia’s song “The Greatest” is all about
Music and the Gospel: “The Greatest,” Sia Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT explores the story of magi, three seekers from lands other than Israel who journey to Jerusalem to find the newborn king. Like them we are seekers who see God’s hand in the stars and in all of nature. With God becoming human in Jesus, Christians now also look for ways Jesus appears
Music and the Gospel: “King of Kings,” Hillsong United 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 – 4th Sunday of Advent 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
Music and the Gospel: “Everyday Life,” Coldplay – 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »