This week’s SPIRIT is about waking up to what is happening in the world around us. It is easy to put off unpleasant issues and can be challenging to convince others of a problem we see. Maggie Rogers’ song “Alaska” is about taking a challenging path alone, sometimes without the people we love, and moving […]
Music and the Gospel: “Alaska,” Maggie Rogers – 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
The last Sunday of the liturgical year celebrates Jesus as Christ the King. In the gospel Jesus tells a parable about final judgment that challenges us to live the works of mercy — to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless. Catholic social teaching challenges us to these
Music and the Gospel: “We Are The Love We Give,” Imaginary Future Read More »
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 “Lemonade” is about how we often push ourselves down a path
Music and the Gospel: “Lemonade,” Circa Waves ft. Alfie Templeman Read More »
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 »
“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 »
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 “Truth to Power” was written from the viewpoint of Mother Earth, how she sees us and how our actions affect each other and the
Music and the Gospel: “Truth To Power,” OneRepublic 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. Prince Royce’s cover of the song “Stand By Me” is about coming together as friends, family, and neighbors,
Music and the Gospel: “Stand by Me,” Prince Royce Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT is about stereotypes, how they influence our behavior and how we treat those who are different from us. It is also about how our prejudices and choices can harm others. Occasionally, someone (a friend, a parent) will insist that we don’t have a choice. But don’t we always have a choice? The
Current Music and the Gospel: “Be a Rebel,” New Order – 27th Sunday Ordinary Time 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 »
Dr. Martin Luther King wrote that “…any law that degrades human personality is unjust.” The news constantly confronts us with oppression based on race, gender, beliefs in our society and world. It’s important to recognize ways we keep people down and initiate peaceful changes that ensure that everyone has equal rights to resources and education.
Music and the Gospel: “Rise Up,” Andra Day, Feast of the Presentation Read More »