First Reading: Acts 16:11-15 Setting sail therefore from Tro'as, we made a direct voyage to Sam'othrace, and the following day to Ne-ap'olis, and from there to Philip'pi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedo'nia, and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days; and on the sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyati'ra, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul. And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 149:1-6, 9 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful! Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches. 6Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute on them the judgment written! This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the LORD! Gospel: John 15:26--16:4 But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning. "I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ESV "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." It was a dangerous time to be a Christian. To adopt the faith was to risk death. To host known Christians as guests exposed Lydia and her family to great danger. Yet Lydia’s first act as a new believer is to urge Saint Paul and the others to come stay with her at her home. This is wild, reckless hospitality, and once upon a time, it was the hallmark of Christian faith. Creating a safe, welcoming space for those who were persecuted was a main way of serving each other. It was how Saint Paul and other missionaries were able to share the Good News so quickly in so many places. Radical hospitality is how knowledge of The Way spread through the land. Today, we can find ourselves caught in the trap of thinking of hospitality as a luxury. When we have the space and the time, it’s great to host, but when we’re busy or our lives are full, it’s optional at best. People who extend hospitality to others must have less hectic lives, or nicer furniture, or extra guest bedrooms, or excellent from-scratch muffins. Blogs and social media can add to our feelings of inadequacy. Seeing how some gifted hostesses create wonderful dinner parties or make beautiful decorations can trap us into thinking that we aren’t up to the challenge of hosting. Christianity is legal in many parts of the world, but it is still an act of radical hospitality to create a safe space for someone else. We probably aren’t going to be killed for bringing people in, but the very act of hospitality makes us vulnerable. We are sharing ourselves with others for the love of Jesus. We might think we can’t handle this task, but we can. We are made to share Jesus with others through hospitality, because the Holy Spirit equips us for it. Hospitality doesn’t require a college degree in event planning and guest relations or a particular talent for perfectly frosting cakes. It only requires a willing heart and an open space- even a small one will do. So the next time an opportunity presents itself, try answering the call to hospitality. Bring out some coffee and cookies or carrot sticks and hummus and invite someone in. Let’s make hospitality synonymous with Christianity again. It doesn’t matter what we serve. The very act of serving anything at all is a way we can all serve Jesus . . . even if the muffins are from a box. How can you practice radical hospitality this week? photo by Laura Jensen   Abbey Dupuy is a freelance writer and homeschooling mama to two-year-old twins, a first grader and a new baby. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man." And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1-4 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Gospel: John 15:9-17 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another. ESV It sounds so simple; there must be a catch. Simply love one another? Got it. Done. Next? The rub for me comes when it is 9:46pm on Sunday night and my almost 5-year-old is awake still, needing extra comfort, needing extra snuggles, needing more of me and I do not want to give it. Love him? How about scream Mama needs you to sleep so she can just breathe!!!!! Not confirming whether or not that transpired, but it's an easy go-to example for a parent of small children. Their needs are semi-insatiable and our time is never our own. Love them, respect them, and keep your temper to yourself. Or what about your neighbor? That one whose life choices differ from yours and with whom you have very little in common. At the block BBQ, love them? Be respectful and loving when they acted insanely a few years back about blocking off the street when you had guests arriving for a party? Yes. Love them, too. And your family? When you are tempted, oh-so-sorely tempted, to be judgmental about how they're going about their lives? Love them, too. Keeping that commandment of abiding in the Father's love isn't so easy when you don't feel like it. Perhaps it distills to the notion that love isn't a fancy or a feeling, but rather a decision and an action. To choose to love and come from a place of love in all your interactions, child, neighbor, family, adult, lovers, enemies, whomever, that's the commandment. To love when it feels better to be snide. To love when you're justifiably loathing. To love so that you retrain your neurons to fire along the love-pathways and not the hate ones. Neurons that fire together wire together. Jesus had something wise going on here. Repeatedly making the decision to love will make you and me become more delightful people. And who doesn't have room to grow in that department? Choose love. You won't regret it. photo by Laura Jensen   Nell O'Leary is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom to three lovelies. She and her husband live in the great city of Saint Paul. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 16:1-10 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Ico'nium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. And they went through the region of Phry'gia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come opposite My'sia, they attempted to go into Bithyn'ia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by My'sia, they went down to Tro'as. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedo'nia was standing beseeching him and saying, "Come over to Macedo'nia and help us." And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedo'nia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 100:1-3, 5 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Gospel: John 15:18-21 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me. ESV It can be so hard for us to understand God’s will at times. Like Saint Paul in today’s First Reading, we may see any number of options that are an objectively good direction for our lives, and yet find that the Spirit keeps closing the doors and answering, “No,” “Not yet,” “Not there," or “Wait.” We can have a vision for our lives that seems so reasonable, seems such a good way to live in service to God, and find ourselves stymied every time we try to pursue it. And it can be difficult to reconcile ourselves to God’s will in those moments. But Saints Paul and Timothy exemplify for us in Acts what Jesus teaches in the Gospel today. Our task is not to understand the will of God, but to obey it. If Jesus, who was God himself, and thus fully understood the mind of the Father, could submit himself to God’s will for Him even when it meant being persecuted, humiliated, and suffering at the hands of human beings whom He created, who are we not to do the same? We are but servants of the master and we serve him best not by coming up the best plan or the most inspiring vision for our lives, but in our humble obedience to His will. Sometimes that obedience will mean we don’t walk through a door we wish we could, and other times it will mean we walk onto choppy waters with the faith that he will sustain us. And sometimes it will mean that we suffer persecution for obeying rather than pursuing our own way. But obedience is the path our Jesus took, it is the way of those who follow Him, and it is the way to eternal life. We have been chosen “out of this world” by a God who knows our deepest needs. Let us set aside our own wills to follow Him at all costs. Take some time today to meditate on the closed doors in your life that you wish God would open. Pray for the grace to be obedient to His will even when you do not understand it. photo by Laura Jensen Colleen Mitchell is wife to Greg and mother to five amazing sons here on earth. They serve in Costa Rica where they run the St. Francis Emmaus Center, a ministry that welcomes indigenous mothers into their home to provide them access to medical care, support and education in the weeks before and after the birth of a child. Find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 15:22-31 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab'bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, with the following letter: "The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili'cia, greeting. Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell." So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 57:8-10, 12 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to thee among the nations. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let thy glory be over all the earth! Gospel: John 15:12-17 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another. ESV When I was in graduate school studying theology, one of my favorite topics was how Church doctrine developed. In the reading from Acts for today, we see an early example of development of doctrine in the conclusion of a council in Jerusalem of the Apostles and first bishops. They are considering whether Gentiles should be required to fulfill all of the Jewish laws, such as the circumcision of males and other external practices. The Church leaders, directed by the Holy Spirit, realize that certain of the Jewish laws have moral grounds, such as the idolatry of eating animals sacrificed to false gods or unchastity, while other laws pertain to practices symbolic of the Old Covenant before the coming of Christ. The Church was able to step back and see what was really required to be a follower of Christ and began to develop from the traditions of Judaism with freedom from the old law. God did not give the laws to the Israelites simply to abandon them, but He made them to prefigure something greater. These laws were about purification of the body, but Jesus wants to purify our hearts. After the laws had been given to the Israelites through Moses in Deuteronomy 30:6, God tells His chosen people how they will disobey Him and be scattered throughout the land, but then He will bring them back together, and “the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul, that you may live.” He says even in Deuteronomy that the laws are for a New Covenant. As Christians, we are not bound by the laws of the Old Covenant, but the laws of the New Covenant. In Jesus’ preaching we learn that the Ten Commandments are still necessary to follow, but the other practical laws are not part of the New Covenant. The laws we follow are those that transform our hearts and allow God to circumcise our hearts, so that we may live. Jesus tells us that we are no longer servants, but His friends, that is, if we do what He commands us. We have been chosen by Him, and appointed by Him to bear good fruit. We are to love one another, and to give our lives for each other. This is a lot to ask of us, but Christ does not leave us alone, He gives us grace through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides the Church in Her doctrine, and the Holy Spirit guides us in our daily actions. We are to surrender our hearts to Christ, to learn from Him how to love. We are living in the New Covenant, let us allow our hearts to be transformed in this season of Easter joy. How are you allowing God to transform you? photo by Laura Jensen Susanna Spencer once studied theology and philosophy, but now happily cares for her three adorable little girls and her dear husband. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 15:7-21 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, `After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.' Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues." Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96:1-3, 10 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Gospel: John 15:9-11 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ESV Does this sound familiar?: Parent: “Will you please pick up your things?" Child: *ignores and continues doing her own thing* Parent: “I said, will you pick up your things before dinner?" Child: “Ugh, I will get to it.” *continues ignoring parent* Parent: “I said, pick up your things, NOW." Child: “Why do you have to nag me?? Jeez." Parent and child: *General angst, frustration, and anger* Can we all agree that this tactic just does not work? I remember when I was one of those angsty teens, I would battle with my mother over everything. Doors were slammed. Tears were shed. “Fine, mom”s and “You never listen to me”s were thrown around quite frequently. (At this point, I am the mother of a beautiful bouncing one year-old, so we have not gotten into the tantrum and talk-back phases yet, so my perspective on this is only from the child’s point-of-view.) What is the common denominator here? It was the initial question. It was the suggestion of the parent to the child. We are all children of our Father God and what is clear here is this: He does not make suggestions. He does not ask, “Will you sing me a new song?” No. They were not called “The Ten Suggestions.” He commands us to love one another, He tells us to abide in His love, we are called to declare His glory. No suggestions, just commandments. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Nope. No. No way. But isn’t that completely awesome? He does not give us room to doubt or question or wonder about His power and love. He tell us He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for our sins. He saves us again and again. His promises are always kept. He is eternal and never-ending. So why wouldn’t we listen to His commandments? He tells us again and again, "I love you too much to let you perish." He does not make suggestions. Just as His love is completely steadfast and true, we should whole-heartedly answer His call. photo by Laura Jensen Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife, mom, and soon-to-be-dentist currently living in San Francisco, California. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 15:1-6 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni'cia and Sama'ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 122:1-5 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. Gospel: John 15:1-8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. ESV You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Have you ever been accepted, wholly accepted, by a new friend? Or maybe you felt that home-feeling when you met the love of your life. Or perhaps your family of origin was this kind, the kind you could ask anything of. You're already made clean; you just have to ask and it will be done for you. All you have to do is abide in that relationship, be really present and open to it, and this is what Christ offers us today. Long before my relationship with God had matured enough to encompass this level of unconditional acceptance, I felt it in my family. As the fourth of five, a fiercely loyal clan (self-styled), I grew up knowing my siblings had my back. I was born into this love and couldn't break out even if I wanted to. These relationships between five adults, almost all in our 30's, have needed time and attention. We weren't automatically close as we got older and pursued different directions, some marrying with kids, others marrying without, others single, some entrenched in their work, others at home with babies. My siblings all flew out to visit me when I lived out of state multiple times over four years. I still continue to travel to visit them, helping when they have a new baby, or a new house. One sister just took a long road trip with our brother. Another babysat my kids so I could help with a new nephew out of state. Still another prepares her new home for all of us to invade from out of town. We're investing in the love bank and watching it bear fruit, all the while working, working, and caring about these relationships. Even though we were born into this clan which will do and do 'til exhaustion hits (and we get that example from our folks), that additional step of making the time and effort for each other as adults drives the love into action that makes the relationships deeper. Christ says we're part of the saved people, despite not being from the tribe of Israel, the Chosen People. He says we're made clean and that by abiding in Him, we will bear fruit. We will be vessels of love and prove to be His disciples. But it's not enough to be made clean, we have to choose to abide in Him, as my siblings are choosing to continue our loving clannish relationship. And just as their love for me has formed my life, so my love for Him has formed me. Choose to live with love, active love, and reap the rewards. photo by Laura Jensen   Nell O'Leary is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom to three lovelies. She and her husband live in the great city of Saint Paul. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 14:19-28 But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico'nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Ico'nium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. Then they passed through Pisid'ia, and came to Pamphyl'ia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attali'a; and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145:10-13, 21 All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee! They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power, to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Gospel: John 14:27-31 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence. ESV A few months ago a girlfriend and I were talking about our increasing discomfort with certain story lines in film, television and books. We both agreed that as we had grown older we struggled more and more with watching or reading about suffering and loss. I remember a specific movie about genocide that my brother had recommended to me around the time I was twenty-five years old. He did give the disclaimer that it would be hard to watch. Normally I would have had no problem grabbing a box of tissues and giving the movie a go, but something switched for me around that time in my life. It wasn’t a drastic change but more of a gradual shift. I couldn’t mentally handle the idea of true physical and emotional suffering. I didn’t want to think about people losing their parents, spouses, siblings or children. It was too much for me. I don’t know if it’s just a natural psychological change that happens around that time in a person's life, but I started to realize how hard it would be to lose a loved one. I developed a real fear of loss. And I’m not talking about the kind of loss that involves your house burning down with all your personal belongings, or your car getting totalled. I mean the kind of loss that can appear so permanent. Death. As a newlywed I experienced this on a new level. One night, early on in our marriage I turned to my husband as we drifted off into sleep and I asked him to promise me that he would “wake up tomorrow.” I asked this of him several times and he promised several times that he would, but we both knew the truth. Neither of us could make that promise. It was not our guarantee to give. Eventually I stopped asking. I started to face the reality that either of us could die any day, at any time. Six months into our marriage we were elated to find out that I was pregnant. But something in me had an unsettling feeling about it all. At an early ultrasound around nine weeks we found out our baby had passed. We were fortunate enough to have a burial provided for our sweet little babe. And as my husband placed the tiny casket into the cold, snowy ground, a deep sense of peace flooded my heart. This life is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with joy and peace. And the source of that joy and peace lies in the promise of Christ and His resurrection. Easter has been a time of great joy for us since the loss of our child, and we look forward to and strive for that great heavenly reunion. The absence of suffering is the world's understanding of peace. But true peace is Christ himself, and nothing can take that peace from us. How has Christ been the source of peace for you? Do you trust in his promise of peace? photo by Laura Jensen   Jacqueline Skemp is a daughter, sister, wife and mother who endures living in Minnesota after leaving California for her one true love. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 14:5-18 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to molest them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycao'nia, and to the surrounding country; and there they preached the gospel. Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycao'nian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 115:1-4, 15-16 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to thy name give glory, for the sake of thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness! Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth he has given to the sons of men. Gospel: John 14:21-26 He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. ESV We believe in a triune God. Three in One. But how often to leave that poor third one out? The Holy Spirit, you know the bird one. Paraclete. Is it because we cannot grasp Him in our minds so we just leave Him up on our spiritual shelves and never take him down?! God is a father, yes we know what that looks like. God is Jesus fully divine, fully man, yep, have a good idea what that looks like too (thank you New Testament!) . . . but the bird, nope, no comprende. Yet, the Holy Spirit is the connector piece of the puzzle, the glue that pulls it all together and makes sense of everything. The Counselor. Jesus says He is a big deal, so maybe we need to reevaluate more how to let the Holy Spirit into our lives more. The Holy Spirit is the working force behind all those who say that they believe in Christ and try to live their lives for Him. We cannot do it alone, but we do not have to; the Holy Spirit is there every step of the way with us, stirring the boldness in our hearts, giving us the conviction to hold fast, and allowing us to love others with the compassion of Christ. And yet, the Holy Spirit can be way underutilized in my life. You would think Someone that gives you fruits and gifts you would use a lot more for your benefit, but alas, it still it gets skimped out. If I have learned one important thing about the Holy Spirit, it is that He fills the gaps. He fills the voids and spaces in my life I don't even know and could not even try to begin to fill. The spaces I do not understand, the confusion, the anger, the doubt: the Holy Spirit fills that space. The spaces where I am lacking in patience, perseverance, conviction, discipline, trust, and love . . . the Holy Spirit fills that space. When I do not know how to pray, or even want to pray, the Holy Spirit fills that space. If I just allow the Holy Spirit to spread over my life and fill in all the nooks, crannies, cracks and canyons, He will gradually fill that space, bringing all facets of my life into a greater focus on Christ. He is the glue, and will connect everything that was once scattered and make it whole again. My prayer, especially when I do not know how to pray is simple. Come, Holy Spirit. Let him work and do his thing. Let's rock this upcoming Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit. photo by Laura Jensen   Cassie Kent is a wife, mom to two kiddos, loves to get a little crafty and even throws a monthly party celebrating the beauty of creativity. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 9:26-31 And when he had come to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists; but they were seeking to kill him. And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesare'a, and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama'ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 22:26-28, 30-32 From thee comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live for ever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. Yea, to him shall all the proud of the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and he who cannot keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve him; men shall tell of the Lord to the coming generation, and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, that he has wrought it. Second Reading: 1 John 3:18-24 Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us. Gospel: John 15:1-8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. ESV I feel fairly inadequate talking about today's Gospel because it is so important. I think it would take a lifetime to let the full meaning of Christ's words today saturate our souls, and conversely it also takes a lifetime to fully live these words. I feel inadequate in talking about this passage because I know there are many branches that need to be pruned within me. I also know that this pruning is going on right now and I don't like it most of the time. There is no easy way to experience pruning. The things that may need pruning could be our own ideas about our lives, about ourselves, about others, the many attachments we harbour within ourselves that keep getting between us and an intimate relationship with Christ. Or it could be something very physical, very demanding, a dramatic loss of the material or a loss of relationship or something else we hold dear. This Gospel selection is so important because it is so personal. The truth remains that Christ is seeking a personal relationship with each of us, but not personal in the sense of us custom fitting Him into our personal ideas and into our lives. No, personal in a very intimate sense, by us becoming part of Him. This intense intimacy of abiding in Christ can only happen if we allow Him to prune us, to form us to Himself. It is this exact process that makes us feel far from God, that makes us wonder if God is really there, that makes us feel like we must not be doing things right or that God doesn't appreciate our faith. I think that's why it's so hard for me to absorb this beautiful, intense invitation from Christ. It is so hard to realize I'm becoming part of Him when things feel dark, when I have to give up my own will, when suffering hurts. It's just so easy to say to myself that because I practice my faith I deserve the comfortable and easy, I deserve to be spared from pain. Christ should fit into my life where I say he should, not I abiding in Him. As I hear these words again today, "Abide in me," I realize that they continue to call me towards intimacy with my Creator, but that to abide in Him necessitates painful pruning. God, grant me the strength to be pruned so I may abide in you. Christy Isinger is the mom to five lovely, loud children living in the Canadian wilds. You can find out more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 13:44-52 The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, `I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'" And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Ico'nium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1-4 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Gospel: John 14:7-14 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. ESV Palm to face. Ugh! I did it again! I made the same mistake. I failed to show charity, to follow through on a resolve, to be obedient. All these little habitual sins and imperfections sometimes make me feel like I am getting nowhere in my faith journey. It’s times like these that I take comfort in knowing that even the disciples didn’t get it right all the time. In today’s Gospel we see Saint Philip asking what seems like a pretty legitimate question, “Lord, show us the Father.” And then we see Jesus basically saying, “How can you be so thick? Haven’t you been listening to anything I've been saying?” Everything Jesus said and did while on earth reveals to us the heart of the Father. And the Father’s heart is an ocean of mercy for us. And so in mercy Jesus explains it, again. “He who has seen me has seen the Father . . . I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” The way to know God is to read the Gospels and get to know Jesus. Then in another act of mercy, after chastising the disciples Jesus gives a promise, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” This promise has always puzzled me a little. Obviously Jesus doesn't want us to treat Him like a genie in a bottle. If I ask for a milkshake or a pony, one will not magically appear before me. But sometimes I do ask for things that seem worthy, healing for a loved one, a job for someone in need, and nothing happens. So what am I missing? I feel a little like Philip, "Lord, what am I supposed to ask for?" The answer is what Jesus desires most for us: salvation. Jesus will give us whatever we need to attain salvation. For all the times I mess up, mercy. For all the times I am disobedient, forgiveness. For all my failings, grace. All we have to do is ask for it, and it’s ours. For the moments you fail, breathe this simple act of contrition: Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. photo by Laura Jensen   Anna Coyne is a wife, mother, knitter, gardener, and convert to the Catholic faith. Read more about her here.

First Reading: Acts 13:26-33 When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue:“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you." Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. “I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.” “Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” And now, O kings, give heed; take warning, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him; with trembling rejoice. Gospel: John 14:1-6 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ESV This passage gives me so much peace. I often struggle with knowing exactly how to “do my part in getting back to Jesus.” I know that in the end, it’s not us, but Him, that brings us into Paradise. Yet, I feel like Martha . . . always busy trying to do more, to be more, to earn my way. Not only am I preoccupied with what I should or shouldn’t be doing, I’m worried if I made the right decision in every one of those moments. But, He reminds us, so gently, that we need not be troubled. Even when His disciples question Him—how can we ever know the way?—He puts it so simply: “I am the way.” It’s through Him, and only Him, that we will ever see the Father. Sometimes the lack of concrete “to-dos” can be unnerving, but this is where we must do all we know to do and cling ever-so-fiercely to Him—giving Him control as we give it up. And for the days when we still question if we truly know the way to Him, Thomas Merton comes in with one of my favorite prayers: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.” Lord Jesus, you are the way. Lead me closer to You. Meditate on this prayer from Merton and have peace in your desire to please Him. photo by Laura Jensen Britt Fisk is the wife of Jeremy and mother of four young kids. She spends her days living simply in the-middle-of-nowhere-New Mexico helping with the family beef cattle operation. You can find out more about her here.

There’s nothing quite like hearing the priest or deacon declare, “The Mass is ended,” after a particularly challenging hour with squirmy, uncooperative, and loud children in tow. “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,” he exhorts. Or . . . “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life,” he encourages. “Thanks be to GOD!!” I have often responded just a wee bit too enthusiastically. However, do I truly believe and sincerely mean what I’ve just thanked God for, or am I already mentally herding the children to the minivan so we can move on to the next item on the day’s agenda? Thanks be to God . . . that I, like Saint Paul, am called to announce the Gospel of the Lord? Really? Thanks be to God . . . that I, like the Psalmist, am called to glorify the Lord by my life, proclaiming His faithfulness to all generations? Honestly? Thanks be to God . . . that I, by the very nature of my baptism, am sent on a mission from God to proclaim liberty to captives and healing to the broken-hearted? Today’s readings remind us that we are all called to be missionaries—each and every one of us—by the very nature of our Christian baptism. We are to be His light and His love in whatever “mission” territory God has placed us: in our homes, at school, at work, at the gas station. Some of us have no problem speaking up, like Saint Paul in the synagogues or Saint John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness or the Psalmist declaring God’s steadfastness. Others of us prefer a quieter, more actions-based approach of service and prayer, yet we must all bring the saving news of Jesus’ death and resurrection to those around us. So . . . how can you glorify God in your mission field? Perhaps you can start by offering up small sacrifices, inconveniences, preferences, and prayers just like Saint Therese of Lisieux, a cloistered nun named by the Church as patroness of the missions, so that God’s glory may be known and His Name praised around the world. Maybe you can start studying more about our Catholic faith so you can be prepared, as Saint Peter tells us, to give a reason for your hope. Your mission to love begins right where God has you today—in this moment. How will you share Him? Heather Anderson Renshaw is a writer, speaker, and uplifter on a mission to love and serve God with her husband and five children in the Pacific NW. You can learn more abut her here.

I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. I watched the gentle gray-haired teacher pick up a slender match and strike it against the side of the matchbox. The group of preschoolers at her feet wriggled like puppies. Unruffled by their inattention, she quietly lit the small white candle at the center of the prayer altar. Turning back towards her restless students, she spoke simply: “My friends, Jesus Christ is the light of the world. And in Him there is no darkness.” I sat in her classroom that morning hoping to learn about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd model now being used by the parish school where I grew up. And while I did learn much from the catechists who let me explore their materials, her simple prayer with the children was what I have never forgotten. Every single time I have lit a candle since that morning many years ago, I hear her gentle voice echoing in my head as a match sparks to flame and the flame leaps to the wick. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. And in Him there is no darkness. Today’s Gospel is typical Saint John: deceptively simple in language, theologically rich in meaning. Jesus uses heady words—judgment, authority, commandment—to describe the relationship between the Son and the Father. But the heart of the Gospel—today, tomorrow, every time we pick it up to encounter the Word—is as clear as the contrast between light and dark: I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If only it were that easy—to delight in the light and escape the darkness. If only we could teach our unruly hearts to rest in this simple truth. If only we could put into practice the words of the Creed we pray at Mass: God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. Today let us pause and remember the power of light. Let us invite Christ into the dark corners of our hearts. Let us reflect His brilliant light in all that we do. Laura Kelly Fanucci is a mother, writer, and theological researcher. She and her husband are raising three little boys in the suburban wilds of Minnesota. You can find out more about her here.

I literally just had this conversation with my son: "Mom, I'm still hungry, what is there to eat?" "Well, we have cashews, and behind them are granola bars which you could also have." "Can I have a granola bar?" I almost feel like Jesus might have felt, when he said, "I TOLD YOU . . . " (maybe He was more patient than I feel when I am asked a question I just answered . . . but still. I can almost relate to Our Lord.) I have conversations like this daily with my kids. "I just told you . . . . Did you hear what I said? . . . . What words just came out of my mouth?" And here is Jesus, having the same sort of conversation with the Jews. "Jesus, just tell us!" they cry. And He responds, "I did tell you! You don't believe!" How frustrating it must have been for the Christ to tell people over and over, and still have them asking Him to tell them. He was in the flesh, in their midst, telling them about Himself, and they still don't believe. Do we believe? It has been a few weeks since we celebrated the Resurrection. We've heard the readings. We've been told. Yet . . . how often are still asking the tiring question, "Lord, just show me your face. Tell me. Show me." Are we asking in faith, for an increase in our faith? Or are we asking because, like the Jews, we aren't really listening and aren't really seeing? I often joke that I wish God would hand me a manual and timeline for my life, so I could see what His will is for me. Or that there was a handbook to go with my children so I'd know how to parent them. "Just show me, God. Just TELL ME. It would be so much easier." But He does show me, and tell me. Every day, in the Scriptures, He shows me and tells me. It's not as detailed to my life as, "Today on April 28 you will have a crucial conversation with your husband about school choices and job decisions. When you do, 'xyz' is the better choice to make." However, what God is telling me and showing me is that He LOVES ME. He loves you. And all He asks in return is that we, in faith, trust Him and love Him back. It sure would be nice to have other details, but they aren't what is necessary to believe and trust in God's plan. When we trust God, we know His plans are going to sustain us, because He loves us. We can trust Him because of the works that bear witness to Christ, as He says, in His Father's name. What works? We have the Eucharist, Christ in the flesh. We have the smile of a child to brighten our day. A phone call from a friend at precisely the right moment. An answered prayer. The providence of money just when a bill is looming. The help of a stranger when our car breaks down. Any of these little miracles and huge miracles are the works of Christ, to show us, so we may believe. Jesus tells me, daily. Am I listening? Do I believe? And if I profess to believe, am I following Him into eternal life, by trusting and loving Him? Listen. Believe. Jesus tells us plainly every day how much He loves us. Gina Fensterer is a wife, daughter, mother, friend, homeschooling mama and Colorado native. You can find out more about her here.

Our souls thirst for God, the living God. We don't need to dig too deep in our hearts to realize this fact, and to be reminded of the many ways we foolishly search for God in all the wrong places. Why do we think that we can find God in constant consumption, or eating, or dependent, unhealthy relationships, or any number of modern ways we try to fill our souls? It's interesting to think of this quest of our hearts in light of Christ's words today in the Gospel. Jesus is saying flat out that He is the only way to real happiness, real salvation. In fact, all these other ways that are promising happiness and fulfillment are really thieves. These other fruitless (but pleasurable) drives, desires, and distractions are robbing our souls. We feel this robbery so often; the anxiety, the disappointment, the loneliness. We need to hear Christ's definitive and affirmative statement in today's Gospel again and again. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. There is no coming to salvation through the back door with our own desires for fleeting pleasures. We may think we're climbing over the gates and fences of happiness just fine on our own, with our own ideas, worshipping what we want when we want, but make no mistake, Christ is the only gatekeeper. Christ is the one true shepherd to salvation and everlasting life. His person, His constant love for us, His sacrifice for us are all facts that cannot be ignored. We cannot ignore His call to love and sacrifice, His call to embrace the truth of our own insufficient selves and doomed world. Our souls are thirsting for Christ, and He remains the loving shepherd drawing us close at every moment of our lives. We are the ones who need to recognize if we're choosing the shepherd of life or a thief of our souls. What is robbing us of life today? Christy Isinger is the mom to five lovely, loud children living in the Canadian wilds. You can find out more about her here. photo credit

"It was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth." In today’s reading from Acts, we see God's power revealed through a miraculous healing. A person is restored to perfect health. Whom did God choose for this amazing display of His power? A high-profile person, surely . . . a king? A nobleman? A leader among men? No. God chose a crippled man. A poor, outcast, unnoticed crippled man . . . totally invisible, really, until Peter healed him. How often do you feel invisible in the work you're doing? Maybe you stayed home with your children yesterday and only got one load of laundry folded. Maybe you went to work and made copies and stuffed envelopes. Maybe you planted seeds that won't come up for weeks, or handled customers' phone calls all day. Maybe you spent time with people that no one notices. Maybe you feel like no one notices you, either. Maybe you feel like what you do isn't important. But friends, God has often chosen to make God's power known where we least expect it. On the margins. In the spaces between what most people see. Just out of the mainstream. Among the invisible. In the book of Acts, people learn about who Jesus was by what His followers are doing. Peter healed the crippled man, previously invisible, in the name of Jesus. He proclaimed it boldly: Jesus is "the stone rejected by the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” Jesus’ kingdom is being built in Acts by those who followed Him in life, whose every work is placed solidly upon that cornerstone. Like those early church followers, we don't have Jesus before us in body to show us the way to the Father. Yet we can choose to make Jesus the cornerstone of everything—every load of laundry, every paper graded, every batch mailing, every child bathed. Those things that seem insignificant, when done in the name of Jesus, take on eternal significance. Maybe no one else sees them, but God does. And it is on such tiny, insignificant acts that Jesus builds His Kingdom. Which of your tasks today can you set firmly upon the cornerstone of Jesus? Abbey Dupuy is a freelance writer and homeschooling mama to two-year-old twins, a first grader and a new baby. You can find out more about her here.

“Joan, I’m thinking of going to this workshop this weekend, [slides brochure towards me] you should come with me!” As I opened up the brochure, my roommate at that time, seeming unable to contain her enthusiasm added, “It’s this weekend, and there’s still some spots left, so we should totally go!” I noticed words like charisms and discovering your gifts, scattered throughout the brochure and thought ‘Hmm . . . I’d like to discover my gifts and learn what a charism is’ so I gave her the okay to sign me up. “Oh good!” she exclaimed with a smile, “I think it’s going to be really good!” She was right. Within the first few minutes of the workshop I learned that charisms are graces of the Holy Spirit which directly or indirectly benefit the Church (CCC 799). Additionally, there are at least twenty-four charisms such as knowledge, writing, healing, hospitality, and evangelization and when practicing a charism, one generally feels energized or satisfied. For example, my roommate with the charism of evangelization felt energized and excited by the fact that I accepted her invitation to this workshop. So why am I telling you about this workshop, you ask? Well, in today's Gospel, Jesus tells His Apostles to share the good news and mentions that casting out demons, speaking in new tongues, picking up snakes, or laying hands on the sick might be ways for them to do this. Flash forward 2000 years, and we are still called to be apostles in our everyday lives. While we might not be picking up snakes or speaking in tongues as the apostles did, we might be called to provide hospitality by baking desserts for a funeral. Or we might be called to share the gift of knowledge by serving as a small group leader for Confirmation formation. Each of us has a particular set of gifts that God wants us to use, but in order for us to use them, we have to discover what they are. So my challenge to you is to discover your gifts. Pay attention to what it is that makes you feel the most excited about your faith and keep doing it! If you feel like your spouse or a loved one has a particular gift, let them know as they might be afraid to share it with others. And as you’re reflecting on your own gifts today, think about these words from Saint Catherine of Siena as she says, “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” Joan Nagel is a North Dakota native, and in her spare time she can be found preparing for her July wedding, working as a Registered Dietitian, and drinking coffee. You can find out more about her here. photo credit