Solemnity

Christ is not inviting us to excess or self-indulgence, but in making Himself bread and wine, He is blessing the ordinary and the extraordinary. Sustenance and celebration. He comes to us through symbols of the fullness of life in every stage and season. And these elements of bread and wine become not only our life-giving food, but much more. When we eat this bread and drink this wine we receive Christ’s life – the life of the Trinity that is self-giving, self-emptying love, a love that gives everything and contains all suffering and sorrow as well as all happiness and joy.
 
Readings at this Mass: Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a | 1 Cor 10:16-17 | Jn 6:51-58

The way to protect our hearts from ever being broken is to seal them off and never take the risk of love; to close ourselves off. And that is the opposite of what the Trinity is. The Trinity is outpouring, complete self-giving. And that means being broken. It means taking a risk. Love means we are going to be hurt, but love doesn't care. Love is willing to take the risk. And love knows that life is better, that everything is better, when we pour ourselves out in love, even though that is painful and difficult.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 34:4b–6, 8–9 | 2 Cor 13:11–13 | Jn 3:16–18

Whatever obstacles you feel stand in the way, God has not given up on you. The Spirit placed within you is still there, waiting to be stirred into flame. But if you desire the Holy Spirit to become more alive and active in your life, then you must ask; He won't force Himself on you.
 
Readings at this Mass: Acts 2:1–11 | 1 Cor 12:3b–7, 12–13 | Jn 20:19–23

Today is the day when Christ wants to be united to us in a more fundamental and definitive way than we could possibly imagine. He wants to invite us to step out of all the small, partisan things we get so fixated on. The disciples were freed from all of that when they received the presence of God. They realized there is a bigger picture. This is not to say these small things don't matter or that we shouldn't care, but rather that we are part of a much bigger mission. Jesus wants to fill us with His life and His joy, and He wants us to go forth from here on fire with the love of God Himself.
 
Readings at this Mass: Acts 1:1–11 | Eph 1:17–23 | Mt 28:16–20

To live fully and freely is not to circle the wagons against every potential threat to our safe and comfortable little worlds. Some of the freest people ever were the martyrs, who laid down their lives  — their actual, physical lives — freely, entrusting their well-being to God. That’s how we want to live, too: in the immense freedom of the Divine Will. God knows our needs, even better than we do. Look for the will of God in the events of your daily life and ask Him to be present there. Let that be your star.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 60:1–6 | Eph 3:2–3a, 5–6 | Ma 2:1–12

As we move into 2026, let's make a resolution to increase our prayer life. Say 'yes' to having Mary in your "bucket of saints" that you go to for prayer and intercession, the closest and first disciple of Jesus.
 
Readings at this Mass: Nm 6:22–27 | Gal 4:4–7 | Lk 2:16–21 

Whatever darkness we carry, Christ wants to meet us there. He wants to transform our darkness into light, our despair into hope. He wants to enter our lives again and drive out that darkness with his grace and mercy. So how do we make room for him? That's your homework this Christmas season: give of yourselves. Not just material gifts. Give you. Offer small acts of forgiveness, generosity, patience, kindness, and compassion. Because in God’s hands, even the smallest gifts can change everything.
 
 

With God, grace is eternal; it's not linear. And we, too, can become "full of grace" when we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
 
Readings at this Mass: Gn 3:9–15, 20 | Eph 1:3–6, 11–12 | Lk 1:26–38