Lent has ended and Holy Week has begun. And you might say that we have all lived a really “good” Lent. The beginning of Lent was marked in a special way, coming as it did on the heels of Pope Francis’ meeting about the abuse crisis with all of the bishops in Rome. Now as… [Read More]
Dear Austin, let us pray…
It is a morning to pray. We woke up to the news today that the suspect behind the recent package bombs had been caught, and indeed had taken his own life in the process. Let us pray this morning together for peace in our city, for peace in our families, for peace in our own… [Read More]
Easter Joy, Family, and Heaven
On Easter Sunday 2017 my family and I gathered at the family home to celebrate Easter by partaking in our regular Easter feast (our family does food well). My grandparents and many of my dad’s graduate students joined us for the feast. I enjoyed getting to know some of the graduate students better during dinner… [Read More]
Where Is Jesus?
A mother and father bring their small child to a shopping mall on an extremely busy day. They take turns keeping their eyes on the little boy and holding his hand as they move from store to store and then to the food court with a few bathroom breaks in between. Mommy suddenly glances around… [Read More]
How does modern man best hear the call the conversion?
In this liturgical season of conversion, we are faced with the question: Just exactly how does “conversion” happen? How is change possible in our daily lives, and in a lasting way? I’d like to go deeper into thoughts from my last post, as a kind of part II (see: Living Lent Like a Little One)…. [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 15, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
May 15, 2016 – Pentecost Sunday – Mass During The Day Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day) Lectionary: 63 (NAB Translation) This is a Sunday that provides choices for the readings that are not just shorter or longer versions from the same section. It is likely that your mass differs in at least… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 3, 2-2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy) Lectionary: 45 (NAB Translation) Happy Easter! Divine Mercy Sunday is the Octave of Easter, and this is a special celebration in which it falls in the Jubilee of Mercy. Reading 1 Acts 5:12-16 The first reading from the book of Acts is the first in… [Read More]
Feel Like You Failed Lent? I do!
I had the best of intentions. I really did. Despite the stress from recent major life changes (getting married, moving three times, having a baby, leaving a job, starting a business and buying a house, all within 18 months), I set myself up for a Lent of awesome fasting, prayer, and spiritual reconnection with my… [Read More]
The Mystery of Iniquity – Rejoicing in weakness
Each Lent it seems I come back to this theme – how do we think about sin and weakness? It’s been helpful for me to examine my own understanding – I can’t make much sense of redemption if I have a distorted view of the sin and weakness that necessitated such a Savior. And an unhealthy view… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 24, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Pentecost Sunday – May 24, 2015 Lectionary: 6 (NAB Translation) This is the great celebration of Pentecost, the joyful end to the season of Easter. Reading 1 ACTS 2:1-11 This week’s first reading is the central story of the Pentecost event in the book of Acts. We hear how the Holy Spirit was poured out… [Read More]
Homily on the Ascension of Our Lord
This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX on the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord in the season of Easter. “When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 17,2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Solemnity Of The Ascension Of The Lord May 17, 2015 Lectionary: 58 (NAB Translation) Traditionally the Ascension is celebrated exactly 40 days into Easter on a Thursday, which is also 9 days before Pentecost. The United States bishops decided to most this solemnity to the 7th Sunday of Easter to ensure that more people… [Read More]
Novena to the Holy Spirit for Pentecost (or any time, really)
Special Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 1 Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and kindle in us the Fire of Love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and You Shall renew the face of the earth. O God who instructs us by the light of the Holy Spirit grant us… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 3, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fifth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 53 (NAB Translation) Sunday, May 3, 2015 Reading 1 Acts 9:26-31 This week’s first reading continues in the Acts of the Apostles during this season of Easter. Last week we heard about how Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus. Saul had been known for His persecution of… [Read More]
The Water (and Blood) of Baptism
Ten years ago I took the plunge, literally. This Easter season marks ten years since I received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. What a ride it has been. When people ask me what I remember most about my baptism from ten years ago, four things come to mind: I was wet. I… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 19, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Third Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 47 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Reading 1 Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 In the season of easter, we place a large scriptural focus on the book of the Acts of the Apostles to show the important consequences of the resurrection of Jesus. We continue this week in a section where St… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 12, 2015 – Mass Readings and Reflection
Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy Lectionary: 44 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This is the great feast of Mercy which was proclaimed by John Paul II to fulfill the desires of Jesus as expressed to St Faustina. It’s a beautiful day to focus on the Divine Mercy of Jesus that seeks to forgive… [Read More]
Divine Mercy Homily
The second Sunday of Easter is celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX in the Octave of Easter. Divine Mercy Image Prayers from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Optional Opening Prayers You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for… [Read More]
Keeping the Faith and Divine Mercy
A Mormon once approached while I was walking through my neighborhood and started talking to me about his beliefs. I always enjoy talking to people of other faiths, especially the ones convicted enough to try and teach others what they believe at random. They are no real threat to my faith, so I feel very… [Read More]
From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday: The Lord’s descent into the underworld
Our Catholic faith is incredibly rich. So instead of writing a new reflection, I’m sharing one of my favorite things to read during the Triduum. This is a from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday, date and homilist unknown. It is the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday Liturgy of the Hours…. [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 8, 2014 Pentecost Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday June 8, 2014 – Pentecost Sunday (NAB Readings) Mass during the Day Lectionary: 63 “Come, Holy Spirit, come! And from your celestial home Shed a ray of light divine!” – From the Sequence of Pentecost Happy Pentecost! It gets it’s name from the 50 days of Easter. This is a great feast, the birthday of the… [Read More]
Sunday Says – June 1, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
The Ascension of the Lord – June 1, 2014 Lectionary: 58 Traditionally this would be the 7th Sunday of the season of Easter, but in our diocese, like in most of the country’s we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord on this Sunday so that more people can attend it than if it were… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 11, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
May 11, 2014 – Fourth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 267 (NAB Readings) Reading 1 ACTS 2:14A, 36-41 This week’s first reading pick’s up again where we left off last Sunday in St Peter’s sermon that converted the 3,000. In fact you might feel like you’ve heard this before. The first verse is the exact same last… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – May 4, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Third Sunday of Easter Sunday May 4, 2014 Lectionary: 46 Reading 1 ACTS 2:14, 22-33 We continue in the book of the Acts of the Apostles in this week’s first reading. This is one of those readings that is hard to with justice to the content. This is part of the famous speech given by… [Read More]
Jewish-Christian Relations & the Resurrection: Reaction to Kansas City Shooting
When I heard about the news about the Kansas City shooting at the JCC, I felt heartsick, and began to pray immediately. I thought of some dear Jewish friends of mine, and I ached with them at the thought of them hearing the news. Like many Christians, the day it happened, I was preparing to… [Read More]
3 Ways for 3 Days: How to Grow Spiritually During the Easter Triduum
Easter Triduum 2014 is upon us. It begins this Thursday evening. Yes, THIS Thursday, April 17, 2014. Are you ready? Are you sure? Okay, Pop Quiz time! I promise, it’s not too hard. Pop Quiz 1. What does the word Triduum mean? Answer: Three days. 2. When does Lent officially end and the Easter Triduum… [Read More]
Compaña & Resurrection On the Via Crucis
Today is the last Friday before Palm Sunday and Holy Week. If you’re like a lot of Catholics, you might pray the Stations of the Cross this evening. And if you’re like me, you might get stuck along the way. During Lent we don’t only attempt to pray the Stations, but ideally we attempt to… [Read More]
Questions About Veiling the Cross in Passiontide
Lent is a slow build. With each passing week, we go deeper into the heart of the desert and seek a deeper dependence upon the Lord. We all know that the week leading up to the Paschal Triduum is Holy Week, but fewer know that the week before Holy Week is known as Passiontide. As… [Read More]
Beauty of Truth Podcast Ep 24 – How Could God Die?
Ep 24 – How Could God Die? Questions How can our God allow himself to be killed? 1 Cor 1:23: but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of… [Read More]
Consider the lilies: The relationship between natural and supernatural life
Easter Season is such a rich season for symbols, for imagery. It is the season where I appreciate most the Church’s rich liturgical tradition – she really has a way of understanding the relationship between the natural and the supernatural world, which gives birth to such rich spiritual life. Last Sunday I was blessed with the… [Read More]
Agony & Chalice, Freedom & Love
Christ’s words in Gethsemane have been echoing in my heart for months now. And today, this most solemn Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday, is the day when we are called to be with Christ in His Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. We have begun the Triduum; we walk towards the Resurrection. These are the… [Read More]
Keep Holy Week Holy! 3 Tips to Focus on Holy Week
Where did Lent go? It feels like we just got started, yet here we are, about to celebrate Holy Week! Yes, Easter will be here before you know it. So as Lent comes to a close with us celebrating Holy Week, the holiest week of all weeks for us in the Catholic Church, it’s time… [Read More]
Falling Away With You
“[I] promise to hold you close and pray, watching the fantasies decay, nothing will ever stay the same. All of the love we threw away… making the same mistakes again making the same mistakes again I can feel my world crumbling I can feel my life crumbling… and falling away, falling away with you.” –… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: May 20, 2012 Readings and Reflection
Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord (New Jerusalem Bible Translation) Skip to 4:50 minute mark to go to reflection. Acts 1:1-11 Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 Mark 16:15-20 Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Background music from JewelBeat Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com
First Communion Took my Breath Away
This past weekend, my second child celebrated his First Communion. I’ve been thinking about this day for years and planning for *almost* that long (hey, party planning is my vice). To think I almost missed the big event during Mass makes me chuckle. But, more on that in just a moment. As I opened my… [Read More]
Two Guys, a Girl and a Catholic Podcast Episode 10: We Hit Double Digits!
Feedback: A Very Happy Easter to all of our listeners… Segment #1 – Current Events – Chris There be Dragons Movie Trailer… releases May 6 President Obama Releases his official birth certificate What do you guys think, is this whole situation silly? Do you think it was necessary that President Obama release the certificate? Does it… [Read More]
