Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Mt 11:28-29).
The Lord invites us to find peace and joy in Him this Sabbath as we set aside time to worship and rest.
“Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God.”
Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word “Shabbat”, which literally means “to stop.” Keeping holy the Sabbath is not just a commandment, but an invitation. An invitation from the Lord to stop our work, stop our worrying, stop our striving. An opportunity to fid rest and to be renewed. A chance to refocus on the things that truly matter - the Lord, family, community. In our culture, Sunday has become a day to “catch up” on everything that didn’t get done during the week, and any time left over is often seen as an opportunity just to “get ahead” for next week. But we Christians have a chance now to remember what it means to keep the Sabbath. During this pandemic the Lord is calling us back to Himself, offering us a chance to reclaim the gift of the Sabbath, reminding us again what it means to “keep it holy.”
A basic principle for observing the Sabbath is only to do things that can be considered “rest” or “worship”. Here are a few ideas to consider to begin more to enter into the Sabbath. Maybe pick just one thing to focus on this Sunday, then next Sunday keep that practice in addition to a second one. And then the next Sunday add a third, to slowly over time begin to enter into this great gift of the Sabbath more and more.
Keep the Lord at the center - read the Mass readings ahead of time, participate in Mass, make more time for prayer, spend some extra time in silence focusing on the Lord
Try not to work - resist the urge to check your email, or catch up on a few things, and leave it for Monday
Plan ahead - take care of what needs to be done before Sunday, so plan the rest of your week to make sure you get the laundry done, have gone grocery shopping, etc.so you don’t have to do any of it on Sunday
Spend the day “screen free” - try to stay off social media, internet news, and your phone as much as possible. If you can’t make it the whole day try to go for at least a few hours
Be intentional with others - if you live with others (ie. family, roommates), is there something you can do together like play a game or go on a hike? If you live alone, can you reach out to a good friend and catch up?
Leisure, not entertainment - try to do things that are life giving; binge-watching a favorite show or playing video games for hours rarely leaves anyone with a new zeal for life. Read a good book, go on a long walk, develop a hobby.
PARTICIPATE
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). Each Sunday we are called to “keep holy the Sabbath” and although that may look different for right now we will still come together as a St. Ann community through the gift of technology.
MASS READINGS
GIVING
Take a few minutes to give to St. Ann Parish. Please give generously and sacrificially as an act of faith during these difficult times. You can give online:
After giving, offer ways to be generous of your whole self during this trying time for our world.
“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
PROCESS
“While they were eating, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” (Mark 14:22-24)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose bread and wine to contain His presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist? These mysterious signs of His presence lead us to the mystery of our faith. Listening to the interpretation of the early Christians we can begin to comprehend what it is and how we are to respond to this incredible gift.
St. Ignatius of Antioch, who was taught by St. John the Apostle, noticed in the reception of the Eucharist a reception of who He was supposed to become. Traveling to his martyrdom, he wrote, “I write to the Churches, and impress on them all, that I am glad to die for God… Allow me to be the food of wild beasts that I may come to God. I am God’s wheat and I shall be ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may become Christ’s pure loaf(bread)… Pray to Christ for me so that by these means I may become a sacrifice to God.” (Ad. Rom, 4). St. Ignatius saw the Eucharist as the "source and summit" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324) that all Christians are not only called to partake in but also imitate. This is the true worship we offer to God in receiving Him in the Eucharist.
Not too much longer after Ignatius, around the year 150 — St. Justin who later was to give his life as a Martyr, wrote, “We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true and who has been washed in the washing which is for the remission of sins and for regeneration, and is thereby living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate by the word of God and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so too, as we have been taught, the food which has been made into the Eucharist by the Eucharistic prayer set down by Him, and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nourished, is both the flesh and blood of that incarnated Jesus” (First Apology, 66). It is striking not only how similar our liturgy is, which we still celebrate, with what he describes but also how seriously he takes it. No one should "partake of it" except one who is baptized and is "living as Christ has enjoined", living out the Eucharistic faith they are receiving. St. Justin practiced what he preached in imitating Christ by laying his own life down as a witness to the truth of what he had been given.
We are also called to become what we receive. We are called to be a cup of refreshment for a weary world in union with Christ. We cannot do this alone or by ourselves. Many grapes are crushed to make wine. It would be to our benefit, we who have many individual preferences, to reflect on if some of these preferences need to be "crushed" so that we can better come together in Christ as an offering to the thirsty. Many grains are crushed to make bread. We who have so many things pulling us in so many different directions need to think about "crushing" some of these so that we can offer a witness to others of the incredible satisfaction of Jesus. To do this we have to spend time focusing on and contemplating on the one who gave us Himself through this great mystery. Through the procession of the Eucharist this weekend we show that we follow the life of the Eucharistic Lord, giving up our paths to follow His. Will you follow Him this week? Will you adore Him and become what you receive?
Practice
Our practice this week is to grow in devotion to our Lord, truly present in the Eucharist, by taking the opportunity to be physically with Him. Consider one of the following ways this week to make a visit to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament:
Eucharistic Procession - Saturday, June 5 at 6:30pm. Meet in the Courtyard and then join us for a procession around the grounds of St. Ann to reopen the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel.
Eucharistic Adoration - The Eucharist is placed in a beautiful gold vessel called a “monstrance,” allowing us to truly “see” Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament. This opportunity is now again available 24 hours a day/7 days a week in the “PEA Chapel” (located in the ‘back’ of the St. Ann center, where there is a large wooden door facing the inner parking lot).
Visiting the Chapel - The Eucharist is reserved in the tabernacle (an ornate gold box) in the St. Kilian chapel located across from the St. Ann Welcome Center in the main church area. This chapel is open 7am-9pm every day.
Daily Mass - Mass is offered at St. Ann Monday - Friday at 7am and 12pm, on Saturday at 8am, and in Spanish on Thursday at 6:30pm. Daily Mass is held in the St. Kilian chapel, located inside the main church building.
As you take some time to be in the Eucharistic presence of our Lord spend some time speaking with Him, maybe asking Him to increase your desire for Him, or even praying the traditional prayer of: “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.” Then take some time in silence to listen for what He wants to speak to your heart. Our Lord humbles Himself to come to us in the Eucharist to be near to us! Let us continue to draw near to Him.
Discussion Questions
Think about how you can continue to reflect on God’s word to you this week, and how you can invite others into the conversation. You can use the questions below for personal reflection, or to grow with others. Be creative! You could consider gathering with friends and family, or starting a group text, or a group FaceTime, to discuss the questions below.
What stands out to you from the readings this week? What might God be speaking to you at this time?
Did you get a chance to find a way to serve this past week?
In the first reading we see the people of Israel twice saying they will do all the Lord asks, but we know that they don’t actually remain faithful. Can you relate to this in any way?
What do you think might have been the reaction of the Apostles at the Last Supper, hearing Jesus words about giving them His body and blood?
It can be hard sometimes to understand the Catholic teaching that the Eucharist is not a symbol but is actually Jesus - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Is there anything about this you struggle with? Or have ever struggled with?
It can seem unfathomable that the God of the Universe would humble Himself to come to us in the Eucharist, veiled under the appearance of a piece of bread. Why do you think our Lord has chosen to do this?
Do you feel your attitude towards Jesus in the Eucharist has changed any way because of the pandemic? Maybe lessening devotion due to change of habits? Or maybe more devotion due to a new appreciation?
Following the suggestions in the practice, what is one thing you can do this week to be near to our Lord, truly present in the Eucharist?
Feast of the Holy Trinity
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Mt 11:28-29).
The Lord invites us to find peace and joy in Him this Sabbath as we set aside time to worship and rest.
“Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God.”
Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word “Shabbat”, which literally means “to stop.” Keeping holy the Sabbath is not just a commandment, but an invitation. An invitation from the Lord to stop our work, stop our worrying, stop our striving. An opportunity to fid rest and to be renewed. A chance to refocus on the things that truly matter - the Lord, family, community. In our culture, Sunday has become a day to “catch up” on everything that didn’t get done during the week, and any time left over is often seen as an opportunity just to “get ahead” for next week. But we Christians have a chance now to remember what it means to keep the Sabbath. During this pandemic the Lord is calling us back to Himself, offering us a chance to reclaim the gift of the Sabbath, reminding us again what it means to “keep it holy.”
A basic principle for observing the Sabbath is only to do things that can be considered “rest” or “worship”. Here are a few ideas to consider to begin more to enter into the Sabbath. Maybe pick just one thing to focus on this Sunday, then next Sunday keep that practice in addition to a second one. And then the next Sunday add a third, to slowly over time begin to enter into this great gift of the Sabbath more and more.
Keep the Lord at the center - read the Mass readings ahead of time, participate in Mass, make more time for prayer, spend some extra time in silence focusing on the Lord
Try not to work - resist the urge to check your email, or catch up on a few things, and leave it for Monday
Plan ahead - take care of what needs to be done before Sunday, so plan the rest of your week to make sure you get the laundry done, have gone grocery shopping, etc.so you don’t have to do any of it on Sunday
Spend the day “screen free” - try to stay off social media, internet news, and your phone as much as possible. If you can’t make it the whole day try to go for at least a few hours
Be intentional with others - if you live with others (ie. family, roommates), is there something you can do together like play a game or go on a hike? If you live alone, can you reach out to a good friend and catch up?
Leisure, not entertainment - try to do things that are life giving; binge-watching a favorite show or playing video games for hours rarely leaves anyone with a new zeal for life. Read a good book, go on a long walk, develop a hobby.
PARTICIPATE
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). Each Sunday we are called to “keep holy the Sabbath” and although that may look different for right now we will still come together as a St. Ann community through the gift of technology.
MASS READINGS
GIVING
Take a few minutes to give to St. Ann Parish. Please give generously and sacrificially as an act of faith during these difficult times. You can give online:
After giving, offer ways to be generous of your whole self during this trying time for our world.
“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
PROCESS
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit...” (Matthew 28:18-19).
The Gospel of Matthew ends with this passage proclaimed at today’s Mass, often called the Great Commission. Jesus tells the people who had been following Him for these past three years, who had come to believe that He was truly the Son sent by the Father, who had witnessed His resurrection, that now they are to go out. Just as He had been sent by the Father to reconcile the world to God, so now does He send them out for the same reason. Why? Because through their sharing in the Last Supper, they have begun to share in His life.
St. Paul would write a few years after this Great Commission, “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). And if they had been incorporated into Christ’s very body through their sharing in His flesh, then so are we. Jesus issues this Great Commission not only to a small band of Palestinian Jews 2000 years ago. He says it to us. They and us, once disciples, are now disciple-makers, called to baptize and to teach.
That call to baptize means first and foremost the invitation to bring them to the sacrament of baptism. In baptism, the Church erases original sin, or ‘original woundedness’, as Fr. Mike Schmitz likes to call it, and imparts the life of Christ’s grace (see Catechism paragraph 405). It might be helpful to consider another meaning of baptism. The word itself comes from a Greek word meaning “immersion,” referring to the practice of immersing the person underwater. This outward sign also points to the invisible reality of the person’s immersion in the life of the Trinity. As disciples of Jesus now sent out as disciple-makers, we are called to immerse all the world in the life of the Trinity. To soak everything around us in the love of God that has been placed into our hearts in baptism. To fill the lives of strangers with Life and Love itself.
St Paul reminds us in our second reading that we have “received a Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15). We are now, by our baptism, immersed into the family life of the Holy Trinity as children of God, equipped for our mission as “joint heirs with Christ” who are “led by the Spirit” (Romans 8:17, 14). God our Father has chosen you, specifically you. He never tires of seeking you, and choosing you anew. And He will multiply whatever you give Him. If it’s been a while since you last allowed yourself to immerse yourself in the immensity of God’s love, if you’ve allowed distractions to stand in the way of being consumed by His fire, then take a few minutes now. Breathe His Love deep into your soul. Allow Him to move deeply in you so that you can go out and make disciples of all the nations.
Practice
God has prepared good works for us to do! Imagine the transforming impact if our entire community abandoned their ‘comfort zones' and intentionally set out to encounter the hungry, broken, and lost. We are called to be His ambassadors and to seek the good for others through our families, in our workplaces, and with our friends. We are also invited to serve others at St. Ann and to serve locally in our community.
Our practice this week is to be an image of the self-giving love of the Trinity in the world by making a concrete commitment to serve others in a meaningful way. This could be on your own (like helping a neighbor or a family member), or it could be through an opportunity to serve at St. Ann or in our local community. Our website has new serve opportunities for you to explore, from helping with our Food Ministry to the various serve options from our partnership with Catholic Charities Dallas. Your opportunity to serve others waits for you at stannparish.org/serve.
Discussion Questions
Think about how you can continue to reflect on God’s word to you this week, and how you can invite others into the conversation. You can use the questions below for personal reflection, or to grow with others. Be creative! You could consider gathering with friends and family, or starting a group text, or a group FaceTime, to discuss the questions below.
What stands out to you from the readings this week? What might God be speaking to you at this time?
Are you participating in the Pentecost Novena? Have you had any insights from that?
In this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity we rejoice in the mystery of our One God who is Three Persons. Have you ever heard of any explanations of the Trinity that have been helpful to you in growing in your understanding of that truth?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (a great book that speaks to what the Catholic Church teaches) says: “By sending his only Son and the Spirit of love in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange” (CCC 221). What are your thoughts on that?
Is there a Person of the Trinity that you find it easiest to have a relationship with (Father, Son, or Holy Spirit)? Is there maybe one that is hardest for you to have a relationship with?
The first reading and Psalm speak beautifully about being chosen by God and the second reading speaks powerfully of being adopted by Him. Is it ever hard to feel like you have been chosen by God to be His son or daughter? How could that change us if we lived in that truth every day?
The Gospel tells us the disciples worshiped but doubted. What sort of doubts do you think they might have had?
This Sunday we hear the “Great Commission” - the command to go and make disciples that we also discussed on the Solemnity of the Ascension. Have you had any further reflections on that call in these past two weeks?
Pentecost Sunday
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Mt 11:28-29).
The Lord invites us to find peace and joy in Him this Sabbath as we set aside time to worship and rest.
“Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God.”
Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word “Shabbat”, which literally means “to stop.” Keeping holy the Sabbath is not just a commandment, but an invitation. An invitation from the Lord to stop our work, stop our worrying, stop our striving. An opportunity to fid rest and to be renewed. A chance to refocus on the things that truly matter - the Lord, family, community. In our culture, Sunday has become a day to “catch up” on everything that didn’t get done during the week, and any time left over is often seen as an opportunity just to “get ahead” for next week. But we Christians have a chance now to remember what it means to keep the Sabbath. During this pandemic the Lord is calling us back to Himself, offering us a chance to reclaim the gift of the Sabbath, reminding us again what it means to “keep it holy.”
A basic principle for observing the Sabbath is only to do things that can be considered “rest” or “worship”. Here are a few ideas to consider to begin more to enter into the Sabbath. Maybe pick just one thing to focus on this Sunday, then next Sunday keep that practice in addition to a second one. And then the next Sunday add a third, to slowly over time begin to enter into this great gift of the Sabbath more and more.
Keep the Lord at the center - read the Mass readings ahead of time, participate in Mass, make more time for prayer, spend some extra time in silence focusing on the Lord
Try not to work - resist the urge to check your email, or catch up on a few things, and leave it for Monday
Plan ahead - take care of what needs to be done before Sunday, so plan the rest of your week to make sure you get the laundry done, have gone grocery shopping, etc.so you don’t have to do any of it on Sunday
Spend the day “screen free” - try to stay off social media, internet news, and your phone as much as possible. If you can’t make it the whole day try to go for at least a few hours
Be intentional with others - if you live with others (ie. family, roommates), is there something you can do together like play a game or go on a hike? If you live alone, can you reach out to a good friend and catch up?
Leisure, not entertainment - try to do things that are life giving; binge-watching a favorite show or playing video games for hours rarely leaves anyone with a new zeal for life. Read a good book, go on a long walk, develop a hobby.
PARTICIPATE
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). Each Sunday we are called to “keep holy the Sabbath” and although that may look different for right now we will still come together as a St. Ann community through the gift of technology.
MASS READINGS
GIVING
Take a few minutes to give to St. Ann Parish. Please give generously and sacrificially as an act of faith during these difficult times. You can give online:
After giving, offer ways to be generous of your whole self during this trying time for our world.
“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
PROCESS
“And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:2-4)
As the Easter Season comes to an end with the Solemnity of Pentecost, we take a moment to reflect back upon the last few weeks. The Last Supper. The Agony in the Garden. The betrayal and arrest of Jesus. The trials before the High Priest and before Pilate. The sentencing to death. The carrying of the cross. The Crucifixion. The burial in the tomb. Three days later the glorious Resurrection of our Lord! A series of Resurrection appearances - to Mary Magdalene, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, to the Apostles, to Thomas. Another miraculous catch of fish. A reconciliation with Peter. Jesus’ Ascension into heaven in glory to be seated at the right hand of the Father! And then the disciples wait.
Gathered in the Upper Room, the place where the Last Supper had been, Mary and the disciples did as the Lord had commanded them to “wait for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4). As they spent those days in prayer, what questions filled their hearts? What uncertainties burdened them? What fears surrounded them as they waited?
And suddenly, a rushing wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit comes upon them! The One whom Jesus had promised. The One whom they had waited for. The Comforter, the Consoler, the Advocate comes. Everything changes. Peter begins confidently preaching to the crowds who were gathered and about 3,000 people convert and are baptized. The book of the Acts of the Apostles recounts the growth of the early Church, telling us of the Apostles going forth to work mighty deeds and miracles, bringing people to faith, and spreading the Gospel. No longer filled with fear and questions, but going forth boldly in power.
The Apostles had been with Jesus for three years, heard His teachings, seen His miracles, but it was this filling with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that made all the difference. Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, in his video series on the Holy Spirit called “The Wild Goose is Loose” (https://thewildgooseisloose.com/) at one point says that “Jesus is not enough.” This can sound shocking and even wrong, and, yet it is something that Jesus Himself said: “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (Jn 16:7).
Better for Jesus to go so that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. But do we know the Holy Spirit? Do we give Him freedom to move in our life? The Holy Spirit wants to fill us as He did the disciples at that first Pentecost. He wants to equip us to be His witnesses in the world. He wants to lead us, comfort us, convict us. And so we pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, come.”
Practice
This week as a parish we will be praying a Novena to the Holy Spirit. A Novena is the name given to spending nine days of prayer for a certain need or intention. It is modeled after the nine days that the disciples and Mary spent praying and waiting after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven and before the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. Please join us in prayer for the Holy Spirit to move more in power at St. Ann and in each of our lives.
As part of the Novena we will be releasing a video each day including someone’s testimony about the Holy Spirit in their life as well as the Novena prayer for that day. The videos will be released through the St. Ann weekly email. If you haven’t yet subscribed please do so by going to stannparish.org to the very bottom of the homepage. You can also pray the novena by going to: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-to-the-holy-spirit
We also invite you to consider attending “Cultivate” in-person or online on Wednesday, June 2, the day after the Novena ends. Cultivate is a monthly discipleship event with music, prayer, and a speaker. The focus in June will be the Holy Spirit!
Discussion Questions
Think about how you can continue to reflect on God’s word to you this week, and how you can invite others into the conversation. You can use the questions below for personal reflection, or to grow with others. Be creative! You could consider gathering with friends and family, or starting a group text, or a group FaceTime, to discuss the questions below.
What stands out to you from the readings this week? What might God be speaking to you at this time?
Did you have any reflections from the Great Commission and the St. Ann Vision Statement that we looked at last week?
We see at Pentecost that the Holy Spirit moved powerfully and evidently. Do you see the Holy Spirit still working in the world today? Why or why not?
How would you describe your relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Have you ever had an experience of the Holy Spirit? If so, what was that like?
What are your feelings on the statement that Jesus is “not enough”? (ref. Fr. Dave Pivonka as explained in the Process)
What does it look like for someone to live a life filled with the Holy Spirit? What could it look like in your life?
How open are you to having the Holy Spirit be more active in your life?
Ascension Sunday
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Mt 11:28-29).
The Lord invites us to find peace and joy in Him this Sabbath as we set aside time to worship and rest.
“Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God.”
Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word “Shabbat”, which literally means “to stop.” Keeping holy the Sabbath is not just a commandment, but an invitation. An invitation from the Lord to stop our work, stop our worrying, stop our striving. An opportunity to fid rest and to be renewed. A chance to refocus on the things that truly matter - the Lord, family, community. In our culture, Sunday has become a day to “catch up” on everything that didn’t get done during the week, and any time left over is often seen as an opportunity just to “get ahead” for next week. But we Christians have a chance now to remember what it means to keep the Sabbath. During this pandemic the Lord is calling us back to Himself, offering us a chance to reclaim the gift of the Sabbath, reminding us again what it means to “keep it holy.”
A basic principle for observing the Sabbath is only to do things that can be considered “rest” or “worship”. Here are a few ideas to consider to begin more to enter into the Sabbath. Maybe pick just one thing to focus on this Sunday, then next Sunday keep that practice in addition to a second one. And then the next Sunday add a third, to slowly over time begin to enter into this great gift of the Sabbath more and more.
Keep the Lord at the center - read the Mass readings ahead of time, participate in Mass, make more time for prayer, spend some extra time in silence focusing on the Lord
Try not to work - resist the urge to check your email, or catch up on a few things, and leave it for Monday
Plan ahead - take care of what needs to be done before Sunday, so plan the rest of your week to make sure you get the laundry done, have gone grocery shopping, etc.so you don’t have to do any of it on Sunday
Spend the day “screen free” - try to stay off social media, internet news, and your phone as much as possible. If you can’t make it the whole day try to go for at least a few hours
Be intentional with others - if you live with others (ie. family, roommates), is there something you can do together like play a game or go on a hike? If you live alone, can you reach out to a good friend and catch up?
Leisure, not entertainment - try to do things that are life giving; binge-watching a favorite show or playing video games for hours rarely leaves anyone with a new zeal for life. Read a good book, go on a long walk, develop a hobby.
PARTICIPATE
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). Each Sunday we are called to “keep holy the Sabbath” and although that may look different for right now we will still come together as a St. Ann community through the gift of technology.
MASS READINGS
GIVING
Take a few minutes to give to St. Ann Parish. Please give generously and sacrificially as an act of faith during these difficult times. You can give online:
After giving, offer ways to be generous of your whole self during this trying time for our world.
“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
PROCESS
Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (Mk 16:15)
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus’ parting words to His disciples before Ascending into heaven. He commands them to go and to proclaim the gospel, the Good News of salvation. In the Greek of Mk 16:15, the structure is actually: “Going into the whole world, proclaim the good news to every creature.” The primary command is to proclaim, kerugsate, the verb from which we get the word kerygma, meaning the proclamation of the central mysteries of the faith. In Matthew’s Gospel this final command of Jesus is expressed as: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20) This is called the “Great Commission” and it is a command given not just to the disciples of Jesus present at His Ascension, but to all of Jesus’ disciples, including us. We are told to proclaim the Good News to the world. And what is this good news? That Jesus loves us, died for us, and wants for us to know Him! That while sin separates us from God, Jesus came to forgive sin and reconcile us to God so that we can be with Him some day in heaven! This good news is the best news imaginable! And it is news that a troubled, divided, broken world desperately needs to hear.
Jesus’ command to make disciples isn’t just a vague concept, a general notion of hoping the church is fruitful in evangelization. It is a deeply personal mission entrusted to every follower of Jesus Christ. Each of us are in relationship with people who are hurting and need to know that they are deeply loved by the One who is Love, who are broken and need to encounter the One who is the Healer, who are lost or confused and need the One who is the Way, who are lonely or afraid and need to know the One who is the Good Shepherd who never leaves us abandoned. But how will they ever come to know these things if we are afraid to tell them? There is someone in our life who may never hear the beauty of the Gospel if we don’t share it with them. This is the vision we have here at St. Ann: To bring people to Jesus, form disciples, and send them to transform the world. This is not just a vision for our programs or for our priests and staff, but truly for all St. Ann parishioners. That each of us are responding to the mission Jesus has given us to make disciples.
As Jesus goes up to heaven to take His seat at the right hand of God His closest followers, who had been with Him for the last three years, stand in wonder, as if they aren’t sure what to do next. The angels have to say to them “why are you standing there?” Sometimes in this call to make disciples, perhaps we don’t even know what to do. It can seem intimidating but we are not alone in this mission. Jesus tells us that without Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5; Gospel for the 5th week of Easter) but when we are rooted in Him we can bear good fruit for the kingdom, fruit that will last. He equips us by the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:19; Acts 1:4-5, 8) which He gives in fullness at Pentecost. Liturgically, for the next week we are commanded to remain with Him “in Jerusalem”, dedicating ourselves to prayer, as we await the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is only by the Holy Spirit – by being immersed in His power, baptized in His strength – that we are able to preach the kerygma effectively and answer Jesus' command to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.
Practice
Before Jesus ascends to heaven He gives His followers a final command: ““Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20) This is called the “Great Commission.” At St. Ann we try to live out this call as expressed in our Vision Statement: St. Ann Catholic Parish brings people to Jesus, forms disciples, and sends them to transform the world.
For the practice this week we invite you to reflect on that vision and how Jesus might be inviting you to live it out:
BRING - Who is someone you have brought to Jesus? Have you tried to bring someone to Jesus in this past year? Is there someone the Lord has put in your life currently that He might be calling you to bring to Him?
FORM - What are ways that you are helping to form others as disciples? What are ways you are striving to be formed as a disciple? Are there any ways where your growth as a disciple has become stagnant? Is there something more you could do to grow, or to help others grow, in their walk with Jesus?
SEND - Do you feel you are a transforming presence in the world today? Transforming the “world” can sound overwhelming, but what are areas in your life where you do have some influence? Are there people, situations, or organizations that the Lord might want to send you to?
After reflecting on these questions pick just one area to focus on. What is one thing you could do in the coming weeks to bring, form, or send so as to better live out Jesus’ command to make disciples.
Discussion Questions
Think about how you can continue to reflect on God’s word to you this week, and how you can invite others into the conversation. You can use the questions below for personal reflection, or to grow with others. Be creative! You could consider gathering with friends and family, or starting a group text, or a group FaceTime, to discuss the questions below.
What stands out to you from the readings this week? What might God be speaking to you at this time?
Were you able to experience anything last week that was life-giving and filled you with joy?
The first reading tells us that after Jesus ascended to heaven the Apostles stood there looking at the sky. What thoughts, feelings, or questions do you think they were experiencing? Can you relate to any of those?
Mark’s Gospel tells us: “Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The Gospel of Matthew words it a little differently: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20). This is called the “Great Commissioning.” How familiar are you with this command of Jesus?
Sixth Sunday of Easter
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Mt 11:28-29).
The Lord invites us to find peace and joy in Him this Sabbath as we set aside time to worship and rest.
“Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God.”
Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word “Shabbat”, which means “to stop.” Keeping holy the Sabbath is not just a commandment, but an invitation. An invitation from the Lord to stop our work, stop our worrying, stop our striving. An opportunity to find rest and to be renewed. A chance to refocus on the things that truly matter - the Lord, family, community. In our culture, Sunday has become a day to “catch up” on everything that didn’t get done during the week, and any time left over is often seen as an opportunity just to “get ahead” for next week. But we Christians have a chance now to remember what it means to keep the Sabbath. During this pandemic the Lord is calling us back to Himself, offering us a chance to reclaim the gift of the Sabbath, reminding us again what it means to “keep it holy.”
A basic principle for observing the Sabbath is only to do things that can be considered “rest” or “worship”. Here are a few ideas to consider to begin more to enter into the Sabbath. Maybe pick just one thing to focus on this Sunday, then next Sunday keep that practice in addition to a second one. And then the next Sunday add a third, to slowly over time begin to enter into this great gift of the Sabbath more and more.
Keep the Lord at the center - read the Mass readings ahead of time, participate in Mass, make more time for prayer, spend some extra time in silence focusing on the Lord
Try not to work - resist the urge to check your email, or catch up on a few things, and leave it for Monday
Plan ahead - take care of what needs to be done before Sunday, so plan the rest of your week to make sure you get the laundry done, have gone grocery shopping, etc.so you don’t have to do any of it on Sunday
Spend the day “screen-free” - try to stay off social media, internet news, and your phone as much as possible. If you can’t make it the whole day try to go for at least a few hours
Be intentional with others - if you live with others (ie. family, roommates), is there something you can do together like play a game or go on a hike? If you live alone, can you reach out to a good friend and catch up?
Leisure, not entertainment - try to do life-giving things; binge-watching a favorite show or playing video games for hours rarely leaves anyone with a new zeal for life. Read a good book, go on a long walk, develop a hobby.
PARTICIPATE
MASS READINGS
GIVING
Take a few minutes to give to St. Ann Parish. Please give generously and sacrificially as an act of faith during these difficult times. You can give online:
After giving, offer ways to be generous of your whole self during this trying time for our world.
“Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
PROCESS
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.” (John 15:16)
This Gospel is part of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse. This is part of His final words to His disciples, the very last words that He chose to say before handing Himself over to be crucified. What He says to those disciples, He says to us: “You may think that you have chosen me, but I have chosen you. I who existed before time began, I who was the song that sang the universe into existence, I the Lord of lords and King of kings, I chose you. I desire you. I want you to live out the joy of my love, and to bring others from death into life.”
Perhaps Jesus’ desire for you is difficult to believe, difficult to accept. If you participated in last week’s practice, you saw that we examined what in our lives needs to be pruned away to make more room for God. Maybe you felt overwhelmed because you discovered you had a lot that needs pruning. Maybe you are making progress in your journey with the Lord, but you know there is still some distance to go. Well, in every situation, wherever you are, you have cause for rejoicing! Jesus chose Peter who denied Him even after sharing in the Last Supper, and Jesus chose Thomas who doubted the testimony of the other disciples. He made these men saints, and He wants to make you a saint, too.
This is now the third and final week of our mini-series on Christian leadership, our journey to sainthood. Two weeks ago, we emphasized that leaders are teachable. Last week, we said that leaders are available. This week, we say that leaders are contagious. Christian leaders rejoice in the knowledge of the truth that God has chosen them and radiate that joy to everyone they meet. When Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius, Cornelius fell down in worship. Cornelius saw in Peter something powerful, something beautiful, something contagious. Peter himself identifies that something earlier in the book of Acts. A crippled beggar asks him and John for some money. Peter gives him what he has, not money, but rather the name of Jesus – his only possession – and the man is healed. That thing that was so powerful, beautiful, contagious in Peter is the same thing that attracted so many to follow St. Francis or St. Teresa of Calcutta, and it is the same that will draw others to you: the knowledge that Jesus has chosen you and continues to choose you. He has healed you and redeemed you. Now, live out that joy so that others might see you and come to know Christ through you.
Practice
True Christian joy is different from happiness, as it does not depend on circumstances but upon Jesus who wants to give us His joy, and for that joy to be complete. But we can cultivate a joyous disposition by enjoying simple things, finding delight in everyday moments, and making a decision to not allow ourselves to be unduly burdened by the heaviness of life.
And so our practice this week is to take time to do something that is life-giving, that brings you joy. More than just “escaping” or doing something entertaining, but to really think about something that would “fill your cup.” Maybe taking a hike out in nature. Enjoying a great meal with good friends. Going to serve someone who is in need.
Then consider surrounding that time with prayer. Beforehand, ask the Lord to fill you with His joy. During the experience, offer a few prayers of praise to the Lord for His great goodness. After you have finished, take a few minutes to reflect upon the experience and thank the Lord for how He filled you during that time. Ask the Holy Spirit to make His fruit of joy abundant in your life so as to better be able to give witness to the great joy that comes from friendship with Jesus.
Discussion Questions
Think about how you can continue to reflect on God’s word to you this week, and how you can invite others into the conversation. You can use the questions below for personal reflection, or to grow with others. Be creative! You could consider gathering with friends and family, or starting a group text, or a group FaceTime, to discuss the questions below.
What stands out to you from the readings this week? What might God be speaking to you at this time?
Did you get a chance to do the “time audit” in the practice last week? What stood out to you from how you spend your time? Is there anything you tried to “prune”? Was there anything you tried to be more available for?
In the first reading we hear of the conversion of Cornelius. Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, not Jews, and so Peter and those with him are amazed at their response to the Gospel. Have you ever been amazed or surprised by someone wanting to know more about Jesus even though it seemed unlikely they would be interested?
In the Gospel this week Jesus tells us He wants to fill us with His joy, and for our joy to be complete. How would you explain what it means to be filled with joy? How is it similar or different from happiness?
Have you experienced much joy recently?
Can you think of someone in your life who is a “contagious” person, as in someone that others love to be around? How would you describe what they are like?
Do you feel that in your walk with Jesus you are modeling something that is attractive to others? Why or why not?
What is one thing you could do this week to really experience joy?
Jesus tells us in the Gospel: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.” What does that mean to you?