In this month dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus, as I file away a meditation for a most ancient novena for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, I prepare for June 27, the last Friday of the month’s devotion, which falls on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
God is love, and we are made in his image. Therefore, the perfection of the human person means becoming perfect in love. Lest we rationalize a way to lower the bar for ourselves, Jesus made this standard clear, saying, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The word perfect doesn’t refer to the absurd perfectionistic standards driven by our hyper-competitive culture.
The worthy reception of holy Communion is the fullest way to fulfill the divine call to consciously and actively participate in the Mass. It’s certainly not the only way. We are still obligated to attend holy Mass even when we cannot receive holy Communion due to grave sin. But all other ways point to and are fulfilled in the worthy reception of holy Communion, when that Communion is received and celebrated in the context of the public celebration of the Mass.
As the gavel fell on another contentious legislative session, Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) is grateful to report that faithful, principled advocacy continues to make a real impact in shaping public policy at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Pope Leo XIV has been in the Petrine office for less than a month, but that hasn’t stopped tons of people from expressing their hopes for how the American-born pontiff can improve the Church and the world.
The Trinity is the most powerful entity in the universe. It is capable of doing anything and can fulfill any prayer request. The life-giving Holy Spirit is the outpouring of love between the Father and the Son and is lavished upon the Earth in abundance.
There is a trail in Minnesota that extends for 18 miles from St. Paul to Stillwater called the Gateway Trail. It is called the Gateway Trail because it allows many modes of travel and opens a way from the city to the country and back again. It is a gateway because it connects with other paths, parks and nature. Gateways do that. They are entryways that connect people to other paths and opportunities. The whole path is a gate.
As I write this, I am keeping company with a mama robin on our backyard balcony, so I’m treading lightly. Tapping, not pounding, the keyboard. Sliding, not slamming, the door. Basking in the breeze.
For three successive years, my wife and I along with some friends have participated in the physical and spiritual journey of a 22-mile Walk to Mary in eastern Wisconsin — one of many Marian crownings held this month for honoring the Blessed Mother.
