It's time for some jazz, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of Duke Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train" by the United States Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors:
04 May 2026
Rhode Island Independence Day
Today, 4 May, the State of Rhode Island is celebrating Rhode Island
Independence Day, a commemoration of the state's independence from Great
Britain on 4 May 1776.
This year is the 250th anniversary of the Rhode Island General
Assembly's declaration of independence from the British crown. Rhode
Island was the first North American colony to do so.
Fore more information about Rhode Island Independence Day, please visit:
This Day in History: May 4, 1776 - Rhode Island becomes first colony to renounce allegiance to George III
New England Historical Society: May 4, 1776: Rhode Island Independence Day
Rhode Island Secretary of State: A Guide to Rhode Island Government & History
Saint Florian
Saint Florian, whose feast day is today (4 May), is the patron saint of firefighters.
Not
much is known about St. Florian. He was a high-ranking officer in the
Roman army and was stationed in Noricum (now part of Austria) when he
was martyred for the faith. Among his other duties, he was in charge of
one of the Roman army's firefighting units.
For more information:
Catholic Online: St. Florian
San Diego Paramedics: The Patron Saint of the Fire Service - St. Florian
Wikipedia: Saint Florian
John Cuddeback on the Importance of Self-knowledge
"Though self-knowledge has been praised by great thinkers from ancient times to the present, we don't give this all-too-rare quality the attention it demands. The importance of self-knowledge is probably most noticeable precisely when it is absent. And alas, often we become aware of this absence in others without noticing it in ourselves. So we lack knowledge of our own lack of knowledge, of ourselves!
"The good news is that as soon as it dawns in our awareness we can resolve to do something about it. . . ."
In a recent commentary, writer John Cuddeback reflected on some of the reasons why it is important to seek self-knowledge, including its being the foundation for our efforts at moral improvement.
To access his complete post, please visit:
LifeCraft: 3 Reasons to Seek Self-Knowledge (29 APR 26)
Reflection Starter from Samuel Johnson
"Never trust your tongue when your heart is bitter." - Samuel Johnson
03 May 2026
"Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me"
As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me":
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Today the Church celebrates the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 6:1-7, 1 Peter 2:4-9, and John 14:1-12. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 33 (Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19).
For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:
YouTube: Spirit & Psalm 2026 - Easter 5 - Psalm
The Gospel reading is as follows:
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. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever 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 is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."
Reflections related to these readings:
Benedictine College: This Sunday, Jesus is the Way Out of the Jungle of Death (30 APR 26)
Word on Fire: The Dwelling Place of God (Cycle A * Easter * 5th Week)
The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: Building his house (1 MAY 26)
The Quiet Corner: Pope Leo Urges a Deeper Engagement with the Eucharist (30 APR 26)
Holy Father's Prayer Intention for May
The Holy Father's prayer intention for May is:
That everyone might have food: Let us pray that no one might lack the food they need and that we might learn to live more responsibly, recognizing that the earth's resources are a gift for everyone.Msgr. Pope on What Our Resurrected Bodies Will Be Like
"St Paul writes to the Philippians of the glory that our currently lowly bodies will one day enjoy:
He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself (Phil 3:19).
"I once spoke with an older woman who wasn't all that pleased to hear that her body was going to rise and be joined again to her soul. 'Oh, Father, you don't mean this old decrepit body, do you? If my body has to rise, I’m hoping for an improved model!'
"I think most of us can relate to the desire that our current body be improved. And it surely will be.. . ."
In a recent commentary, Msgr. Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on what Scripture and Tradition have to say about what our resurrected bodies will be like.
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: What Will Our Resurrected Bodies Be Like? (29 APR 26)
Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV
"'Have faith,' Jesus tells us in the Gospel of the Day (Jn 14:1). That is the secret! It is precisely this faith that frees our hearts from the anxiety of possessing and acquiring, and from the illusion that we must pursue a position of prestige to have worth. Each person already has infinite worth in the mystery of God." - Pope Leo XIV
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