Fr. Spitzer on Historical Evidence of Jesus' Resurrection

"If we are to affirm that Jesus is truly Emmanuel (the presence of the unconditionally loving God with us), then we will need some sign of His Divine authority and power, so that we can know through both our hearts and minds whether he is more than an unconditionally loving man - and is really the unconditionally loving God with us. For many scholars the resurrection is the central proof that Jesus is God."

In an article recently re-published,  Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., president of the Magis Center and the Spitzer Center probed the "historicity of Jesus' resurrection by looking at several key areas through the lens of historical criteria."

To access Fr. Spitzer's complete article, please visit:

Magis Center: Historical Evidence of Jesus' Resurrection (May 2013)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good music broadcast on radio.

Katrina Fernandez on St. Joseph's Seminary's Evangelizing Hospitality

"In the lush southern city of Charlotte, North Carolina, sits a new minor seminary that is building ties in the community in the most unlikely, and accidental, way. St. Joseph Minor Seminary, a thriving seminary that houses the Diocese's growing number of seminarians, has established quite a unique relationship with Charlotte's local fire department. It started last year with a false alarm call when too much incense set off the seminary's smoke detectors. Each time the fire department shows up they are treated to the hospitality of the seminarians and offered desserts for their trouble.

"On Ascension Thursday the Seminary tweeted about their most recent visit by Charlotte's fire chief responding to another call."

In a recent commentary, writer Katrina Fernandez reflected on the evangelizing hospitality of the Saint Joseph seminarians.

To access her complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Katrina Fernandez: Holy Smoke! Seminary Has Unique Relationship With Firefighters (12 MAY 18)

Reflection Starter from Psalm 113

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of the LORD be praised." - Psalm 113:3

Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Handbell Choir: "The Strife is O'er"

As we continue our Sunday celebration continues, I offer this version of the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Atlanta, GA) Handbell Choir presenting "The Strife is O'er":

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Today the Church celebrates the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; 1 John 4:11-16; and John 17:11-19. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 103 (Psalm 103:1-2, 11-2, 19-20).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 103 "Permanence of God's Power and Glory"

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Seventh Sunday of Easter (May 13, 2018)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Seventh Sunday of Easter (May 13, 2018)

The Sacred Page: A Royal Priesthood: Readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter (10 MAY 18)

The Sacred Page: Jesus Prays for Unity (The Mass Readings Explained) (7 MAY 18) 

Word on Fire: The High Priestly Prayer (Cycle B * Easter * Week 7)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of our mothers.

Msgr. Pope on the on the Brevity and Urgency of Life

"There is a passage in John 16 that is unusual for its repetition. This past Sunday it was the assigned Gospel in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The expression 'in a little while' is repeated seven times in the brief passage. Its repetition is almost to the point of being annoying, such that the reader is tempted to say, 'All right, already. I get it!' Obviously, John, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit want to drill this point into us. . . .

"Contextually, the Lord seems to be referring to the brief time between His death and His resurrection. Indeed, that time was brief. . . .

"In a more extended and pastoral context, the words of Jesus are also intended for us. He wants us to grasp that “in a little while” we will see Him. 

"This is a very important perspective for us to gain: life is short! This truth is both consoling and challenging."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the brevity of life and on the importance of being prepared for the Lord when He comes for us.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: "Just a Little While Longer…" - A Meditation on the Brevity and Urgency of Life. (10 MAY 18)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"We are Christians to the extent that we allow Jesus Christ to live in us." - Pope Francis

Bill Haley & His Comets: "Rock Around The Clock"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Bill Haley & His Comets presenting "Rock Around The Clock":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord,for those unheralded workers who perform services on which we depend, yet so often do not notice (unless they are not done), including (but not limited to) janitorial workers, refuse collectors, and street cleaners.

Jesuit Baroque Musical Legacy in Bolivia

"The aging musical score wasn't easy to read. It was a copy of a copy of a Latin Mass by the 18th-century composer Domenico Zipoli that had crossed the Atlantic and most of South America, only to be stuffed into a box for three centuries in a derelict jungle church where humidity had taken its toll.

"And then there were the termites.

"The insects had eaten large tracts of the Mass, including the 22nd and 23rd measures.

"But while much of the work of Zipoli has vanished in his native Europe, it has managed to survive in eastern Bolivia - along with his vast Baroque musical tradition, which hums through the tropical lowlands."

A recent article in the New York Times reported on the Baroque musical legacy left by Jesuit missionaries in Bolivia.

To access the complete New York Times report, please visit:

The New York Times: Jesuit Legacy in the Bolivian Jungle: A Love of Baroque Music (8 MAY 18)