JOY Alive in Our Hearts

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Tagged: Eucharist

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Michael Seagriff: A Powder Keg of Evangelizing Zeal

Stop and think for a moment. There are a zillion more lay Catholics in the world than there are priests and religious. It is we lay people who hold the key to the evangelization of the world. This is one of the most overlooked exhortations of Vatican II. Instead of rushing to fill “quasi liturgical roles,” we lay folk were challenged to evangelize the environments which are unique to us (and not readily accessible to our priests and religious) – our homes and extended family, our businesses and work environments (including our employees and co-workers) and the various athletic, charitable, entertainment, fraternal, political, professional and social organizations in which we participate.

The Friar's Corner

Catholic / Catholic family / Fr. Bob Hilz / Jesus / Joy / Prayer / Sacraments / Saints / Scriptures

Friar’s Corner: Jesus is our daily Bread of Life

St. Luke’s gospel this Sunday tells us that two disciples, Cleopas and an unnamed disciple, had left Jerusalem even though the women had told them that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb and that they had seen him in his new presence. These two disciples were walking along to Emmaus and a stranger began to walk with them as they were talking about those things that had happened to Jesus. This stranger they did not recognize began to explain why Jesus had to go through those things. Briefly, it was toward evening and they stopped at an inn for dinner and rest. When did they recognize him it was Jesus? At the meal when he took the bread, blessed and broke the bread. They had been at the Last Supper. Their eyes were opened yet Jesus instantly vanished. They ran back to the Upper Room to tell the others. This story is critical. Pray and think about it.

CatholicMom.com / Holy Spirit / Joy / Living Your Faith / Nancy Ward / Prayer / Quotes / Saints

Prayer Companion: Come, Holy Spirit

“Acquire the Holy Spirit and thousands around you will acquire salvation” – St. Seraphim of Sarov St. Seraphim dreamed big. Honored by both the Roman Catholic (today) and Orthodox (January 15) calendars, this wonderworker emphasized seeking communion with God as the true purpose of life for every Christian. St. Seraphim’s life demonstrated that everything else was merely the means for “acquiring the Holy Spirit.” Wait! Didn’t we acquire the Holy Spirit at baptism and weren’t we sealed with the gift of the Spirit at Confirmation? Can’t we acquire more of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Reconciliation or receive the Eucharist? A resounding “yes” to all of these.