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On the journey to Capernaum, Jesus asks His disciples a direct question: “What were you arguing about on the way?” They remained silent because they did not want Jesus to know that they had been discussing amongst themselves who was the greatest. This is not uncommon in our day. We probably do this more than we should and act like children rather than adults.

What does Jesus mean when He says, “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” Is anything more universal than the cross? We see it on tattoos, jewelry, our foreheads on Ash Wednesday and, of course, in Church. Jesus knew the cross was His future.

How do you expect the Lord, Jesus to treat you when you ask for His help? Do you approach with fear and doubt, or with faith and confidence? Jesus never turned anyone aside who approached Him with sincerity and trust. So why does Jesus order people to refrain from broadcasting His miracles? Why does He want the healing of the deaf and mute man silenced?

In this Gospel passage, Jesus is being questioned by the Pharisees about why His disciples are not practicing the tradition of the elders, which is to cleanse themselves before their meals. Why don’t they wash their hands? This intense confrontation is about more than just a concern for proper hygiene. For the Pharisees, this is about tradition, faithfulness, respect and honor.

Peter approached Jesus and said: “Lord, there is no one else to whom we can go. You alone have the words of eternal life.” This was an apparition and a profession of faith which must have had an impact on Jesus.

Today we celebrate the feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven. She was a model disciple open to God’s grace. The feast celebrates the special place that Mary has in the life of the Church. This place is first of all defined by her being chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

When you sit down in a diner or restaurant, they usually serve you bread before the main meal arrives. We use bread for sandwiches, bread crumbs, and pudding. Bread may be white, brown, wheat, rye, or pumpernickel. No country claims to be the exclusive source of bread. What bread is to hunger, Jesus claims to be for the soul. He is not confined to boundaries, no country claims Him, no region owns Him.

Without the gift of the Eucharist and Christ’s sacrifice for us, we would still be “wanderers in the desert” just as the Israelites. Jesus said: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Trusting in the Lord, this was more than enough. It is so important to just get away and have some downtime for ourselves. We have earned it and we need it. Our Gospel reading reminds us that if we work together, we can feed the multitudes just by sharing our gifts and what we have with other. This is the act of being a true disciple!

After traveling for a while, especially on a lengthy sojourn, people usually want to do two things: rest, and recount the stories of the adventure. In today’s Gospel reading, we see something similar, although on a more profound scale. The Twelve had gone out in pairs to spread the Good News to the nation of Israel, perhaps contesting with hostile communities, perhaps encountering hearts opened to the Word, but likely a mixture of both.

The prophet Amos nor the Twelve had any prophetic experience and yet they demonstrated themselves in a very concise way by speaking plainly and clearly by calling people back to God and giving them authority over unclean spirits. How did Jesus determine who would work with whom? Have you ever worked with or been around someone whom you would clearly not associate with if you weren’t assigned to be with them?

Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth where His neighbors were astonished by His teachings. They wondered where He acquired His wisdom and amazing power. In today’s world, advertisers would compete with each other for His attention and endorsement, so that His millions of followers would be exposed to their products. That was the impact Jesus in His ministry had around the region. And Jesus now enters His hometown and what happens to Him? He is canceled like a lowrated television show. Why?

Today’s Gospel reports two stories of healing. One story tells us about a Father’s great love for his dying daughter. The other story tells us about a desperate woman who risks much as she seeks healing from Jesus. In each story, the request for healing is itself a courageous act of faith, and yet very different circumstances are represented by the lives of each suffering person.

Quick! Be still! With these words, Jesus calmed the storm that was threatening the Apostles as their boats were being tossed about and filled with water. It must have been a fierce storm since it frightened these men, many of whom were fishermen and made their living on the sea. They were afraid enough to wake Jesus, who was asleep in the boat. They needed Him to be present to them in their panic and fear. Jesus can calm the worst storms in our lives as well.

Why is it so difficult to be grateful? Gratitude is not something that we freely give. There is always something in our lives to be thankful for. Maybe we need to develop a daily gratitude practice which will help increase happiness and make our physical health better.

The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, historically known by its Latin name, Corpus Christi, celebrates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist — Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

Why do so many find it difficult to understand the Most Holy Trinity? Some have attempted to plumb the depths of this inexhaustible mystery. Our belief is in the One God who is revealed in three divine Persons — Father, Son, and Spirit — the creative, the redemptive, and the sanctifying love of God.

This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter Season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after His ascension into heaven.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of The Ascension of The Lord which has been transferred from Thursday, May 13, 2021 to Sunday, May 16, 2021, replacing the Seventh Sunday of Easter. This change is only for the present year. Jesus ascended into heaven on the 40th day after His Resurrection. The Feast of The Ascension ranks with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost in the universality of its observance among Christians. For Christians, the meaning of The Ascension is derived from the belief in the glorification and exaltation of Jesus following His death and Resurrection.

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” In practice, of course, it is not always easy. When it comes to loving one another, this might need to be done slowly so that we can build up to loving unconditionally.