Monthly Archives: August 2017

The initiation sacraments, far from being a withdrawal from the world, is a means by which God communicates to disciples and draws us into a deeper communion with the Trinity: 153. This reality becomes present in our life by the … Continue reading →

It was a phenomenon of the New Testament Church, their experience of the Holy Spirit: 151. The Church as marked and sealed “with Holy Spirit and fire” (Mt 3:11), continues the work of the Messiah, opening the gates of salvation … Continue reading →

The fourth and final theme of Chapter Four, the call to holiness, “Enlivened by the Holy Spirit.” Christians, and sometimes Catholics in particular, are mystified by the role of the Spirit. Saint Luke’s is the most illustrative of the Gospels, … Continue reading →

With these two paragraphs, we draw this modest exploration of the Reign of God and the missionary emphasis of those who consider themselves as disciples of Jesus. First, a reminder that in the Lord’s example, he went everywhere, to anyone, … Continue reading →

The mission of Christ cannot be reduced to something bottled and sold, like a commodity: 145. When awareness of belonging to Christ grows by reason of the gratitude and joy that it produces, the eagerness to communicate the gift of … Continue reading →

Sections 143-148 address the third topic of the fourth chapter, “Sent To Announce The Gospel Of The Kingdom Of Life.” The bishops aren’t talking about biological life as such. They are discussing a new system in which God sets the path, … Continue reading →

The Aparecida bishops also see “configuration” to Christ as an aspiration that comes from the liturgy. It’s not just the sacramental  life, but also the Scriptures. And more: also “solidarity”–one might say another kind of configuration–to the needy: 142. Numerous … Continue reading →

The Blessed Mother demonstrates a life in configuration to that of her Son: 141. The Virgin Mary is a splendid image of configuration to the Trinitarian project, which is fulfilled in Christ. From her Immaculate Conception to her Assumption, she … Continue reading →

Today, we continue on the theme of configuring our lives to Christ. 138. To be truly configured to the Master, the centrality of the commandment of love, which he expressly called his own new commandment, must be accepted: “love one … Continue reading →

Once we have set ourselves on the journey to follow the Master (129-135) we align our lives to his (136-142): 4.2 CONFIGURED TO THE MASTER 136. Admiration for the person of Jesus, his call and his loving gaze, seek to … Continue reading →

I once heard a pastor encourage all parishioners to get involved in a ministry. Not the first step, I think. Not at all. We are believers first; we have an initial response to the invitation to faith. From there, we grow … Continue reading →