Dear Brothers and Sisters in  Christ, 

As the exhilaration of Eastertide,  and all that has ensued during this time, draws to a close we  remember that every Sunday is  a “little Easter”. Christ has not  departed from us, but has entered into our presence in a more universal and mystical way, namely  the Sacraments and the Sacred Scriptures. Just as if  someone were speaking to us we rightfully afford  them our undivided attention, so too, when we hear  the Word of God proclaimed or read It for ourselves  we hear the Lord speak to us. With open heart and  open mind we listen to the Word and then celebrate  His Presence in the holy rites of the Church. This is  Faith-in-action.

The Faith is meant to bring us into union with God  and one another. This is a recurrent message from  our Holy Father Leo whose very motto is “that all be one in the One. In today’s Gospel we hear our  Lord praying for His disciples and those who are yet  to come that all may be one. In a world so sadly torn  by divisions it is really up to us, with God’s grace, to  make it happen. Ponder the many ways and opportunities we can cooperate with God to bring that  longed for unity to family, community, our nation and  our world. With God all things are possible and that  is why we pray earnestly, especially in our Novena to  the Holy Spirit, to use the gifts bestowed upon us to  bring forth a more peaceful and fraternal world. 

Let us pray especially this week for our candidates  for the Sacrament of Confirmation who are preparing for the fullness of the 7-fold gifts on Pentecost  Sunday. May we, who are Confirmed, take time to  review what we have received form the Holy Spirit  so that we can renew the face of the earth. 

With Blessings, 

Father Langan