St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are in the sixth week of Easter. The early Church experienced and responded to a case of rupture and unrest struggling to understand their emerging identity amidst the growing followers of Christ from the Gentile community. They grappled with laws and practices of Judaism whether or not to retain, like that of circumcision. The early Church took decisions with the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer. When we face such situations, do we implore and pray to the Holy Spirit for inspiration and guidance?

In the second reading we hear explicitly about the vision of St. John about the heavenly Jerusalem, the holy city. Once the early Jerusalem ends, a new heavenly Jerusalem is fashioned. This has twelve gates associated with the twelve tribes of Israel and twelve foundation layers associated and inscribed with the names of twelve apostles. In this new Jerusalem the Lord, the Lamb of God is the center. What do we wish to learn about this holy city? What kind of goals do we set to aim to enter into this holy and heavenly city?

In the Gospel the Lord addresses to His disciples about the forthcoming Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit. Jesus invites His disciples to keep His word if they love Him. All those who love the Lord will be transformed into the dwelling place of God, where the Holy Trinity will make His dwelling. Do we realize that through the reception of the sacraments, we are being transformed into the living temples of the Holy Trinity? How do we make this mystery a reality?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony