Father’s Day reminds us that fathers are a tremendous source of love, strength and protection for a child. Notwithstanding the faithful and heroic efforts of single moms bringing up children in today’s society, children still need to be around Christian men who are positive role models; men who are actively involved in their life of faith, possess spiritual passion, and are faithful fathers and husbands. Undoubtedly, parishes need more men to be involved in the spiritual development of young people.

Several months ago, Pope Francis convoked the Synod on the Synod. There have been many such gatherings throughout the history of the church. This one would be different: the impetus would come not from the top down, but it would start by hearing first from the people of God. What are your hopes, your dreams, your fears for all of us as church who despite our different backgrounds and differences hold the same faith in Jesus Christ?

At the Tower of Babel, the sin of pride and the arrogance of humanity led to the multiplicity of languages and confusion and division of the nations. But just as the passion of Christ heals the original sin of Adam and Eve, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost heals the sin of the Tower of Babel.

Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord, when Jesus returned to the right hand of the Father. He had completed his work here with us. He had done all that he could to let us know and feel God’s love for each of us, to teach us how to live with kindness and forgiveness for others, and to offer us the gift of eternal life with him.

Sixth Sunday of Easter/Sexto Domingo de Pascua Today’s third reading is taken from the Gospel of St. John. Even though we are in Easter season we dip back into the farewell discourse of Jesus at the Last Supper.

In today’s Gospel Jesus makes a bold and clear statement to his disciples. “I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

“I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation,race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb…” (Revelations 7:9)

Today’s gospel is a different sort of ‘fish story’. After the resurrection, the disciples were feeling a little lost. Jesus was no longer with them in the same way that he was before and they lost their enthusiasm for doing the good works they used to do with him. So, they went back to their old ways – they went fishing. Jesus knew that they needed some motivation so, although he no longer looked the same after the resurrection, he paid them a visit and made them breakfast. They recognized his presence.

Divine mercy is God’s refusal to leave us in our fallen condition. Jesus enters the “locked doors” of our hearts, banishing fear and sin and saying, “Peace be with you.”

A very Happy Easter to all of you! Remember two years ago when we hoped to celebrate Easter in person and that did not happen? It was one year ago on Palm Sunday when we reopened the church with a full schedule of Masses and many of you cautiously returned.

Passion is a funny word. It can mean so many things – excitement, warmth, desire, commitment, or deep emotion. It seems strange, then, that this also the name that we Catholics give to the arrest, trial, suffering, and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A lot of people seem to have an odd curiosity with the failings of others. Some love to read about an unfaithful celebrity or a politician caught red-handed in a corrupt deal. Maybe we find ourselves gossiping about family, friends and neighbors. Often, we’re swift to offer harsh judgement. Perhaps we think that will help avoid any focus on our own mistakes.