Community Reflection “Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say: Father, save me from this hour? But it is for this very reason that I have come to this hour.” (John 12:27) As I’ve scrolled through headlines in my newsfeed this past year, I have often asked God the very same thing: “Save me from this hour.” Like the faithful gathered around Jesus in Sunday’s Gospel, it is in these extreme moments where I often wish for the God …
Discovering Light Gather in your Living Room, with a lighter, a candle and a laptop with wifi. Prayer leader: Let us pause for a moment and remember that we are loved by a God who is love. Let us pray… In the name of the Father … All: Amen. Listen to Christ be our light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJq3bhdgQoc) Read this reflection Whenever we see the word light, especially when it is coupled with darkness we may be taken back to the very …
Hello Holy Family Church, This is my first year at Holy Family and for me, Holy Family has drawn me in with an embrace of God’s love, the welcome of His Church. Our church, Holy Family, demonstrates the love of the People of God through service and a strong social justice program. Daily, I work in the Eden Center, the building right next door to the St. Joseph Center & Giving Bank. I see our Giving Bank staff and volunteers …
Community Reflection But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. ~ Jn 3:21 I can’t remember the last time I went to mass in an actual building. It must have been around this time in 2020, before the world shut down and we walked together into this strange, dark time. Like Joe shared in his Ash Wednesday reflection, I also feel like this year has been one …
Community Reflection “He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there…he said, ‘Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.’” (John 2:14, 16) In this week’s Sunday Gospel reading, we hear how Jesus goes to the temple area and drives out those making profits. A common point I’ve heard others focus on when speaking about this passage is Jesus’ “righteous anger.” We’re told …
Community Reflection “Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white…” – Mark 9:2-3a The Transfiguration has always been a strange and unrelatable event for me. It’s hard for my mind to comprehend what is happening and relate to the dazzling white, tent proposal, and talking clouds. But in the past few years, I have begun contemplating the Transfiguration experience from the viewpoint …
Discovering Forgiveness Gather in your Living Room, in addition to your holy space, have a plant within the prayer space. Prayer leader: Let us pause for a moment and remember that we are loved by a God who is love. Let us pray… In the name of the Father … All: Amen. Reader: Listen attentively to this meditation. Repent, and believe the Gospels, that is, believe in this good news that the kingdom of God is at hand. In our …
Community Reflection “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan…” – Mark 1:12-15 This spartan passage from the Gospel of Mark provides the reader with hardly any details of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Except for the setting and duration, we are left to imagine the rest. What temptations might we face in this uniquely barren Lenten season? Lately, I’ve been tempted to plug in and escape the bleak reality of life …
Suggestions for prayer & practice during covid-19 This list is continuously updated. Let us know if you have something to add! With Holy Family With Trinity Young Adult Ministry With Young Adults in the LA Archdiocese Creating Sacred Space at Home Prayer & Spiritual Practice Fasting Almsgiving Learn
Community Reflection Can you believe Lent is already upon us? The post-Christmas season of Ordinary Time this year has flown by and hasn’t necessarily felt very ordinary. 🤣 With everything we’ve endured individually and collectively…with our shared suffering, sacrifice, and deprivation…it may seem as if our Lenten journey began last year and continues today. But, as Lent officially begins, may we consider shifting our focus from plans of years past to “give up” something, but instead explore how our relationship …