Category: Ascension

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 77 – The Kingdom of God

Fr. Mike explores Jesus’ mission of establishing the kingdom of God on earth, and who belongs in the kingdom of Heaven: all people. We see how Jesus identifies himself with the poor, lowly, and those who the world says are not important. If we do not welcome them, we cannot enter the kingdom. Fr. Mike challenges us to examine the fact that in order to gain entry into the kingdom, “one must give everything. Words are not enough; deeds are required.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 541-546.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/-vwE0HOIAh8

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 76 – Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the mysteries of Jesus’ Baptism and temptation in the wilderness. Fr. Mike unpacks how Jesus’ Baptism is yet another Epiphany or manifestation of Christ as Messiah. We also explore Christ’s acceptance of his mission as God’s suffering servant. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Jesus’ temptations in the desert mirror the temptations of Adam in the garden, but, unlike Adam, Jesus does not succumb to these temptations. He remains faithful to the Father. Through this obedience to the Divine Will, he conquers the Devil, and in our own obedience, we are participating in this victory. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 535-540.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/MwcOsOz5xFc

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 75 – Jesus’ Infancy and Hidden Life

Fr. Mike explores the mystery of Jesus’ infancy and hidden life. We first take a look at Jesus’ Baptism, circumcision, and the Epiphany. Fr. Mike discusses that Jesus’ circumcision shows us that salvation comes from the Jews. The Epiphany shows us that salvation does not stop there, it extends to all of us. Later, we examine Jesus’ hidden life. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of Jesus’ obedience to not just his Father in Heaven, but to his earthly father and mother as well, and how we can imitate that obedience. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 527-534.

Click on the link to play video: https://youtu.be/A3pyAWR-dNc

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 74 – The Christmas Mystery

Diving deeper into Jesus Christ as Mystery, the Catechism describes the deep mystery in the preparations for Christ’s coming—also known as Advent—as well as the mystery of his first coming in Christmas. Fr. Mike points to one of the last sentences of today’s readings—”Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us”—and reminds us that Jesus is the star of the story, not us. Our goal is to become children in relation to God. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 522-526.

Click on link to watch video: https://youtu.be/B9A9PyVMAlw

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 73 – Christ’s Life is Mystery

Many of the things we’d like to know about Jesus’ life we don’t know, but remember, as Fr. Mike has told us, a Christian mystery is not “a case to be solved.” It’s a beauty to bathe in. The Catechism explains the three characteristics common to each of Christ’s mysteries: revelation, redemption, and recapitulation. Fr. Mike shows how we are to participate in the mysteries of Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 512-521.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/7mHQi3rGwCg

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 71 – Mary’s Virginity


The Catechism tackles a few important issues regarding Mary, the mother of God—her motherhood, her virginal conception of Jesus, and her perpetual virginity. Fr. Mike reminds us that, regardless of the opinions of translators and modern theologians, our Faith steers us towards a correct understanding of our Blessed Mother. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 495-501.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/wdnxUyX1nqs

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 70 – The Immaculate Conception

The Catechism introduces us to Mary’s Immaculate Conception and explains why God preserved her “immune from all stain of original sin.” Fr. Mike answers a common question asked in response to this revelation: “Why didn’t God just preserve us all from original sin?” His answer might surprise you. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 490-494.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/oU-SgH76K9s

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 69 – Born of the Virgin Mary

Fr. Mike helps us to understand Mary’s role in the history of salvation. Through her belief and obedience, Mary becomes the Mother of God, and she cooperates in the redemption of the entire world. God’s glory is manifested when he uses weak and powerless people to show forth his faithfulness. What we believe about Mary is based on what we believe about Christ, and what the Church teaches about Mary illuminates our faith in Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 484-489.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/-GrcgodsUNM