May 15 is the Feast Day of St. Dymphna, the patron saint of mental health and those with nervous conditions.  She was a 7th century saint who was believed to be only 15 years old at the time she was martyred.  Dymphna, born to Irish royalty, lost her mother when she was 14 years old.  She was later pursued by her mad-driven father into Belgium and killed by him because she had taken a vow of chastity.  Devotion to St. Dymphna has increased in recent years especially with novenas prayed before her feast day.

May 14 is the Feast Day of St. Matthius, the patron saint of alcoholics and tailors.  After the Passion, Resurrection, and the Ascension of Jesus, the Apostles chose Matthius by lot to fill the vacancy created by Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Jesus and suicide.  In Acts 1:15-26, Peter proclaims that it is "necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us... become with us a witness to His Resurrection."  According to the Acts of the Apostles, Matthias was present at Pentecost and he faithfully spread the Good News of Jesus.

An index of all the videos we produced,
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Paolo Veronese - The resurrection of ChristIn the Gospel of Matthew, we find an awe-inspiring account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an event that stands as the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the ultimate triumph over death and despair. This profound narrative unfolds with the dawn of the first day of the week, as Mary Magdalene and another Mary journey to the tomb where Jesus had been laid to rest.

Their purpose is to pay their respects to the one they loved and revered, unaware of the extraordinary events that would unfold before their eyes. As they approach the tomb, they are met with a scene of divine grandeur – a great earthquake shakes the ground, and an angel of the Lord descends from heaven, his appearance radiant as lightning and his clothing white as snow.

The guards stationed at the tomb, overwhelmed with fear at the angel's presence, become like dead men, struck immobile by the awe-inspiring sight before them. The angel, recognizing the women's apprehension, offers words of comfort and reassurance, saying, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said."

With these words, the angel proclaims the miraculous truth of Jesus' resurrection, fulfilling the promise he had made to his disciples during his earthly ministry. The women are invited to behold the empty tomb, the tangible evidence of Jesus' victory over death, and are entrusted with a divine mission – to go quickly and proclaim the good news of his resurrection to the disciples.

Read more: 10: The Resurrection: Hope Renewed and Fear Overcome

Rembrandt - The Storm on the Sea of GalileeIn the Gospel of Mark, we encounter a profound account of Jesus' ability to calm a raging storm at sea, a miraculous event that not only demonstrates his power over the forces of nature but also offers timeless lessons about faith, trust, and finding peace in the midst of life's storms.

The narrative unfolds as Jesus and his disciples embark on a journey across the Sea of Galilee, leaving the crowds behind and venturing into the unknown. As evening draws near, a sudden and violent squall descends upon them, causing the waves to surge and break over the boat. The disciples, seasoned fishermen who are accustomed to the perils of the sea, find themselves in a dire situation as the boat begins to fill with water.

In the midst of the chaos and turmoil, Jesus remains seemingly unperturbed, asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. His disciples, gripped by fear and desperation, awaken him with a plea tinged with desperation: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" In response, Jesus rises from his slumber, rebukes the wind, and commands the sea to be still.

With a single word, "Quiet! Be still!" Jesus calms the storm, and immediately, there is a great calm that descends upon the sea. The wind ceases its howling, and the waves subside, leaving the disciples in awe of the miraculous display of Jesus' power over nature.

Read more: 9. Finding Peace in the Storm: The Calming of a Tempestuous Sea by Jesus

This year (2024), the Church is facing a conundrum, all because Holy Week was in the last week of March, Easter was on March 31^st and the Octave of Easter ended on April 7th. As a result, the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation was moved to April 8^th from the normal March 25^th since Holy Week takes precedence over all other celebrations that occur.

What to do with this odd situation? Ignore it? That would make Jesus a “preemie” this year. 

 Or, should Christmas therefore be moved to January 8^th? That would respect the nine-month perfect pregnancy which the Church has for John the Baptist, Mary, and especially Jesus. Fun fact: January 8^th also happens to be Elvis’ birthday and another singer/guitarist of middling talent.

But, that would mess up the Advent season. It would have to start two weeks later. “Black Friday” would have to be moved as well from the traditional day after Thanksgiving. And shoppers wouldn’t have the pressure of buying gifts at the last moment on the 24^th of December. They would be able to wait until the 7^th of January! What about school vacations (except for colleges)? And, The Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary would come before she has given birth.

A conundrum indeed!

The Raising of Lazarus - Jacopo Tintorerro MiaThe raising of Lazarus from the dead, as recounted in the Gospel of John, stands as one of the most profound and miraculous events in the ministry of Jesus Christ. This extraordinary narrative not only demonstrates Jesus' divine power over death but also reveals profound truths about faith, resurrection, and the glory of God.

The story begins with the introduction of Lazarus, a man from Bethany who falls gravely ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus, their beloved friend and teacher, informing him of Lazarus' condition and expressing their hope for his intervention. Upon hearing the news, Jesus assures his disciples that Lazarus' illness will not end in death but rather will serve as an occasion for the glory of God to be revealed.

Despite his deep love for Lazarus and his sisters, Jesus delays his journey to Bethany, waiting for two days before embarking on the journey. By the time he arrives, Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days, and the mourning for his death is in full swing. Martha, upon hearing of Jesus' approach, goes out to meet him, expressing both grief and faith in Jesus' ability to bring about resurrection.

Read more: 8. The Raising of Lazarus: A Miracle of Faith and Resurrection

Christ Healing the Hemorrhaging Woman - Ivan RutkovychIn the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter a powerful account of a woman who suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years, a condition that not only afflicted her physically but also socially and spiritually. Despite enduring years of suffering and seeking medical help to no avail, she remained undeterred in her pursuit of healing, clinging to a glimmer of hope that lay in the person of Jesus Christ.

The woman's faith is exemplified in her courageous act of reaching out to touch the tassel on Jesus' cloak, believing that even a brief encounter with him would bring about her restoration. In a moment of divine intervention, Jesus turns around and sees her, acknowledging her faith and declaring, "Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you." Instantly, the woman is healed, freed from the burden of her affliction, and restored to wholeness.

This narrative of the woman with the issue of blood serves as a profound testament to the transformative power of faith and the boundless compassion of Jesus Christ. Despite the societal stigma attached to her condition and the despair that may have clouded her spirit, the woman persevered in her faith, recognizing Jesus as the source of her healing and restoration.

Read more: 7. The Healing Touch: A Woman's Faith and Restoration

Healing of the Man Born Blind - El Greco 1573In the Gospel of John, we encounter a profound narrative of healing that transcends physical restoration to unveil deeper truths about divine purpose and the transformative power of faith. The story begins with Jesus encountering a man blind from birth, prompting his disciples to inquire about the cause of his condition – whether it was the result of his sin or that of his parents.

Jesus' response challenges conventional notions of sin and suffering, shifting the focus from assigning blame to recognizing an opportunity for the works of God to be made visible. He declares, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him." This statement underscores the redemptive purpose inherent in human suffering, as it becomes a canvas upon which God's glory and transformative power are displayed.

Moreover, Jesus uses this encounter to impart a profound lesson about the urgency of doing the works of God while there is still time. He declares, "We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work." This admonition serves as a call to action, urging his followers to seize the opportunity to participate in God's redemptive work in the world.

As Jesus proceeds to heal the man born blind, he demonstrates his divine authority and power through a simple yet profound act. He spits on the ground, makes clay with the saliva, and applies it to the man's eyes, instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys, and in an instant, his sight is restored, marking a miraculous transformation that symbolizes the illumination of spiritual truth and the revelation of God's redemptive power.

Read more: 6. The Healing of the Man Born Blind: A Revelation of Divine Purpose

Walking on water Ivan Aivazovsky 1888The biblical account of Jesus walking on water, as recorded in the Gospels, is a timeless narrative that continues to captivate hearts and minds, offering profound insights into the nature of faith, trust, and the divine presence amidst life's storms. This extraordinary event unfolds amidst a backdrop of tumultuous waves and winds, serving as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority over nature and his ability to instill courage and faith in his disciples.

The scene is set as Jesus, having dismissed the crowds, retreats to a mountain to pray, seeking solitude and communion with his heavenly Father. Meanwhile, his disciples embark on a journey across the Sea of Galilee, only to find themselves battling against fierce winds and waves as they struggle to reach their destination. In the midst of the storm, Jesus appears to them, walking on the water during the fourth watch of the night.

Upon catching sight of Jesus, the disciples are gripped by fear and confusion, mistaking him for a ghost amidst the tumultuous sea. In response, Jesus speaks words of reassurance and comfort, urging them to take courage and dispelling their fears with the simple declaration, "It is I; do not be afraid."

It is Peter, ever impulsive and eager in his faith, who responds to Jesus' call with a bold request: "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." In a remarkable display of faith, Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk on the water towards Jesus. However, as he becomes aware of the raging winds and waves, fear creeps in, causing him to falter and begin to sink.

Read more: 5. Walking on Water: A Lesson in Faith and Trust