Catholic Church

Transfiguring Humanity—Reflections on the Transfiguration of Christ

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Post originally published on August 9, 2018.

Among the most bizarre, mysterious, and interesting accounts in the New Testament is the event of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The dictionary defines the word transfiguration as “a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. Common synonyms for transfiguration include: metamorphosis, changeover, transformation, development, adjustment, and even mutation!! Growing up Catholic I have listened to the Gospel telling of this mysterious events many times.

Transfiguration

The Transfiguration of Jesus. After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”  When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

Foretaste of Heavenly Reality

The primary purpose of the glory of Jesus shown [shone] to Peter, James, and John was meant as a means to prepare them for the glorification of God after the Resurrection and to hint at the beauty of transfigured humanity. According to Saint Pope Saint John Paul II in his 1999 homily for the Feast of the Transfiguration, “In the event of the Transfiguration we contemplate the mysterious encounter between history, which is being built every day, and the blessed inheritance that awaits us in heaven in full union with Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”

Humanity’s Home in Heaven

Similar to the previous point is that fact that man is on a pilgrim journey, a sojourner on Earth—whose ultimate destination is union with God in Heaven. John Paul II echoed this truth as well,

“We, pilgrims on earth, are granted to rejoice in the company of the transfigured Lord when we immerse ourselves in the things of above through prayer and the celebration of the divine mysteries. But, like the disciples, we too must descend from Tabor into daily life where human events challenge our faith. On the mountain we saw; on the paths of life we are asked tirelessly to proclaim the Gospel which illuminates the steps of believers.”

I imagine the incredible letdown the Apostles must have felt in the moments after the dazzling and inexplicable event of the Transfiguration. Going back to following Jesus in an ordinary way, traveling from town to town, learning from him, and assisting the poor certainly did not compare to the splendor they witnessed on Mount Tabor. It definitely would have been challenging to transition back into that routine! Heck, Peter even desired to stay in the holy place when he declared, “If you wish, I will make three tents* here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Peter camping Transfiguration meme

Let the Holy Spirit Transfigure Your Life

Coming out of Sunday liturgy, I leave with a similar wonder and awe as the inner circle of Jesus received on that original Transfiguration event. Housing the Real Presence of Lord after reception of the Eucharist provides me incredible peace and patient strength. In a way, we all undergo a momentary transfiguration—a foretaste of Heavenly reality in the Mass. Going back to our worldly affairs, we quickly lose sight and memory of our close encounter with God. May we continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us with clarity and strength on our pilgrimage toward Heaven!

Related Links

The Transfiguration of Christ- Catholic Answers

The Transfiguration and Our Lives

Thank you for sharing!

An 888 Word Interview with Ana Munley

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Ana Munley via phone call on June 26th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given. 

How did you start your Tiktok?

I had a regular account I made in 2020. I posted something about reading the Bible in 2024 and it was flagged as a violation. It sat under review for several weeks. I was upset and feeling like I was being silenced about sharing my faith. So on December 15th, 2025 I decided to make a new TikTok and this one dedicated to my Catholic faith. 

For about a month I only had Tiktok, but with the ban looming, I went over onto Instagram in January 2025. 

Your Instagram bio says “Rooted in Christ. Built on Truth.” Can you share how that phrase became your personal mission and what it means in your day-to-day life?

I think it’s because growing up I was a cradle Catholic. My family was Catholic in name only. Being lukewarm, our life was about comfort over our actual faith.. but as I started to dig deep and look at the teachings I realized it is the way it is because it’s rooted in truth. Because of that, my faith was deepened and transformed. 

I like to describe the Catholic faith being like the railings on the side of a highway to keep you on the road and safe, to keep you from veering off the road.

I always want to stay rooted in truth. The tagline speaks to the content that I share and the intent I have with sharing it. 

You’ve grown a large following on Instagram and TikTok rather quickly. What do you think has resonated most with your audience—and what has surprised you about this journey?

The answer is the same one. What’s resonated with me the most is the rediscovery of my faith and hearing from cradle Catholics. It’s like you are re-catechetizing Catholics. 

Bishop Barron said we are taught this “Sunday school” type of catechesis in either OCIA or in Catholic schools,but there’s so much richness in the faith.

People want to learn more but don’t know where to start. I’m not here to debate people and tell them they’re wrong. 

My approach is more like bringing light to the truth instead of fighting darkness with more darkness. 

You’re the host of the AfterMass podcast. What inspired you to launch it, and what kinds of conversations or themes do you hope to bring to light through that platform?

My first episode comes out next week. I want to provide reverts and new converts more information about the faith in a long-form manner. It’s based on how to be a more devout Catholic and how you can be the best Catholic you can be. 

I want it to be a place to have conversations and not just a bite-sized version on the other platforms. 

Being an “Unapologetic Catholic” online isn’t always easy—how do you navigate pushback or criticism while staying grounded in truth and charity?

This is something I have taken to Confession. My priest has given me really good advice. When you deal with negative comments especially the ones that bash the Theology of the Catholic Church. My priest told me that the Catholic Church doesn’t need my defense, She has stood before you and will remain after you.

Another thing to realize is to keep it charitable for the sake of those people who are watching and reading the comments who may slightly think the same thing as the negative commenters. Can my response help the people reading/commenting? If not, then I don’t comment that way. 

I get feisty and a bit sassy at times (you can see that in some of my videos) but I always aim to have my responses be rooted in charity and truth for the sake of those reading.. And that is my approach.

Have there been any particular saints, devotions, or Church teachings that have deeply shaped your spiritual life and how you share your faith online?

Not necessarily any saints that shaped anything online, but Saint Rita has resonated with me. She is the patron saint of impossible causes (victims, the sick, etc). As far as my online work, Saint Maximlian Kolbe inspires me. He played a huge role in online evangelization and his life and death are a great example of not only how to spread the Good News of your faith but also how to live it.

What advice would you give to young Catholics who want to evangelize on social media but are nervous about being too “out there” with their faith?

My number one thing is to start with something that resonates with you. For example, if the Rosary is a devotion you are particularly passionate about and drawn to, start with that. 

There’s a way to deliver your faith from a place rooted in faith while also delivering it with love and charity. 

Looking ahead, what’s next for your ministry or digital presence? Any projects you’re especially excited about?

The podcast is definitely top of the list, and I am also working with a Catholic shop called Abundantly Yours in designing a Rosary (Saints Jude and Rita design). I’ll be sharing why these specific rosaries are important to me and sharing more of my personal struggles and how these Saints have helped me. 

Where’s the best place to learn more about your ministry? 

YouTube

TikTok

Instagram

Podcast

About Ana: 

Living in sunny Florida with my husband Joe and our two kids, Emilia and Lucas. I’m a Catholic content creator, corporate professional and host of After Mass, a podcast for Catholics who want more than just Sunday. First podcast episode drops 7/1! Follow along on TikTok & Instagram: @anamunley where I’m sharing Catholic truth with conviction, compassion and zero fluff.

Thank you for sharing!

3 Reasons Why Peter and Paul Share the Same Feast Day

/ chicoinematt / 1 Comment

Early on the history of the Catholic Church an admiration existed for Peter and Paul. Aside from Jesus Christ himself, these two men are the main characters in the New Testament. In his First Epistle to the Corinthians, church leader Clement of Rome tells of the leadership of Peter and Peter. He wrote,

There was Peter who by reason of unrighteous jealousy endured not one not one but many labors, and thus having borne his testimony went to his appointed place of glory. By reason of jealousy and strife Paul by his example pointed out the prize of patient endurance…Unto these men of holy lives was gathered a vast multitude of the elect, who through many indignities and tortures, being the victims of jealousy, set a brave example among ourselves (First Epistle of Clement of Rome to the Corinthians 5:4-6:1).

sts-peter-and-paul.jpg

Living in the 1st century A.D., Clement’s praise of the first leaders of the Church shows something special changed these men. God selected a simple fisherman and a reformed murderer to head the Catholic Church. I believe the Holy Spirit guided the Church to forever link these two saints lives through having the same feast day on June 29th.

Creativity of Truth [Saint Paul]

Having the ability to think outside the box and preach to vastly different audiences is a gift. St. Paul possessed both creativity and the flexibility to frame his thoughts to fit the needs and understanding of his particular audiences. Writer of almost 2/3 of the New Testament, St. Paul represents the creative aspect of the Catholic faith. He brings to the table dynamic, vibrant, creative theology to teach Christians in the early Church and today.

The Apostle of the Gentile used many tangible and relatable examples to teach the faith. One of my personal favorites comes from 1 Corinthians 12. Paul clearly and succinctly communicates the fact that unity is found within diversity. He provides the analogy of the Church consisting of one body with many parts and Jesus Christ as the ultimate head of the body.

Another clear and understandable example of the love and teaching of God is St. Paul’s frequent references to Christians as adopted children of God. In Romans 8:14-17 he writes,

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.j15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba,* Father!”k 16The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,l 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

creatitivity.jpg

Stability of Truth [Saint Peter]

Unlike Paul who represents the intellectual, creative, and theological side of truth, Peter is a model for the consistency and enduring nature of

Catholic teaching. Jesus instituted the papacy in Matthew 16:17-19. According to the evangelist the charge to the future pope went as follows,

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood* has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18k And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,* and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19l I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.* Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The lead up to this significant institutional passage is Peter’s realization of Jesus’ true identity as Christ. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter led the Catholic Church after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven. He led the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 and displayed the ultimate mark of faith in his martyrdom. The Holy Spirit guides the papacy. This office acts as the supreme authority on matters related to faith and morality.

the rock.jpg

Analogy of Tetherball

Truth is unchanging but our understanding of truth developed over the centuries. The genius of the Catholic Church is apparent in the consolidation of Peter and Paul’s feast on a single day. There is a schoolyard game that comes to mind to describe the relationship between the first pope and the great Apostle to the Gentiles—tetherball! Incidentally, it was not until my early twenties that I discovered the joy and fun this recess game provides despite its simplistic nature. I even purchased a tetherball at my local sporting goods store in hopes to eventually install a tetherball post in my background.

To get back from my tetherball tangent, the post in this game reminds me of the stability of the papacy of St. Peter provides. The ball and rope represent the creative theology of St. Paul. Both are essential aspects of the game [and the Catholic faith].

The Stable and Creative Church

Without the stability of the papacy, truth devolves into subjectivity and confusion ensues. Likewise, an absence of dynamic theological thought [represented by Paul] leads to staleness, rigidity, and irrelevancy of Catholic teaching. Remember kids recess is an important subject in school too—you never know when you can apply lessons from leisure to real life!

tetherball2 .jpg

Pope Francis on June 29th, 2017 stated, “The Fathers of the Church liked to compare the holy apostles Peter and Paul to two columns, on which the visible building of the Church rests. Both sealed with their own blood their testimony to Christ of preaching and service to the nascent Christian community.”

Saints Peter and Paul pray for us!!

Related Links

6 Amazing Things to Know About Saints Peter and Paul

Saints Peter and Paul- Catholic News Agency

Thank you for sharing!

What You’re Probably Missing About The Eucharist

/ chicoinematt

By: Edalat Hope from Virtue Books

In 2019, the Catholic world was shaken to its core.

A study found that the majority of Catholics believed that the Eucharist was just a symbol. Despite there being errors in the research, the warning bells were loud enough. And the Church took notice.

Since then, we’ve seen something beautiful flourish. Last year, the National Eucharistic Congress was held in the United States. Eucharistic processions happened around the world. And here in Sydney, our Archbishop is leading a procession expected to draw over 20,000 people.

This is amazing progress. But even still…

We’re still missing something.

The early Church had such a rich and beautiful belief about the Eucharist. It was deeper, more transformative, and more profound than what many people hold to. Yet today, much of it has been forgotten by us. 

A true ‘Eucharistic Revival’ must revive this truth. And that is what we want to do today.

The Eucharist Is Love Himself

To understand Jesus in the Eucharist, you have to understand who God really is.

Scripture gives us two big claims;

  1. “God is Triune.” 
  2. “God is Love.” 

These two claims baffle many Christians. Personally, it took me years to understand what it meant. But once I did, the Eucharist made a lot more sense. 

Here’s what I realised; if you think about love, what do you need for it to exist? 

Well, obviously you need a lover. But this lover needs someone to also adore, ‘the beloved’. And then both of them can love each other deeply. 

God is like this.

  • The Father is the Lover. 
  • The Son is the Beloved. 
  • The Holy Spirit is the Love between them.

Yet, they all fully possess the same nature.

This Eucharist that you are receiving isn’t just Jesus. It’s Love Himself. And when you receive it worthily, you are swept up into this divine exchange of love.

A Mystery Lost in Translation

But for us English speakers we run into a problem.

Our language is inadequate. We say we ‘love’ chocolate, our friends, and God, we are all using the same word. To the Greek New Testament writers, that would have been unthinkable.

The Gospel writers use a very specific type of love when talking about God:

Agape.

Agape is not just love. But it is a total, sacrificial, self-emptying love. The kind of love that doesn’t hold anything back. 

This is the love God is.

You see this love most clearly on the cross. And we can also see that in the Eucharist.

“This is my body, given for you.” (Luke 22:19)

“My blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)

The Eucharist is more than simply a ritual. It’s Jesus pouring himself out specifically for you.

You Are What You Eat

Many Catholics just stop at level one:

“Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.”

Whilst that’s true, for the early Church there was more to it than just that. It was about transformation. It was about becoming like God. A process they called theosis.

When you receive the host, you’re not just receiving Christ. Christ is receiving you. You are giving yourselves to each other. 

This is the self-sacrificial love that I was talking about before. And the more we partake in this love, the more we become like the God who is Love itself. We become like cleaned mirrors that clearly reflect the likeness of God. (Gen 1:26)

This is the very point of the Eucharist… and even the Incarnation. The great St Athanasius went as far as to say that “God became man so that Man might become like God.”

The Eucharist is something that consumes you with God’s love. And there is no one who knew any of this better than St Ignatius of Antioch.

The Man Who Became the Eucharist

St Ignatius of Antioch was one of the most famous and earliest Christians. As a bishop, he couldn’t stand when people said that the Eucharist was just symbolic. 

“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins… They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes” (Letter to the Smyrnaeans 6:2–7:1).

This is what many faithful Catholics agree with and even use in apologetics.

However, St Ignatius of Antioch’s love for the Eucharist doesn’t end there. In the year 107 AD, he was arrested for his faith and sent to Rome to be massacred. 

Honestly, what the Romans did to St Ignatius should send shivers down your spine. But he wasn’t paralysed by fear. He knew that he would eventually be torn to pieces by hungry lions and… looked forward to it.

It wasn’t because he hated life. But because Christ had offered himself, and this was Ignatius’ opportunity to love him in return. This was a masterclass in theosis.

He became like the Eucharist.

“Suffer me to be the food of wild beasts, which are the means of my making my way to God. God’s wheat I am, and by the teeth of wild beasts I am to be ground that I may prove Christ’s pure bread.” (St. Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans 4.1)

This is what the Eucharist received well does to you. It fills you with a love so deep that not even death can overcome it. St Ignatius’ love is beautiful and an example to us all, but you’re probably thinking…

What about us now?

There aren’t too many lions in the US or Australia. And martyrdom isn’t that common anymore. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.

The Eucharist still calls you to the same love. To become a living sacrifice, even in your everyday life. 

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1)

There are millions of ways to live this out. But here are just a few ideas to get you started

  • Work with diligence 
  • Choose to forgive and offer your resentment to God
  • Pray with your whole heart
  • Offer your Sundays to God
  • Practice a consecration to St Joseph or Mary (or even both!)
  • Give some of your time, money, and talents to charity and the Church
  • Discern whether religious life (eg. being a nun or priest) is worthwhile for you
  • Be honest with people about your failings
  • Go to Confession and offer your sins to God

In short, give everything to God and hold nothing back. You were made to be a total self-gift.

This Corpus Christi, when you march down in the procession, be proud. Be proud that our Eucharistic Lord gives himself wholly to you. But also be proud that God allows you to offer yourself to him.

And in the end, you can truly be called a “good and faithful servant”. (Matt 25:23)

References and Further Study

Augustine. “On the Trinity”. Augustine: On the Trinity: On the Trinity Books 8-15. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2008

Ignatius of Antioch. “The Epistles of St Ignatius of Antioch”. The Epistles of St Clement of Rome and St Ignatius of Antioch. New Jersey, Paulist Press International, 1946

“Wasting Your Life”. Fulton Sheen: Family Retreat, hosted by Ven. Fulton Sheen.

“Something’s Missing from the Eucharistic Revival” Youtube, uploaded by Breaking In The Habit, 17 Jan. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHBSVJPPyrs

Smith, G.A, “Just one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with their church that Eucharist is body, blood of Christ.” 5 Aug. 2019, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/08/05/transubstantiation-eucharist-u-s-catholics/

McKeown, J., “New study suggests more than two-thirds of Catholics believe the Eucharist is truly Jesus.” https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258013/new-study-suggests-more-than-two-thirds-of-catholics-believe-the-eucharist-is-truly-jesus

About Our Guest Blogger

Edalat Hope is a Catholic blog writer for ‘Virtue Books and Gifts’, an apostolate dedicated to deepening the love of God across Australia and beyond. His aim is to help make accessible the classic spiritual works and practices that have formed saints for generations. https://www.virtuebooks.com.au

Thank you for sharing!

A 949 Word Interview with an Ambrosian Rite Catholic

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed @churchofambrose from Instagram via phone call on April 11th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

Tell me about your faith journey.

I was born and raised Catholic. During my teenage years I became lukewarm, I moved to university and during the initial years my faith struggled. Slowly, but surely the Lord called me back to the faith in a deeper way. I was fundamentally unhappy for a while before I found God again. I want people to experience it.

The Ambrosian Rite is largely unknown outside of Milan. It is a local church, there’s practically one diocese (Milan). 

The Ambrosian Rite dates back to at least the 4th century with connections to St. Ambrose himself. What sparked your passion for preserving this ancient liturgical tradition through digitization?

I think the Ambrosian Rite is one of the most unique rites. It is very intrinsic in our culture. This rite starts from (most likely) the old Roman Rite. Bl. Cardinal Schuster (1880-1954) said that Saint Ambrose took the rite from Rome and slightly modified it. This is probably only partially true, however the Ambrosian Rite is the oldest Western Rite still alive today. Our Lent is the same Lent that Gregory the Great would have followed. It’s so interesting and cool that this rite is preserved. This is how Saints Augustine and Ambrose followed. It feels like I’m going back centuries; it’s very inspiring.

(For example during the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of Lent, instead of the “Gloria” we sing the “Divinae Pacis”. This chant is older than the edict of Milan (313 AD))

For readers unfamiliar with the Ambrosian Rite, what are the most distinctive elements that set it apart from the more familiar Roman Rite celebrated in most Catholic churches?

In general the thing that people notice the most is the thurible. In the Roman Rite there’s a cap on top of it. We don’t have a cap on it and it’s spun in a 360 degree motion. It is spun to form the shape of the cross.

(At the start of the Mass the altar is incensed. You can remove this and add the text at the bottom)
(Another particular difference, is the incensation of the Tabernacle which is done kneeling at the start of every High Mass.)

The other thing people notice is the chants. It’s very hard to explain, it’s just very different.

(The ambrosian chants were introduced by Saint Ambrose himself in the 4th century. For the first time in the Church’s history, non-psalmic hymns were included in liturgical celebrations. Ambrose, personally composed many hymns, including “Aeterne rerum conditor”, “Deus creator omnium”, “Iam surgit hora tertia”, and “Intende qui regis Israel”. The most famous hymn is obviously the “Te Deum”, which was composed together with Saint Augustine after Augustine’s baptism. I highly suggest the reader listen to the Ambrosian Version of the “Te Deum”.
Despite the modifications it underwent over the centuries, Ambrosian chant is considered the oldest surviving body of Western liturgical music.)

And the Offertory is done before the Credo (and it is much longer). We have lots of prefaces (one for each day) and some of them are very old and date back to St. Ambrose. 

(there are other differences but these ones are the most noticed by first time visitors)

Your mission focuses on digitizing the Traditional Ambrosian Rite. What are the greatest challenges you’ve faced in translating manuscripts and liturgical books that are many centuries old into accessible digital formats?

The Ambrosian Rite was heavily attacked from its beginning. Most of the original manuscripts are gone. When it comes to more recent things, I have been looking for breviaries and missals. It is very difficult to find these items. There are subtle differences that are easy to miss. It is difficult to find where things originated from. 

The Ambrosian liturgical calendar has some fascinating differences, including six Sundays of Advent rather than four. Which seasonal celebrations in the Ambrosian tradition do you find most spiritually enriching?

Our Ordinary Time is limited compared to the Roman Rite. It is only during a few weeks of the year, and differences in color. We have a different hue of purple (morello). During the Lenten period we use black during the weekdays because it’s also a penitential color not just for mourning. Saturday and Sundays are less penitential during Lent, so morello is used.

(Red is the Eucharistic color instead of the Roman Rite white, so the feast of the Corpus Domini (Corpus Christi in the Roman Rite) is in Red not white in the Ambrosian rite)

Who are saints particularly honored in the Ambrosian Rite?

Ambrose (of course being our Rite’s namesake). 

Charles Borromeo is our second patron saint. He is the one who reformed the Archbishop of Milan. He had a huge role in the Council of Trent. In Milan he was the first one to create a seminary. He is also the patron saint of seminaries. 

We care about our bishops and martyrs. In the Eucharist Prayer we ask for intercession for most of the archbishops and martyrs.

(I’ll send a picture of the Comunicantes with the Ambrosian Saints and Martyrs)

Looking to the future, how do you see traditional liturgical forms like the Ambrosian Rite contributing to the spiritual renewal of the Church in an increasingly digital age?

I’m noticing many young people are more interested in the traditional liturgies. The church where I attend is always full. You might find a seat if you go five minutes early, but not likely. There’s a huge emphasis on the parish. It’s kind of like the dynamic between the Traditional Latin Rite Mass and the Novus Ordo Mass (in the Roman Rite).

Where can my audience find more of your work?
On my Instagram page @churchofambrose.

Thank you for sharing!

The Church’s Birthday: What Pentecost Teaches Us About the Holy Spirit

/ chicoinematt

Every year, fifty days after Easter, the Church throws a birthday party of sorts. But this isn’t the kind of birthday where you blow out candles or awkwardly sing “Happy Birthday.” Pentecost marks something far more profound: the moment the Church was born through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost

The Upper Room: Where It All Began

Imagine the scene. The Apostles and Mary are gathered together in the Upper Room. They’re praying, waiting, wondering what comes next. Jesus had promised them a Helper—the Holy Spirit—but they probably didn’t fully grasp what that meant. Then, suddenly, a mighty wind fills the room, tongues of fire descend, and everything changes (Acts 2:1-4).

This wasn’t some private mystical experience. The Spirit’s arrival empowered the Apostles to speak in different languages, proclaiming the Gospel to people from every corner of the known world. What began as a small, frightened group of disciples instantly became a bold, Spirit-filled Church ready to take the Good News to the ends of the earth.

Pentecost: The Anti-Babel

To understand the full meaning of Pentecost, it helps to look backward—all the way to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). At Babel, humanity’s pride led them to build a tower to heaven, thinking they could reach God on their own terms. God confused their language, scattering them across the earth.

Pentecost reverses Babel. Instead of division, we see unity. Instead of prideful self-reliance, we witness humble reception of God’s gift. The Holy Spirit unites people of every nation, not by erasing their differences, but by enabling them to hear and understand the Gospel in their own language. Everything at Pentecost points back to this truth: all good things—especially unity—come from God.

The Church’s Distinguishing Marks Revealed

Pentecost gives us the Church’s “baby picture.” Even in her earliest moments, we can see her essential features.

  • Charismatic: The Church is filled with the Holy Spirit’s gifts. Tongues, preaching, healing—all flow from the Spirit’s power.
  • Trinitarian: The Spirit’s descent reveals the full work of the Trinity—sent by the Father and the Son (Acts 2:33-36).
  • Marian: Mary is present at Pentecost, just as she was present at Jesus’ conception. The Spirit overshadows both Mary and the Church, birthing Christ and His Body.
  • Apostolic and Petrine: The Apostles, led by Peter, proclaim the first great homily of the Church, explaining how Christ fulfills the Scriptures. Peter’s leadership demonstrates his unique role (Matthew 16:17-20).
  • Sacramental: Peter calls the people to repent and be baptized, receiving forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).
  • Catholic: Though the first converts were Jews, they came from every nation, foreshadowing the Church’s universal mission.

Always in a Situation of Pentecost

Pentecost isn’t simply a historical event to be remembered; it’s the Church’s ongoing reality. Saint John Paul II captured this beautifully: “The Church of Christ is always, so to speak, in a situation of Pentecost: she is always gathered in the Upper Room in prayer, and at the same time, driven by the powerful wind of the Spirit, she is always on the streets preaching” (June 8, 2003).

The same Spirit that empowered Peter and the Apostles is alive and active today. The Church’s mission continues, proclaiming Christ to every nation and generation. Even now, the Holy Spirit unites us across languages, cultures, and continents as one Body in Christ.

Pentecost, Holiness, and Mission

Saint Pope John Paul II often spoke of how holiness fuels mission. The Spirit doesn’t just empower us to preach; He sanctifies us to live holy lives. As John Paul II said, each saint is “a masterpiece of the Holy Spirit.” Holiness isn’t a luxury for a select few but the ordinary path of every Christian, made possible by the Spirit working in us.

This holiness starts in prayer, continues in the sacraments, and grows through charity and humility. As the Holy Spirit moves us closer to Christ, our witness naturally overflows into mission, just as it did for the Apostles on Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit: The Hidden Gift That Makes All Things New

The Holy Spirit remains somewhat mysterious. We cannot see Him, but His effects are undeniable. Like the wind, we hear His movement and feel His presence. He empowers the Church, guides her into truth, convicts hearts, comforts the suffering, and strengthens the weak.

Pentecost reminds us that the Church’s strength never comes from programs, popularity, or human wisdom. It comes from God’s Spirit. What began in the Upper Room now radiates to the entire world—and continues today in every parish, family, and soul open to His presence.

So this Pentecost, as we celebrate the Church’s birthday, may we echo the prayer of Saint John XXIII that John Paul II often repeated:

“O Holy Spirit, Paraclete, perfect in us the work begun by Jesus… Let everything in us be on a grand scale: the search for truth and the devotion to it, and readiness for self-sacrifice, even to the cross and death.”

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Thank you for sharing!

When Jesus Ascended to Heaven (And Why It Matters to You)

/ chicoinematt

Every year, right around the time you’re just starting to forget what you gave up for Lent, the Church presents us with the glorious mystery of the Ascension of Jesus. It tends to occur quietly—a pivotal event between Easter and Pentecost—and before you know it, Christ has ascended.

But what is the Ascension? And why should a regular Catholic (someone who’s just trying to make it to Sunday Mass without a coffee spill or toddler meltdown) care?

Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense if you’ve ever experienced spiritual dryness, stared into the sky for answers, or just wondered, “Wait—where did Jesus go?”

So… What Is the Ascension?

    Picture the final scene in a superhero movie—but instead of a cape, Jesus has nail marks, and instead of vanishing into space, He ascends bodily into heaven in front of His friends.

    According to Acts 1:9, “He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him from their sight.” That’s it. No fireballs, no angels playing trumpets (yet). Just Jesus, entering into glory, concluding His visible earthly ministry.

    This wasn’t a mere disappearing act, but the completion of His mission. After rising from the dead and spending forty days preparing the disciples, Jesus returned to the Father—not to leave us, but to be with us in a new and profound way.

    The Awkward In-Between

      Let’s be honest: if I saw someone float into the sky, my next move would not be theological reflection. It would probably be asking, “Now what?”

      That’s where the disciples were. For ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost, they were in limbo. Jesus was gone (visibly). The Holy Spirit hadn’t arrived (yet). No wonder they just stood there looking up until an angel basically said, “Why are you staring? He’ll be back.” (Acts 1:11, paraphrased.)

      And maybe you’re in a spiritual “in-between” season too—where God feels distant, prayer feels like a voicemail, and hope feels like something for holier people. But take heart: even the Apostles had to wait.

      Jesus Didn’t Abandon Us (He Elevated Us)

        We tend to think of Jesus’ Ascension as Him “leaving.” But here’s the reality: He didn’t leave to abandon us. He ascended to draw us upward, to elevate our humanity. As the Catechism states, Christ’s humanity entered into divine glory (CCC 659)—and He brought our humanity with Him.

        Jesus didn’t just open the door to heaven; He held it open and propped it with His resurrected body. He is seated at the right hand of the Father—interceding for us, advocating for us, and sending us the gift of grace, the very life of God, like a fountain of divine love.

        What We’ve Got While He’s “Gone”

          Jesus didn’t abandon the Church. He left us tools for the mission:

          • The Eucharist – He may not walk beside us as He did in Galilee, but He’s still with us—body, blood, soul, and divinity—under the humble appearances of bread and wine.
          • The Holy Spirit – The Ascension sets the stage for Pentecost. Jesus says, “It is better for you that I go, so that the Advocate will come to you” (John 16:7). That Advocate? The Holy Spirit, who doesn’t just walk with us—He dwells in us.
          • His Mother – The Apostles didn’t wait alone. Mary was with them, just as she is with us. She’s the one who reminds us to keep praying, offering us her example of faith and interceding on our behalf.

          Why It Matters (a Lot)

          Christ the King meme
          Jesus is the King of the Universe. He sits at the right hand of God the Father.

            The Ascension isn’t just a cool theological event buried in Acts 1. It’s a promise rooted in the Paschal Mystery.

            • That Jesus reigns in glory. (His kingship is not of this world, but transforms our understanding of authority and service.)
            • That we have an intercessor who understands human pain. (He kept His scars.)
            • That our future isn’t down here forever. (Heaven is real—and He’s preparing a place for us.)
            • That the Church has work to do. (“Go and make disciples of all nations”—and perhaps even your neighbor who thinks you’re weird for praying the Rosary.)

            When You Feel Spiritually Stuck Between Clouds

            Prayer
            Pray unceasingly, even when you don’t feel God’s presence.

              If you’re like me, the Ascension might feel less like a mountaintop and more like a foggy plateau. You believe, but it feels dry. You show up to Mass, but you feel… meh. Good news: the Apostles were right there too. And what did they do?

              They prayed. Waiting became their act of faith. In community, they stayed together. And through it all, they trusted that the One who rose and ascended hadn’t left them alone.

              You don’t need to feel extraordinary to be called to holiness. We are all called to holiness, and we strive towards it through God’s grace and our commitment to virtue. You just need to keep looking up—because the same Jesus who ascended will come again in glory.

              TL;DR — The Simple Catholic Version

              Jesus ascended to heaven. Not to ditch us, but to elevate us. He’s still with us—especially in the Eucharist. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us. He gave us His Mother to encourage us. And He’s coming back. Until then: don’t just stare at the sky. Live as people of faith—because heaven is real.

              Want to go deeper? Crack open Acts 1 and John 14. Or better yet, swing by Adoration. Jesus may have ascended—but He hasn’t left the tabernacle.

              And if you’re feeling stuck in the in-between, you’re not alone. God is with you. Always.

              Thank you for sharing!