Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Church Calendar: Holy Days and Seasons

  • Ascension, Visitation, Pentecost: A Pro-Life Perspective

    Ascension, Visitation, Pentecost: A Pro-Life Perspective

    This article is based on a homily I shared yesterday at my church’s monthly Liturgy for the Preborn outside Planned Parenthood in Hempstead, NY. Since the feasts of Ascension, Visitation, and Pentecost were occurring close together, it provided an opportunity to reflect on how these three events in the life of Christ and the Church…

  • Lent and Fasting

    Lent and Fasting

    Some people will go through Lent and get nothing out of it. However, that is not because there is a problem with the season or the traditions associated with it. It is a problem with how that particular individual is approaching the situation. As we give up food or pleasures for Lent, let us take…

  • Spiritual Warfare XVIII: Concluding Thoughts

    Spiritual Warfare XVIII: Concluding Thoughts

    Spiritual warfare may not seem like it should be part of the Christmas message. However, Satan does not care about our calendar. He will attack whenever it is convenient for him. Life and hardship continue in spite of Christmas. In fact, we cannot remove Satan or the demonic from the Christmas story.

  • Ascension and Pentecost IV: The Ascended Christ Sends the Indwelling Spirit

    Ascension and Pentecost IV: The Ascended Christ Sends the Indwelling Spirit

    This conclusion to this series will show how the indwelling Holy Spirit provides our connection with the ascended Lord Jesus Christ and enables us to observe all that He has commanded us (Matthew 28:19–20).

  • Ascension and Pentecost III. The Gospel of Forgiveness

    Ascension and Pentecost III. The Gospel of Forgiveness

    One of the most important, and in many churches least emphasized, elements of Jesus’ post-resurrection teaching is the message of forgiveness. Yet, it is central to Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, and it should be central to our message. As He prepared them for their forthcoming ministry, He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If…

  • Ascension and Pentecost II: The Mystery of the Incarnation in Heaven

    Ascension and Pentecost II: The Mystery of the Incarnation in Heaven

    Jesus Christ is fully God (the eternal Son of God) and yet fully human.

  • Ascension and Pentecost I: A Unified Gospel Message

    Ascension and Pentecost I: A Unified Gospel Message

    On the traditional church calendar, the Easter season lasts 50 days, beginning with Easter Sunday and ending seven weeks later with the Feast of Pentecost. Easter and Pentecost are not merely bookends on a cycle of Scripture readings for Sunday worship. Along with the Feast of the Ascension (on the 40th day of Easter, 10…

  • The Annunciation: Saying “Yes” to God

    The Annunciation: Saying “Yes” to God

    In speaking to the angel, Mary speaks FOR all true disciples of Jesus: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Let this be our prayer: That we can be faithful to God, obeying Him and doing His will regardless the circumstances and risk, trusting Him…

  • Children of God and Siblings of Jesus

    Children of God and Siblings of Jesus

    This Easter, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, let us gain a greater vision of our identity as members of Jesus’ family.

  • Thank God It’s (Good) Friday

    Thank God It’s (Good) Friday

    Good Friday reminds us that the world’s idea of good conflicts with God’s idea of good. The world views Friday as the victory of leisure and pleasure over labor and drudgery. Good Friday reminds us that the true victory is Christ’s victory over hell and Satan, of life’s victory over death, and the victory of…