“Fifty days after Easter and ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, now the Father and Son send the Holy Spirit, who descends in tongues of fire (Acts 2) and give birth to the Church, giving all her members life ‘in the fulness of God.’ (Eph 3:19) There are many themes that intersect with the Holy Spirit’s Coming.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
“It is irrefutable that every follower of Jesus needs spiritual direction in their lives according to the workings of grace, Divine providence, individual needs, and circumstances. There are scenarios where members of Christ’s faithful have a need for regular, consistent, life-long spiritual direction.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
“The Church envisions various scenarios when spiritual direction is needed in the lives of all the faithful.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
“Every disciple of Jesus is thereby called to spiritual direction in some way, shape, or form in order for them to become who God made them to be.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
“Both Mary and Joseph show us how their yes fosters a state of obedience in their souls toward God that gives them freedom.” – Fr. Matthew McDonald
“I find in Jesus a King who does not dominate or lord over me but a shepherd who is strong and gentle in His love and leads to freedom.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
“If the way of contemplation and discipleship that the Lord calls me to embrace becomes just about how I will serve on my terms, what I am owed, or retribution then I will follow an apparent angel of light who is a deceiver. Without such child-like vigilance, I easily can reecho the cry of Lucifer, I will not serve.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
“The Ascension of Jesus reveals that while our existence necessarily involves this present world, it most certainly does not end with this present world.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
“When I adorn Jesus with my love and my brokenness, he can transform me into a saint by His grace – a living mystery of the presence of He who is the Divine Bridegroom of my soul.” – Fr. Matthew MacDonald
In light of “The Chosen,” Fr. Matthew MacDonald looks at the questions: What is the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and its place in the life of faith? What are the proper place and limits of artistic depictions of the life of Our Lord Jesus as depicted in the Gospel?
