We’re back this week into Ordinary Time in the Church Year, after the Lent and the Easter seasons. We resume reading from the Gospel of Mark and begin the First Letter of Peter.

In chapters 10 and 11 of Mark’s gospel, Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem, a journey many do not understand. Like the rich young man, they decide not to join him. James and John also thought his journey would bring power and prestige, but it was not to be.

The First Letter of Peter is traditionally seen as written by the apostle Peter to Christians threatened by Nero’s persecution in the early 60s. Some modern scholars suggest the First Letter of Peter was written by a later author using Peter’s name.

We hear early baptismal teaching in this letter, reminding its listeners they are God’s own children: they have an inheritance that will never be taken away from them. Though the times be bad, don’t forget the treasure you have.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,
to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while
you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3-9}

When times are bad we need to remember the promises of God.

A feast of Mary occurs every month in the calendar. Tomorrow we have the recent feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. This month we also have the feast of the Visitation (May 31), placed in the calendar between the Feast of the Annunciation (March 15) and the Birth of John the Baptist (June 24) We’re reminded of Mary’s role as a bearer of good news to her older cousin Elizabeth, who will give birth to John. Mary always brings her Son to us too.

This year May 31st is Trinity Sunday. Might be good to celebrate the Visitation feast on Saturday, May 30th.

On May 25, Pope Leo will release his important letter on Ai, Magnifica humanitas.