Build on Rock

The Assumption and Coronation

June 18, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The Rosary is the life of Jesus, seen through the eyes of Mary. Thus the story begins with Mary’s Fiat, her saying yes to the will of God to become the mother of his Son, a necessary condition to our salvation. And the Rosary concludes with Mary, with the mysteries

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The Descent of the Holy Spirit

June 4, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one

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The Ascension

May 21, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

Saint Luke gives us two accounts of Jesus’ Ascension, one at the end of his gospel, and one (more detailed) at the beginning of Acts. Let’s look at the gospel account first: “Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed

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The Resurrection

May 7, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The Resurrection of Jesus is fundamentally about hope. Hope that God can take even the greatest evil and use it for the greatest good. Hope that despair is always temporary. Hope that love must always triumph, because love is stronger than hate. The Church gives us the Sorrowful Mysteries of

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Divine Mercy

April 23, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The Feast of Divine Mercy is celebrated on the Sunday following Easter. It was added to the liturgical calendar by Pope Saint John Paul II in the Jubilee Year 2000. Following quickly upon the sacrifices of Lent, the solemnity of the Triduum and the joy of Easter, many Catholics may

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The Crucifixion

April 16, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Hebrews 5:8-9) The anonymous author of the Letter to the Hebrews explains to his first century audience how Jesus is the

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The Carrying of the Cross

April 1, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

There is a profound mystery alluded to in what seems like an interesting footnote to the Passion narrative: They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. (Mark 15:21) At first glance, it’s

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The Crowning with Thorns

March 26, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The second sorrowful mystery deals with the physical torture of our Lord. The crown of thorns, however, was not to meant to torture Jesus. Rather, the point was to mock him (just as he is mocked and belittled in so many circles today). Here is the full account from Mark:

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The Scourging at the Pillar

March 19, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

All five meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries could focus on the intense physical suffering Jesus endured for our sake, but the second mystery, The Scourging at the Pillar, brings the physical torment of Christ into stark relief. Scourging was a common practice for the Romans prior to a crucifixion. (1)

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The Agony in the Garden

March 12, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The mysteries of the Rosary celebrate the three events that forever changed the destiny of mankind: the Incarnation, when Jesus came down from Heaven to share in our humanity the Crucifixion, when Jesus paid the price for our sins through his death on the Cross the Resurrection, when Jesus triumphed

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The Presentation and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple

March 5, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

We can lose sight of how awesome the Nativity is due to the over-commercialization of Christmas. (I can imagine Jesus pulling down merchandise from the shelves of Walmart, saying, “The Word did not become flesh so you can get a deal on a giant TV!” Maybe that’s neither here nor

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The Nativity

February 26, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

Mary’s “yes” to God, her willingness to become the mother of Jesus, set her on a journey she could never have expected. She put her complete trust in God’s love and mercy through all the trials of her life. And her trials were many, including the Nativity. Mary must have

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The Annunciation and the Visitation

February 19, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The centerpiece of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But the protagonist of these mysteries is Mary, who in the story of the Joyful Mysteries is a model of true discipleship for us. The first mystery is the Annunciation. Our

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The Rosary

February 12, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The Rosary predates Jesus’ birth, and was updated most recently in 2002. It is the best known of Catholic devotions, is credited with winning an epic battle, and has the capacity to bring peace to the world. The Rosary – specifically, the Hail Mary prayer that is at its center

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Take all souls to heaven

January 29, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

“And after each one of the mysteries, my children, I want you to pray in this way: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell. Take all souls to heaven, especially those who are most in need.” Holy Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, taught

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The Message of Fatima

January 15, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The Miracle of the Sun was not well known outside of Portugal, at least not at first. In October of 1917, World War One still raged in Europe. The months-long battle of Passchendaele was nearing its conclusion, with the British advancing the front five miles at a cost of more

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The Miracle of the Sun

January 1, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

A common objection to Christianity is the supposed lack of miracles that take place in our time. The Bible documents numerous miracles, and there is compelling evidence that the Resurrection is a real historical event (which, by itself, should satisfy the open mind and heart). But there are miracles in our

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O Come, O Come Immanuel

December 23, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be as deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Then he said: Listen, O house of David!

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Reconciliation

December 11, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) These are the first words spoken by Jesus in Mark’s Gospel, and they are presented as the core of his message. (So too in Matthew’s Gospel; see Matthew 4:17.)

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Father, forgive them

November 27, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

What I want to express on this blog more than anything is the profound depth of God’s love for you, exemplified in the living person of Jesus Christ. And on some level I know I’ll never succeed because the chasm between the infinite love Jesus bestows on us and the

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