Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
We live in a culture in which the truth seems to have become relativized. Whether it be climate change, clean water standards, or how we define what constitutes life the truth seems to be determined by the one who has the power. Perhaps in many ways it has always been this way. Still no matter many times the Nazi’s or other dictators have criminalized a race or a religion, it does not make their rhetoric true. Yet in our country it seems to be common thinking that if one says a lie enough it will make it the truth. It is almost as if people think the truth can be locked away and hidden away from the people.
Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist
Humility is not an attribute that people in our culture find appealing. And yet, I believe that humility is an essential part of being a disciple of Jesus. Some people think that being humble entails feeling worthless or being self-effacing, but I do not think that this is humility, and behaving this way is not what God desires. In order to be humble in the eyes of God, we must recognize that who we are and everything we have are gifts from Him. We do not deny our goodness or blessings, but give credit to God who showers us with His grace. When we are able to openly accept that we are nothing without Him, then He is able to use us completely to do His works as we help to build His kingdom.
Monday of the Second Week of Easter
In these weeks after Easter, the readings from the Acts of the Apostles seem suitable material for the big screen. It is hard to believe these characters are the same lowly, at times bumbling, disciples who first began following Jesus three years earlier. Knowing this is quite a comfort to most of us as we can so closely identify with the gradual process of coming to know and believe in Jesus with all the fits and starts we personally experience along the rugged road of discipleship. And looking back on where we have come from it becomes clear the, just like the disciples, our journey is one of shedding the darkness in which we live. And Jesus meets us right there—we encounter Jesus in the depths of our darkness.
Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
There are 3 million fewer people calling themselves Catholic today than in 2007. As a result, the share of the U.S. population that identifies as Catholic dropped from approximately 24 percent to 21 percent. Catholics are not the only ones experiencing this free-fall.Every major Christian denomination, including non-denominational Christians, is experiencing it. The only population growing is the “Nones” — those who say they have no religious affiliation. 23% of the American population identifies itself as “Nones. This percentage is frighteningly close to the 21% of the Catholic population.
Saturday in the Octave of Easter
A friend of mine and I have occasionally gotten together and recorded little 5 minute shorts about some topic regarding the faith. We called them Trailblazers and have always had a blast recording them. We’ve opened with references to Pinky and the Brain, compared God and Tolkien, likened Lent to spring practice for baseball, and bounced all over the place. During one of the latest episodes we recorded, my friend shared a quote from C.S. Lewis that immediately came to mind as I read today’s readings.
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Jesus understands that touch is important to us as human beings, perhaps as important as food for our survival. Sadly, it is known that if an infant is fed but does not receive touch on a regular basis, he or she will not thrive. As mammals, we have been created, biologically, to feed our offspring through the mother’s body; breastfeeding requires physical contact. And the desire to share a meal with our family, with friends, seems to remain even once we are capable of feeding ourselves.
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Carrying suffering is more than we can handle at times. Whether it be growing up in an unsafe environment, a debilitating disease, or a tragic loss, the crosses we bear seem impossibly heavy. Yet what if in every trial we suffer there are blessings. It could mean that suffering we endure has made our lives more challenging, yet through it helps to try and see that everything that happens is for the glory of God. In the natural world, we realize that death is not the end, it is part of the process. Fall turns to winter, and winter into spring; death leads to resurrection.
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
As I sat down to write on today’s readings, I couldn’t help but think, What else is there to say right now? After this weekend, it seems like Easter speaks for itself for awhile. Maybe this is why the Church gives us 50 full days to celebrate: the Resurrection has so much to say to us and we need some time to process it. But today’s gospel reading has something to say to this, I think.
Monday in the Octave of Easter
“We are a resurrection people, and our song is ‘Alleluia’.”(St. Augustine) As we celebrate Easter, what does it mean that the Risen Christ is present today in our lives?
The Resurrection of the Lord
Pardon me, for my Easter homily is going to begin with Good Friday. After all, if there was no Good Friday, there would be no Easter Sunday. A parishioner was grappling with faith questions. She said, “Why did Jesus have to die? I understand that the Old Testament teaches us that the blood of animals was offered as sin offering. Could not God have saved us without the shedding of the further blood? Is our God a vengeful God who cannot be placated without an atoning sacrifice?
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
I want to reflect today mostly on the Isaiah passage (Isaiah 52:13—53:12), not because the reading of the passion (John 18:1-19:42) isn’t intensely important, but because when it comes to Good Friday and the crucifixion, I think that meditation on the cross, and the liturgy of the day, speaks for itself. What more could I possibly say? If you have a chance at all to get to a Good Friday service, go.
Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil Readings & Reflection Readings (Isaiah and Mark)
Today’s Mass readings are for the Easter Vigil tonight, but I want to give us time to focus on Holy Saturday. With that desire, I’ll be reflecting on two passages that are being used at a service at Immaculate Conception this morning, the Ephphatha and Naming Rite for those in RCIA. During the Rite, Isaiah 62:1-4 and Mark 7:31-37 will be proclaimed and so we’ll use those passages.
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
As the Triduum begins today, our readings recall the Passover foreshadowing of the Passion of Jesus that has deflected sin’s arrow. Just as the lamb’s blood signaled the Lord to pass over the Israelite households, so the Blood of the Lamb that we drink shields us from the spiritual death that normally follows sin.
Wednesday of Holy Week
We are half way through Holy Week and Triduum is only hours away. This said, today is a good day to take stock of our Lenten journey. Hopefully these forty days have helped us set our face like flint to our own sinfulness. Hopefully these days have helped us recognize that there is no disgrace in doing our best to turn away from all that distracts us from God. In short, reflect upon how this journey has brought us closer to the Lord.
Tuesday of Holy Week
The difference between what we are called to be and what we actually are can be pretty stark sometimes. In the first reading, we heard what might sound like a coach’s pep talk before a big game. “It’s not enough for you to be my servant. I will make you a light to the nations!” Then in the second reading, Jesus predicts Peter will deny that he even knows our lord, not once, but three times. Peter, the first Pope, leader of the Church, which is a light to the nations! Whose idea was it to put him in charge?
Monday of Holy Week
You know, on this Monday of Holy week, I was thinking of how many contradictory things many of us face during Holy Week. On one hand, we want to fully experience the Paschal Mystery, attend to our prayer, and participate in the sacred rituals Liturgies. On the other, we are trying to prepare for the Easter dinners, celebrations, and other traditions so special to our personal circumstances. And those are only the most obvious! Maybe over the years we somehow learn to strike a balance, but it can still remain a challenge to keep in sharp focus the significance of these approaching days.
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Since I have been back from India after visiting my father who was seriously ill, numerous people have asked me about my trip. As I told them my story, many people shared their similar experiences. They talked about the time their parents were ill or about the time they took care of their parents. Some of them even cried about the time they lost their father or mother. In the strangest way, my story became theirs and their story became mine. It is almost as if by telling each other our stories, we were finding comfort, hope, and peace.
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
In Youth Ministry we are always trying to find new ways to present old truths without compromising on integrity. Some might say it is a byproduct of trying to fit faith into 140 characters and others would say it is just part of making faith manageable in our teens’ busy lives. Whatever the cause might be, it is a challenge of ministry.
Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
I was talking with my daughter about a favorite movie - "Frozen". Perhaps most intriguing about this favorite movie of hers is that while she knows all the songs and states a definite preference for Elsa, she does not EVER, EVER, EVER want to watch the movie. "Why not?" I ask. "Because of all the scary parts." It's a reply that makes some sense, actually. But I tell her, with all my (supposed) adult wisdom: we watch all the scary parts but we know there's a happy ending. Isn't that good? Doesn't that make the scary parts just a bit better. "No!" comes the firm reply.