Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
I have been grieving. With my mother’s passing last year and my father coming close to death this past Spring, I have been grieving. Grief is a part of life, isn’t it? We can be open to it or try to block it, but either way it’s part of the human experience. I don’t think grief is a choice, it’s simply a reality. Jesus in John’s gospel today (16:20-23) seems to know that.
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter
In our gospel acclamation today we hear - “I will not leave you orphans says the Lord. I will come back to you and your hearts will rejoice.” (Jn. 14:18). What a beautiful promise from the Lord - he will not leave us as orphans.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Have you ever been invited into someone’s inner circle? An inner circle is typically a privileged, exclusive relationship based upon ultimate trust and confidence. Such a group is usually small in number and carefully selected. It’s not often one becomes part of an inner circle. And yet with God we find just the opposite! God desires that every human soul be part of the inner circle that is the Holy Trinity. Today’s Gospel reveals this sublime invitation.
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
In today’s Gospel we anticipate the promised coming of the Spirit, the Advocate. The disciples are understandably grieving the loss of Jesus, and have difficulty comprehending his words that “it is better for you that I go”.
Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest
Elizabethan England was dangerous for Catholics as the church went underground and priests (mostly Jesuits) were smuggled in, hidden by the old aristocracy. These “safe houses” were headed by widows who found much solace in the “old religion,” secretly keeping the Catholic Church alive for common folks hungry for the sacraments.
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In today’s Gospel from John, we hear:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.”John 15:18
I can’t help but wonder: if these few verses were all we knew of Christianity, would we be Christians? A young guy who’s causing a ruckus, performing miracles and upending countless literal and figurative tables says: “People will hate you because you’re not like them. And that’s okay. Be like me. You’re part of something bigger than this world.”
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
John 15:15
I am always honored when a friend shares something personal with me. Disclosure is an expression of deep trust. They are vulnerable, falling for a few moments as they tell their story, believing we will catch them. What a privilege to be at the receiving end of such authenticity.
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter
“Remain in my love.” - John 15:9
A teacher asked his high school students “what is love?” While most responded that love was a “feeling” that you had for another, a rather intuitive young man asked, “Sir, how can love be a feeling when right now I don’t like my parents very much and they don’t like me either, but I know they still love me and I love them?” (That teacher was me.)
Insightful for a 16 year old.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In my prayers recently I find myself reflecting a lot on trust. Trusting in anything other than myself and my hard work and dedication can feel very challenging and vulnerable. If you’re anything like me, you prefer moving forward with a plan. I like to see the road map laid out before me and to know where I am going. But trusting the Lord means I am not privy to the map. I don’t know the steps to take. I have to trust that He does. It can feel very difficult for me to take a step in faith, not knowing what the outcome will be or where it will lead. But we’re told over and over again to trust in the Lord and to trust in His plan. I know that’s what I am called to do but it can be so scary!
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” (John 14: 27). What is this peace that Jesus is giving and how is that different from how the world gives us peace?
Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
At the turn of the last century a missionary society of priests and brothers, who labored on an isolated island in the south Pacific, sent their yearly report to their superiors. In part it read, “We have made some progress. Small steps really. On Fridays the cannibals only eat fishermen.”
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus reminds the disciples that He reveals the Father in His life and His works. As disciples of Christ, we are called to follow Jesus in our words and actions, so others will see God is us. Jesus promises that if we believe in Him, He will do great works through us and this will give the Father glory.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
There was only one thing I really hated about college--the pressure of making seemingly life-altering decisions. I changed my major 3 (maybe 4) times and each time it felt like I was holding my whole future in my hands and determining the trajectory of my life. At the time, it felt like a lot of pressure and I clearly remember wishing that someone would just make the decisions for me and tell me what to do. I felt like I did not know where I was going or how to get there. Now, as I journey with students at the University of Dayton who are discerning their own vocations, it is much easier to see that no matter which path one takes, Jesus is with us. It is less about what I do and more about how I do it.
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today’s readings remind us that God has been active throughout history; most particularly God is made known in the person of Jesus. We are called to participate in God’s revelation in this present time through our discipleship as faith- filled people who serve with love.
Feast of St. Matthias
Our text from John’s Gospel today is rich and deep; it contains much upon which to reflect. It was verse sixteen that captured my attention. Jesus says to us, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain . . .” Specifically, I invite us to focus on this phrase, “go and bear fruit that will remain.” What is the nature of this fruit? How do we recognize it? What constitutes its remaining? Jesus appoints us to be fruitful disciples. Let us pray for deeper understanding of Jesus’ Word and for the graces we need to go and bear fruit that will remain.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
The Good Shepherd Sunday theme continues as Jesus invites us into the intimate relationship he shares with God the Father. Like sheep who know their shepherd, Jesus encourages us to trust in their care for us. With the recent death of Pope Francis, the conclave and appointment of Pope Leo XIV, there has been much discussion of the qualities of a good shepherd, pastor and Pope. Pope Francis loved the shepherd image and reminded those in ministry that we should smell like sheep (ie. be united with those we companion). Pope Leo envisions a church that welcomes all, and especially especially cares for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
As we work our way through Acts, Peter has an earth shaking vision — “Followers of the Way” (Christians) are no longer required to adhere to the 613 laws of Torah. “Who am I to hinder God?” Peter asks. Another way to put it, “God’s ways are not our ways.”
Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?”From today’s Gospel, John 6:60-69
I can think of countless, recent examples of being shocked. There were outcomes I didn’t anticipate. Timing that couldn’t have been more unexpected. Responses that were hard to bear.
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Diary Entry of Judas of Straight Street, Damascus--
Now I understand why the Lord chose for me this humble dwelling on Straight Street. For a time, I regretted having moved to this location, but since Saul’s visit, my faith in God and his plans for me has increased tenfold.
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
As we continue through Acts, the gospel spreads throughout Palestine. Today we hear of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch was an important official in charge of the queen’s treasury. Men in charge of the harem were often made eunuchs (castrated).
Probably a Gentile who converted to Judaism, as a eunuch he would not be permitted full privileges at the temple. Traveling home from Jerusalem, he is reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He may have been drawn to Isaiah because the prophet writes about God’s acceptance of all, including eunuchs (Is 56:3-5).
Once again the Kingdom of God reverses the old law in favor of the despised, the unacceptable, those deemed undeserving.