Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Sometimes the joy of the resurrection is harder to participate in when times get tough. When we are in the midst of facing the loss of job, or struggling through the pain a shattered friendship, or even journeying with a loved one who is near death, Easter joy might seem vanquished. We may not feel it, but these times are when the Lord is trying even harder to remind us of his desire to feed us and lead us to from death to new life.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
Today we have the story of Stephen’s martyrdom, who died “in the pattern” of Jesus, asking God to forgive his murderers, in his final moments. It’s worth noting that Stephen had some strong words for them shortly before this final prayer. He spoke out against their hypocrisy calling them “stiff-necked”. But his own heart softened as he “looked intently” at Jesus in his final moments.
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
The familiar account of the feeding of the 5000 is one of the few to be found in all four Gospels. There are rich subtleties that, when missed, decrease our appreciation of what the evangelists wish to convey. In part this is because we aren’t as familiar with the Old Testament/ Hebrew scriptures as the original audiences did.
Feasts of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
In true Catholic fashion, the feast of an Apostle is celebrated by choosing a less than flattering reading about him, Philip doesn't get any special treatment. In John’s gospel today we see Philip getting corrected by Jesus. Scripture reads, “Philip said to [Jesus], ‘Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? ... ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these’” (John 14:8-10, 12). If Jesus hadn’t continued talking, I imagine there would have been a long uncomfortable silence in the room after he corrected Philip. I mean Jesus is throwing around some pretty theologically heavy stuff right there and just to add to that, he is calling them far beyond their expectations. He is not only responding to Philip’s request, but also grabbing Philip by the proverbial collar and saying, “That will be enough for you? Do you know what is in store for you! Don’t sell God short!”
Memorial of St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
I find it helpful that today’s readings offer us a glimpse both forward and backward from Easter. The events from the first reading (Acts) to the gospel reading (John) are not in chronological order, thereby providing a different perspective. We move from the post-resurrection enthusiasm and courage of the apostles in Acts to the pre-crucifixion and -resurrection disciples still not fully “getting” this Jesus who performs the miracle of the loaves and fish in the gospel of John.
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty of nature, and creation offers us insights into the Divine’s expression of love. On a recent walk, I came across a sidewalk (and lawn area) completed covered with “helicopters” (samaras). The abundance of the seeds covering the ground was remarkable. Upon further reflection, I realized that these seeds reflect the generous abundance of God showering the earth with grace and the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Today’s beautiful and familiar Gospel text begins, “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Jesus spoke those words to Nicodemus, and he speaks them afresh to you and me. God the Father sent his Son to earth and to the Cross so that we might be born again to eternal life! Eternal life begins with our Baptism – God desires that we enjoy this reality with him now! As Easter people, overcome with Paschal joy, let us celebrate God’s gift of eternal life and enjoy it today in abundance.
Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
It strikes me that the first community of Christians were of “one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32) and shared their possessions in common and goods were distributed depending on the needs of the person. It is the opposite message of our consumeristic society in which our value is defined by our possessions. Our culture forms us to attach ourselves to things and to throw those things away when they no longer contribute to our self worth. The first reading teaches us that detachment from material possessions can allow us to see the needs of our brothers and sisters who lack basic necessities. In addition, detachment can help us see how our current ways of consumption can harm the environment by polluting land, air, and water. We can pray with how consumerism has impacted our lives.
Monday of the Second Week of Easter
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:31b
What follows are the words of a pastor’s last sermon:
“Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter to me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he has allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!”
Saturday in the Octave of Easter
A few weeks ago, we hosted my sister’s family for a long weekend. Her three-year-old twins have changed so much since the last time we saw them, and I quickly remembered one of the most annoying (and hilarious) parts of this phase with my own children.
“Leo, where are your shoes?” I asked looking around the foyer before our walk.
“Oh, I don’t know. I have no idea, Aunt Meggie!” he replied after a quick glance around, obviously (and intentionally) looking past his shoes by the door.
“Issa, did you bring a coat?” I asked.
“Oh no, we forgot it at home,” she replied, only to be corrected quickly by her dad who grabbed the coat from the car.
So quickly, they stated what they wanted to be true, even if it was at odds with our shared reality. In that stage of development, what they want to be true is often perceived as what’s true and believed, rather than the reality of what’s in front of them.
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Help me, Jesus, to recognize you wherever you are present in my world. I want to be like John, the disciple whom you loved, who easily identified you from afar as the Risen Lord, standing on the shore, promising more than a full day’s catch.
Thursday of the Octave of Easter
The author we call “Luke” dominates today’s Liturgy of the Word. Both readings come from Luke’s two part work – the Gospel according to Luke and Acts of the Apostles.
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Today’s Gospel reading, the Road to Emmaus, is a familiar story to many of us. This is a popular reading used on retreats to provide a framework for sharing with another person. The hope is for two strangers to connect and learn about one another. While I have often heard this Gospel used to describe the building of a relationship between two strangers, when I read it today, I found it provides for us a framework for how to pray – how to build a spiritual connection with Jesus.
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
The Easter season is in full bloom after the octave of celebrating the Good News of New Life in Jesus’ Resurrection. Easter season flowers including lilies, tulips and pastel shades, and springtime signs of new life—eggs, chicks, bunnies, greening, woodland native wildflowers and warmer weather are all part of what we appreciate in our Eastertide. As the psalmist (psalm 33) proclaims: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. In today’s gospel reading, the Risen Jesus appears as a gardener to grieving Mary Magdalene who finds the empty tomb and is in search of Jesus. It is also time for us to search for Jesus in new ways, to recognize his ongoing call to us and feel his comforting care with us.
Monday in the Octave of Easter
I’m passionate about the original ending of Mark’s Gospel, the conclusion that he had intended. It’s very early on Easter Sunday morning, while it is still dark. The myrrh bearing women come to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.
Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
Tonight will be Easter Vigil. If you have the chance to go, I recommend attending. This Mass is a beautiful service filled with scripture, tradition, and new life of those receiving Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion for the first time. There are nine readings. Together, they tell the beautiful story of salvation history from creation to Jesus’ resurrection:
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
I have somewhat of a “love-hate” relationship with Good Friday. The fasting is challenging (at least for me it is). We’re very close to Easter but aren’t there yet. We have to face the cross first, the suffering. It’s not easy. Yet there’s also the beauty of the cross, the beauty of this mid-point of the Triduum – the liturgy and rituals that the Church, in her wisdom, provides us with in its fullness. We know there truly is no Easter without the Cross, there is no resurrection without death. Yet, I’d prefer to avoid the “death” part, the suffering, not just mine (as minor as it is), but Jesus’ suffering – which, as we read in today’s passion narrative from John, Peter tried to prevent with the sword, and then (very humanly) out of fear and weakness later denied even knowing Jesus.
Thursday of Holy Week
Today we begin the sacred Paschal Triduum with the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. It is here that Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and tells them that He has given a “model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” How are we called to follow Jesus today in this world and this time?
Wednesday of Holy Week
In today’s Gospel, we find Matthew’s account of Judas’ decision to willfully betray Jesus. Such a tragic account; such a heartbreaking glimpse into Judas’ life. As the story unfolds, I’m reminded of my own human tendency to sin and of the overwhelming love of Christ our Lord who desires to redeem and restore us. Praying today’s Gospel, I sense within myself an even greater desire for the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. I invite you into this spiritual hunger with me, confident that our Lord wants to flood us with more of his grace and mercy.
Tuesday of Holy Week
In today’s Gospel, Jesus anticipates that he will be abandoned—Judas betrays him, Peter will deny him, his disciples will leave him when he is crucified. At his condemnation and death, only a few people stay with him including his mother, the Beloved Disciple, and one or two women disciples. Almost all the people who have been with him for years in his ministry desert him. In telling the stories of those who abandoned, betrayed, and/or denied Jesus, the Gospel writer poses this question back to the reader: Will you leave and betray Jesus too?