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/Sunday of Divine Mercy
I am wandering off my trodden path for my homily today. This homily is more of an exposé than a scriptural reflection with my typical three practical implications. I am doing this because today is Divine Mercy Sunday. The celebration of the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday is a very recent development. It was on this Sunday in 2000 that Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina Kowalska. It is to her that we owe the origin of this celebration. On that day, JP II announced that “from now on throughout the Church this Sunday will be called Divine Mercy Sunday.” Sr. Faustina was born in Poland and she became a nun in the Congregation of the Sister of Mercy. Her life was characterized by deep spiritual interiority. On Feb 22, 1931, Sr. Faustina experienced a life-changing vision of Christ standing in a white robe with two rays of light emerging from his heart. It is the signature image of the Divine mercy devotion. Faustina died at the very young age of 33. In his life-time, John Paul actively promoted the message of Sr. Faustina and this was probably the rationale behind his 1980 encyclical, “Rich in Mercy.”
Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Today, in Acts, we see Peter and John before the Sanhedrin. Though the leaders, elders, and scribes want to quiet them, they rely more on threats than severe punishment because the Apostles currently have popular favor. This scene brought a few thoughts to mind.
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Sometimes I think it is very difficult to comprehend, let alone believe, that Jesus rose from the dead. Death for us is something final. It is something that we have to deal with and confront because we cannot undo time and make someone come back. That finality makes it quite hard to see that perhaps death does not always win – that God’s Son rose from the dead.
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Happy Easter! As Christ exclaims in today’s Gospel – peace be with you. In these 50 days of unbridled joy, I pray that God may grant you joy, gratitude and peace –peace in the knowledge that our God is a God who keeps his promises.
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
How often do we converse or debate with a friend and fail to bring our Christianity into the discussion. By allowing Jesus' to illuminate the discussion then we might recognize his presence in all arenas of our life. Yet often even though we know the good news, we fail to fully accept it. In fact sometimes the good news has little power over our conversations especially with ourselves. Recently I was walking home and really believed that I was alone.
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
When a detective interviews various people at a scene of a crime, there are often many different descriptions of what happened. Because each individual has a unique life experience, their perception of an event will be influenced by who they are and how they see the world. When reading the scripture readings today, this seems very evident. The tomb is found empty, but there are many different understandings of what this means. If we are like the apostles and the women, then hopefully when we see the empty tomb we can believe that Jesus is risen from the dead just as they proclaim. Jesus through His life, death and resurrection shows the immense love of God for us and His plan for our salvation. So when you look at the empty tomb and you think about all Jesus has done for you what do you see- What do you believe?
The Resurrection of the Lord
I have asked myself a question often. After his resurrection, why did Jesus only appear to his apostles and a few close disciples? There is a villainous side to me which makes me imagine that if I were Jesus, I would have shown up at Pilate’s bed side when he was fast asleep and tickled him. I would have loved to see his face when I said, “Dude, want to wash your hands?” Or, as the chief priest, Pharisees, scribes, elders and those who had falsely accused gathered for worship, I would slowly slip among the worshippers and land in the front row. Can you imagine their faces? And I would have said, “Now do you believe?” Then I would just vanish from among them.
Holy Saturday
Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
A memory I have from my childhood Methodist years is singing Charles Wesley's hymn on Good Friday:Holy Thursday - Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
I read an article today by the Catholic News Service about Pope Francis recently making a surprise visit to a group of homeless people in the Sistine Chapel while they were enjoying a private visit there. According to the article, the Vatican Museums had closed early to allow these special guests of the papal almoner to have the Sistine Chapel to themselves, accompanied by professional guides. The pope greeted each of these guests who live on the streets around the Vatican, asking them to pray for him and giving them a blessing before they were served dinner in the museum’s cafeteria.
Wednesday of Holy Week
Life is difficult. We all know this truth. Some of the most difficult points in my own life came from suffering inflicted upon me by people who were supposed to be on my team. Betrayals came from people who I thought were my friends. In the same breath I must ask for forgiveness from those for whom I caused suffering or those who I betrayed. Suffering and betrayal are not just parts of the scriptures from a long time ago. They are the scriptures of our own lives.
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
Today, being Monday of Holy Week, we are anticipating the special liturgies, praying and reflecting on what we have done through these weeks of Lent, and begin preparing for Easter Sunday celebrations with family and friends. While I was reading and reflecting upon today’s Scriptures, I felt like I was looking through the wide angle lens of a camera—they present a much bigger picture than what we may tend to focus on during Holy Week. There are times when we encounter Christ in Scripture and we can experience what may be an amazing glimpse of the ‘big picture’ and it brings everything together in a way only God is capable of doing.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
We are entering Holy Week. On the one hand, Holy Week commemorates the story of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. However, if we look deeper, it is also our story. Holy week and the story of Jesus as we heard it in the reading of the passion, dramatizes the stark realities of the human condition. Within the Jesus story we find intense suffering, intrigue, malice, prejudice, hatred, betrayal, bribery, corruption, and bloody murder. Intertwined in this sad story is the life of a man who took the consequences of human sin upon himself and transformed it into love, forgiveness, peace and eternal life. He did so by becoming the “suffering servant” of God – a concept introduced to us both in the first and second readings. By becoming the “suffering servant,” Jesus changed the very meaning of human life. Human quest for permanent happiness and eternal life can only be fulfilled in Jesus.
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 four year old this week about her 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.
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Today’s readings begin with a covenant – a promise made between the Lord and Abram in which Abram’s life is so changed by his “yes” to the Lord that he receives a new name. He becomes a new person in the Lord – no longer Abram but Abraham. We, ourselves, experience this same life-changing covenant in the sacraments. In the sacrament of confirmation we are given a confirmation name. We become a new person in the Lord as we accept the Lord’s call to change our lives and focus on Him, often with the guidance of a saint or holy person. Additionally, in the sacrament of marriage, our name is changed. We take on a new identity as we are united with one another in the Lord. When my sister took her vows as a religious sister she too was given a new name. In each of these moments we make a promise to the Lord, a promise that is so important that our entire identity is changed. Receiving a new name sets us apart as new beings in the Lord, new vessels of the spirit.
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
As a hospital chaplain, the opportunities for ministry abound. What surprises me is that, while I know I am there as the minister, many times I feel the one ministered too. One of the ways this happens is by the steadfast faith of the people with whom I interact. Recently, a patient had just found out they had pancreatic cancer. It was suggested that with treatment she could extend her life likely by a few months. As she shared her faith journey it became clear to her that she did not want to get treatment. Her decision left me awestruck at the profound trust she had in God. From her deep faith, this woman made it clear, “God’s will be done.” This patient’s prayer came to mind immediately as I reflected on the readings today.