Fourth Sunday of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
On this fourth Sunday of Easter, our readings remind us to have courage in living our lives in accordance with the Gospel. In the first reading, Peter is addressing the Sanhedrin, the group that had earlier condemned Jesus. Imagine the tension as Peter proclaims to this group that there is no salvation through anyone else other than Jesus. Peter continues by quoting Psalm 118:22 and informs them that the “stone,” which they had rejected, has become the “cornerstone.” If we are looking for a courageous proclamation of faith in front of a hostile audience, it would be difficult to find a better example than Peter before the Sanhedrin in today’s first reading.
Today's Mass Readings
On this fourth Sunday of Easter, our readings remind us to have courage in living our lives in accordance with the Gospel. In the first reading, Peter is addressing the Sanhedrin, the group that had earlier condemned Jesus. Imagine the tension as Peter proclaims to this group that there is no salvation through anyone else other than Jesus. Peter continues by quoting Psalm 118:22 and informs them that the “stone,” which they had rejected, has become the “cornerstone.” If we are looking for a courageous proclamation of faith in front of a hostile audience, it would be difficult to find a better example than Peter before the Sanhedrin in today’s first reading.
Memorial of Saint Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church
Today's Mass Readings
“As a result of this, many disciples returned to their former life and no longer walked with him” (John 6:66). Jesus’ revelation of Himself as the Bread of Life, the one whose flesh we must eat and whose blood we must drink to gain eternal life, was not easy to swallow (no pun intended). Indeed it separated the deeply committed disciples from those who were on board only insofar as Jesus’ teaching seemed acceptable. This particular teaching shocked the latter group (John 6:61) and they returned to their former life. In response to their shock, Jesus remarks His words are “Spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Today's Mass Readings
“As a result of this, many disciples returned to their former life and no longer walked with him” (John 6:66). Jesus’ revelation of Himself as the Bread of Life, the one whose flesh we must eat and whose blood we must drink to gain eternal life, was not easy to swallow (no pun intended). Indeed it separated the deeply committed disciples from those who were on board only insofar as Jesus’ teaching seemed acceptable. This particular teaching shocked the latter group (John 6:61) and they returned to their former life. In response to their shock, Jesus remarks His words are “Spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
“What IS the Good News, anyway?” This is a question that I first asked years ago, when I had some doubts about whether Christianity could be true. What could the Good News possibly have to do with me 2000 years later? Christians see Easter as very good, because of the resurrection – but this good news does require us to pause and consider how the resurrection of Jesus’ body might relate to us, in our world. Today’s readings help us do just that – take time to pause and reflect on the resurrection and its meaning for us today.
Today's Mass Readings
“What IS the Good News, anyway?” This is a question that I first asked years ago, when I had some doubts about whether Christianity could be true. What could the Good News possibly have to do with me 2000 years later? Christians see Easter as very good, because of the resurrection – but this good news does require us to pause and consider how the resurrection of Jesus’ body might relate to us, in our world. Today’s readings help us do just that – take time to pause and reflect on the resurrection and its meaning for us today.
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus continues to emphasize what He has been explaining to the crowd and to His disciples in the Gospel readings this entire week: He is the Bread of Life. Those who followed Moses and who ate the manna in the wilderness all eventually died. Jesus informs His audience that if they eat of the Bread of Life, i.e. if they eat Jesus, they will not die but have eternal life. Jesus explains that the bread of which He speaks is His flesh.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus continues to emphasize what He has been explaining to the crowd and to His disciples in the Gospel readings this entire week: He is the Bread of Life. Those who followed Moses and who ate the manna in the wilderness all eventually died. Jesus informs His audience that if they eat of the Bread of Life, i.e. if they eat Jesus, they will not die but have eternal life. Jesus explains that the bread of which He speaks is His flesh.
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena,
virgin and doctor of the Church
Today's Mass Readings
At my house, we have a air conditioner (window unit). On top of the unit a bird has chosen to nest. This mother bird has laid two eggs which she has sat on ever since. Our daughter discovered this Morning Dove which she calls Birdie. Birdie and her have seemed to bond. What strikes us the most about our daughter’s new friendship is the joy it brings her. First thing, every morning she gets out of bed and runs to see the Birdie. Sometimes she sings to the bird and often she says the bird smiles at her. The joy we see in her face is powerful. It is a radiance that seems to reflect the purest of joys. When we recognize these signs of God’s presence, they are manna for our journey. It is in seeing God, even in basic things like in bread and wine that we realize Easter joy.
virgin and doctor of the Church
Today's Mass Readings
At my house, we have a air conditioner (window unit). On top of the unit a bird has chosen to nest. This mother bird has laid two eggs which she has sat on ever since. Our daughter discovered this Morning Dove which she calls Birdie. Birdie and her have seemed to bond. What strikes us the most about our daughter’s new friendship is the joy it brings her. First thing, every morning she gets out of bed and runs to see the Birdie. Sometimes she sings to the bird and often she says the bird smiles at her. The joy we see in her face is powerful. It is a radiance that seems to reflect the purest of joys. When we recognize these signs of God’s presence, they are manna for our journey. It is in seeing God, even in basic things like in bread and wine that we realize Easter joy.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
The title for this reflection, "Reading Scripture with Easter Eyes" may seem a bit odd if you've already read the Bible passages for today, since there are very few references to reading Scripture in today's passages, and the subtle references that are there (e.g., "You received thelaw" [Acts 7:53]; and "as it is written" [John 6:31]), don't seem to be the focus of the narratives.
Today's Mass Readings
The title for this reflection, "Reading Scripture with Easter Eyes" may seem a bit odd if you've already read the Bible passages for today, since there are very few references to reading Scripture in today's passages, and the subtle references that are there (e.g., "You received thelaw" [Acts 7:53]; and "as it is written" [John 6:31]), don't seem to be the focus of the narratives.
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
As we begin this Third Week of Easter, we are called to keep in mind the resurrected Lord and continue to live in the Easter joy – the knowledge of our salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. As we have done all Easter season, we continue to follow the stories of the early apostles as contained in the biblical book called the Acts of the Apostles. This is the sequel to our gospel stories, providing us with some kind of sense of how Jesus’ disciples lived the Christian life after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This week Stephen will feature prominently in the narrative contained in Acts.
Today's Mass Readings
As we begin this Third Week of Easter, we are called to keep in mind the resurrected Lord and continue to live in the Easter joy – the knowledge of our salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. As we have done all Easter season, we continue to follow the stories of the early apostles as contained in the biblical book called the Acts of the Apostles. This is the sequel to our gospel stories, providing us with some kind of sense of how Jesus’ disciples lived the Christian life after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This week Stephen will feature prominently in the narrative contained in Acts.
Third Sunday of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Earlier this week, I received a surprise from an unlikely source. I attended a discussion group with the dean of a well-known business school. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the dean’s new book, which was a study on how successful business leaders think. The surprise was the dean’s thesis that successful decision making is based on an understanding that there is no “objective truth.” His position was that we need to stop thinking in terms of something being true or untrue, and start thinking in terms of flexible models that are not tied to antiquated notions of truth. This position was formed as a result of his research and interviews with numerous industry leaders. From my perspective, the research did not support a frame work for successful decision making; instead, if “successful” business leaders are denying the existence of objective truth, we may have found part of the explanation for our current economic crisis.
Today's Mass Readings
Earlier this week, I received a surprise from an unlikely source. I attended a discussion group with the dean of a well-known business school. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the dean’s new book, which was a study on how successful business leaders think. The surprise was the dean’s thesis that successful decision making is based on an understanding that there is no “objective truth.” His position was that we need to stop thinking in terms of something being true or untrue, and start thinking in terms of flexible models that are not tied to antiquated notions of truth. This position was formed as a result of his research and interviews with numerous industry leaders. From my perspective, the research did not support a frame work for successful decision making; instead, if “successful” business leaders are denying the existence of objective truth, we may have found part of the explanation for our current economic crisis.
Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, so named for being the author of the Gospel of Mark. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was St. Peter's travelling companion in Rome, as evidenced in part by the comments at the end of today's first reading from the First Letter of St. Peter (5:13), and that the Gospel of Mark was a summary of St. Peter's preaching in Rome.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, so named for being the author of the Gospel of Mark. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was St. Peter's travelling companion in Rome, as evidenced in part by the comments at the end of today's first reading from the First Letter of St. Peter (5:13), and that the Gospel of Mark was a summary of St. Peter's preaching in Rome.
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Many people do not believe in Christ because it makes no sense. To believe that someone rose from the dead, that miracles have occurred and do occur, that the bread and wine at the Eucharist become the Body and Blood of Christ – these are not things that strike people as normal, rational and possible in the ordinary world. Many prominent and popular authors today see that Christianity (and pretty much all religions) must have been made up by humans – perhaps as a way to control “the masses”, perhaps as a way to explain things that science can now explain to us. Ultimately, they say, religion is an elaborate hoax. Reason dictates that we leave faith behind. Arguing with someone who does not believe is not likely to end well.
Today's Mass Readings
Many people do not believe in Christ because it makes no sense. To believe that someone rose from the dead, that miracles have occurred and do occur, that the bread and wine at the Eucharist become the Body and Blood of Christ – these are not things that strike people as normal, rational and possible in the ordinary world. Many prominent and popular authors today see that Christianity (and pretty much all religions) must have been made up by humans – perhaps as a way to control “the masses”, perhaps as a way to explain things that science can now explain to us. Ultimately, they say, religion is an elaborate hoax. Reason dictates that we leave faith behind. Arguing with someone who does not believe is not likely to end well.
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Easter continues, and so does the adventure story of the early Church. In today’s first reading we have an account of Peter and the Apostles being taken in for questioning before a court. Their answer to the court demonstrates the continuing commitment to Jesus and the gospel message: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). They continue by telling the court that they are witnesses to the resurrection. It is evident that knowing Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection has fundamentally changed their lives. The bumbling Apostles of the gospels – often mistaken, often confused, often “weak in faith,” have become courageous leaders of the Church, finally unwilling to deny Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
Easter continues, and so does the adventure story of the early Church. In today’s first reading we have an account of Peter and the Apostles being taken in for questioning before a court. Their answer to the court demonstrates the continuing commitment to Jesus and the gospel message: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). They continue by telling the court that they are witnesses to the resurrection. It is evident that knowing Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection has fundamentally changed their lives. The bumbling Apostles of the gospels – often mistaken, often confused, often “weak in faith,” have become courageous leaders of the Church, finally unwilling to deny Jesus.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Salvation is God’s gift in Jesus; but whether to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation remains a choice that every human person must consciously make. This could easily be the theme of today’s readings. Let us reflect on this theme reading by reading.
Today's Mass Readings
Salvation is God’s gift in Jesus; but whether to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation remains a choice that every human person must consciously make. This could easily be the theme of today’s readings. Let us reflect on this theme reading by reading.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading is a continuation of Jesus’ conversations with Nicodemus and, in this sense, is a continuation of the baptismal theme. Indeed, since “new life,” or as Maria put it in yesterday’s reflection, “born again” is such a prominent Easter theme, we can expect it to occur again and again during the Easter season. The repetition of theme is an invitation to reflect even more seriously on the Christian commitment that we made at our own baptism.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading is a continuation of Jesus’ conversations with Nicodemus and, in this sense, is a continuation of the baptismal theme. Indeed, since “new life,” or as Maria put it in yesterday’s reflection, “born again” is such a prominent Easter theme, we can expect it to occur again and again during the Easter season. The repetition of theme is an invitation to reflect even more seriously on the Christian commitment that we made at our own baptism.
Monday of the Second Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Alleluia, Christ is risen! We are now starting on our second week of Easter and continuing to follow the journey of the early Church as remembered in the Acts of the Apostles. Our passage for today again describes Peter and John, who, by now must be regarded as troublemakers in the eyes of many in the city. For the Christian community, however, the actions of Peter and John make sense because they are interpreted in light of the paschal mystery, i.e. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Christians feel empowered by their recollection of all that had happened; Jesus’ death has not ended their discipleship; rather, his resurrection has intensified their commitment to the gospel message. Hence the word that describes them is “boldness.” In the face of threats, they stay true to their lives as followers of Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
Alleluia, Christ is risen! We are now starting on our second week of Easter and continuing to follow the journey of the early Church as remembered in the Acts of the Apostles. Our passage for today again describes Peter and John, who, by now must be regarded as troublemakers in the eyes of many in the city. For the Christian community, however, the actions of Peter and John make sense because they are interpreted in light of the paschal mystery, i.e. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Christians feel empowered by their recollection of all that had happened; Jesus’ death has not ended their discipleship; rather, his resurrection has intensified their commitment to the gospel message. Hence the word that describes them is “boldness.” In the face of threats, they stay true to their lives as followers of Jesus.
Divine Mercy Sunday
Today's Mass Readings
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, our readings provide a description of corporal works of mercy in the first Christian community and spiritual works of mercy performed by our Lord in the presence of the disciples. God’s mercy is made tangible, in part, through the institution of the Sacrament of Penance, which is described in today’s Gospel reading. When Jesus addresses the disciples he states “As the Father sent me, so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20:21-23) God allows us an opportunity to be restored in his grace through this sacrament.
Today's Mass Readings
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, our readings provide a description of corporal works of mercy in the first Christian community and spiritual works of mercy performed by our Lord in the presence of the disciples. God’s mercy is made tangible, in part, through the institution of the Sacrament of Penance, which is described in today’s Gospel reading. When Jesus addresses the disciples he states “As the Father sent me, so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20:21-23) God allows us an opportunity to be restored in his grace through this sacrament.
Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
These words from today’s Psalm (Ps 118:15) illustrate the insuppressible good news of Jesus’ life death and resurrection. The good news of the resurrection bubbles forth from Jesus’ disciples out of their gut, almost uncontrollably; it is unable to be squelched or held down.
Today's Mass Readings
These words from today’s Psalm (Ps 118:15) illustrate the insuppressible good news of Jesus’ life death and resurrection. The good news of the resurrection bubbles forth from Jesus’ disciples out of their gut, almost uncontrollably; it is unable to be squelched or held down.
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
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.
Today's Mass Readings
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
Today's Mass Readings
Alleluia, Christ is risen! Today is the fifth day in the octave of Easter, a solemnity that continues our celebration of the risen Lord. Both our first reading and our gospel reading for today are continuations of yesterday’s readings. In the first, the early church’s adventure continues; after healing a man at Solomon’s Portico, Peter (and John) have the opportunity to share the gospel again. In the gospel reading, Jesus again appears to the disciples in his resurrected body. Two themes arise from these readings.
Today's Mass Readings
Alleluia, Christ is risen! Today is the fifth day in the octave of Easter, a solemnity that continues our celebration of the risen Lord. Both our first reading and our gospel reading for today are continuations of yesterday’s readings. In the first, the early church’s adventure continues; after healing a man at Solomon’s Portico, Peter (and John) have the opportunity to share the gospel again. In the gospel reading, Jesus again appears to the disciples in his resurrected body. Two themes arise from these readings.
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
As this Easter Octave continues, I hope the sentiment in us reflects the sentiment of the Psalm response for today's reading. The psalmist says, “Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.” (Psalm 105:3b). Indeed these days are days of rejoicing. Peter, John and the disciples on the road to Emmaus discover this in their own life.
Today's Mass Readings
As this Easter Octave continues, I hope the sentiment in us reflects the sentiment of the Psalm response for today's reading. The psalmist says, “Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.” (Psalm 105:3b). Indeed these days are days of rejoicing. Peter, John and the disciples on the road to Emmaus discover this in their own life.
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the first Tuesday in the Octave of Easter, which means that we arecontinuing to celebrate not only the liturgical season of Easter, but the very day of Easter itself which we extend over an entire eight days. During these days, the first reading will focus on the Acts of the Apostles because it is an account of the early Christian community immediately after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel reading will focus on the resurrection appearences of Jesus in the various gospels.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the first Tuesday in the Octave of Easter, which means that we arecontinuing to celebrate not only the liturgical season of Easter, but the very day of Easter itself which we extend over an entire eight days. During these days, the first reading will focus on the Acts of the Apostles because it is an account of the early Christian community immediately after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel reading will focus on the resurrection appearences of Jesus in the various gospels.