Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Following his prophetic action of washing feet, the Twelve barrage Jesus with many anxious concerns. Peter outright resists having his feet washed. Philip, unsatisfied, wants to see the Father. And Judas (not Iscariot) asks him, “how is it that you reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”
Who is this “Judas”? Judas or Jude is listed among the Twelve. In tradition, “Jude” in Luke & John is believed to be the “Thaddaeus” of Matthew and Mark. What Jude says today in our Gospel is the only time he is quoted anywhere, yet this quiet apostle is extremely popular as patron of lost causes. His cult in the US has its origins in two immigrant groups: Mexicans and Lebanese.
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
In today’s Gospel, Philip asked Jesus, “Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us?” (John 14:8). Jesus replied to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father," (John 14:9). This passage challenges us to look at the times when we failed to recognize Jesus. Do we know Him well enough to see Him?
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Car trips in our family are never dull, never quiet, and always curious. I am struck by the awareness of our children when we drive places. They are very familiar with the routes that we take to get to frequently traveled destinations such as school, church, downtown, daddy’s work (CJ), and grandparents’ houses. Life in our family has its routines but also enough variance from being on the go with 5 kids that quite frequently, we hear the question, “Where are we going?”. The beautiful thing about children is that they trust (most of the time) that mom and dad know the way to get places. (They just want to know how long it’s going to take: are we there yet? How many more minutes?) Do we have that same trust in our faith in Christ?
Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist
Last Friday, I took my students in ENG 364 to the largest Amish settlement in the world, in Holmes and Wayne counties here in Ohio. We visited the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin where we were given a tour of a 265-foot cyclorama that, with the help of a narrator, tells the history of the Amish and Mennonites—in particular, their experience of persecution for their beliefs in adult baptism, separation of church and state, and pacifism.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Reading today’s Gospel, I find myself drawn to one line in particular: “for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world” (John 12:47). I find myself reflecting on the meaning of condemnation. Condemnation can mean expressing strong disapproval, to censure or blame. There is an element of shame, disapproval, punishment, conviction with the word condemnation. But we hear Jesus say that this is not what he came for. He did not come to express disapproval towards us. Rather he came to save the world—to redeem, to rescue, to make safe. When I think of condemnation and salvation, I know which one I would prefer.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice…I know them and they follow me.” It strikes me that in the first reading we have several examples of both hearing the Shepherd’s voice and listening for it. Stephen’s martyrdom, a tragedy for that early Christian community, turned into the blessing of the spread of the good news of Jesus’ life death and resurrection to distant lands and beyond the Jewish community. Hearing this news prompted the apostles to send Barnabas to Antioch. We are told “he was filled with the Holy Spirit” and encouraged these new “Christians” to “remain faithful in firmness of heart”. We too are called to faithful following and discerning what our next best step is in witnessing to Jesus’ life and resurrection in our own day and time and place.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today in Acts, in a startling vision, it is revealed to Peter that Jewish kosher laws are no longer required for followers of “the Way.” Afterwards, he is summoned to Caesarea by “God-fearing” Roman centurion Cornelius. God-fearers were Gentiles attracted to Judaism and the Jewish God. Caesarea was the seat of the Roman governor, and a place filled with a wide variety of ethnicities, including some at odds with the Jews.
Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12)
How often are we grateful? Today’s Responsorial Psalm reminded me of a book I read during a retreat called Between Heaven and Mirth by Fr. James Martin. In it, he wrote about the importance of joy, humor, and laughter in our spiritual lives. Gratitude is an expression of joy. Nonetheless, with wars around the world, polarization leading to conflicts between individuals and groups of people, climate change, and other societal issues, it is difficult to be grateful. However, it is in times like these when gratitude and joy are especially important.
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
I generally support rational thinking and behavior that is based on logic and reason. I take it as a compliment to be referred to as a “rational person,” especially as opposed to irrational. I appreciate the predictability of math and science and recognize all the ways these disciplines have helped us as a civilization. And yet, today's readings remind me that we are sometimes called to set aside seemingly rational thinking to listen and respond with our hearts, with hearts of faith.
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
When I was reflecting on the scripture readings from today, I was struck by the phrase, “They shall all be taught by God.” What does it mean to have God as our teacher, and how can we be good students in the God’s classroom?
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus reminds His disciples that He and the Father are one. The Father draws us to Jesus and calls us to believe in Him. God teaches us through the life, death and resurrection that divine Love poured out through Jesus is the source of eternal life.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
Today’s Gospel highlights a central tenet of our Catholic faith: Jesus is the bread of life. While we can certainly take this as an opportunity to deepen our theological understanding of the Eucharist, it was the response of the people in the crowd that caught my attention. “Sir, give us this bread always.” I think of the longing that is reflected in such a request. When they heard that this bread gives life to the world, what was stirring in their hearts that they were moved to respond with such earnestness instead of doubt or confusion? What parts of their lives felt deficient that receiving this true bread would satisfy? What inside of me longs for the bread of life when I approach the Eucharist?
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
As a teenager I overheard my aunt telling my mom about being at church with her young son, Andrew. Andrew had heard the Gospel message we hear today, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” He was so excited by the idea of never feeling hungry or thirsty again he told his mom, “Let’s get up there! We need to eat that bread!” While this is a sweet story of an eager child, there is truth in his young, innocent words.
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
In today’s first reading, we see the Apostles ordained the first deacons. It seemed that the Apostles needed help in serving the first Christian community as seen in the neglect of care of the Greek widows. These seven deacons filled the gap in the community’s needs. Likewise, we too are called to serve the needs of our community. We can look at our gifts and the time we have and discern what God is calling us to do and be. At the same time, are we involved in our community? Do we know the problems and issues that exist in the cities and towns we live in?
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
These 50 days of Easter feature Acts of the Apostles as our first reading. Luke's sequel to his Gospel, Acts has been called “the Gospel of the Holy Spirit.” Today is the setting just prior to the stoning of Stephen.
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
One of my favorite phrases attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta states, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Just over a week ago, we welcomed our newest child, Dorothy Marie, to our family. Each time that our family has grown, we are always amazed by the outpouring of love and kindness from the community around us–family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, strangers in public. We have people offering prayers, blessings, simple and sweet text messages and emails of congratulations, and offering to bring by a meal. Best of all is the incredible love that Dorothy’s four older siblings have for her. They are so excited to hold her, talk to her, and tell their teachers, friends, and anyone who will listen about their new baby sister. It’s an overwhelming amount of love, an example and witness of God’s overabundance. An incredible, unifying gift of Christ’s love wrapped up in a little bundle–pure grace, unbounded blessing, absolute joy.
Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr
I just finished reading a fabulous book—The Class of ’65: A Student, A Divided Town, and the Long Road to Forgiveness—by journalist, Jim Auchmutey. It tells the story of Greg Wittkamper, an adolescent who grew up in Koinonia (a term borrowed from the ancient Greek that means fellowship, partnership, community), a community located not far from Plains, Georgia. It served as the origin of Habitat for Humanity.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Today’s Gospel paints an interesting picture between the light and darkness. “The light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (John 3:19 – 21) The light is what brings clarity and truth. Christ gives us clarity and truth.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
In today’s first reading, the first Christian community is described as having “one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). This is seen in their sharing of their possessions and taking care of each other. They were living out what Jesus told them to do: to sell what they have and give to the poor. In doing so, they find their treasure in heaven and get rid of obstacles that hinder them from following Jesus (Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 12:33).
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Humorist theologian Frederick Buechner is one of my favorite writers. Way back in 1979 he penned Peculiar Treasures: A Biblical Who’s Who. My copy is now dog eared and worn because I referred to it countless times.
Here’s Buechner’s take on today’s solemnity, focused on the Archangel Gabriel:
She struck the angel Gabriel as hardly old enough to have a child at all, let alone this child, but he’d been entrusted with a message to give and he gave it.
Saturday in the Octave of Easter
"A Joyful Shout." 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.