Friday in the Octave of Easter
If you’ve experienced a significant loss in your life, you may have heard or experienced the wisdom of the advice to return to your normal, everyday activities as soon as possible. Having recently lost my mother, I can appreciate this wisdom, although not necessarily easy to do. Sometimes we take comfort in doing what’s familiar or even just necessary, like eating. Today’s gospel passage (John 21:1-14) reminds me of this as we hear of Simon Peter, after all that he and the others have witnessed and been through, likely grief-stricken, saying, “I am going fishing.” And sure enough, several of the other disciples that were with him decided to come along too.
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
During this octave of Easter, the scripture readings show Jesus revealing Himself in very concrete ways. He invites His disciples to touch His wounds and share their food with Him to help convince them that His is not a ghost. These stories remind us as Jesus’ disciples that the Divine is revealed within the details of creation. We are invited to “touch” and “see” just like the apostles, so we can also come to know and believe in the Risen Christ.
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
I am blessed to spend time volunteering for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program at IC. Every lesson we give is framed within its relevance to the 3 key moments in the History of the Kingdom of God – creation, redemption, and Parousia (the time when God will be all in all). I am always inspired by my students’ reflections on these moments and their hopeful longing for Parousia.
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Today’s first reading reminds me of those baptized and confirmed at Easter Vigil. It was such a joy to see them receive their sacraments. They remind me of my baptismal call and the commitment I made at Confirmation. Then, today’s Gospel reminds me of discipleship, the outcome of our call from Baptism and Confirmation. Mary Magdalene, like us, was also a disciple of Jesus. Therefore, what can we learn from this Gospel passage about discipleship?
Monday in the Octave of Easter
Traditionally, the entire first week of the seven weeks of Easter is considered to be one continuous day. In the Eastern Rite Catholic Church it is called “Bright Week.”
On Easter Monday, we celebrate “Monday of the Angel.” As we hear from Matthew: “Then the angel said to the women in reply, ‘Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is
going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you” (Mt 28:5-7).
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
“Have you ever felt like nobody was there?
Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you could disappear?
Like you could fall, and no one would hear?”
These lyrics from “You Will Be Found” by Ben Platt (in the musical Dear Evan Hansen) and a collaborative arrangement of the same song along with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Tonight” (from the musical Hamilton) came to mind as I reflected on our readings for today. By the end, both songs are anthems of hope and reminders of the power of relationship.
Holy Thursday
Today begins our Triduum. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), are deep with meaning that colors not only this particular day, but the whole of the Christian life. The paschal mystery expressed in this Triduum is at the heart of all we do.
Wednesday of Holy Week
In today’s Gospel, we have part of Matthew’s account of the Last Supper. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ inner circle, is identified as the one who will betray the Lord. We tend to view Judas as the ultimate “bad guy,” don’t we? In Judas, however, we are invited to see ourselves. In what ways do each of us regularly turn away from the Lord? Today is a great opportunity for conversion! Let us turn back to God, give thanks for His mercy, and recommit ourselves to Him in love and fidelity.
Tuesday of Holy Week
There are many levels that today's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah can be read. For one thing, we see the affirmation of life in the womb. God knows us from the womb. At another level, we can understand this passage as relating to the prophet Isaiah himself, as the servant called by God. And yet, the passage itself gives this servant a name: Israel.
Monday of Holy Week
“Maundy”?
“Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or mandate/commandment, drawing on Jesus' words in John following the washing of the feet at the Last Supper, "I give you a new commandment. Love one another."
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Today’s first reading, Psalm, and Gospel all have the theme of unity. The prophet Ezekiel in the first reading talked about the reunification of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah under God. The Responsorial Psalm referred to God as a shepherd who gathers a scattered flock of sheep. Caiaphas the high priest in the Gospel prophesied that Jesus’ death will unify people.
Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The day before my writing this reflection, Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations was released (in advance of the April 21st date). His message seems to be for all of us, all Christians no matter our walk of life: “As individuals and as communities, amid the variety of charisms and ministries, all of us are called to embody and communicate the Gospel message of hope in a world marked by epochal challenges.” Faced with global challenges as well as personal ones that “risk plunging us into resignation or defeatism,” we are encouraged to instead, “cultivate a gaze full of hope and work fruitfully in response to the vocation we have received, in service to God’s kingdom of love, justice and peace.” (Catholic News Service, March 19, 2024, usccb.org)
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
In today’s readings there are several references to God’s covenant. Although this term is used frequently in the Bible, I believe that it has lost some of its richness in today’s culture. The definition of covenant is “an agreement or promise between two people or groups to do (or not do) something specified.” The covenants that are made in our scripture have even greater purpose and meaning, since God is involved. Although covenants were made many years ago, these promises still impact us, and we are called to remember what purpose and meaning they bring for us and our lives.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, ‘If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’" Today’s Gospel begins with these extraordinary words of Jesus. Jesus came to set us free! Are you living in the reality of the freedom that Christ won for you?
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Joseph. There are so many things about the life of St. Joseph that are inspiring. As the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, he plays a critical role in the upbringing of Jesus. But what I find most amazing is the way that he lives out his role in salvation history with quiet, simple steadfast faith in God and complete obedience to God’s will for his life.
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
We hear once again the well known account of the woman brought to Jesus, having been caught in the act of adultery. Some of us may find this intense drama about shame and sin and stoning hardly “good news.” To this I offer the following quote from Irish writer Fr. Martin Hogan:
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
In today’s Gospel, some in the crowd are surprised that Jesus is from Galilee and don’t believe that he is a prophet or the Messiah/Christ. “But others said, ‘The Christ will not come from Galilee will he?’” (John 7:41). “‘Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee,’” (John 7:52). What are our expectations? Perhaps what God does isn’t what we expect. The Gospels are full of these reversals.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Lately, I have stood in solidarity with friends and family experiencing feelings from across the emotional spectrum. This week, we welcomed a new niece into the world. Our kids are excited to have a new cousin to play with at family gatherings. Not a day earlier, we received heartbreaking news of the sudden death of a dear friend’s father and that another pair of friends are experiencing pregnancy loss. So when I sat with today’s readings, I was instantly drawn to the psalm and could not help but picture Mary at the foot of the cross.
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Today’s reading from the Book of Exodus always gives me pause.
According to this text, our God would nurture a wrath so great that He would say the following: “I see how stiff-necked this people is. Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.”
Am I supposed to worship that God?
Where is the grace? Where is the mercy? Where is the love?
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
“Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you . . .” What Isaiah prophesied, we know and experience in Christ. Have you noticed that this past Sunday we turned a corner in our journey toward the Easter Triduum? The readings have shifted from their focus on repentance and have taken on a more hopeful tone. In this reflection, I want to take a different approach and simply highlight the words of hope that the Church gives us today. May they resonate deeply within your being.