Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” (John 14: 27). What is this peace that Jesus is giving and how is that different from how the world gives us peace?
Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
At the turn of the last century a missionary society of priests and brothers, who labored on an isolated island in the south Pacific, sent their yearly report to their superiors. In part it read, “We have made some progress. Small steps really. On Fridays the cannibals only eat fishermen.”
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus reminds the disciples that He reveals the Father in His life and His works. As disciples of Christ, we are called to follow Jesus in our words and actions, so others will see God is us. Jesus promises that if we believe in Him, He will do great works through us and this will give the Father glory.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
There was only one thing I really hated about college--the pressure of making seemingly life-altering decisions. I changed my major 3 (maybe 4) times and each time it felt like I was holding my whole future in my hands and determining the trajectory of my life. At the time, it felt like a lot of pressure and I clearly remember wishing that someone would just make the decisions for me and tell me what to do. I felt like I did not know where I was going or how to get there. Now, as I journey with students at the University of Dayton who are discerning their own vocations, it is much easier to see that no matter which path one takes, Jesus is with us. It is less about what I do and more about how I do it.
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today’s readings remind us that God has been active throughout history; most particularly God is made known in the person of Jesus. We are called to participate in God’s revelation in this present time through our discipleship as faith- filled people who serve with love.
Feast of St. Matthias
Our text from John’s Gospel today is rich and deep; it contains much upon which to reflect. It was verse sixteen that captured my attention. Jesus says to us, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain . . .” Specifically, I invite us to focus on this phrase, “go and bear fruit that will remain.” What is the nature of this fruit? How do we recognize it? What constitutes its remaining? Jesus appoints us to be fruitful disciples. Let us pray for deeper understanding of Jesus’ Word and for the graces we need to go and bear fruit that will remain.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
The Good Shepherd Sunday theme continues as Jesus invites us into the intimate relationship he shares with God the Father. Like sheep who know their shepherd, Jesus encourages us to trust in their care for us. With the recent death of Pope Francis, the conclave and appointment of Pope Leo XIV, there has been much discussion of the qualities of a good shepherd, pastor and Pope. Pope Francis loved the shepherd image and reminded those in ministry that we should smell like sheep (ie. be united with those we companion). Pope Leo envisions a church that welcomes all, and especially especially cares for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
As we work our way through Acts, Peter has an earth shaking vision — “Followers of the Way” (Christians) are no longer required to adhere to the 613 laws of Torah. “Who am I to hinder God?” Peter asks. Another way to put it, “God’s ways are not our ways.”
Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?”From today’s Gospel, John 6:60-69
I can think of countless, recent examples of being shocked. There were outcomes I didn’t anticipate. Timing that couldn’t have been more unexpected. Responses that were hard to bear.
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Diary Entry of Judas of Straight Street, Damascus--
Now I understand why the Lord chose for me this humble dwelling on Straight Street. For a time, I regretted having moved to this location, but since Saul’s visit, my faith in God and his plans for me has increased tenfold.
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
As we continue through Acts, the gospel spreads throughout Palestine. Today we hear of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch was an important official in charge of the queen’s treasury. Men in charge of the harem were often made eunuchs (castrated).
Probably a Gentile who converted to Judaism, as a eunuch he would not be permitted full privileges at the temple. Traveling home from Jerusalem, he is reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He may have been drawn to Isaiah because the prophet writes about God’s acceptance of all, including eunuchs (Is 56:3-5).
Once again the Kingdom of God reverses the old law in favor of the despised, the unacceptable, those deemed undeserving.
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!”