Sunday, May 3, 2026

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

(Acts 6:1–7; 1 Peter 2:4–9; John 14:1–12)

Each year during the seven weeks of Easter, we hear passages from the Acts of the Apostles. This biblical book narrates the development of the early Christian community in Jerusalem and shows how the Holy Spirit promotes the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. The reading we hear today recounts how the community overcomes a problem inherent in every human organization.

Administrative problems appear in organizations as small as the family and as large as the national government. It is inevitable that, at some point, those responsible for administration will overlook someone’s need or have disagreements among themselves. The early Christian community is no exception. But it is exceptional in that it resolves the problem without resentment (at least as recorded in Acts) and with dependence on God.

Believers follow Jesus by holding close to their hearts certain principles regarding the disposition of material resources. First, no one should be in need. Clearly, the concern here is for the poor. Second, everyone should place their goods at the service of the community. This principle challenges especially the well to do. Typically, they have worked hard to obtain their possessions and do not want to see them wasted. And third, the apostles should distribute goods from the community dispensary according to each person’s need.

However, as the community experiences rapid growth, the apostles are unable to meet the increasing demand. The reading tells us that the widows of the Greek-speaking group are lacking food. They are Jews of the diaspora, who settled in Jerusalem and converted to Jesus. They turn to the apostles for help in sustaining themselves. But, being devoted to preaching, the apostles cannot meet their needs. For this reason, they must find another way to care for the widows.

Their procedure is instructive. Rather than viewing the problem as political, the apostles address it as administrative. That is, they do not dwell on why it is the “Greek widows” who are in need. Instead, they propose a solution that may cost them influence but will, in the long run, benefit everyone. They call the community together to select seven men who can serve as administrators of the communal pantry.

Three qualities are proposed for selecting the seven. Each must be a man of good reputation so that people can trust him. He must be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to guide others in ways of justice. Finally, he must have prudence to manage the common resources. Then the apostles lay hands on them to invoke the Spirit, who grants them the authority to carry out their new ministry.

We might ask how the Holy Spirit comes to the seven. Today’s Gospel gives us the key to understanding the transmission of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says that he goes to prepare a place for his disciples in his Father’s house. We often think of God’s house as being in some heaven beyond the stars. But at the beginning of this Gospel, Jesus associates his Father’s house with his own body. Jesus prepares a place for us in his Father’s house by giving himself over to be crucified and rising from the dead. Baptized into this Paschal mystery, we become members of the Body of Christ, the house of the Father where the Holy Spirit dwells.

The presence of the Holy Spirit within us gives us a new life of grace to live in this world with eternal life as our goal. The seven receive a double portion of the Spirit for their ministry of attending to the physical needs of the people.

We are approaching Pentecost, the feast of the Holy Spirit. More than celebrating the “birthday of the Church,” it is a time to reflect on how the Holy Spirit is guiding us and to ask for the gifts needed to do His will. He will not fail us. He must renew the face of the earth, and He wants us to help Him in this task.

Friday, May 1, 2026

 

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6)

In driving out its merchants, Jesus equated the Temple with his Father’s house.  “’… stop making my Father’s house a marketplace,’” he said.  He also likened the Temple to his own body.  “’Destroy this Temple,’” he added referring to his body, “’and in three days I will raise it up.’”  In today’s passage he speaks of going to his Father’s house to prepare places for his disciples. Of course, he is not speaking of tidying guest rooms.  Rather he has in mind making his disciples members of his Body.

He does this, as Thomas understandably does not yet realize, by suffering crucifixion and rising from the dead.  It is a brutal road.  Jesus is the one whose heart should be troubled.  But he bravely underplays his own emotion to take note of his disciples’ anxiety.

As members of Jesus’ Body, we too suffer and rise.  The experience brings us a new intimacy with God and with one another.  Suffering with Christ, we develop a dependence on the Father that magnifies faith.  We also acquire empathy – that virtue which enables solidarity with the poor.  We need not be troubled by Jesus' having gone away, only by our unwillingness to follow.  

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20)

In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost the great angel Lucifer takes a definitive stand against the Lord God. “I will not serve,” he says.  To emphasize the point, he gives his reason.  It is “better to reign in hell” he says, “than to serve in heaven.”   Then, after distorting the notion of service, he goes off to bring havoc to the world.

For some, service undermines the exalted idea they have of themselves.  It shows them that they are not the force that sets the universe in motion but a small cog in the order of things.  Yet Jesus served -- very visibly the night he took off his tunic to wash the feet of his disciples.  Service then does not demean our stature; quite the contrary, it conforms us to the Lord.  When we serve faithfully and well, we show ourselves worthy of a place in God’s house, a seat at His table.

The reference to Judas in the gospel reading today points to a man who, like Lucifer, refuses to serve.  It is thought – perhaps because he was the treasurer of the community -- that Judas rivaled Peter as head disciple.  In the reading Jesus implies that Judas’ difficulty is that he cannot see himself taking off his tunic, much less give his life, in faithful service.  Thus, he too takes a definitive stand against the Lord.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

(Acts 12;24-13:5A; John 12:44-50)

To appreciate Catherine of Siena, we might think of Joan of Arc.  Like the Maid of Orleans, Catherine was a young woman from whom older men took orders.  Both were anomalies revered for their bravery in worldly affairs: Joan in warfare and Catherine in both Church and civil politics.

Catherine was raised in a pious family without formal education but with a fervent spirituality.  As a child, she gave herself to Christ with whom she shared spiritual intimacy.  In her teens she deepened her relationship with the Lord by living three years in isolation on her family’s property.  Then at seventeen or eighteen she burst onto the world with a mission to Church, state and “family.”  Her charisma was so enthralling that a diverse group of followers traveled with her and called her “Mama.“  She acted as a peace legate among the city-states of Italy.  Most importantly, she influenced Pope Gregory XI to leave the decades-long papal retreat in Avignon.  And her vast correspondence counseled hundreds of people from prisoners to kings.   

Catherine was eccentric in ways, perhaps most of all in her love for Christ.  As with Catherine, a vivacious love for Christ can spur to accomplish much good.  It may not move us to great achievements, but it can enable us to live for God.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30)

The Jews want Jesus to reveal his full identity.  They see that he is a capable teacher and prodigious deeds.  But is he the long-awaited Messiah?  “’If you are the Christ, tell us plainly,’” they demand.  Of course, they mean the one who will convert his knowledge into battle strategy and his deeds into victory over their Roman occupiers.

Many today unknowingly ask the same question of Jesus.  Is he the Messiah?  Of course, they do not mean a military hero but one who could assure fulfilment of their desires.  They see their salvation in a meaningful life with challenging work, the benefits of large compensation, and interesting friends.

But these outcomes are not what Jesus promises in the Gospel.  Especially in the version of John, Jesus offers his followers “eternal life.”  For most this means a heavenly placement after death.  And that’s too “iffy” of a proposition to hold their attention.  So, they place their hopes in the expectations from being accepted to a top-tiered university: prestige, connections, even a good education. 

But Jesus’ offer of “eternal life” includes more than out of this world retirement benefits.  It is being part of his flock with him as a sure guide whom they can encounter spiritually.  It is living with the other “sheep” – some of whom exceed us in every way.  It is knowing that the trials, which all lives have, are not obstacles in the way of happiness.  On the contrary, they are facilitators of a closer relationship with the one who conquered death.  How can we not accept him as Messiah?