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?

Monday, April 27, 2026

 

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(Acts 11:1-18; John 10:11-18)

A woman had an executive position with a Church organization.  Yet she put her life on hold to take care of her mother in a persistent vegetative state.  The woman was not looking for admiration, much less to be called a saint or to be paid.  She gave of herself out of love for her mother and for God.  She wanted to please God who, she knew, commanded attention to one’s parents.  This woman was acting like Jesus as he describes himself in today’s gospel.

The gospel completes Jesus’ Good Shepherd Discourse begun in yesterday’s mass.  Where yesterday he identified himself as the “gate for the sheep,” today he uses the more familiar metaphor.  He gives two reasons why the analogy obtains.  First, he will die for his sheep, and secondly, he knows his sheep.  Jesus also knows that God, the Father, loves him for giving his life to save his sheep.

When we pray to God, “…lead us not into temptation,” we are asking deliverance from situations like the woman in the true story or like Jesus.  If we do find ourselves facing a difficult task, there may be alternatives which would cost us less than everything. Nevertheless, we should also pray regularly that if complete self-sacrifice is ever required, we will summon the love and courage to meet the challenge.