Friday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)
Resurrection means, of course, that Christ is no longer dead but alive. His body may have ascended to heaven, but his Spirit remains with us. We should not think of this Spirit as merely a common sentiment like people share when reminiscing about the “the good old days.” Rather his Spirit is a dynamic force that transforms us interiorly so that we might fulfill his mission. Today’s gospel describes the working of Jesus’ Spirit with rich symbols.
Have the disciple’s really returned to their old fishing profession? It would be extraordinary after receiving the commission of the Lord in his previous appearances to them. But perhaps fishing is the metaphor for their preaching. They have become “fishers of men.” It is laborious work which may yield nothing unless blessed by the Lord. Under his tutelage, however, its results are bountiful. The crew actually meets Jesus in the meal to which he invites them. There they hear his words which guide them and consume his food which nourishes them.
The gospel passage suggests Jesus’ presence to us as well as to his immediate disciples. He engages us in our daily occupations. There we too can produce marvelous results on behalf of our families, communities, and society. Attentive to the words he speaks in the gospel and fortified by his body and blood received in the Eucharist, we are prepared to bring his mission of redemption to completion.
Homilette for Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
If on the cross the Jews executed an innocent man, Christians have more than excised repayment. Their crimes against Jews through the centuries are extensive and bloody. At times Christian leaders supported or at best turned a blind eye to these atrocities. Interestingly, the Gospel according to Luke and Luke’s Acts of the Apostles takes a judicious approach to the Jewish people’s complicity in Jesus’ death. On the cross in Luke’s passion narrative Jesus prays for forgiveness of his persecutors. “Father, forgive them,” he says, “for they do not know what they are doing.” In today’s reading from Acts, Peter reiterates the Lucan interpretation of Jewish responsibility. Addressing himself to the Jews of Jerusalem, Peter says, “’...you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.’”
The ignorance of the Jews does not so much regard the night trial and swift execution of Jesus as the inability to recognize who he is. As Peter indicates, he is God’s “Holy and Righteous One” sent to bring new life to the people. It is a large truth for us to grasp even after two millenniums of spiritual reflection. We continue to sin, and our sins conspire with those of the Jews and the Romans in Jerusalem that fateful Passover when Jesus was put to death. So we like the Jews addressed by Peter do not fully know what we do when we ridicule others or take something that does not belong to us. And, yes, we too, become beneficiaries of Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness from the cross.
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
If on the cross the Jews executed an innocent man, Christians have more than excised repayment. Their crimes against Jews through the centuries are extensive and bloody. At times Christian leaders supported or at best turned a blind eye to these atrocities. Interestingly, the Gospel according to Luke and Luke’s Acts of the Apostles takes a judicious approach to the Jewish people’s complicity in Jesus’ death. On the cross in Luke’s passion narrative Jesus prays for forgiveness of his persecutors. “Father, forgive them,” he says, “for they do not know what they are doing.” In today’s reading from Acts, Peter reiterates the Lucan interpretation of Jewish responsibility. Addressing himself to the Jews of Jerusalem, Peter says, “’...you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.’”
The ignorance of the Jews does not so much regard the night trial and swift execution of Jesus as the inability to recognize who he is. As Peter indicates, he is God’s “Holy and Righteous One” sent to bring new life to the people. It is a large truth for us to grasp even after two millenniums of spiritual reflection. We continue to sin, and our sins conspire with those of the Jews and the Romans in Jerusalem that fateful Passover when Jesus was put to death. So we like the Jews addressed by Peter do not fully know what we do when we ridicule others or take something that does not belong to us. And, yes, we too, become beneficiaries of Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness from the cross.
Homilette for Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)
Some of us may be disappointed that the gospels do not give a physical description of Jesus. Try as we might, we never find a word about his stature, his complexion, or any distinguishing mannerism, other than that he spoke with authority. Once a journalist wrote that he was short since the Gospel of Luke mentions that Zacchaeus has to climb a tree to see him. However, the more common interpretation of this story is that Zacchaeus is the little guy.
Perhaps since Jesus is so nondescript in the gospels, it should not strike us as altogether peculiar that his disciples do not recognize him at first glance after the resurrection. Both Mary Magdalene in yesterday’s gospel reading from St. John and the two disciples today in Luke’s gospel fail to distinguish the Lord from ordinary people. Until he speaks with his old authority, that is. Then his words go straight to the heart. Mary is lifted out of her fog of grief when he mentions her name. The disciples too achieve insight as he blesses and breaks the bread.
We are used to seeing pictures of a long-haired, blue-eyed, bearded Jesus, but these are surely idealized portraits. Rather than seek his image, we should listen for his words. He calls us by name in Baptism as surely as he calls Mary Magdalene in the graveyard. He pronounces the same blessing over the bread and wine in the Eucharist as he does for the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Like these disciples, we are commissioned to tell others of his resurrection. As peculiar as it may sound, we are to say that he is the one whom we visit at mass. We hear his words in the gospel, and we shake his hand in the breaking of the bread.
(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)
Some of us may be disappointed that the gospels do not give a physical description of Jesus. Try as we might, we never find a word about his stature, his complexion, or any distinguishing mannerism, other than that he spoke with authority. Once a journalist wrote that he was short since the Gospel of Luke mentions that Zacchaeus has to climb a tree to see him. However, the more common interpretation of this story is that Zacchaeus is the little guy.
Perhaps since Jesus is so nondescript in the gospels, it should not strike us as altogether peculiar that his disciples do not recognize him at first glance after the resurrection. Both Mary Magdalene in yesterday’s gospel reading from St. John and the two disciples today in Luke’s gospel fail to distinguish the Lord from ordinary people. Until he speaks with his old authority, that is. Then his words go straight to the heart. Mary is lifted out of her fog of grief when he mentions her name. The disciples too achieve insight as he blesses and breaks the bread.
We are used to seeing pictures of a long-haired, blue-eyed, bearded Jesus, but these are surely idealized portraits. Rather than seek his image, we should listen for his words. He calls us by name in Baptism as surely as he calls Mary Magdalene in the graveyard. He pronounces the same blessing over the bread and wine in the Eucharist as he does for the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Like these disciples, we are commissioned to tell others of his resurrection. As peculiar as it may sound, we are to say that he is the one whom we visit at mass. We hear his words in the gospel, and we shake his hand in the breaking of the bread.
Homilette for Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)
A teacher was worried about her job. Economic realities had forced her school district to announce pending cuts of a considerable number of teaching positions. The woman knew that she was competent; indeed, she had received a number of teaching awards. But she was unsure whether her fifteen years of service were enough seniority to survive a brute competition of credentials. The woman prayed and started thinking about how she might cut back her lifestyle in case she was let go. It turned out, however, that she not only retained her job but was given a sizeable raise in salary.
Mary Magdalene’s search for the dead Jesus in the gospel today likewise results in more than she imagined possible. Her devotion to the Lord takes her to his tomb. Evidently she hopes only to be near his remains for in John’s gospel no mention is made of Mary Magdalene’s coming to anoint Jesus nor does it say that she expects the covering stone to be removed. Her faithfulness, however, brings more consolation than she could have ever hoped for. Joy fills her heart as she recognizes her risen Lord.
Life is full of uncertainty and setbacks. As much as we would like to avoid them, we simply cannot. However, we can be faithful to our Lord in these trials with prayer and our best daily efforts. Then, like the teacher in today’s world and Mary Magdalene in the gospel, we too are likely to be surprised by more benefit than we ever thought possible.
(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)
A teacher was worried about her job. Economic realities had forced her school district to announce pending cuts of a considerable number of teaching positions. The woman knew that she was competent; indeed, she had received a number of teaching awards. But she was unsure whether her fifteen years of service were enough seniority to survive a brute competition of credentials. The woman prayed and started thinking about how she might cut back her lifestyle in case she was let go. It turned out, however, that she not only retained her job but was given a sizeable raise in salary.
Mary Magdalene’s search for the dead Jesus in the gospel today likewise results in more than she imagined possible. Her devotion to the Lord takes her to his tomb. Evidently she hopes only to be near his remains for in John’s gospel no mention is made of Mary Magdalene’s coming to anoint Jesus nor does it say that she expects the covering stone to be removed. Her faithfulness, however, brings more consolation than she could have ever hoped for. Joy fills her heart as she recognizes her risen Lord.
Life is full of uncertainty and setbacks. As much as we would like to avoid them, we simply cannot. However, we can be faithful to our Lord in these trials with prayer and our best daily efforts. Then, like the teacher in today’s world and Mary Magdalene in the gospel, we too are likely to be surprised by more benefit than we ever thought possible.
Homilette for Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 2:14.22-33; Matthew 28:18-15)
Wars change territorial maps. After almost any war the victors annex disputed lands while the vanquished forego their claims. After World War I, for example, France, Poland, Demark, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia gained possession of lands from Germany. The resurrection of Jesus also brings about change. It alters not exterior but interior maps of everyone illumined by its brilliance. We see clear change in Peter as he boldly preaches Jesus in the reading from Acts today.
Of course, the proclamation takes place when Peter receives the Holy Spirit with the other disciples on Pentecost. But as courage, understanding, and the other gifts are works of the Spirit, so the coming of the Spirit is a function of Jesus’ resurrection. We can view the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Spirit as one great Easter event with so much content that its wonder becomes appreciable only when we consider them separately.
Peter who denied Jesus at the high priest’s house now tells the Jews openly that Jesus is the long-awaited heir of David. He even has no qualms about charging the Jews with the death of Jesus. However, his purpose is not retribution but forgiveness. He will go on to say that repenting of their sin, they too may receive the same transforming Spirit.
(Acts 2:14.22-33; Matthew 28:18-15)
Wars change territorial maps. After almost any war the victors annex disputed lands while the vanquished forego their claims. After World War I, for example, France, Poland, Demark, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia gained possession of lands from Germany. The resurrection of Jesus also brings about change. It alters not exterior but interior maps of everyone illumined by its brilliance. We see clear change in Peter as he boldly preaches Jesus in the reading from Acts today.
Of course, the proclamation takes place when Peter receives the Holy Spirit with the other disciples on Pentecost. But as courage, understanding, and the other gifts are works of the Spirit, so the coming of the Spirit is a function of Jesus’ resurrection. We can view the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Spirit as one great Easter event with so much content that its wonder becomes appreciable only when we consider them separately.
Peter who denied Jesus at the high priest’s house now tells the Jews openly that Jesus is the long-awaited heir of David. He even has no qualms about charging the Jews with the death of Jesus. However, his purpose is not retribution but forgiveness. He will go on to say that repenting of their sin, they too may receive the same transforming Spirit.
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