Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 4:32-37; John 37b-15)

Over fifty years ago the Little Brothers of the Poor established their residence in a perilous neighborhood on Chicago’s near Northside.  The brothers were a society of French religious who came to the North America to serve the elderly.  For a number of years their community thrived as an oasis of peace in a violent area.  It nourished both heart and soul of those who came to assist them in  ministry.  The Little Brothers imaged in miniature what the author of Acts wishes to portray in today’s first reading.

The scene could hardly be more idyllic.  Scores of people (perhaps hundreds or even thousands) share the same thoughts and feelings.  No one goes in need because no one lords over anyone else.  Material resources are held in common with the apostles, tutored by Christ, serving as overseers.  These men command such trust that one community member puts his fortune at their disposition.

We should resist the impulse to form such a community today.  The one described here did not last long, nor have thousands of experimental communes throughout the centuries.  Those who aspire to this ideal, however, might try monastic life with proven rules and certain accommodations to fallen nature.  Nevertheless, we should be more generous with our resources by offering substantial portions for the benefit of the poor.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8)

Ramon used to drink a lot.  We would say that he had a drinking problem.  He might have even called himself an alcoholic bound to nowhere except, perhaps, an early death.  One day, however, he decided to stop drinking.  The decision came in the midst of prayer and its outcome was nourished by prayer.  Since that moment Ramon has never been drunk again.  In fact, he never takes a drink although he will sip the Precious Blood when it is offered at Mass.

Such a radical turnabout seems to be what Jesus has in mind when he speaks of being born again.  He does not intend to say that one has merely to undergo the Baptism ritual to enter the Kingdom of God.  No, he has a more fundamental experience in mind.  He means being transformed so as to live in a completely new way.  Like Ramon those who experience such a change know that it is primarily not their doing but the work of grace.  Evidently many of the baptized in the early Church were so changed as they were preparing for the sacrament.

Then what about those of us who were baptized at a tender age?  Do we have a legitimate place in God’s Kingdom, or are we like squatters in the park soon to be removed?  Perhaps we could test ourselves.  Do we see continual change for the better in ourselves?  Do we find ourselves gradually becoming more God-like?  If we used to talking about ourselves, are we now ready to listen to those needing to share their burden?  If we used to looking at women or men as objects of desire, are we now seeing them as God’s beloved?  Such transformations are the true outcomes of water and the Spirit.

Friday, April 10, 2015

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 has ascended to heaven, but his Spirit is free to be with others.  It should not be thought that this Spirit is merely a common sentiment which people share when reminiscing about times past.  Rather his Spirit -- the Holy Spirit -- is a dynamic force that transforms people inwardly so that they might fulfill Christ’s mission.  Today’s gospel dramatically describes this process.

Have the disciples really returned to their fishing profession?  It would be extraordinary after receiving the commission of the Lord in his previous appearances to them.  But perhaps fishing is being used as a metaphor to describe missionary activity.  In the image employed by the other gospels they have become “fishers of men.”  It is laborious work which can yield nothing unless blessed by the Lord.  Under his tutelage, as seen in today's reading, its results are bountiful.  The crew is then pictured as meeting 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.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Thursday of the Octave of Easter

(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)

A pastor is accused of an indiscretion that is supposed to have been done forty years ago.  He is removed from service despite protests of his parishioners who honor and respect him.  Another priest asks, “…is there no forgiveness for one mistake made many, many years ago?”  The question is hard but fair in view of today’s first reading.

Peter is speaking to the people of Jerusalem.  He accuses them of handing over for execution Jesus, the “author of life.”  But his tone is conciliatory.  He acknowledges that they acted out of ignorance and affirms their status as “children of the prophets and of the covenant.”  He offers them forgiveness and added blessings.  These benefits come with the outpouring of grace from Jesus’ resurrection.

A dozen years ago the bishops of the United States set the rule “one strike and you’re out” to deal with the sexual abuse scandal.  They needed to act boldly to reestablish confidence in the Catholic Church.   In the process worthy priests as well as scoundrels have been stripped of their ministry.  As we pray for the victims of abuse and that it never takes place again, we pray also for these priests.  We might add that perhaps now with the crisis over, the Church might relax the rule.  In single cases where rehabilitation has obviously occurred, a priest should be forgiven so that he might continue his good service.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Wednesday of the Octave of Easter

(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead gives us the hope of victory over our natural end.  It also provides a model for a new way of living.  Instead of focusing on our own needs it turns us to others in thanksgiving and joy.  We see this transformation clearly in today’s first reading.

The crippled man sits at the temple gate waiting for passers-by to notice him.  When Peter and John come, he looks at them for an offering.  Instead he receives a share in the grace of Jesus’ resurrection.  His life is immediately changed.  He is enabled to leap up and walk around.  He is healed not only physically but spiritually.  He no longer thinks of himself but praises God.

We might ask ourselves whether the story is told as a metaphor to record only a spiritual change.  Did divine grace strengthen the ankles of the paralytic as well as his soul?  There has been such an abundance of evidence of physical healings through prayer that we should not deny the possibility.  Still those all who have recovered from ailments of the flesh eventually die.  Their cures are meant to sustain our hope in the victory over death and to live giving praise to God for it.