Monday, April 20, 2020

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

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

Although she has an Irish name, Lisa Fitzgerald grew up in a Jewish household.  But she considered herself an atheist through law school at Harvard.  In the last couple of years, however, Ms. Fitzgerald began to read the works of Simone Weil, a French writer who died during World War II.  Weil, who also had Jewish roots, came closer to Christ as she began to pray.   One early morning Fitzgerald woke from sleep with a lot of energy.  She decided to run in a park.  While running, she was overcome with a need for prayer.  She crossed herself repeatedly, found a rosary site on her telephone, and began to recite it.  Later she joined the RCIA and was scheduled for Baptism this Easter. 

Lisa Fitzgerald’s story sheds light on what Jesus means in today’s gospel.  He tells Nicodemus that one has to be born again to “see the Kingdom of God.”  Being born again is more than a washing with Baptismal waters.  It is also viewing life in a whole new way.  Life is not a playground where one seeks different kinds of pleasure.  Nor is it a project to earn, buy, and consume to achieve happiness.  When one avails herself to God in Baptism, she realizes that life is a calling to know and love God.  Answering this call, she finds happiness in following God’s will.  This heavenly bliss will endure even death itself.

Most Catholics today are baptized as infants.  We grow up learning about God through parents and religion teachers.  As Jesus indicates in the gospel, we come to know Him slowly, almost imperceptibly.  Doing it right, however, we realize that God loves us and will give us happiness.  Still, we must respond to God with love.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Friday in the Octave of Easter

(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)

Ken Untener was bishop of Saginaw, Michigan, for twenty-four years.  He organized the diocese so well that he found time to give workshops on preaching nation-wide.  A few years ago a book of his homilies was published posthumously.  It was entitled My Name Is Ken and I Will Be Your Waiter a Long, Long Time.  The name “Jesus” might be substituted for “Ken” to understand today’s gospel.

Like a waiter, Jesus has food prepared for his guests.  He will be serving his disciples until the end of time.  The food that he gives them here -- bread and fish – is representative of himself.  It indicates how Jesus nourishes different dimensions of his disciples’ lives.  First, it is regular food.  As the Lord of creation, Jesus feeds his disciples’ bodies literally every day.  Then it is the “bread of life.”  Jesus gives “food for thought” by enlightening their minds with true wisdom.  Finally, it is food for their souls – Jesus’ own body and blood.  This food enables them to love as he loved so that they may have eternal life.

For eight consecutive days we are fed in the Eucharist with an account of a resurrection appearance.  These stories fortify our faith so that we might live as humans recreated in divine love.  The world challenges us daily -- physically, mentally, and spiritually.  By holding fast to our Easter faith we can overcome its wiles.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

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

Today’s first reading picks up where the gospel passage ends.  As Jesus predicts, Peter is preaching in Jerusalem forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name.  He has just used that name to heal a paralytic.  Since the people have been awed by that name’s power, Peter takes advantage of the opportunity.  He exhorts them to repent of having executed Jesus.  Then they too can walk freely.

Such freedom encompasses more than having one’s sins forgiven.  By confessing their sins in Jesus’ name, the people will establish a relationship with him.  He will come to them much like he appears to the disciples in the gospel.  He eats with them and allows them to touch him as their friend.  Also like a true friend, Jesus will inspire them to act virtuously and share with them his eternal life.

We long to be in the midst of our friends these days.  But in order not to catch the Corona-19 virus, we have isolated ourselves.  Still we need not isolate ourselves from the Lord.  We have access to him in Scripture and also in our hearts through prayer.  He will not allow us to perish.  Rather he will give us guidance and consolation.  All we have to do is pray to him.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

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

A good number of years ago now Dinner with Andre made its debut.  Almost the entire movie shows two actors having a conversation over dinner in a fine restaurant.  They talk about the meaning of life and how their lives enter into that meaning.  In a way the gospel today parallels this movie.

Jesus talks with two of his disciples on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Because two days earlier he was crucified, the disciples can hardly imagine that their fellow traveler is their teacher.  Yet his words touch their hearts.  They burn within as he explains all that the Scriptures say about their teacher.  When they reach their destination, they share a meal.  In breaking bread, they realize who their companion is.  He is their beloved teacher and Lord, risen from the dead.

The same Lord presents himself in our daily Eucharist.  Here we hear of him in the readings from Scripture, especially the gospel.  Here we hear his explanation of himself in the words of the priest.  Here we meet him – face to face, as it were – in one another.  Sometimes in his presence to us we actually feel ourselves burning within.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)

In today’s first reading Peter has just preached the sermon of his life.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, he fearlessly told the people of their great mistake in crucifying Jesus.  He also proclaimed, without any reservation, that Jesus has risen from the dead.  The people are not repulsed but convinced.  They ask Peter, “What are we to do…?”  Peter outlines for them a four-step response.

First, they are to repent.  He does not have in mind breast-beating so much as changing their way of thinking.  They are to realign their values and their lives in accord with Jesus’ care for the suffering love.  Second, the people must be baptized.  In this way they become part of a community where they will learn to love God and neighbor from the heart.  Third, they should proclaim the name of Jesus Christ into whose mystery they have entered.  They will not understand it completely, but they can tell others of his influence on them.  Finally, they are to receive the Holy Spirit.  This extraordinary gift manifests itself in different ways to different people.  Every way has its value, but none is self-sufficient.  Each person has to work with the others while keeping in mind the Spirit’s primary gift of love.

In the gospel Mary wants to cling to Jesus.  We may have the same temptation.  However, Christianity is not a “Jesus and me” religion.  We belong to a community where we meet the risen Christ.  We too, every day, must think in this new way.  We must also celebrate the community into which we have been baptized.  We cannot forget to proclaim Jesus to others.  And we must love one another from the heart.