Thursday, April 28, 2022

 Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

 (Acts 5:27-33; John 3:31-36)

 A couple of years ago a florist in Seattle was sued by a patron.  The florist refused to provide flowers for her patron’s “marriage” to another man.  She did not harbor personal dislike for the man.  Rather she believed that homosexual marriage violates God’s law.  Furthermore, she thought providing flowers would make her an accomplice in an evil act.  In a letter to the Seattle Times the florist wrote: “Rob (the patron) was asking me to choose between my affection for him and my commitment to Christ.  As deeply fond as I am of Rob, my relationship with Jesus is everything to me.”  The florist expresses the same sentiment as the apostles in today’s first reading.

 The Jewish authorities have told the apostles that they are not to preach the name of Jesus.  But they cannot not do it.  They have been commissioned by Jesus and charged by the Holy Spirit to witness to him as the world’s salvation.  Obeying the authorities would be defying God’s will.

 We need to ask ourselves whether our relationship with Jesus means as much to us.  Do we love him above all because of who he is and what he has done for us?  He is God who became human.  He created us, shared our struggles, and then died to free us from sin’s tenacious grasp.  More than anyone or anything, he is worthy of our allegiance.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

 

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)

Leonard Bernstein’s Mass features a song that corresponds to today’s first reading.  Written in the late sixties and early seventies “The Word of the Lord” protests the Vietnam war.  A conscientious objector speaks of his experience in prison while the chorus sings, “… you cannot imprison the Word of the Lord.”

In the reading from Acts the Sanhedrin tries to do just that.  The apostles are put in jail for preaching how Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled the Scriptures.  The Sanhedrin’s action, however, is hardly the final word. God sends an angel to free the apostles.  Soon they are found back in the temple area again preaching about Jesus.

The Word of God tells us how to live and what to look for when we die.  We should read it, study it, and contemplate it.  But its truth is not always easy to discern.  We should also consult the authority of the Church about aspects that seem to contradict regular teaching.  Approached in this way, the Word of God will be liberating and life-sustaining.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

 

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

 (Acts 4:32-37; John 3:7b-15)

 The idyllic scene described in today’s first reading makes some people despair.  “We could never have this kind of self-sacrifice in today’s world,” they say to themselves.  But the spirit of total sharing does not necessarily last long, even in the Acts of the Apostles.  The very next chapter narrates how a couple tried to deceive the community with their gift.

Today’s gospel suggests an explanation.  “The wind blows where it wills,” it says, “…but you do not know where it comes or where it goes.”  Like the wind, the Holy Spirit works in its own ways.  One cannot possess it so that it obeys one’s will.  Rather, it takes hold of the person who must strive to keep it.  Of course, it is worth the effort.

We become docile to the Holy Spirit when we keep away from people and things that can lead us awry.  One mother became alarmed that her daughter was starting to behave crudely.  Noticing that her new friends were a negative influence, the mother demanded that she not go out with them.  The girl obeyed, found new friends, and grew up responsible and caring.

Moday, April 25, 2022

 

Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

I Peter 5:5b-14; Mark 16:15-20)

Very few people will claim the Gospel of Mark as their favorite.  It lacks the beautiful parables of Luke, the structured teaching of Matthew, and the personal encounters of John.  Nevertheless, Scripture scholars tend to favor this gospel.  It was most probably the first written and therefore possibly has better historical accuracy.  More than that, it presents Jesus with a variety of emotions which underscore his humanness.

Today’s passage comes at the very end of the gospel.  Most biblical interpreters say that it was attached to the original story to include the tradition of Jesus’ appearances.  After scolding his apostles for not believing Mary Magdalene, he here sends them off to proclaim the gospel.  The commission is interesting.  Throughout Mark’s story, the apostles exhibit severe character flaws.  They don’t understand what Jesus teaches.  They vie for prominence.  Most pitifully, they run away as Jesus’ captors seize him in the garden. 

We can take some solace in Mark’s treatment of the apostles.  We may be as wanting as they are.  Yet Jesus also commissions us to proclaim the gospel.  We should not be afraid to tells others of our belief in Jesus’ promise of eternal life. As the passage declares, we will find signs accompanying our proclamation.  We may not want to pick up snakes, but perhaps we will experience other wonders.  We might learn a new language or see sick people’s health improving after we pray for them.

Sunday, April 24, 2022

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY), April 24, 2022

(Acts 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-11.12-13.17-19; John 20:19-31)

Every now and then a person comes to confession who wants to confess a past sin. She says that she had never confessed, although it could have been serious. Obviously, the person feels guilty for the sin buried in the recesses of his conscience. She just remembered it and wants to get rid of it so it doesn't disturb her more. The resurrection of Jesus provides us with the instrument to receive forgiveness for such a sin.

By saying “peace” in his appearance to the disciples, Jesus is not imparting an ordinary greeting. He said at the Last Supper that he gives a peace that the world cannot give. It is the peace that frees the person from all fear and fills the person with love for all. After showing them the wounds from the nails and the spear, he repeats “peace”. This second time indicates that the disciples receive a double portion peace to share with others. Then Jesus gives them the Holy Spirit to forgive sins.

Because of this peace of Christ, we can experience relief from guilt by confessing our sins to a priest. It is not necessary to sacrifice a calf as the Jews did or wonder if we are really forgiven. We just have to find a priest. This is a big part of Divine Mercy. We do not have to go about burdened by sins because God has sent us his Son. Jesus gave his life to take away the sin of the world. He also sent his disciples to reconcile individual Christians.

However, we know that relatively few are taking advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation today. Sixty years ago, there were lines outside every confessional for two hours every Saturday afternoon. Today you can usually count on the fingers of two hands all the penitents in an hour of confession. What happened and how can we remedy the situation?

Many do not come to be reconciled because they do not see themselves as sinners. They don't count lies, absence of Sunday mass, even, sometimes. fornication as sins. They are more concerned with offending other people's feelings than with breaking a commandment of God!

Others are hesitant to confess to a priest because they see priests as sinners as great as themselves. Unfortunately, some priests have lost the impulse to live as perfect as Christ. But this corruption does not diminish their authority to forgive other people's sins. Like Thomas in the gospel, we must recognize the presence of something supernatural in reconciliation. Jesus really has risen from the dead. He has really given priests the authority to remove the guilt of another.

One of the most prevalent symbols for Easter is the chick breaking the shell of the egg. It obviously represents Jesus coming out of the tomb. But we can attach another meaning. It can represent us breaking the hardness of our heads. Instead of burying sins in the recesses of our conscience, let us confess them regularly. In this way we show the impulse to live as perfect as Christ. In this way we show the impulse to live like Christ.