Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
(Acts 4:32-37; John 3:7b-15)
Once as a class project a group of students asked associates to donate their coats to the poor. A number of the associates, thinking their donations were merely an academic exercise, handed over their coats with full expectation of reclaiming them. But when the class ended, the group conducting the exercise indicated that they intended to take the coats to a redistribution center.
Complete sharing is a remarkable phenomenon. The reading from Acts proclaims that “with great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord...” It does not specify the acts of witness, but certainly its next sentence describing people selling their property so that sales’ proceeds might be given to the Apostles for redistribution provides a remarkable testimony of faith.
Such attempts at radical communal sharing usually break down like chain letters after a short while. It is commonly thought that Luke, the writer of Acts, is giving an idealized portrait of the apostolic community in the text today. But just because experiments in communal sharing fail to maintain the high ideals they set out to achieve does not mean that they should not be proclaimed. A sage once commented, “Giving has never made anyone poor.” Indeed, the opposite forms the truism. Stories inspiring people to give more cause many to grow rich, spiritually at least but also, rather mysteriously, materially as well.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday of the Second Week of Easter
(Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8)
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” the saying goes. Likewise we excuse the elderly for not learning how to use the computer. No doubt, old peoples’ minds react more slowly so that they are often challenged to do things they have never done before. But to say that it is impossible is to deny the force of the Spirit which constantly moves us more righteous ways of being.
For people aware of the Civil Rights movement during the latter half of the twentieth century the prime example of the force of the Holy Spirit is the about face that Governor George Wallace of Alabama took before his death. During the 1960s Governor Wallace was the Sam Adams of resistance to integration. He defied Presidential orders and federal marshals at every turn. It was a losing battle, but the victory was diminished by the acclaim given to Wallace as a folk hero. He maintained his segregationist views until the late 1970s when he claimed to have been “born again.” Wallace’s acceptance of African-Americans certainly changed as he publicly apologized for his segregationist views and appointed many African-Americans to public positions during his last term as Alabama governor.
As we age, we too can improve. Hopefully, we haven’t taken egregious stands like that of George Wallace, but perhaps we judged people harshly or defended our shortcomings doggedly over the years. Easter time with its renewed awareness of the Holy Spirit seems apt for us to change and learn more loving ways of being.
(Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8)
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” the saying goes. Likewise we excuse the elderly for not learning how to use the computer. No doubt, old peoples’ minds react more slowly so that they are often challenged to do things they have never done before. But to say that it is impossible is to deny the force of the Spirit which constantly moves us more righteous ways of being.
For people aware of the Civil Rights movement during the latter half of the twentieth century the prime example of the force of the Holy Spirit is the about face that Governor George Wallace of Alabama took before his death. During the 1960s Governor Wallace was the Sam Adams of resistance to integration. He defied Presidential orders and federal marshals at every turn. It was a losing battle, but the victory was diminished by the acclaim given to Wallace as a folk hero. He maintained his segregationist views until the late 1970s when he claimed to have been “born again.” Wallace’s acceptance of African-Americans certainly changed as he publicly apologized for his segregationist views and appointed many African-Americans to public positions during his last term as Alabama governor.
As we age, we too can improve. Hopefully, we haven’t taken egregious stands like that of George Wallace, but perhaps we judged people harshly or defended our shortcomings doggedly over the years. Easter time with its renewed awareness of the Holy Spirit seems apt for us to change and learn more loving ways of being.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)
“The one who loves much, does much.” The Scriptures today witness to this simple test of love in the actions of Peter on behalf of Jesus. Love moves the chief apostle in the reading from Acts to confront the Jewish leaders who recently negotiated Jesus’ execution. In the gospel, love for Jesus compels Peter to jump in the water with his clothes on to greet the risen Lord.
As courageous and spontaneous as Peter’s love for Jesus is, it only shadows Jesus’ love for him and for the rest of us. St. Paul surely captures the heart of the gospel when he writes: “...God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). His death has gained for us the forgiveness of sin. But that is only half of the mystery of God’s love. His resurrection – the other side of the mystery – promises us eternal life.
Peter’s actions suggest how we might show our love for Christ. We too can confront sin by naming it and then doing what is right. For example, rather than tell a lie to avoid paying a tax, we should recognize the falsehood as sin and pay the tax as our contribution to the common good. Also, we should lose no time to meet the Lord in the Eucharist. Coming early to pray quietly and, if possible, to preview the Scripture readings will indicate our desire to know the Lord.
(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)
“The one who loves much, does much.” The Scriptures today witness to this simple test of love in the actions of Peter on behalf of Jesus. Love moves the chief apostle in the reading from Acts to confront the Jewish leaders who recently negotiated Jesus’ execution. In the gospel, love for Jesus compels Peter to jump in the water with his clothes on to greet the risen Lord.
As courageous and spontaneous as Peter’s love for Jesus is, it only shadows Jesus’ love for him and for the rest of us. St. Paul surely captures the heart of the gospel when he writes: “...God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). His death has gained for us the forgiveness of sin. But that is only half of the mystery of God’s love. His resurrection – the other side of the mystery – promises us eternal life.
Peter’s actions suggest how we might show our love for Christ. We too can confront sin by naming it and then doing what is right. For example, rather than tell a lie to avoid paying a tax, we should recognize the falsehood as sin and pay the tax as our contribution to the common good. Also, we should lose no time to meet the Lord in the Eucharist. Coming early to pray quietly and, if possible, to preview the Scripture readings will indicate our desire to know the Lord.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
There is an old joke about a messenger reporting to the apostles news of Jesus’ resurrection. The messenger first announced that the Lord indeed rose from the dead. Then the messenger continued that he wanted to speak to them about what happened in the garden on Thursday night. Luke’s gospel does not mention the disciples fleeing Jesus when he is arrested; nevertheless there is a sense in which their meeting Jesus after the resurrection is not pure pleasure.
The resurrection account we hear today establishes that Jesus rose from the dead in body as well as soul. He offers his flesh and bones, to be touched if desired, as proof that his disciples are not imagining his presence. Then he bites into a piece of fish as further evidence. The disciples can rejoice that their leader has returned. Now comes the hard part. The Scriptures, which foretold Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, also predicted that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name. As the chief witnesses to the wonders of the resurrection, the disciples inherit the responsibility of fulfilling this prophecy.
It is a formidable task for at least two reasons. First, the disciples must reform their lives in perfect conformity with the gospel. Dom Helder Camara once warned confirmed Christians, “Your lives may be the only gospel your sisters and brothers will ever read.” Second, many will resist the call to change their ways and will react violently against those who preach the need to do so. We, likewise, can be sure that just in living the gospel we will incur hostility at times.
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
There is an old joke about a messenger reporting to the apostles news of Jesus’ resurrection. The messenger first announced that the Lord indeed rose from the dead. Then the messenger continued that he wanted to speak to them about what happened in the garden on Thursday night. Luke’s gospel does not mention the disciples fleeing Jesus when he is arrested; nevertheless there is a sense in which their meeting Jesus after the resurrection is not pure pleasure.
The resurrection account we hear today establishes that Jesus rose from the dead in body as well as soul. He offers his flesh and bones, to be touched if desired, as proof that his disciples are not imagining his presence. Then he bites into a piece of fish as further evidence. The disciples can rejoice that their leader has returned. Now comes the hard part. The Scriptures, which foretold Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, also predicted that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name. As the chief witnesses to the wonders of the resurrection, the disciples inherit the responsibility of fulfilling this prophecy.
It is a formidable task for at least two reasons. First, the disciples must reform their lives in perfect conformity with the gospel. Dom Helder Camara once warned confirmed Christians, “Your lives may be the only gospel your sisters and brothers will ever read.” Second, many will resist the call to change their ways and will react violently against those who preach the need to do so. We, likewise, can be sure that just in living the gospel we will incur hostility at times.
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)
During Easter-time the Church regularly reads from the Acts of the Apostles at mass. Its use instructs us that the Father raised Jesus from the dead not only to validate Jesus’ mission that ends with the ignominy of the cross but also to give new life to His people. In today’s passage Peter and John’s cure of a cripple fills onlookers with amazement at the power of Jesus’ name.
The scene is both typical and indicative of Luke, the author of Acts. Since beggars sit in front of most churches to this day, it does not surprise us to hear of a beggar in the temple area in apostolic times. The assertion that the disciples continue to pray in the Jerusalem temple appears only in Luke’s gospel where Jesus’ death does not illegitimate the temple as in Mark’s and Matthew’s nor do the disciples have any fear of the Jews as in John’s.
Gold and silver have the highest currency in most societies, but for Christians their value is limited. We have Jesus Christ whose worth outpaces precious metals because he has the power to rescue us from every kind of distress. All Peter and John have to do to assure Jesus’ saving help is to invoke his name. The legs of the beggar suddenly become strong enough to jump. We also can count on Jesus when we plea for help. Of course, Jesus’ name is not a magic formula. He has promised to come to our assistance when we call him by name. But as Lord he retains the right to meet our needs as he sees fit, not as we might specify.
(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)
During Easter-time the Church regularly reads from the Acts of the Apostles at mass. Its use instructs us that the Father raised Jesus from the dead not only to validate Jesus’ mission that ends with the ignominy of the cross but also to give new life to His people. In today’s passage Peter and John’s cure of a cripple fills onlookers with amazement at the power of Jesus’ name.
The scene is both typical and indicative of Luke, the author of Acts. Since beggars sit in front of most churches to this day, it does not surprise us to hear of a beggar in the temple area in apostolic times. The assertion that the disciples continue to pray in the Jerusalem temple appears only in Luke’s gospel where Jesus’ death does not illegitimate the temple as in Mark’s and Matthew’s nor do the disciples have any fear of the Jews as in John’s.
Gold and silver have the highest currency in most societies, but for Christians their value is limited. We have Jesus Christ whose worth outpaces precious metals because he has the power to rescue us from every kind of distress. All Peter and John have to do to assure Jesus’ saving help is to invoke his name. The legs of the beggar suddenly become strong enough to jump. We also can count on Jesus when we plea for help. Of course, Jesus’ name is not a magic formula. He has promised to come to our assistance when we call him by name. But as Lord he retains the right to meet our needs as he sees fit, not as we might specify.
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