Monday of the Second Week of Easter
(Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8)
The RCIA director was reflecting on her experience of the Easter Vigil. It was amazing, she said; men and women were changed as if they had completely new lives. It may be presumed that it was not just the participation in the services of Holy Saturday that transformed the people. Rather they became new creations by the process of continual meeting, reflection and prayer. This kind of change seems to be what Jesus is getting at in his conversation with Nicodemus in today’s gospel.
The passage begins with Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. Perhaps the intention here is only to explain how a Jewish leader could consult Jesus for theological truth. However just as likely, “night” is used here to give a nefarious tone to the scene. Like most people, Nicodemus comes to Jesus as a sinner. So conditioned, he has difficulty grasping what Jesus is saying. In fact, to Nicodemus Jesus’ message sounds ludicrous. “How can a man once grown old,” he asks, “be born again?” Sinners do not appreciate, and much less anticipate, the work of the Spirit that revitalizes people by giving both new reasons and new directions for living.
Graciously Nicodemus does not remain in darkness forever. Once Jesus hands over his spirit in death, Nicodemus will take it up to give Jesus in daylight the royal burial that he is due. The same Spirit is working in us as we show respect to everyone, even those who wrong us.
Friday, April 13, 2012
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 half -- 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 lying to avoid paying taxes, we should recognize the falsehood as sin and pay taxes 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 half -- 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 lying to avoid paying taxes, we should recognize the falsehood as sin and pay taxes 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 12, 2012
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
When special prosecutor Kenneth Starr produced DNA evidence that President Bill Clinton was involved sexually with a White House intern, no one could deny it. Of course, such proof was not even dreamed about in biblical times. But Luke offers his own kind of circumstantial evidence that Jesus really rose from the dead.
Different people have seen the risen Jesus. The disciples on the way to Emmaus come back to Jerusalem saying that they identified him in the breaking of the bread. When they arrive, they are told that Simon Peter has also seen him. Then Luke writes of Jesus making an appearance to the eleven remaining apostles along with the disciples from Emmaus. On this occasion Jesus offers his hands and his feet where presumably witnesses could make positive identification from the nail marks. As if this were not enough, Jesus also eats with his disciples showing that they are not viewing a phantom.
Cynics may dismiss the gospel testimony and physical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. However, St. Paul’s report puts the burden of proof on the doubter. By all indication Paul is a practical man with little patience for foolishness. He lists various witnesses and then mentions his own experience of the risen Lord (I Corinthians 15:5-8). In another letter he writes of that encounter (Galatians 1:16) which seems spiritual but so intensely real that it turns his life on end. We have not seen Jesus, but still we accept the Scriptural testimony because our own experience of goodness and truth corroborates everything else that is said about Jesus.
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
When special prosecutor Kenneth Starr produced DNA evidence that President Bill Clinton was involved sexually with a White House intern, no one could deny it. Of course, such proof was not even dreamed about in biblical times. But Luke offers his own kind of circumstantial evidence that Jesus really rose from the dead.
Different people have seen the risen Jesus. The disciples on the way to Emmaus come back to Jerusalem saying that they identified him in the breaking of the bread. When they arrive, they are told that Simon Peter has also seen him. Then Luke writes of Jesus making an appearance to the eleven remaining apostles along with the disciples from Emmaus. On this occasion Jesus offers his hands and his feet where presumably witnesses could make positive identification from the nail marks. As if this were not enough, Jesus also eats with his disciples showing that they are not viewing a phantom.
Cynics may dismiss the gospel testimony and physical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. However, St. Paul’s report puts the burden of proof on the doubter. By all indication Paul is a practical man with little patience for foolishness. He lists various witnesses and then mentions his own experience of the risen Lord (I Corinthians 15:5-8). In another letter he writes of that encounter (Galatians 1:16) which seems spiritual but so intensely real that it turns his life on end. We have not seen Jesus, but still we accept the Scriptural testimony because our own experience of goodness and truth corroborates everything else that is said about Jesus.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)
Twenty years ago a devotional dialogue called “Footprints in the Sand” captured the Christian imagination. Preachers used it in homilies, printers drafted it on holy cards, and anthologists included it in contemporary prayer books. Few believers throughout the world failed to get its message of Jesus loyalty throughout life’s vagaries. We can find the prototype to that inspirational dialogue in today’s gospel.
Jesus’ two disciples seem to have a spirited conversation as they walk from Jerusalem. But when the Lord catches up to them, their deeper emotion is revealed. They look “downcast” as they explain to their new companion about their dashed hopes in Jesus. However, as Jesus breaks bread with the two, their enthusiasm returns without limit. They not only recognize that he is with them, but they hurry back to the place of their initial disappointment to proclaim his resurrection from the dead.
Most of all, the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus affirms Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. There we hear the word of God, have it explained by the priest acting on behalf of Jesus, and experience his spiritual support in the consecrated bread and wine. Like the two disciples here, we are to go forth from mass to proclaim Jesus to the world.
(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)
Twenty years ago a devotional dialogue called “Footprints in the Sand” captured the Christian imagination. Preachers used it in homilies, printers drafted it on holy cards, and anthologists included it in contemporary prayer books. Few believers throughout the world failed to get its message of Jesus loyalty throughout life’s vagaries. We can find the prototype to that inspirational dialogue in today’s gospel.
Jesus’ two disciples seem to have a spirited conversation as they walk from Jerusalem. But when the Lord catches up to them, their deeper emotion is revealed. They look “downcast” as they explain to their new companion about their dashed hopes in Jesus. However, as Jesus breaks bread with the two, their enthusiasm returns without limit. They not only recognize that he is with them, but they hurry back to the place of their initial disappointment to proclaim his resurrection from the dead.
Most of all, the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus affirms Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. There we hear the word of God, have it explained by the priest acting on behalf of Jesus, and experience his spiritual support in the consecrated bread and wine. Like the two disciples here, we are to go forth from mass to proclaim Jesus to the world.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter Week
(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)
In coming to know God, most people go through a gradual process. They learn as children that God is a “Supreme Being who knows all things.” As they read Scripture, they conclude that God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the universe. Some, perhaps at the end of their lives, come to the realization that God is an unfathomable mystery – Being itself that has been revealed in Jesus Christ as caring individually for each human person like a loving father. In today’s gospel we see Mary Magdalene going through a similar development in coming to know the resurrected Jesus.
Mary has returned to the tomb where she earlier discovered Jesus missing. Remembering his goodness and perhaps saddened because she cannot see his dead body, she weeps. Then she turns to see a man whom she believes is a gardener. Jesus has shown himself to be just that when he told his disciples that he has pruned them with his word (John 15.3). Mary then recognizes Jesus for his earthly role as teacher or “Rabbouni” as Jesus demonstrated through the course of the gospel. Finally, in relating her experience to Jesus’ disciples, Mary comes to the insight that Jesus is “Lord,” not just their earthly master but he who reigns over all creation.
Jesus’ resurrection like his Incarnation and his participation in the threefold God is a mystery that humans will never plumb. But we can come to greater appreciation of its meaning if we humbly give ourselves to adoration every year. Easter for children is the wonder of a hunt for eggs. For the middle-aged it is the challenge of living the faith in a cynical world. For the elderly it is the hope that life is not receding but indeed coming to full flower.
(Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18)
In coming to know God, most people go through a gradual process. They learn as children that God is a “Supreme Being who knows all things.” As they read Scripture, they conclude that God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the universe. Some, perhaps at the end of their lives, come to the realization that God is an unfathomable mystery – Being itself that has been revealed in Jesus Christ as caring individually for each human person like a loving father. In today’s gospel we see Mary Magdalene going through a similar development in coming to know the resurrected Jesus.
Mary has returned to the tomb where she earlier discovered Jesus missing. Remembering his goodness and perhaps saddened because she cannot see his dead body, she weeps. Then she turns to see a man whom she believes is a gardener. Jesus has shown himself to be just that when he told his disciples that he has pruned them with his word (John 15.3). Mary then recognizes Jesus for his earthly role as teacher or “Rabbouni” as Jesus demonstrated through the course of the gospel. Finally, in relating her experience to Jesus’ disciples, Mary comes to the insight that Jesus is “Lord,” not just their earthly master but he who reigns over all creation.
Jesus’ resurrection like his Incarnation and his participation in the threefold God is a mystery that humans will never plumb. But we can come to greater appreciation of its meaning if we humbly give ourselves to adoration every year. Easter for children is the wonder of a hunt for eggs. For the middle-aged it is the challenge of living the faith in a cynical world. For the elderly it is the hope that life is not receding but indeed coming to full flower.
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