PENTECOST

Our feast of Pentecost at Sacred Heart coincides with the Sacrament of Confirmation for 16 boys and girls in our parish at the Pentecost Vigil. Besides the obvious connection of the outpouring of the Spirit both at Pentecost and Confirmation, we are reminded that through the church feast and the special event for those 16 youngsters that the People of God have a future and a vitality that has yet to be fully realized.

May the Spirit be sent forth on the church as a whole to renew the face of the earth, and our little portion of it at Sacred Heart.

Fr. Joe Kerrigan

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

As children, we often let sibling rivalry get in the way of enjoying a good relationship with our parents and listening to their teachings. Worrying whether Mom and Dad love a sister more, or is a brother getting a bigger piece of cake distracts us from their counsel to do what is right and not concern ourselves with petty jealousy.

In today’s Gospel (John 21:20-25), we see Peter exhibiting just this sort of jealousy with his brother disciple John when he asks Jesus if John will be with him until he returns again. No matter that Jesus calls him “Rock” and tells him that upon him the church shall stand, he is still jealous at what he perceives as favoritism between the Lord and this apostle. Rather than focus upon the fact that he, too, can enjoy the presence and teachings of Jesus first-hand, Peter needlessly worries which of them will perish first. Jesus admonishes him, “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”

We should remember our parents’ teachings from our childhood and take Jesus’ advice as we grow in faith: follow Him and not let competition or pettiness derail us from the path to heaven.

Christina Leslie

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

In today’s reading Festus doesn’t quite know what to do with Paul. Paul doesn’t fit into any of the categories that Festus is familiar with. I think that is what being a Catholic really is, not fitting into what the world thinks you should be. A large part of who we are as a community is our commitment to social justice. That view point is not always something the rest of the world understands, or want’s to hear about. We cause problems by speaking out against abortion, we make people uncomfortable by saying it’s not ok. We upset people by saying we need to support reforms helping immigrants. It’s usually ok to help the poor, but when we start demanding rights and fair treatment for them, we find that we’re not so popular. We cannot become discouraged however. We must live as Paul did because that is what we are called to do. At times it might be hard and scary, but it is through our devotion to the Church that we are called to be followers of Christ exactly like Paul. This passage is a true example of the Beatitude of, “blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Peter Dellatore

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Today’s Gospel (John 17:20-26) is part of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. In this section, He prays not only for His disciples, but also for those who believe in Jesus through the teachings of the Church. He prays that we be one in faith, just as He is one with the Father. He asks that we be brought to perfection and to see the glory that Jesus has been given. He hopes we will come to see the Father who is made known to us through Jesus.

This is an amazing prayer. Jesus prays for you and me personally. He makes known His love for us and His desire for us to be with Him. Incredibly, we are called the Father’s gift to Jesus. Jesus’ love for us overflows in this beautiful prayer.

We can meditate on any of the petitions in this prayer. Just think of how Jesus calls us the Father’s gift to Him or how He wants the Father’s love to be in us just as it is in Him. Jesus truly wants us to be one in Him and to share in His glory.

Jeff Rizzi

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

In the first reading Acts 20:28-38, Paul is relaying the words that since he has been there for them he has given his whole self to help them and that now he expects them to do the same for others. The line in the reading, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” sums it up very well. We should all work to give more of ourselves, because as we all know it is in giving that we receive.

In the Gospel, Jesus was asking God to give the disciples strength as God had given him and to protect them from all of the evil in the world. This ties in with what Paul was warning about in the first reading. It made me feel as though I'm never alone and that God will always be there to help me when I need him, even if he is not here on earth with me.

Erica Lorenzon

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Paul, in this reading, speaks of continuing to preach of God’s Grace, and to faith in our Lord Jesus in the face of trials and tears. Paul served the Lord with humility, being a faithful witness for both Jews and Greeks and In the face of uncertainty only wanting to continue his course and the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus.

At times it may seem our lives are full of trials and tears and we may lose sight of God’s love for us. It is these times when God is most present in us helping and carrying us through each and every day. With each trial our goal should be to continue our course to nurture our families, serve one another with humility and above all love the Lord with all your heart.

Your trial will not be more than you can handle.

Mark Kiszkiel

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.

But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.

In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world."
John 16:31-33

Jesus knows what’s going to happen to him. And he knows that the disciples—his friends, the ones who had left their homes and their families for him, who had walked with him and called him “Teacher,” and “Lord”—will desert him during his time of trial and suffering. Can there be anything more painful than knowing that those you love the most will abandon you when you need them the most?

Yet knowing the worst, rather than reproach them Jesus offers the disciples comfort and forgiveness.

They haven’t even done it yet. But Jesus has already forgiven them. And as if forgiveness were not enough, he gives them words of comfort to remember when the time comes that they realize the extent of what they have done:

You will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.

Sometimes when we’re overwhelmed by our sins, by our guilt over what we have or have not done, we lose sight of the fact that what we have done is far less important than what Christ has done for us, or what God wants for us. Sometimes, like the Ephesian disciples in the first reading from Acts, it seems we only know that preliminary, incomplete “Baptism of John,” the “baptism of repentance,” rather than the full baptism of the Spirit which brings the peace of Christ and guarantees that we are never alone.

So whose disciple are you? John’s or Jesus’?

Seventh Sunday of Easter

The main theme of today’s scripture readings is Christian love resulting in Christian unity. The first reading from Acts tells us how the eleven apostles as one unit, relying on the power of God, elected Matthias to replace Judas. The second reading from John’s epistle emphasizes the centrality of love in our Christian living. It tells us how the apostle deals with disunity in his church by teaching them the basis of true Christian love and unity. In Gospel, we see Jesus praying for those disciples who are sharing the meal with him. The core of Jesus’ message is love. Through the genuine act of his love, Jesus binds all disciples together into one community.

God loves us and it is God who first loved us. God doesn’t love us because we are good. God loves us because H is good. So what should we do? Love one another. We show our love for God by loving one another. What happens when we love one another? God remains in us. What happens to those who remain in love? God remains in them and they remain in God. God is love. Through God’s love, we all are united to one another. Jesus prays for this unity, just like he and his father are one. Jesus’ desire is that Christian unity should transcend all the present denominational differences and unite his followers in love. The Church must be one in the Spirit of love and holiness. Unity of Christians is necessary to convince the world of the truth of Christianity. Faced with the disunity of Christians, the world cannot see the supreme value of the Christian faith. Hence it is our duty to demonstrate that unity of love with all our fellow Christians whatever their denominations and in spite of doctrinal differences.

Fr. Pauly Thekkan

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In the first reading, Acts 18, we see Priscilla and Aquila explaining the Way of God to Apollos. In the Gospel, John 16, we are brought into a situation where Jesus is teaching his disciples.

In our daily actions we all try to follow the way of God. Each of us do this in our own way, and in many different ways. We attend mass, pray, aide the poor, treat people kindly, etc. However, from time to time we need a refresher lesson, just as Apollos did in today’s first reading. But sometimes, learning opportunities present themselves in not so formal ways and catch us by surprise. I have heard a saying that when the student is ready, the teacher arrives. We need always be ready for the teacher. We need to watch for these opportunities in all situations.

I recently had one of these learning moments. Circumstances had me attend a mass that I would normally not have attended, and it turned into a great learning experience. Our own Father Joe gave what seemed to me as an off the cuff homily on maintaining our Christian Values in a messy world. This message hit me like a hammer. I sometimes get overwhelmed with what is going on in this world, but if I maintain my Christian values I am at least doing my part and perhaps inspiring someone else to follow suit.

Keep learning.

Domenick Lorenzon

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

My reflection today is about TRUST. Trust is the firm belief or the complete confidence in the honesty and reliability of another. Trust is necessary in order to have a healthy, loving relationship with someone. Spouses need to trust one another; parents need to trust their children and children their parents; trust is needed in our friendships. But the most important relationship is between God and ourselves. God is our creator and has our best interests at heart. We must trust the Lord with our lives. If we do, we will make better life decisions and have more inner joy and peace.

Now let's reflect on Acts of the Apostles 18:9-18. Here Paul has a vision of the Lord saying, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city". Did Paul trust the Lord? Yes, he did! The story goes on to tell us, "He settled there (in Corinth) for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them". And God does indeed take care of Paul, as He promised, even when some of the Jews rise up against Paul.

We might want to reflect on the following:

Do I trust God enough to listen to His Word and live a righteous life walking down His path?

Or do I prefer to disregard the Lord and follow my own path or the paths of others? Which shall it be?

In the Gospel of John 16:20-23, Jesus tells His disciples, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy". In this life we will experience pain and suffering. When we die and go to heaven, we will have eternal life with God. The pain and suffering will be gone. Then joy, peace and the love of God will be all that we know. It will be so wondrous, that we can't even imagine!

Let us reflect:

Do I trust in God, that He will give me the strength to

live through this life?

Or do I blame Him for my suffering?

Do I have faith and hope in the Lord, that I will one day

be with Him in heaven?

Or do I live a "worldly" life without considering the

consequences?

Will I trust the Lord or not?

I will pray for the grace to do so.

Marie Perrone

ASCENSION THURSDAY

As I read and pray about the scripture from the first reading taken from Acts, I am struck by how difficult it must have been for the disciples to say "goodbye" to Jesus once again,---first through his death, and now through his ascension into heaven. Goodbyes are never easy. But the disciples are promised that Jesus WILL indeed return, and told that their mission is to bring the Good News to all people. They cannot linger too long, gazing in wonderment at Jesus' disappearance into the skies. They have a mission to share Jesus' message, and not just keep it to themselves.

While the scriptures tell us that Jesus ascended, and was lifted from their sight, I think at that point, in a very real sense, His presence became indwelling with humanity. He travels out with us like ever-widening ripples in a pool of water. He has gone forth with us to be our companion and friend for all time. While he ascended to the Father, Jesus also took up his dwelling in our human hearts.

What also struck me from these readings are the parallels between Jesus' forty days in the desert and the forty day time frame after the Resurrection. Jesus had prepared himself to begin his ministry by
fasting and praying for forty days. In the time between his Resurrection and Ascension, he prepares his disciples to carry on that ministry. It is a very intense and formative time for Jesus' followers
prior to their reception of the Holy Spirit, and the inception of their sacred mission.

As this Easter season nears its end, let us all pray for a keen awareness of the presence of the Living God who dwells with us,--even to the end of time!

Barbara Grau

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

When you meet someone new, if you find that you have a common interest, or a common friend, all of a sudden that person seems less like a stranger to you than a friend you just haven’t met. We all feel comfortable with things that we know and are familiar with, and it’s universal to feel a little put off, or not quite at ease with things we don’t have any experience with.

What struck me in today’s reading was how Paul makes a connection with the Athenians by identifying common ground he saw in their piety. The Areopagus was near several temples built to honor a plethora or gods and goddesses. Paul being a devote Jew, would appear not to have anything in common with these people. Paul however looks beyond the surface, and focuses on their desire to connect with the creator, telling them he can identify the “unknown God” they have built a shrine to. He then introduces the idea of the one God who has created everything, the “Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything”. Paul goes on to discuss resurrection, and while not everyone buys it, some do, and become followers and converts who spread the Good News.

I’d like to think that even those who didn’t convert right away let the seed that Paul planted grow and eventually flower. The bottom line is that we are all connected, to each other and to God, we just have to look past our differences, find that common thread like Paul did, and build on it.

Carol Dellatore

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

When I first read the readings for today, I couldn’t imagine how these three readings were related. The first reading concerned Paul being flogged, thrown in prison and being freed by his jailer after an earthquake opened the cell doors. The Responsorial is a hymn of thanksgiving, and the Gospel was Christ’s farewell to the apostles before his Ascension.

Gradually, after reading and re-reading, I realized the three readings have a commonality in faith and the Holy Spirit.

Paul and Silas having preached the Good News accepted torture and imprisonment. Even after the earthquake opened their cell doors, they did not escape but reassured their jailer that they were still there. The jailer, realizing the faith of Paul and Silas, asked them how he could be saved. The jailer took Paul and Silas into his home and cared for them. He and his family were eventually Baptized and celebrated their new found faith.

The Responsorial is a hymn of faith and thanksgiving to God for all that He has done.

In the Gospel, Christ reassures his apostles that he must go in order to send the Holy Spirit to them. The Holy Spirit is the fountain of faith.

Faith is the perfect gift from God which helps us to get through even the most trying times.

Bob Kolesar

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In Acts 16:11-15 a woman, Lydia, a worshiper of God, has her heart opened by the Lord to the words of the apostles. This made me think that even though we are all worshipers of God, our hearts are still not open to his words. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you will also testify, because you have been with me from the start.”

These words apply to us today as well. We must stand by our beliefs even though non-believers will persecute us and kill us and burn our places of worship and believe they are offering worship to God. They do not know God or Jesus and so we must take what is given to us and never waver from the faith. If we do so, we will be rewarded after death for staying true and testifying. And even if you do falter and fall from the light, the Lord will forgive you and you can find the path to Heaven again. Testifying to God can be as simple as going to Church every Sunday and praying or as involved as serving at Mass, participating in Church organizations such as bible studies, fundraising, or outreach programs.

There is so much that you can do to testify to your belief in God and it doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. In the end it all comes down to simply thanking God for everything He does for us- the little and the big.

“Praise be to God for mountains and rivers,
Thanks for the gifts of islands and trees,
Asking thee only for thy blessing,
May we all learn to live in peace.”

Risa McNellis

Sixth Sunday of Easter

John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."

__________________________________________________________

Have you ever experienced complete joy? Jesus did not say that we will be “happy” if we walked with him. He promised us JOY that is complete.

JOY in the English dictionary is defined as a feeling of great happiness or pleasure, especially of an elevated or spiritual kind. God offers us something far greater. Complete JOY does not come from what is going on around us, but what is going on within us. It does not depend on our day to day experience. It is a mindset. While happiness may come and go, JOY will always be present even when everything is not going well.

Doesn’t that sound like something we all want to achieve?
I know I would. Don’t get me wrong. God has been good to me.
I have family and friends whom I love dearly and a life that has allowed me to experience God in so many ways. I am happy. I have joy. But I have yet to achieve complete Joy. Nowadays, where our economy is unstable and many have lost their jobs or are in fear of losing theirs, an epidemic threatening our health and our lives, death and disease, it is very difficult to even experience any kind of happiness.

So how do we find JOY in our lives?
Trust in God! Have faith in Christ. It is the message we see in every page of the Bible. John's Gospel also calls us to give ourselves freely to God and enjoy his unconditional love in order to experience JOY. When we focus on ourselves, we do not find joy. But when we focus on God, on serving Him by touching others, we will have complete and constant joy!

Lord Jesus, keep me abiding in you so that your joy may be in me and that my joy may be full. (John 15:11)

Ida Favis

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

As a child, you many have heard the old adage, “you are known by the company you keep,” from your parents as they warned you to avoid the class cut-up or neighborhood bully. Conversely, they advised, if you associate with the well-behaved or respected, teachers and those in authority will conclude that you, too, are worthy of their respect.

In today’s Gospel reading from John (Jn 15:18-21), Jesus warns his disciples that others will judge them by the company they keep, namely, the Son of God himself. These new Christians might engender hatred or persecution from the world due to their association with the Lord. However, we do not belong to this world, but the next, he reminds us, and his difficult precepts are lofty goals to which we must aspire despite the difficulty or ridicule.

“You are known by the company you keep.” Followers of Jesus: can you imagine better company??

Christina Leslie

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 15:22-31

Today, in the reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas are continuing their journey to Antioch guided by the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives.

The Holy Spirit has told Paul and Barnabas to instruct the people to abstain from sexual and dietary impurities. Paul and Barnabas' message was well received. Their faith community was delighted by the encouragement it gave them. Let us remember to give thanks for the homilies and messages that encourage us and for the people in our lives that give us guidance and hope.

John 15:12-17

This is my commandment love one another, as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. This is a powerful message. Every second of every day men and women in the armed services are doing this for us so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have. Let us pray for them and their families and for their safety and for an end to wars. We need to also pray the peace efforts of our president, the Pope, and world leaders.

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
My command to you is to love one another. (Jn 17)

Judythe Pastras

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love (John 15:10)
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you (John 15:12)

You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:14)
This I command you: love one another (John 15:17)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we are no longer “slaves,” but “friends.” Now the word used for “slave” here isn’t actually the negative term that comes to mind—It’s the word used to describe Moses and David who were called “slaves of God,” a phrase that Paul also uses to describe himself. It’s an honor to be a slave of God. But slaves, however honored, just do what they’re told. They only know what they’re supposed to do; friends, “those whom one loves,” are offered full disclosure—they know not just what, but why. “I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.”

But with knowledge comes responsibility. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to just fall into slave mode and follow the rulebook.

Twice in today’s Gospel Jesus gives his disciples—gives us—an order. Twice he commands us to love one another.

Sounds easy. We just have to do this one thing. After all the Jews who followed Mosaic Law had over 600 rules they had to follow. How hard can this be?

Turns out it’s not so easy. Because the command is not just to be nice to one another, or to grit your teeth and “do your Christian duty” for someone you don’t particularly like. Living a life of love isn’t always easy or convenient. It means not only being willing to put others’ needs before your own, but to do so not with a sense of martyrdom, but with joy. We’re commanded to love one another as Jesus loved us. And he loved us unto death.

Pretty daunting. And nothing we can do on our own. But in Him and with the help of the Holy Spirit all things are possible. And if we stumble in our attempts—and we will—that’s OK. Jesus will be there to pick us up. After all, we’re friends.

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

I will probably never be mistaken for an expert in horticulture. I’ve never had a garden and I really have no experience growing any plants, crops or flowers. The few potted plants that sit on the desk in my office have luckily survived as long as they have thanks only to the abundance of sunlight that comes through my office windows and the occasional watering, which is about the extent of my gardening ability.

We often find ourselves just as unsure of how to nurture and grow our spiritual lives as I am clueless about growing plants. But today’s Gospel reading (John 15:1-8) thankfully offers us some good news: just as I can trust in sunlight and a little water to take care of my plants, we too can trust in our Father in Heaven to help us bear fruit.

Jesus tells us that he is the true vine and God is the vine grower, who handles all of the necessary pruning and maintenance so that we, the branches, will continue to grow. Our only job, he adds, is a seemingly simple one: “whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

Of course, as we all know, this simple task can be quite a challenge. By the very nature of our humanity we often turn away from the vine and fall into sin. And when we are separated from the vine, our branches will wither, just as Jesus warns.

We all like to think at times that we are in control of our own lives and that we know what is best for us. But the Gospel shows us that we often must let go and trust that we are not the real experts when it comes to growing the vine and its branches. When we remain true to the Lord and put our faith in his hands, only then will we truly blossom and bear good fruit.

Scott Alessi

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 14:19-21

In those days, some from Antioch arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city.

After they had proclaimed the good news they made a considerable number of disciples. They returned to Antioch. There they strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God."

Georgia Eubanks

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 14: 5-18

Paul and Barnabas were ordinary people, sent out by God to proclaim the Good News. We too are ordinary people used by God to be his examples to all. God places his awesome power within us to carry out his plan. This can only be done by the Holy Spirit gently leading us.

John 14: 21-26

We are given many choices in our lives. When we are in line with our Lord and follow His ways, we will then know of His Great Love. There is nothing we can do to earn this. It is completely a gift from God. He will then draw us ever closer to him. Allowing His grace and blessings to flow upon us. This really is the easy way. He waits on us to say yes to Him and no to the world. Here the HOLY SPIRIT can make each of us in Gods image. Molding us every step of the way. Revealing more and more to us. He never stops tugging on us. This is where we only first begin to experience His unconditional and unending Love!

Left on our own we are incapable of knowing God’s will for us. It is only through the actions of the Holy Spirit that we become more like Christ!!!!

Carmela Cavezza

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Today, Sunday, May 10, 2009 – two very occasions!
Mother’s Day and the anniversary of my Dad’s birthday.

As for my Dad, he passed away in 2000, but he is alive in my heart and mind each and every day. He was an example of love and commitment to his family and his faith – a complete package!
When I visited him in his later years, I was struck by the fact that he would go to bed so early in the evening. I felt sad thinking that he was aging and his time was growing short. I eventually learned he wasn’t going to sleep at all, but he was sitting at his bedside reading his bible and saying his prayers! The image of him doing that sticks with me until today – and it makes me realize that it was an important part of who he was – no matter how prosperous or how happy he was, his life began and ended with his faith in God. He always exemplified goodness, love and truth.

Today’s second reading is from the first Letter of St. John 3:18-24
speaks very clearly about these virtues ~

Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth.
Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth
and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn,
for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence in God
and receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit he gave us.

This passage gives two important teachings. The first is a reminder that loving our neighbors includes actually doing something for them. It means getting our hands dirty. It means giving up time for them. It means making sacrifices. The kind of love that John is talking about is not a way of feeling but a practical way of life and action. Love involves giving ourselves away for the good of someone else. It is a matter of decision and will rather than emotion. That is why we can sacrifice ourselves for the love of somebody we don’t even like!

The reassurance and security that Saint John offers us are not intended to encourage arrogance or self-satisfaction. The issue is not what we accomplish, but our response to what God has accomplished in us. Our ability to relate to God and our capacity to give ourselves generously to the service of our neighbor are not our achievements but God’s gifts.

May you use those gifts wisely.

Millie Martin

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Psalm 98 says that all the ends of the earth have seen
the saving power of God!
Thank you Jesus for your saving power and for
opening my eyes and saving me!
Thank you for your Holy Spirit that you give to us
and allow to live in us!

In John 14 you say that if we ask in your name, you will give!
I claim that promise today...
Fill us up to overflowing with all that you have for us today!
Everything that we need for today you can and will give to us!
You say all that we need to do is ask in your name!
We pray that we could bring glory to you this day!
Let our lives and everything about us point to you and
bring you the glory that you desire and deserve!

Lord, this day fill us with Thanksgiving, Trust, Joy, and Peace!!

Amen!

Carla Lynch

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:26-33, John 14:1-6

In Acts 13:26-33, Paul speaks to the people about Jerusalem not recognizing Jesus and putting Him to death. Witnesses to the resurrection proclaim the good news of Jesus raised up which fulfills God’s promise to our fathers.

Are we recognizing Jesus in our daily lives? Do we see Him in the poor and discriminated, the weak and unborn? Are we putting Him to death again and again by not acknowledging His presence? We all need to be witnesses to the saving power of Christ’s passionate love for each of us.

Rejoice! God’s promise has been fulfilled! Jesus has risen…He is alive! We have been redeemed and each of us is called to proclaim this good news. As children of God, our mission is to continue Paul’s work of bringing the life and hope of Jesus to our weary world.

Lori Snyder

The Gospel of John 14:1-6 has Jesus telling us not to be troubled and that His promise is for all of us as He prepares a place for us in His Father’s house. In these times, when there is trouble all around the world, it is refreshing and joyful to know that Jesus truly loves all of us. To have died for our sins and be resurrected from the dead brings a calming influence into our lives. We know that no matter how bad situations may be those who believe in our holy leader will certainly live a good life in the heavenly kingdom. Let the last verse assure us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

Jeff Snyder

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:13-25 & John 13:16-20

In today’s first reading Paul gives an historical account of the Israelites and reminds those in the synagogue that God wanted them to be the chosen people. Paul lets them know where they as a people historically have been, but exhorts them to become conscious of the fact that, from their descendents, God has brought forth a savior, Jesus Christ. He tells them “John heralded his coming by proclaiming a Baptism of repentance”, and John exclaims that Jesus is the one who is coming after me and that he (John) is unworthy even to unfasten the sandals of his feet. Paul is basically saying that God, through his son Jesus Christ, is choosing them again.

In today’s Gospel of John, Jesus, having just washed the feet of his disciples, says, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, no slaves is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him”. John goes on to say that Jesus said, “I know those whom I have chosen.” We too are chosen as we have been given the gift of his ‘word’ and from that ‘word’, we have a choice, an alternative. We hear the ‘word’ often, but what do we do with it? How many more times do we have to be hit over the head with his ‘word’? It reminds me in a way of, “DEAL or NO DEAL”.

Bob McLaughlin

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

The Gospel for Dummies

Jesus cried out and said,

"Whoever believes in me believes not only in me

but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me
sees the one who sent me.

I came into the world as light, so that everyone who
believes in me might not remain in darkness.

And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,

I do not condemn him, for I did not come to
condemn the world but to save the world.

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words

has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,

it will condemn him on the last day, because I did
not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me
commanded me what to say and speak.

And I know that his commandment is eternal life.

So what I say, I say as the Father told me."
(Jn 12:44-50)

With these verses John ends his account of Jesus’ public teaching and presents us with a summary of those teachings—what has been called “The Essence of the Gospel.” Multiple chapters boiled down to seven verses. So what are we left with in this version of The Gospel for Dummies?

* To know and believe in Jesus is to know and believe in the Father who sent him.
* Jesus came in order to guide us out of the darkness of our sin and disbelief.
* If we believe in Him, even when we sin He will not condemn us—Jesus came not as judge but as Savior. (And if Jesus doesn’t condemn us neither does the Father!)
* God doesn’t condemn us but we can condemn ourselves by rejecting God and refusing to believe.
* To those who know and believe in Jesus and the Father who sent him, God offers eternal life.

What more do we need to know?

Natalie Borisovets

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 10:22-30

Jesus is the most important and controversial person in all human history. His name stirs up virulent hatred in some people and radical devotion in others.

Jesus claimed to be the son of God. As a result, every person on earth must decide what to do with him. He didn’t leave us the option of ignoring him or washing our hands of the matter. There are really just two choices: believe Him or reject Him.

Those who believe in Him are released from their death penalty and invited to spend eternity with God.

His sheep hear His voice. Follow Him, worship Him, share Him and most of all work for His coming. To be with Jesus face to face is our greatest hope and joy. T his life is only a breath in comparison to the time we will spend with Him in eternity.

Wilfreda de Guzman

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

What’s in a name?

Our names individualize us and make us unique. Our names are given with care by our parents. As children, they are used to call us from play or danger, to comfort us, and to cajole us when we are diminishing ourselves. As adults they identify us, call us to relationships, and are uttered in our most intimate moments.

The readings today speak of God’s calling us: the Good Shepherd lovingly calls his sheep by name, the Song of Solomon speaks of God’s longing for us, and the spirit calls Peter by name to dine with Gentiles. These readings and their depictions of being called by name recall the beautiful words of the Easter vigil and the renewal of our baptismal vows –“Blessed be God, who calls you by name, holy and chosen one!” That’s us! Can you believe it? Can anything be more intimate and personal than God calling you by name? We are not just “His people” but we are individuals with purpose. His relationship with us is one of love. Like anyone who loves a person, He accepts us but also guides us to be our best. He knows us totally and extends Himself to us in our weaknesses as well as our strengths. And in love we want to give him all that we can, knowing that He will accept us even as we fall along the way.

HEAR God call you by name. Suddenly, everything is different!

Susan Schroeder-Barda

Fourth Sunday of Easter

I confess: though a lifelong Jersey girl, the only times I have seen sheep have been while driving past the Cook College campus at 55 mph; while turning the pages in my son’s 100 Words to Grow On soft-cover children’s book; or as a squeaky-voiced hand puppet stuck on Shari Lewis’ fist. I suspect many of you fellow Sacred Heart Parish suburbanites and city dwellers have equally little experience with these wooly creatures, but today’s Gospel passage from John (Jn 10:11-18) can still speak to us.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, can be viewed as an all-knowing yet loving older brother to us sheep-like followers. He tells us, “I know mine and mine know me…I will lay down my life for the[m].” He promises to protect us from the wolves of misfortune and unite us as one family, one flock. Jesus’ voice, if we choose to listen, can serve as a clear beacon of hope by which we can guide our steps and thoughts. This Man-God, newly risen from the dead, can also lead us back to whence we came: his, and our, Father.

A loving older brother would do no less!

Christina Leslie

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

St Athanasius/Readings: Acts 9:31-42, John 6:60-69

St Athanasius was a great early Doctor of the Church. He defended Orthodoxy against those who believed that Jesus was less then the Father – the Arians. He wrote with great passion how Jesus was true God and entered the world to lead mankind back to salvation. In the readings today from the Act of the Apostles Peter heals the sick and raises Tabitha from the dead. His faith has given him power over death. And so in our lives if we truly believe we to shall have no fear of death. In John Jesus challenges the disciples? Some cannot believe he is the Son of God and leave him. Others stay and understand that his words are those of everlasting life. We too must challenge ourselves to truly believe if we are to enter into God’s Kingdom.

Al Lipovsky

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

PSALM 116

How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me!
How shall I make a return to the Lord
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the Lord. R/

My vows to the Lord I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones. R/

O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and I will call upon the name of the Lord. R/

The Story of Psalm 116

We do not know who wrote Psalm 116. We call him "the psalmist". But we do know that God saved him from death. Maybe he was very ill, and in much pain, (verse 10). Maybe his enemies were trying to kill him, and this gave him pain in his mind. We call this "worry" or "grief". Perhaps he was in prison, waiting for execution. Execution is when the prison authorities kill people. They kill them because they have done something very bad. But the psalmist prayed to God and the LORD saved him.

Some Bibles make Psalm 116 into 2 psalms: verses 1-9 is the first, verses 10-18 the second. The old Greek Bible does this. But most Bible students think that Psalm 116 is just one psalm, all by the same psalmist. We do not know when the psalmist wrote Psalm 116. It is the fourth of the 6 Egyptian Hallels. The Hallels are Psalms 113-118. They are called "Egyptian" because they remember the story of God saving his people from Egypt. The story is in the Book of Exodus. But this psalm is about one man’s trouble, not the whole country. It is a "hallel" because the word "hallelujah" is in verse 19.

Friday of the Third Week of Easter & St. Joseph The Worker

The readings today speak to us of two Sacraments and their importance in our lives as followers of Our Lord. The first reading is the account of the dramatic conversion of St. Paul, an event that began the spread of Christianity throughout the ancient world. I would like to concentrate though on Paul’s baptism which is recounted after he is sent to Ananias. Paul who had been blinded by intense light when he heard the voice of Jesus, is told by Ananias that he will regain his sight and more importantly he will be “filled with the Holy Spirit” by the sacrament of Baptism. Indeed this is exactly what takes place within Paul as “things like scales fell from his eyes and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues that he is the Son of God”. Paul would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel throughout Asia Minor and Greece, even to Rome itself. Psalm 117 expresses this concept beautifully.

In John’s Gospel Jesus scandalizes his listeners during a pre- passion sermon by telling them that they will achieve eternal life by eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood, citing the story of God’s gift of Manna to the desert-wandering Israelites during the time of Moses. Of course, Our Lord is trying to tell the crowds that He will establish the sacrament of Holy Eucharist which will be His physical and spiritual presence on earth after He is ascended. Both of these readings show us that it is through these two sacraments, and indeed all the sacraments, that Jesus remains with us who have not had the benefit of actually seeing His Bodily Form when He was here on earth. These sacraments give us grace which hopefully also empowers us to “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News”.

I also must mention that May 1st is one of the feast days of my patron saint, St Joseph the Worker. I have endeavored to model my life on the foster father of Our Lord. The Gospels do not tell us a lot about Joseph but it is obvious that God selected this humble, dedicated man to be the guardian of His Son. Indeed Jesus followed St Joseph's profession of carpenter, probably working side by side with His foster father until the age of 30 when He began His ministry of Redemption. The Gospel for this feast day tells us that Jesus once again scandalized His listeners in His hometown Nazareth synagogue because he dared to teach them of His intimate knowledge of the Father and the Kingdom of Heaven. These Nazarenes could not accept that the son of their humble hometown carpenter could be anything but a simple Nazarene himself. The first two readings (there are two options for the first reading) describe Joseph's dedicated work ethic and humble obedience to God's will through analogy to God's creative work in the Book of Genesis and St Paul's description of a humble servant of Jesus in Colossians. Truly St Joseph is a model for us as we strive to answer God’s call.

Joe Grau