Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Jn 14:1-6

Jesus is telling his disciples that they must have faith in God. They are fearful that when he is gone they will not know what to do or where to go. They will have no leadership, no direction. He is telling them that he will be in their hearts and minds and will lead them, through his spirit, down the proper path. They need to believe that when the time has come he will lead them to the heavenly kingdom.

Ron Czachowski

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

In today's first reading, Paul reminds those in the synagogue that God wanted them as his chosen people. Paul lets them know where they as a people historically have been, but exhorts them to become more conscious of the fact that, from their descendants, God brought forth a savior, Jesus Christ. Paul is saying that God, through his own son, Jesus Christ, is choosing them again. We are all God's chosen people. Christ will be our strength. We must learn to know and follow him.

In today's Gospel, Jesus having washed the feet of his disciples, says, "Amen, Amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater that the one who sent him. Whoever receives the one I send receives me and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me". We are all equal and no one greater than another.

We all have been chosen to hear his "word". We are given the alternative of believing and the choice of path to follow.

Peggie Czachowski

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Jn 12 : 44-50

Today’s Gospel reinforces that Jesus was the Son of God sent to spread the word of His Father. Jesus, now having overcome death, seems to have a very mild manner about Him as He tells us that the significance of believing in Him and hearing His word really means believing in and hearing the word of the Father. Jesus does not take credit for any of the messages He delivers. Instead, He makes it quite clear that He is simply the messenger for the Father. Furthermore, it is not Jesus who stands to judge those who reject Him, but the Father.

The Gospel shows us by Jesus’ example that we are not expected to come up with anything new or earth moving in order to be disciples of God. Our role is much more ordinary, like that of Jesus, where we are simply to pass on the word of the Father. In order to achieve the Father’s goal of everlasting life, we too, must live by example the teachings of the Father as we were instructed by Jesus. Opportunities present to us each day in which we can exemplify, dialogue, or perhaps even teach the word of God. It is in this way that ordinary people can accomplish great things acting as today’s disciples by practicing and demonstrating belief in God and His Word.

Sue Talocka

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 11:19-26
Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
Jn 10:22-30

As we approach the half way mark of Easter, today’s Gospel according to John, is Powerful! Very Powerful! The depth of the word of Christ is far deeper than after you read it several times. The similarities of Today and 2000 years ago are so frightening.

While at the “Feast of the Dedication” which is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BC (Hannukah) our Shepherd was quietly walking in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon when people around confronted and doubted Him. Today we are having more people doubting the existence of Our Savior. With the contribution of “new media” the atheists are running wild but they should be failing like the ratings of the Larry King show. Christ’s continuous Love and Miracles are not enough for them then and now!

Are you really living the Gospel? Do you listen to the words of our Shepherd and are you among his flock? These questions should be quick to answer. If you have to take time, your flame may be doused on top of the blaze of the Easter Candle.

The Gospel is screaming at you to listen! Look, listen and feel… that is the presence of Christ within you.

Spend this 2^nd half of Easter renewing your promises to Christ. Let the waters of baptism wash you in Christ’s Love.

Trust in God – monitor all others.

Peace,

Austin Kostik

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Just as a shepherd is going to show his sheep the way to where they need to be, Jesus is going to show us the way to his Father. The path of our lives has been set by God, but we must be willing to listen to Him to understand this. God sent Jesus to bring us to that path, and lead us on our journey.

It's a journey that allows for no shortcuts. However, when we wander from God's Word, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is there to guide us back in the right direction.

Mike Kosty

Fourth Sunday of Easter

With the words of the Father, you need not to worry about the troubles of life. The blessings and guidance of the Lord shall keep all away from harm, evil, and temptations. Trust and belief in the scriptures of the Lord will give righteousness, eternal life, and true peace of body, mind and spirit. He is your shepherd, your guardian and gives you His word of protection and guidance.

Daniel Lezama

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

As a person semi-new to the church I lack a lot of knowledge about the catholic religion. After finishing today’s reading I was even more fascinated with the Lord’s might. Able to heal, cure, and even revive human beings reminded me of the endless power of our eternal God. Looking at this passage over and over again made me reminisce past experiences that led me to officially become one with the Lord. Once reading the part about Tabitha, an archetype of a true follower, that fell very ill, passed away and later was revitalized by Peter, I was stunned by the astonishing miracles and abilities our Lord performs. Nowadays we don’t have Jesus’ disciples walking around prospering others, like Peter did throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, but in my perspective I believe that we (doctors, scientists, police officers, and just all and every common person) replaced those deceased and we now survive by helping each other out. Jesus sacrificed himself for the survival of our race and I with every fiber of my existence feel that with faith, the practice of good deeds and almsgiving we will have a reserved spot in the kingdom of heaven.

Jose Villeda

Friday of the Third Week of Easter

Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Our Lord reminds us of his great love and infinite mercy for us through his son Jesus, the son that gave his life for our salvation. Jesus is the living bread who descended from heaven who grants us everlasting life. Christ says “Those who drink my blood and eat my bread shall have everlasting life; And I shall raise them up on the last day.”

With this, we will remain in Jesus in communion and He reminds us of the importance to obey God, and how each one of us can reach Jesus and then the Holy Father. Jesus loves all and invites all to eat and drink from himself.

Hermanos en Cristo Jesús. Nuestro Padre nos recuerda el amor tan grande y su infinita misericordia para nosotros a través de Jesús, su hijo que dio la vida por nuestra salvación. Jesús es el pan vivo que descendió del cielo y nos regala la vida eterna. Jesús dice “el que coma de mi carne y bebe de mis sangre tiene la vida eterna, y yo lo resucitare en el día postrero. Así permaneceremos en Jesús a través de la comunión y nos recuerda la importancia de la obediencia a Dios y como cada uno de nosotros puede llegar a Jesús después al Padre. Jesús nos ama y nos invita a comer y beber de El mismo.

Gabriela Cruz

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

Following instructions from an angel, on a desert route to Gaza, Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading from Isaiah the prophet regarding one who is led like a sheep to slaughter, never uttering any defense. The eunuch asks Philip to explain , so Philip tells him the gospel story of Jesus which leads the eunuch to believe and to be baptized.

Such an amazing story of faith in the early church surely serves as an example of true believers and disciples who must have ben filled with the Holy Spirit in addition to having been greatly influenced by the zealous followers of Jesus.

Today, however, technological advances and worldliness have made us skeptics and cynics, ever looking for evidence, for proof Doubters rather than believers, I wonder how we will be able to hang onto our faith, a faith that's been sorely shaken by accusations of terrible, sinful actions and horrible neglect by those who would presume to lead . Church leaders, our teachers and role models, unlike the early faithful and martyrs, have gone so far astray, is it any wonder our churches are vacant? Yes, we , people of faith are sinful, materialistic, doubtful. But we are also generous to the poor. give comfort to the sick, and shelter the homeless. We don't ask for much. But how about starting with a quest for strong, Christlike leadership with the hope that we might be strengthened in our pursuit of God, of holiness, and of faith. "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Amen.".

Rose Nickas

Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

We think too fast to realize what we are doing is wrong. We go with what is the popular belief and flow with it, not realizing that it can have negative consequences. We feed off of what the media throws at us and believe it for truth. The media is like any other establishment in this country (except charitable organizations, such as the Church), a business.

The media needs us to be on board with them in order for them to continue to make money and thrive. I am a college student, so while I’m writing a paper or doing other work I watch the news. SHOCKING! A college student that actually watches the news! I’ll sit at my laptop and listen to what is going on. I’ll hear some of the stories that are shared by some of the anchors and I’ll just think of how much a certain story has been twisted. Even some of the pundits twist their knowledge of a particular story as well. These pundits do not understand the hardships that millions of Americans face on a daily basis, these pundits more likely than not are paid pretty handsomely.

We need to stop and take five minutes or so to think what would Jesus do and ask him for guidance in helping us to take something as a serious issue as it is and what to shrug off as something that may be a personal issue being overplayed, or an organizational issue that can be resolved by upper management (such as the case with priest sex abuse).

If you feel that you are being overrun by the popular belief: STOP! Jesus is calling you to follow his lead. Following Jesus can help you lead a better life, and more importantly, one that all Christians are called to live.

Mike Rizzi

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

Acts 7:51 – 8:1

John 6:30 – 35

In today’s reading from Acts, we see Stephen as the perfect model for us. He stands up for his faith amid persecution and speaks the truth. Today, we see attacks on our faith in the media on a daily basis. In the church, we see the failings of those we have looked to for leadership. We must look to Jesus, stand up for our faith and never lose heart. Stephen follows the example of our Lord by giving his life for his faith and by praying for his persecutors as he dies.

In John, we have the familiar reference to Jesus as the Bread of Life. The Jews make reference to the manna their ancestors ate in the desert and ask Jesus to give a similar sign. They only see the manna as food and not as a sign of the Eucharist to come. Jesus indicates that the true bread from Heaven will give life to the world. When the Jews ask for this bread, Jesus gives the familiar quote: “I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Do we receive the Eucharist with these words in mind? Do we come to Jesus fully so that we will never hunger, or do we only come part way? Do we fully believe in Jesus and live accordingly? The greatest gift of all creation is ours for the taking.

Jeff Rizzi

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

In today’s reading, Stephen begins performing great signs and wonders. These acts threaten members of the Jewish community. Stephen “over debates” the men. As a reaction, the Jewish men begin making false accusations. This incident can be seen as parallel to the treatment of Jesus.

This same scenario has continued for hundreds of years. When I thought about it being applied in recent times, Dr. Martin Luther King came to my mind.

As Christians, we can expect and should not be surprised at this hostility. We have to find within ourselves a love that can replace hatred and a peace to replace anger.

Ann Rizzi

Third Sunday of Easter

News seems bleaker each time one opens a newspaper or watches the news. Natural disasters, terrible accidents, plane crashes, scandals, murders, kidnappings, the blame game, politics. Ths list goes on. But this isn't to be a Debbie-downer reflection. We have the news channels for that.


No, we as Catholics, have God's word. Sadly, even the Bible can seem just as bad as the events occurring today (the entire Book of Maccabees). In the first reading, Peter and the other apostles are standing in front of the Sanhedrin facing the high priest for preaching the word of God. When the high priest tells them they are disobeying the strict orders of the Sanhedren, Peter replies: "WE must obey God rather than men...God exalted him [Christ] at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins." Basically, Peter's making an in-your-face speech: "Why on earth would we listen to you, a mere mortal man, when we've got God and his Son telling us what to do?" The Sanhedrin, predictably, are furious and they want to kill Peter and his fellow disciples. Gamaleil, a Pharisee comes to their rescue and persuades the Sanhedrin to just flog the men instead of killing them. Although most of us today would be horrified at being flogged, these men rejoiced. Yes, rejoiced. They were happy they had "been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name."


Let's put a twist on this reading and put it in modern terms. Currently, the Church is standing in front of the whole world, airing its dirty laundry whether we like it or not. People are calling for the Pope to resign (how does that even work?) and others are maligning all priests. In the words of Father Joe at the last 4:45 p.m. Mass, the dumping on the Catholic Church has become a spectator sport. But wait...we should be proud to be Catholic. We've been given this amazing gift---to be part of the Church that can trace its roots back to the Son of God. Maybe this is our test. Maybe we should be rejoicing that God loves his Church so much that he decided His Church was "found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of a name."


The Second reading is full of rejoicing. Everyone in Heaven and on Earth are praising God, singing "Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing." The whole of creation is praising their creator. This reading is from the Book of Revelation, so after an entire 2243 pages of mingled sadness and happiness (2243 pages in the Saint Joseph New American Bible: Giante Type), everyone is still praising God. We too should be praising God always, for He is good, regardless of whether things are going well for us or if everything is going wrong.


So finally, there is the Gospel. Jesus appeared to seven of his disciples-Simon Peter, Thomas (Didymus), Nathaniel, James, John and two others. We see the disciples working the same way they were when Jesus first called them: fishing. Jesus miraculously puts fish in their nets and makes them breakfast. After they breakfast, Jesus asks Peter "Do you love me?" three times. If we go back to Palm Sunday, we hear Peter denying Jesus, and yet here he is given the chance to redeem himself.


This is the kind of God we have. He forgave Peter and allowed Peter to say he was sorry. Our God is full of forgiveness--he can forgive anything, if we want Him to. We too are asked everyday by Jesus "Do you love me?" Let's say yes. And then what are we told by God? "Follow me." And so we do.


Catherine Lowe

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

When I realized I would be living at Rutgers University starting in the fall of 2009, I was overwhelmed with excitement of living on my own and venturing down my own path of independence. But one month into the move in, it became more and more overbearing the frustration and angst of missing my loving parents and little brother. I tried convincing myself everyday for the next two months that this new lifestyle, this new chapter in my life, would benefit me in the long run of becoming an adult, but yet even my own consciousness could not convince me in the turmoil of it all and I panicked.

So I searched my heart for the One I knew could save me from my fears; I turned to the One who I knew could comfort me in the midst of my transition and that was Jesus. His love and assurance through prayer consoled my saddened heart of being away from home because I knew that even though I was not in my bed at home, eating breakfast with my parents or spending every day with them, I knew my parents and God were with me in spirit supporting me by my side. In a way I was a disciple, lost and terrified in an unfamiliar atmosphere but my faith in Him was strong and saved me. Because something is out of the ordinary, it does not have to mean it is always bad, but can be a blessing in disguise and essentially you do not have to be afraid as long as you believe with your heart and soul in Jesus Christ. Faith will prevail.

Erika Lezama

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

Let the word, the person and the example of Jesus do miracles for us by transforming us from being greedy to generous and responsive to the needs of the less fortunate. Jesus showed us not just the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish that fed the five thousand in the hungry crowd but also the miracle of sharing as a fruit of conversion. It is sad to see people in the world holding on to fortunes so massive that they are not spendable in their lifetime or even among their future generations. Those people and even us can make the miracle of sharing, giving, caring and loving for others. This way the world would be a better place to live.

Hagamos que la palabra, la persona y el ejemplo de Jesús nos haga el milagro de transformarmos, de ser egoistas a generosos y sensibles a las necesidades de los menos afortunados. Jesús nos mostró no solo el milagro de la multiplicación de los panes y el pescado que alimentaron a miles de gentes hambrientas pero tambien nos mostró el milagro de compartir como fruto de conversión. Entristece ver que gente de este mundo guardando fortunas tan grandes que no se lo podrían gastar durante su vida ni la de sus generaciones. Esa gente e inclusive nosotros podemos hacer el milagro de compartir, dar, cuidar y amar a otros y de este modo hacer de este mundo un mejor lugar para vivir.


Martha DelRio

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 5:27-33
Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
John 3:31-36

The readings today speak to me of testimony to the authenticity of the resurrected Jesus and our response to this testimony. Until I looked up the context of the Gospel reading, I did not realize that it was John the Baptist speaking and not Jesus Himself. John's disciples are discussing this new prophet, Jesus, who teaches and acts with authority. John reiterates that he himself is not the Messiah, rather he is the Savior's messenger and that the Messiah will speak of what is above. The Messiah will speak the "Word of God" and will not "ration His Spirit". John echoes the prophecy of Isaiah that the authorities will not believe the suffering servant. John completes his testimony with the statement that salvation will only come to those who believe in the Son of God who is this Jesus.

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles we also have direct testimony from those who knew Jesus both before and after his Ressurection. His apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, testify to an agry Sanhedrin, the very authorities who have had them arrested and handed over Jesus for crucifixion. They witness that Jesus who was "hanged upon a tree" is risen and has been exalted by the Father as Israel's leader and savior.

This witness is ours today through Scripture. We have the direct testimony of John and the Apostles, men who ate, walked, spoke with, and were companions of Jesus. Jesus has really died for our sins on the cross and has risen from the dead to lead us to eternal life. It is all true! We have only to believe and respond to the words of those who were there and speak to us down through the centuries. Indescribable joy should fill all of us at the expectation of the life that awaits us united with our heavenly Father. Alleluia.

Joe Grau

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

“God so loved the world that he sent his only son, that whoever
believes in Him may have eternal life.” John 3:16

Most evenings I get home from work so late that I find myself eating dinner alone! For company, I have taken to reading the comics in the daily newspaper. My husband teases me that comics are for kids! Not so. There are at times great messages to be found there! One of my favorites is Peanuts by the late artist Charles Schulz. During the Christmas holidays there was one especially cute one – in the first frame Snoopy was standing shivering next to his doghouse in the snow. In the second frame, Charlie Brown and Linus came by all bundled up in their coats, hats and scarves. When they saw Snoopy there freezing, Linus patted his head and said: “Be of good cheer, Snoopy.” And Charlie also said: “Yes, be of good cheer.” They walked off together and the final frame shows Snoopy (with a question mark over his head), still freezing, outside in the cold.

The message is simple, but quite clear. The tragedy wasn’t their lack of compassion but their lack of action. They didn’t do anything. Well-wishers are one thing, but actions speak louder than words. No doubt the writer of John 3:16 would agree. Let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love, the kind of love made visible in the life of Jesus Christ. Love became visible as Jesus walked the village streets preaching the good news to the poor; visible in the healing of lepers; visible in the casting out of demons; visible in feeding the hungry, visible in his acceptance of the outcast; visible as he willingly gave his life to demonstrate the depth and power of God’s love.

If the author of John felt compelled to write a letter reminding his community to put love into practice, it was more than likely because they had lost their focus and had forgotten what they were called to be and do. The message Jesus came to bring and the truth he came to proclaim is less about where we will spend life after we leave this earthly existence and much more about the quality of life we create here and now.

Millie Martin

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

We as practicing Catholics are in a constant state of preparation. Advent is a period of preparation before the birth of our Lord. Lent is a period of preparation before Easter. Our life is a period of preparation before we meet our Lord on Judgment Day.

In our Gospel (John 3:7b-15) Jesus states to Nicodemus: "If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?" This is a very powerful statement! Jesus is telling us a lot of things as we prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knows that the spirit of man is weak. When Jesus was here on earth, he spoke wisely explaining the scriptures. Jesus performed many miracles. Yet many would continue in their unbelief. Those closest to Jesus would demonstrate their lack of faith. Peter denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Two disciples did not recognize Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Not until the breaking of the bread were their eyes opened. (Luke 24:13-35)

Jesus ... stood in their midst and said 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas "put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God."

Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (John 20:26-29)

So when our Lord says to Nicodemus, "If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?" our Lord knows we are going to stumble and fall on this road called life. Jesus spoke, demonstrated and taught many Godly things on earth. Sadly, many remained unbelieving. That is why he gave us these readings. Through these readings we find that our Lord is a forgiving God. He forgave Peter and made him the rock to build his church. Our Lord revealed himself to the two disciples. He rebuked Thomas for having lost faith. The thing we must remember is that he forgave them all. Our Lord is a loving and forgiving God.

We must remain steadfast in our love for Jesus. We must keep our minds and hearts open to his blessings. With an open mind and heart, we will allow the Holy Spirit to enter us. The blessing of the Holy Spirit will strengthen our belief in heaven. Remember God gave us a very special blessing:

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. (John 20:29)

Martin Gray

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

Acts 4:23-31
Ps 2:1-3 4-7a 7b-9
Jn 3:1-8

These readings given today would also be appropriate on the Monday after Pentecost. In the first reading, the people, after hearing Peter and John's report of their appearance before the chief priests and elders, offered a powerful prayer of praise to God and asked Him to enable them to continue to speak His word. As they prayed, "they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

The Responsorial Psalm continues the theme with the response: "Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord."

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that unless we are born of water and Spirit, one cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Then He says "The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound that it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

During these uncertain days, when everywhere you look the Church is under fire for either being to conservative, too liberal; where the news constantly reminds us of the sins of a few priests, it is important to look back at the hardships the apostles went through spreading the Good News of The Risen Christ. The Holy Spirit is there for us to give us courage and determination to face up to those detractors.

The Church has gone through hard times before, but as Christ told Peter, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Bob Kolesar

Second Sunday of Easter

My son and I love to watch crime shows on television. As faithful viewers, we've learned that eyewitness testimony may be unreliable but concrete facts are valued by police and forensic scientists. Simply believing a crime has occurred is not enough; one must have tangible evidence to prove something beyond a reasonable doubt.

Today's gospel retelling of the apostles' meeting with Jesus in the upper room turns this earthly truism on its ear. The apostles rejoice when they saw the risen Christ, and later invite their absent brother Thomas to share in their joy. Thomas demands evidence of Jesus' resurrection more appropriate in an episode of "Law and Order" than in a church and discounts their eyewitness testimony. Only when Jesus urges Thomas to touch his grievous wounds does the disciple utter, "My Lord and my God", and Jesus gently rebukes, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Approach your relationship with Jesus with heartfelt faith and love. Read, reflect and believe His actions and testimony of faith: the promise of eternal life with Him is NOT a television show!

Christina Leslie

Easter Saturday

Acts 4:13-21; Mark 16:9-15

It seems that it should be easy to accept something that we have actually experienced for ourselves. Yet all too often we're so wedded to our preconceived ideas of what should or should not be that we choose to not hear and not believe even that which we have heard and seen.

The disciples received the news of Jesus' resurrection not from strangers, but from Mary Magdalene and the two other disciples who had met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. People they knew, people they had celebrated and grieved with, people whose witness they should have trusted. Yet they chose to continue in their grief and not believe.

The man they knew to have been crippled from birth stood with Peter and John before the Sanhedrin - living proof of the power of the resurrected Christ. But to accept that proof would have meant not only having to accept that some of their beliefs were wrong, but also that Peter and John - those "uneducated, ordinary men" - spoke with an authority greater than that of the Sanhedrin. So they chose to continue in their unbelief.

To see and hear is not enough. Without a willingness to be open to where God is trying to lead us we remain deaf and blind despite the evidence before us.

Yet those who are willing to unharden their hearts; willing to let go of their preconceived ideas; willing to let the Spirit lead them, can find themselves transformed.

The crippled man didn't ask to be cured. At most he was hoping that Peter and John might give him a coin or two. He didn't know that being cured was an option. But he was open to the Spirit and received not what he asked for, but what he needed.

The world didn't ask for the Good News. It didn't know that it was an option. But those who were open to it received it anyway.

The disciples were uneducated, ordinary men. Yet it was these ordinary men that Jesus sent out to proclaim the Good News to the whole world. And those who had not seen and heard for themselves came to know and believe. Through the power of the Spirit these ordinary men were able to accomplish the extraordinary.

Are you ready to be extraordinary?

Natalie Borisovets

Easter Friday

Jn 21:1-14

After reading John's gospel - and knowing it is Jesus' 3rd appearance to them, he "feasts" with them perhaps showing the feast we will enjoy with him in eternity.

Cathy DiStefano

Easter Thursday

Continuing the Emmaus Gospel, Luke proceeds to tell us what follows. Cleopas and his companion returned to Jerusalem to Jesus' disciples and shared their amazing experience of being with and listening to Jesus, and how they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.

While they were still speaking, Jesus appeared to them! Their immediate response was terror, which turned to joy and amazement as He reassured them that He was not a ghost, because He was Flesh and Bones.

How often we ourselves cower from Jesus and doubt Him. It is easy to give in to fear, when we do not include Him in our daily lives. We become spiritually dry, and distance ourselves from Him even further. Jesus" presence to His disciples and to us is awesome.

How can we keep Jesus present in our lives? We can frequently receive the sacraments. We can "break bread" with Him in the Eucharist, asking Him to stay close to us and protect us. We receive great graces from the sacrament of Penance. Adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament keeps us mindful of our Resurrected Lord's Presence in our lives, helping us to lead better lives..

Continuing along this theme of trust, and as we listen to this Sunday's Gospel about St. Thomas, let us all reflect on and strengthen our own beliefs and TRUST in Our Savior's Mercy. As we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at this holy time of the year, let us ask Jesus to open our minds to the Scriptures, drawing close to the Resurrected Jesus and His Divine Mercy, which is so necessary in these times.

Jesus, I trust in You!

Jo Ann Gerling

Easter Wednesday

The readings for this day include two passages that remind me that we "walk by faith and not by sight." In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John heal a man crippled from birth in the name of Jesus Christ. They take a great leap of faith performing that miracle, trusting completely in the power of Jesus Christ. All miracles great and small start with faith and trust. When the world tells us that we can't, Jesus says we can. Think of Mother Teresa, who traveled to India with nothing more than the desire to care for the most "untouchable" people on earth with the same love and compassion that Jesus taught throughout his ministry. How the Sisters of Charity grew from that first leap of faith is a miracle. To perform miracles in our everyday lives, we have to make the leap, even when we can't see the road ahead, trusting that God has a way.

In the Gospel reading, we hear the famous story of two men who encountered the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus. What touches me most about this story is that they don't even realize that they are walking with Jesus. How often would we feel the presences of Jesus in our encounters with others if we would just open our hearts? How often could we be the presence of Jesus for someone else with just a compassionate word or deed at the right time? We have to have faith that Jesus is with us even when we feel most alone. We need to listen for the ways that Jesus speaks to us through others as we walk the road. I believe that Jesus walks with us always even if we don't always see him.

Patty Mancuso

Easter Tuesday

Reflection for April 6th

Today's gospel and readings remind us that Jesus is with us always. We only need to look for him and we will find him wherever we are. In our sorrows and in our joys we can find him, if only we see beyond our feelings. If we follow in his footsteps and show goodness and kindness to all who we encounter, we will be doing his will and, in turn, spreading the goodwill of Jesus to all.

Lenore Catalano

Easter Monday

Mt. 28:8-15

Mary and Mary Magdalene were ecstatic in hearing that Jesus had arisen from the tomb. As they rushed off to inform the disciples, Jesus appeared to them and told them to tell the men of Galilee that he was resurrected. Meanwhile, a Guard had made his way into the city and told the priests the news. The chief priest held a meeting and decided to give money to the soldiers, in order to get them to lie to the villagers. The soldiers told the people that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body during the night.

Jesus rose three days after his death, just as the prophecy predicted. Mary and Mary Magdalene were excited to see Him, the Roman Chief Priests were not. Thus; they forced the soldiers to lie to the people. Sometimes people feel the need to lie in times of confusion, other times people are afraid. Jesus told the women not to fear Him. This teaches us that even though we may sometimes fear and doubt the powers of God, he will always be there to comfort and guide us. This gospel is very enlightening. It not only teaches us that God guides us, but that he keeps his promises to us and has the power to come back to everyone, even when we sometimes doubt him and are scared.

By: Brianne Talocka

EASTER VIGIL/SUNDAY April 3-4, 2010

On a journey, maybe we've had an eye-opening experience of something -- a different culture, landscape or even a realization -- where we say, "I'll never forget this," or "Things will never be the same." On our Christian journey, today we are reminded that the rising of Christ is that experience, not to be forgotten, and that because of the resurrection, things will never be the same.

We still have war, we still have suffering and death, we still have sin. But the New Testament accounts show how those who experienced the resurrection became empowered and transformed to deal with all sorts of sufferings and persecutions and unrest.

Jesus is risen, he lives! This makes all the difference.

Joseph Kerrigan