ROMAN MISSAL UPDATE - PART 2

Preparing for Changes

Following up on last week’s article, the second possibly confusing change in the Roman Missal concerns the priest’s repetition of Christ’s own words at consecration of the chalice. In the phrase “this is the cup of my blood… which will be shed for you and for all,´ the last word will be changed from “all” to “many” (in accord with the Latin term multis). When Pope Benedict explicitly requested this change in translation, confusion arose among some Catholics: they were afraid that such wording might create the false impression that the Church believed that Jesus did not die for all human beings. However, the change in translation was not because it was wrong to say that Jesus died “for all,” but because saying that he would die “for many” is a more faithful translation of what Jesus actually said. When quoting Jesus at the Last Supper, the Greek Bible and the earliest Greek and Latin Masses, the closes witnesses we have to Jesus’ own words, all clearly choose phrases that mean “for many,” and not “for all.”

It seems that Jesus chose to say “for many” at the Last Supper to show that he fulfills the role of the Suffering Servant as foretold by Isaiah: the one Servant who would take away the sins of “many,” and will justify “the many” by his vicarious suffering and death (53:11, 12). The “many” means here an indefinitely large multitude consisting of both Israel and many other nations (52: 13, 15).

The translation simply leaves open the (for us) innumerable throng of those who accept in faith the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. It would seem that at the Last Supper Christ said “for you and for many” instead of “for you and for all” to remind us that the Eucharist is a covenant meal, one which must be embraced by both the one offering and the one receiving. Entry into the New and Eternal Covenant belong to those who have freely accepted it. Christ has shed his blood for all, but his offering is effective only for those who in faith and love have drunk from it. The new (and original) phrase “shed for many” respects the secret counsel of God and leaves the exact number of the elect to God’s mercy.

Feast Day of Blessed Kateri Tekawitha

"Kateri was a child of nature. Her sainthood will raise the minds and hearts of those who love nature and work in ecology."
 Bishop Stanislaus Brzana, Bishop of Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680), also known as Blessed Catherine Tekakwitha, is honored by the Catholic Church as the patroness of ecology, nature, and the environment.

Tekakwitha's baptismal name is Catherine, which in the Iroquois languages is Kateri. Tekakwitha's Iroquois name can be translated as, "One who places things in order."1 or “To put all into place.”2 Other translations include, "she pushes with her hands" and "who walks groping for her way" (because of her faulty eyesight).

Tekakwitha was born at Ossernenon, which today is near Auriesville, New York, USA. Tekakwitha's father was a Mohawk chief and her mother was a Catholic Algonquin.

At the age of four, smallpox attacked Tekakwitha's village, taking the lives of her parents and baby brother, and leaving Tekakwitha an orphan. Although forever weakened, scarred, and partially blind, Tekakwitha survived. The brightness of the sun blinded her and she would feel her way around as she walked.

Tekakwitha was adopted by her two aunts and her uncle, also a Mohawk chief. After the smallpox outbreak subsided, Tekakwitha and her people abandoned their village and built a new settlement, called Caughnawaga, some five miles away on the north bank of the Mohawk River, which today is in Fonda, New York.

In many ways, Tekakwitha's life was the same as all young Native American girls. It entailed days filled with chores, spending happy times with other girls, communing with nature, and planning for her future.

Tekakwitha grew into a young woman with a sweet, shy personality. She helped her aunts work in the fields where they tended to the corn, beans, and squash, and took care of the traditional longhouse in which they lived. She went to the neighboring forest to pick the roots needed to prepare medicines and dye. She collected firewood in the forest and water from a stream. Despite her poor vision, she also became very skilled at beadwork.
Although Tekakwitha was not baptized as an infant, she had fond memories of her good and prayerful mother and of the stories of Catholic faith that her mother shared with her in childhood. These remained indelibly impressed upon her mind and heart and were to give shape and direction to her life's destiny. She often went to the woods alone to speak to God and listen to Him in her heart and in the voice of nature.

When Tekakwitha was eighteen, Father de Lamberville, a Jesuit missionary, came to Caughnawaga and established a chapel. Her uncle disliked the "Blackrobe" and his strange new religion, but tolerated the missionary's presence. Kateri vaguely remembered her mother's whispered prayers, and was fascinated by the new stories she heard about Jesus Christ. She wanted to learn more about Him and to become a Christian.

Father de Lamberville persuaded her uncle to allow Tekakwitha to attend religious instructions. The following Easter, twenty-year old Tekakwitha was baptized. Radiant with joy, she was given the name of Kateri, which is Mohawk for Catherine.

Kateri's family did not accept her choice to embrace Christ. After her baptism, Kateri became the village outcast. Her family refused her food on Sundays because she wouldn't work. Children would taunt her and throw stones. She was threatened with torture or death if she did not renounce her religion.

Because of increasing hostility from her people and because she wanted to devote her life to working for God, in July of 1677, Kateri left her village and fled more than 200 miles (322 km) through woods, rivers, and swamps to the Catholic mission of St. Francis Xavier at Sault Saint-Louis, near Montreal. Kateri's journey through the wilderness took more than two months. Because of her determination in proving herself worthy of God and her undying faith she was allowed to receive her First Holy Communion on Christmas Day, 1677.

Although not formally educated and unable to read and write, Kateri led a life of prayer and penitential practices. She taught the young and helped those in the village who were poor or sick. Kateri spoke words of kindness to everyone she encountered. Her favorite devotion was to fashion crosses out of sticks and place them throughout the woods. These crosses served as stations that reminded her to spend a moment in prayer.

Kateri's motto became, "Who can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it?" She spent much of her time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, kneeling in the cold chapel for hours. When the winter hunting season took Kateri and many of the villagers away from the village, she made her own little chapel in the woods by carving a Cross on a tree and spent time in prayer there, kneeling in the snow. Kateri loved the Rosary and carried it around her neck always.
This painting is the one of the oldest portraits of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, by Father Claude Chauchetière, S.J. (circa 1696)

Often people would ask, "Kateri, tell us a story." Kateri remembered everything she was told about the life of Jesus and his followers. People would listen for a long time. They enjoyed being with her because they felt the presence of God. One time a priest asked the people why they gathered around Kateri in church. They told him that they felt close to God when Kateri prayed. They said that her face changed when she was praying. It became full of beauty and peace, as if she were looking at God's face.

On March 25, 1679, Kateri made a vow of perpetual virginity, meaning that she would remain unmarried and totally devoted to Christ for the rest of her life. Kateri hoped to start a convent for Native American sisters in Sault St. Louis but her spiritual director, Father Pierre Cholonec discouraged her. Kateri's health, never good, was deteriorating rapidly due in part to the penances she inflicted on herself. Father Cholonec encouraged Kateri to take better care of herself but she laughed and continued with her "acts of love."

The poor health which plagued her throughout her life led to her death in 1680 at the age of 24. Her last words were, "Jesus, I love You." Like the flower she was named for, the lily, her life was short and beautiful. Moments after dying, her scarred and disfigured face miraculously cleared and was made beautiful by God. This miracle was witnessed by two Jesuits and all the others able to fit into the room.

Kateri is known as the "Lily of the Mohawks." The Catholic Church declared Kateri venerable in 1943. She was beatified in 1980 by Pope John Paul II. Kateri is the first Native American to be declared Blessed. Her feast is celebrated on July 14th in the United States. Pope John Paul II designated Blessed Kateri as a patroness for World Youth Day 2002.

Blessed Kateri's tomb is found at St. Francis Xavier Mission in the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, near Montreal, Quebec. Blessed Kateri is honored at the National Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda, New York and the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, New York.

Blessed Kateri's name is pronounced kä'tu-rē. Her Iroquois name, Tekakwitha, is often pronounced tek"u-kwith'u. Her name Tekakwitha is occasionally spelled Tegakouita. The Mohawk pronunciation of her name is sometimes described as Gah-Dah-LEE Degh-Agh-WEEdtha.

Roman Missal Update

In mid-August, we will begin to prepare for the changes that will take place at Mass in the new translation of the Roman Missal.  The “official” date of transition will be Sunday, November 27, 2011 – the first Sunday of Advent.

The majority of the changes will affect the priest.  However, several changes will be for the people.

 “And with your spirit”

The first change concerns our response to the priest’s greeting “The Lord be with you.”  Our response will be “And with your spirit,” instead of the now customary “And also with you.”

Contrary to the popular assumption, in the response “And with your spirit,” the word “spirit” does not mean the soul as opposed to the body, and does not deny that the body must be a dwelling place for the Lord.  The word “spirit” refers to pneuma, a key term in the Greek New Testament.  Its meaning ranges from the person of the Holy Spirit, to his manifold gifts within us, to the highest part of our own souls.  Our “spirit” is  like our inner “radio antenna,” the very top of our selves through which the Holy Spirit enters us so that our Spirit-filled spirit may in turn transform our souls and our bodies. Thus when we return the priest’s greeting by saying “And with your spirit,” we state that the Lord is present to his spirit, and we also wish that the Lord may be even more intensely present in him so as to rekindle in him the spirit if courage, love and self-control, the chief virtues of the minister according to St. Paul.  The greeting then is an acknowledgment of the Lord Jesus’ presence in the congregation and the minister, and a wish that his presence may fill us with his Spirit and transform us unto his image and likeness.

 Next week:  “For Many”

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga was born Luigi Gonzaga on March 9, 1568 (Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy) and died June 21, 1591 (Rome) at the age of 23.

He is the Patron of youth; students; Jesuit novices; AIDS patients; AIDS caregivers; sufferers of pestilence. He was beatified on October 19, 1605, by Pope Paul V and canonized on December 31, 1726, by Pope Benedict XIII.

Saint Anthony of Padua

Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195. Although associated in devotional prayer with the finding of lost objects, Saint Anthony was in fact an extremely gifted preacher and teacher of God’s word. He did seek out those lost in unbelief and denial and brought them back to the fold of faith by the power of the word he preached.

Saint Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., (born Fernando Martins de Bulhes; c. 1195 – 13 June 1231) was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised. Noted by his contemporaries for his forceful preaching and expert knowledge of Scripture, he was declared a saint almost immediately after his death and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1946. No other doctor resembled Jesus Christ to a certain degree as Anthony. He lived as Jesus in obscurity for many years. He became known quite suddenly and died the youngest of the male doctors, about Jesus' age.

The gospels of the four evangelists were the main sources that Anthony wholeheartedly pursued and lived. His insatiable thirst to understand, master, and live out the message and meaning of the words of Jesus, and imitate his life, were his consuming interest. No other doctor is depicted holding the Infant Jesus more than "Tony", as he is so affectionately named by many due to his great purity and innocence of heart. Unlimited miracles, even today, are attributed to his holy intercession when we turn to him in genuine prayer and faith. There is a lasting tradition of him helping us find lost items, people, and that includes discovering ourselves more profoundly, when we turn to him in faith, honesty, and love.

"He received in baptism the name of Ferdinand. Later writers of the fifteenth century asserted that his father was Martin Bouillon, descendant of the renowned Godfrey de Bouillon, commander of the First Crusade, and his mother, Theresa Tavejra, descendant of Froila I, fourth king of Asturia. Unfortunately, however, his genealogy is uncertain; all that we know of his parents is that they were noble, powerful, and God-fearing people, and at the time of Ferdinand's birth were both still young, and living near the Cathedral of Lisbon. Having been educated in the Cathedral school, Ferdinand, at the age of fifteen, joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, in the convent of St. Vincent, just outside the city walls (1210). Two years later to avoid being distracted by relatives and friends, who frequently came to visit him, he betook himself with permission of his superior to the Convent of Santa Croce in Cóimbra (1212), where he remained for eight years, occupying his time mainly with study and prayer. Gifted with an excellent understanding and a prodigious memory, he soon gathered from the Sacred Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers a treasure of theological knowledge."

His legacy to the world, and his popularity even today, his intercession before God is beyond comparison and comprehension. He is the patron of untold causes and the church has lavished upon him the highest honors of sainthood almost before he died. He was canonized within a year of his death because of popular acclaim. This fact alone is unprecedented in the history of the Catholic Church. He is perhaps the most popular saint ever among the faithful of the church.

He died on June 13, 1231.

PENTECOST SUNDAY

Today, Pentecost Sunday, marks the end of the Easter season and celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary. By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Christ’s paschal mystery was brought to its completion. The Holy Spirit prepares us with his grace in order to draw us to Christ.

Luke gives us a dramatic picture of the event: The Spirit came upon the apostles with a "strong driving wind" and with "tongues as of fire" (Acts 2:2,3).

Pentecost is meant to be experienced. The Spirit wants to burn the knowledge of God’s love and mercy into our hearts. He wants to fill us with the same joy that the apostles knew— the joy of our salvation and the joy of knowing Jesus. As we feel this joy, we will yearn for God’s presence every day, and we will want to avoid everything—every sin—that would separate us from him and his love.

May our lives be changed today— forever!"

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

SAINT BARNABAS

On this Eve of Pentecost, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Barnabas. He was a just and faithful servant to whom the success of the Gospel was far more important than his own. He willingly sought and sponsored Saint Paul without any thought of seeking a competitive edge. Humility in God’s service brings its own success.

Born in Cyprus, Barnabas is numbered among the first of the faithful in Jerusalem. He preached the Gospel in Antioch and, as a companion of Saint Paul, accompanied him on his first journey. He was also present at the Council of Jerusalem. Upon returning to his own country, he continued to spread the Gospel and eventually died there.

Acts 11:21-26; 13:1

He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. (Acts 11:24)

The name Barnabas indicates what the man was like: Barnabas —"son of encouragement" is how Luke translates it—was a nickname given him by the apostles (Acts 4:36). Barnabas was a missionary, prophet, and teacher and was outstanding for the generous way he used his gifts to encourage people. He gave his money to the Jerusalem community (4:37). He gave Saul his friendship and trust, vouching for him when everyone else was shunning the new convert (9:26-27). He saw John Mark’s potential and gave him a second chance, despite the young disciple’s failure to complete his first missionary journey (13:13; 15:36-39).

Encouraging, comforting, strengthening God’s people—these are actions of the Holy Spirit, and indeed, Barnabas was the Spirit’s envoy wherever he went. In Antioch, where today’s reading is set, the Spirit gives Barnabas discernment about the situation he has been sent to investigate. When Saul (St. Paul) and Barnabas were chosen and "sent forth" by the Spirit, Barnabas traveled off to exercise his ministry of encouragement in Cyprus and beyond.

Even Barnabas invites each of us to consider our own relationship with the Holy Spirit. "Do I know him and listen for his guidance? Am I letting him transform me into Christ’s image? Am I using the gifts he’s given me for the good of others?"

If you can answer each question with a "yes," Bravo! And if not just yet, don’t give up! As that great encourager, St. Barnabas, would tell you: God wants to fill you with his Spirit. Just ask!

Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle within us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth! Amen.

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 25:13-21

　

"Do not forget all the gifts of God." (Psalm 103:2)

Since Easter Monday, the Mass readings have been following the story of the early church as it unfolds in the Acts of the Apostles. We have gone from Pentecost to Paul’s imprisonment. We have seen Peter’s role in his mission to the Gentiles. We have followed the initial growth of the church in Jerusalem and watched it extend to the known world. It is a dramatic, inspiring story—and it doesn’t end with Paul!

This great extended Book of Acts includes chapters on the Franciscans, the Jesuits, and the Dominicans. It includes the tales of brave missionaries and the stories of church councils. And the book is still being written today, with each of our lives making up another chapter! None of us should think that we are unimportant in the kingdom. Or should we think that our lives don’t matter or that we’ll never make an impact. We have all been called by our heavenly Father to build his kingdom.  He is counting on us to take up this calling with faith, trust, and determination. Who knows how our own chapter will read? Who knows what plans the Lord still has in store for us?

One thing is certain - we are all temples of the Holy Spirit and each of us can accomplish great things in the name of Christ. There are many more chapters left to be written—and we are the main characters!

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Three days short of Pentecost Sunday, today, June 9th, we celebrate the memory of St. Ephrem.

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.

~ Saint Ephrem

Saint Ephrem was born of a Christian family in Nisibis around the year 306.  Ordained a deacon of Edessa in what is now Turkey, he vigorously combated the heresies of his time by writing poems and hymns about the Mysteries of Christ and the Blessed Virgin. He had a great devotion to Our Lady, and was in large part responsible for introducing hymns to public worship. He exercised his office as deacon throughout the country and in Edessa, where he founded a theological school.  Despite his ascetic life he did not relax his ministries of preaching and writing books to confute the errors of the time.

Ephrem (or Eprhaim) the Syrian left us hundreds of hymns and poems on the faith that inflamed and inspired the whole Church, but we know few facts about his own inspiring life.

We do not know the exact date or year of his death but June 9, 373 is accepted by many. Ephrem related in his dying testament a childhood vision of his life that he gloriously fulfilled.

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 20:28-38

“We must help the weak.” (Acts 20:35)

As we continue to wind down to the end of the Easter Season, today’s reading gives us a final farewell from St. Paul. He had not only founded the church at Ephesus but lived among the believers for three years. During that time, “God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.” As a result, “the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.” (Acts 19:11,20)

Every community, every congregation, even every family has its own “weak” members. Through whatever combination of genetics, upbringing or unfortunate circumstances, it is unlikely that they will ever be able to take care of themselves adequately. These are the ones Paul singled out for special attention. He knew the fundamental precept that those who are more graced should care for those who are in need—not take advantage of them or ignore them.

Such a philosophy goes against our human nature. Those who move quickly find it irritating to slow down for those who lag behind. It can be hard for someone with a quick mind to have to explain things to someone who just doesn’t get it. Instead of putting ourselves in their shoes, we tend to imagine them in ours. When we do this, we exercise the judgment that belongs to God and we fail to extend the mercy that belongs to the strong and weak alike. The elders were not crying in admiration of Paul’s accomplishments but were crying tears of affection for a brother. And Paul, in turn, was concerned for the survival of “the whole flock …” and especially “the weak.” (Acts 20:28,35)

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 20:17-27

“But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem.” (Acts 20:22)

Every Sunday at Mass we affirm our belief in the Holy Spirit when we pray the Creed: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.” Such powerful words—and so often spoken quickly and without much reflection. What would it be like if we were all aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit and his promptings in our daily lives?
 In Scripture, we see the Holy Spirit affecting the lives and decisions of so many people—even Jesus himself! Paul was compelled by the conviction of the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Mary was compelled to say “yes” to the angel and become the Mother of God. Peter was compelled to visit Cornelius’ house and baptize the first Gentiles into the church. Even Jesus was compelled by the Spirit to go into the desert to fast and pray.

The Holy Spirit wants to play an active role in our lives, just as he did in the lives of these early believers. He wants to counsel us and give us just the right words to say to someone who is hurting. He wants to console us when we are feeling unworthy or hopeless. He wants to help us see our sin, and then lead us into the freedom of his mercy. He wants to convince us of God’s passionate love for us so that we can walk through our days with our heads held high.

So how can we hear the Spirit? The obvious answers include prayer, fasting, and Scripture. But we should also be looking for those times when a new, unexpected sense arises in our hearts: spontaneous thoughts of love or mercy, or maybe a new insight into a Scripture passage or a possible new direction in our lives. Follow these senses. Test them out, and see if they bring you joy, hope, or peace. If so, you can be sure that the Holy Spirit is behind them. The more you practice, the clearer the Spirit’s voice will become.

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles (19:6)

"When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them."

We are only days away now from Pentecost. It is time to shift our focus and pay attention to the words of Scripture in Acts while keeping an eye on the way the Holy Spirit worked powerfully in the apostles in all they said and did.

In today’s reading, when Paul encountered believers in Ephesus who had no knowledge or experience of the Holy Spirit, he laid his hands on them—and the Spirit came, filling them with new life and moving them to pray in tongues. He used this simple, outward gesture as a sign of friendship and solidarity with them. Through his touch, the people were brought into contact with an ambassador of Christ, and it opened the door for greater blessings.

Paul gives us a model that we can follow. Praying for someone is a good thing. Praying with a person is even better. It tells that person that we are united in seeking the Lord’s help. But even more, we believe that whenever we pray in this way, we are giving the Holy Spirit a greater opening to act, sometimes in dramatic ways. We may even see miracles!

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

John 17:1-11a

"I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.  Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began."



There is one week until Pentecost Sunday and it is after the Ascension. The remaining apostles "have kept the Father’s word;" "they have believed that the Father sent Jesus." They witness to God’s glory by enacting their own sort of "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem redolent of Christ’s on Palm Sunday. It was triumphant "when they entered the city" because the Eleven were deeply united in faith and charity, resolved to do the will of the Father. It is not a coincidence the way that their actions mimic those of Jesus; they go to the upper room and there devote themselves to prayer with one accord. As a result of this conviction, persecution is soon to follow, but they will rejoice to the extent that they share in the sufferings of Christ.

This is true of us even today. It is only through suffering that we will have glory. And it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we have the promise of eternal life and ultimately glory.

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

"Ask and you will receive." (John 16:24)

At the Last Supper, Jesus promised his disciples that he would give them the Holy Spirit. But how would they—and how would we—know the love and help that the Spirit has come to give? Jesus’ answer is simple: Ask!

So what will we receive if we ask for the Spirit?

First, and most important, we will receive revelation. One of the Spirit’s most vital gifts is that he shows us Jesus in a new and more glorious light. We see him not only as a man who died on the cross centuries ago but as our own Lord and Savior. Through the Spirit’s power, we see Jesus as a living person, the Son of God whose love for us is constant, perfect, and intimate. And not only do we see Jesus; we experience his presence in a powerful way. We feel his joy, his mercy, and his freedom in our hearts.

Along with this gift of revelation, the Spirit gives us a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). He helps us stay rooted in Jesus and his love for us, so that we can weather the storms of life. By constantly reminding us that we are treasured children of God, the Spirit helps calm our fears and anxieties. He brings us to a place of rest and trust. And he convinces us that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.

St. Paul tells us that the Spirit also prays with us and for us "according to God’s will" (Romans 8:27). Even as we are asking, so is the Spirit. Only he is asking for the things that we don’t even know we need. He is asking for the yearnings in our hearts that we don’t dare speak. In other words, we don’t have to worry about a thing. All we have to do is keep seeking the Spirit and trying our best to submit to him. Then the Spirit, who searches our hearts, will give us every good and perfect gift we could ever need.

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions - Memorial

Owing to religious hatred, many faithful Christians were killed in Uganda by King Mwanga during the yeas 1885 to 1887.  Some of them  had enjoyed the good graces of the king at his court, and some were even related to him.  Among the, Charles Lwanga and his twenty-one companions, adhering steadfastly to the Catholic faith, were put to death, some by sword, others by burning because they would not acced to the king's unreasonable demands.

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

"You will see me." (John 16:16)

What a promise! Jesus was going away, but he promised that he would come back, and the apostles would see him once more. These words brought them a great measure of comfort. And yes, they did see Jesus again—on Easter Sunday, when he appeared to them in the upper room. But the "seeing" Jesus was speaking of here meant more than just encountering him again with their physical eyes. Jesus was also talking about the way that the Holy Spirit would help them sense Jesus’ presence and his guidance even after he ascended and was no longer visible.

The feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated today, the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, commemorating the Ascension of Christ into Heaven and His completion of the work of our redemption. The liturgy on this day celebrates the entry of Christ into heaven with our human nature glorified, and the pledge of our glorification with Him. In the past, processions outside the church were held on this day to imitate Christ's leading the Apostles out of the city to the Mount of Olives, and to commemorate the entry of Christ into heaven.

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Saint Justin Memorial

Saint Justin, philosopher and martyr, was born of pagan parents in Flavia Neapolis in Samaria at the beginning of the second century.  Following his conversion to faith, he wrote many works in defense of religion, of which we have only two:  The Apology and the Dialogue with Trypho.  He also opened a school in Rome in which public debates were held.  Justin was martyred along with several companions during the reign of Marcus Aurelius around the year 165.

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Unlike a visit that we may make to a friend or a loved one, a visitation is different owing to the purpose intended. A visitation aims to accomplish something. Specifically, it is an encounter that carries within it a meaning that is exceptional. In the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that meaning is not a message, but rather the exceptional presence of the child she carries within her – the Son of God. We can be certain that the mystery of the Visitation will be effective in our lives, if we do now, what Jesus commanded us to do as he died – “Behold, your mother.”

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

John 15:26-16: 4a

Jesus promises that when he sends "the Spirit of Truth," the Spirit "will testify to me."  The Spirit does not come to bring us something different from what Christ brought us, but rather to help us make Christ ours - to make it possible for everything that we have encountered in Jesus to become more and more our own. 

Let us invite the Spirit to open our hearts so that we can pay attention and not fall away.

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 8:5-8, 14-17

When Philip "proclaimed the Christ" to the crowds, "with one accord" they "paid attention to what was said."  Their full acceptance of the word of God provoked Peter and John to go to them and lay hands on them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.   This fulfills what Jesus promised us the night before he died:  "The Father will give you the Spirit of truth.  He will be in you."  The "reason for our hope" is a Person we have met:  Christ the Lord whom we sanctify in our hearts and whose commandments we keep.  Just as the crowds today are transfixed by the attraction of Philip, so we are captivated by the One who has loved us and revealed himself to us.  It is the source of "great joy."

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 16:1-10

"Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number."

This was due in large part to Paul and Timothy's attentive docility and obedience to the Holy Spirit.  They had been "chosen out of the world" by Jesus.  When we act out of that belonging, conscio that we do not "belong to the world," we change the world.

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Saint Augustine of Canterbury

Saint Augustine was sent in 597 from Saint Andrew's monastery in Rome by Saint Gregory to Great to preach the Gospel in England.  He was aided there by King Ethelbert andchosen bishop of Canterbury.  He converted many to the faith and established many dioceses, especially in the kingdom of Kent.  He died on May 26, about the year 605.

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Saint Philip Neri

Saint Philip Neri was born in Florence in 1515.  He went to Rome and began to work with young men among whom he fostered Christian life and formed an association for the poor and the sick.  Ordained to the priesthood in 1551, he founded the Oratory where spiritual reading, singing, and works of charity were practiced.  He excelled in his love of neighbor and in evangelical simplicity along with a joyous service to God.  Saint Philip died in 1595.

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Saint Bede The Venerable

Saint Bede was born in the neighborhood of the Wearmouth monastery in 673.  He was trained by Saint Benedict Biscop and later entered the monastery.  Ordained to the priesthood, he spent his ministry teaching and writing.  Saint Bede wrote theological and historical works in the patristic tradition and explained sacred Scripture. 

He died in 735.

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

John 14:27-31a

"Do not let your hearts be troubled…”

Today’s Gospel, which is often heard read at funerals is one that gives us hope and comfort. I recently attended a funeral and after every reference to Jesus' promises, the homilist repeated Jesus’ words -  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Right there in the midst of grief and loss, just hearing his words silenced the sobs around me.  As we were  being reminded of the promise of heaven Jesus made to us our troubled hearts were comforted.  "I am going to prepare a place for you.”  Everything Jesus did and said revolved around heaven.  Every miracle he performed pointed to the way we will be transformed in heaven.

People lose hope when they are in the midst of loss and believe they have no future. Yet, no matter our situation, we are citizens of heaven! We are destined for glory.The hope of heaven tells us that even if nothing seems to be going right here on earth, we can still find a place of eternal rest, peace, and comfort at the end of our lives. It tells us that those who persevere in their faith will finally come to a place where there is no more suffering, tears, pain or separation. 

It tells us about a future that is worth living for, a future that more than makes up for all the hardship of the present. And it is a future that each one of us can know as we embrace Jesus and his Gospel message.

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

John 14:21-26

Jesus said to His disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Words alone will not be enough. But, where there is real love, Jesus will return that love by coming with his Father to dwell in that person.
 In this verse of John’s Gospel, it is Jude’s turn to ask a question. Jude is called “son of James” and listed among the Twelve. He is believed to be the ‘Thaddaeus’ of Matthew and Mark. He wants to know why Jesus only revealed himself to his disciples and not to the world. In his reply, Jesus is saying that anyone who responds to Him with love will certainly experience His love. The ‘world’ by definition in John’s Gospel consists of those who turn their backs on Jesus, his message and his love. “He who does not love me does not keep my words.”

Jesus reminds his disciples that everything he passes on to them comes ultimately from the Father and not from him alone. He is the mediator, the Way, and the Word of God. And later, after he is gone, the role was to be taken over by the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. The word ‘paraclete’ has many meanings but the most fitting is the explanation that it is someone who stands by you and gives you support and comfort. The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, fulfilled this role in the Church after Jesus returned to his Father.

Observe the life of the person who practices love and makes of their life a gift for others. The practice of love gives them a profound peace. It is in this willingness to love, that the soul becomes an invitation to the Spirit of Jesus to act in the heart of the believer, counseling and comforting him, even when the Lord is no longer physically present.

What Jesus said to Jude Thaddeus is in fact addressed to the Church today, as it waits on the Lord in hope and confidence until He comes again.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.

Enkindle within us the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Amen.

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

 John 14:1-12

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

An old saying tells us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, meaning that children are likely to take on their parents’ features, philosophies, and behaviors. And though some apples roll far from the parental tree, the likeness can still be quite remarkable.

Even so, nothing can compare to the “like Father, like Son” relationship we see in today’s Gospel!  “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).  For a moment consider who this Father is. He is the all-powerful Creator of the universe, the Author of life who keeps everything in existence. He is the God whose beauty, only partially revealed, dazzled Moses and made his face so radiant that people were afraid to approach him. Glorious in holiness, robed in light, majestic beyond compare—that’s the Father.

And that is the Son as well. To see the one is to see the other, for “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” (John 14:10,11) If we want to know what God is like and how to reach him, look to Jesus. He has given us access to every grace and spiritual gift, to an imperishable inheritance, and to none other than God himself!

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Psalm 98:1-4

“Sing a new song to the LORD.” (Psalm 98: 1)

Why should we sing? Because singing engages our hearts and emotions as well as our minds, and God cares about our whole person, emotions included.

Lucky for us we have a musically talented man who attends our Bible Study sessions and behind the scenes was busy writing songs about us and our studies!  On our last night of the current study series, he brought his guitar and “engaged” all of us in song.  We sang joyfully!

The Lord wants to breathe life into our spirits, minds and bodies. Singing offers him entry into our whole being in a way that ordinary speech does not. And if we have difficulty opening our hearts, singing can open the pathway for God’s Spirit to move in. So go ahead and sing a new song! Sing because God loves us.  Sing because God has given us victory through Christ. Sing because we do not have to live steeped in guilt and shame.  Sing as our consciences are cleansed and we are given rest. Sing the new song that all the saints and angels are singing in heaven.  Sing joyfully.

Thank you Al!

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 14:1-6

I am the way and the truth and the life.

"Let not your heart be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way. Thomas said to him, Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’"

From this passage of scripture you could find three thoughts of comfort.

The first is that peace is promised. "Let not you heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me". Even in the midst of turmoil or sorrow you can have peace. Why? Because we have faith - we believe. We believe that even in the midst of the storm we know that God is with us. He is here. He is present. If you believe and trust in Him, God will grant you his perfect peace.

The second thought of comfort is that God has prepared a place for us. "I go to prepare a place for you." Though Scripture tells us that God created the heavens and the earth in six days, Jesus has been preparing a place for us for two thousand years. "In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places." God has prepared a place for us.

The next thought of comfort is that God has prepared a way for us to get there. Everyone wants to go to heaven, some just don’t know the way. But Jesus tells us "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me." We are all travelers on this road of life. There are many detours and many side streets. We don’t need to be confused - we don’t need to be lost. All we need to do is follow Jesus. He the way. He will lead and guide us.

In heaven, the lights are on, the door is open. There is a meal prepared. There are our loved ones and there is comfort.

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:13-25

“God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.” (Acts 13:23)

Isn’t it amazing that we tend to focus on what’s right in front us, but lose sight of God’s plan for our lives? This is so true when it comes to our own acts of faith. We are so worried about getting to Mass and saying our prayers that we miss their significance or power. Or we can be so intent on getting God to answer a particular prayer that we fail to see how much he has already done for us. And how much more he promises to do for us if we stay close to him.

In today’s passage from Acts, Paul is showing the people in Pisidia the “big picture.” He outlines very carefully how God’s plan has unfolded over thousands of years, culminating in the sending of Jesus as Savior. And by doing this, Paul shows how God has fulfilled his promises – that if we believe in his Son, we will have eternal life – that he will be with us always in this life and for all eternity.

The “big picture” for us here and now is that in the midst of our concerns and obligations, God does keep his promises! He has a plan for us. Whatever the specific circumstances of our lives may be, God’s vision for us never changes. We must keep God’s love and his purposes for us at the forefront always – from the moment we wake up each morning and until we close our eyes each night.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 12:44-50

“… I came into the world as light, so that everyone

who believes in me might not remain in darkness.”

John’s Gospel summarizes Jesus’ teachings - that He has come as the light of the world – to dispel darkness, not to judge, but to save it. To live in darkness is to refuse to become drawn into an intimacy with Jesus’ identity and a refusal to engage with the activity of the one has come to save the world. The dynamic of God’s love is that he comes to be fully engaged in saving the world – it isn’t a vicarious act of salvation but the direct involvement of the source of the true light – and such is the quality of this light that the darkness is very clear and stark, so clear and so stark that it brings judgment on those who live in it.

“…I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me

commanded me to say and speak.”

Jesus' commands came from God, therefore we would be wise to heed them. What He says, we must do. When we take a closer look at John 12:44-50, coupled with other texts to gather more perspective, we find an ironic and heartbreaking reality: the same God the Pharisees claimed to follow was the very same God they crucified.

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area of the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “how long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Chapter 10 of John’s gospel is filled with imagery of sheep and shepherds. Here, Jesus compares himself to a shepherd watching over his sheep as well as the gate through which the sheep enter. John compares Jesus to a lamb being slaughtered during the crucifixion. The sheep/shepherd imagery is perhaps John’s favorite metaphor, and would have been understood by his early readers. Shepherding was a common occupation during the time of Jesus, though a lowly and undesirable one. Shepherds were typically those who had no property or obligation to family, those who turned to the itinerant life of herding sheep in the wilderness as a last resort to making a living. That Jesus would compare himself at all to one of society’s best-known outcasts is striking, but becomes even more so when in the same breath he declares “the Father and I are one.” There is something about the life of a shepherd that tells us about who Jesus is. There is something about shepherding that reveals God.

We do not do so well with shepherd imagery since we do not see many shepherds these days. What was once commonplace has become obsolete. Our unfamiliarity with the task of herding sheep makes it difficult to fully appreciate the meaning behind John’s metaphor. We tend to reduce the image of shepherds and sheep to one of pastoral tranquility. While such a connection may be appropriate and necessary for those needing to be comforted, it nevertheless overlooks the dangers and difficulties that shepherds faced.

The primary task of a shepherd was protecting the sheep. There were constant threats of predators or thieves wherever the shepherd happened to be. Jesus alludes to this reality in the first eighteen verses of chapter 10, where he speaks of both thieves and wolves. It falls to the shepherd to defend the sheep from these constant threats. In comparing himself to a shepherd and his followers to sheep, Jesus means to invoke this kind of image – the sheep living under constant threat, though blissfully ignorant most of the time, while the shepherd constantly protected and put his own life in danger for the sake of his flock. In fact, this very willingness to confront the danger and “lay down his life for his sheep” is what makes a shepherd “good” (John 10:11-14). Here again John’s Gospel tells us in no uncertain terms that Jesus’ life is in danger. It is no coincidence that the Good Shepherd chapter of John ends with Jesus nearly being stoned. Not a very tranquil image, but no one ever said that the Christian life would be tranquil. At times we fall into the trap of assuming that we Christians should somehow enjoy benefits that others do not by virtue of our belief. Jesus himself teaches us that following him means just the opposite. Our lives will be tested. When we come face to face with the evils of the world, we will be called to respond with the same love, grace, and sacrifice as our Lord Jesus did. Claimed as his sheep, Jesus wants us to be his shepherds in this world. No small task since there are countless voices competing for our time and attention, vying for our allegiance. In this day of twenty-four hour cable news, we are constantly bombarded with voices on top of other voices, one talking head after another. The media presents us with slants and spins designed to convince listeners that this or that voice is to be trusted above all others making it difficult to hear the Voice of our Shepherd above the cacophony of words. We must learn to hear His voice above all the other voices in our world and to connect with that One Voice that says, “This way! You belong here with me!”

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 10:11-18

"They will hear my voice." (Jn 10:16)

In today’s Gospel, Christ tells us that He is the Good Shepherd who gave his life for us. Jesus, the Good Shepherd knows his own, and they know him! He promised "they will hear my voice" He didn’t say maybe they will or I hope they will. He just said "They will." As long as we quiet the busyness and distractions in our lives and give him room to speak, we will hear him.

God knows everything about us. The good, the not so good, the things we hate to admit, and those we wish weren’t true but can’t quite bring ourselves to admit. God knows it all—and still he loves us! If we believe his promise that we can experience a deep and personal relationship with him and the Father, we will see him in a way that goes beyond what we might normally expect in any human relationship.

As we grow deeper in our faith, we can begin to feel the same feelings that move Christ’s heart. St. Paul told the believers in Corinth: "We have the mind of Christ," and he tells us the same thing today (1 Corinthians 2:16). We really can know his thoughts, because he is eager to share them with us. We really can hear him, because he created us for this kind of relationship. He has given us his own Holy Spirit to help us know his love in the deep recesses of our hearts.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

John 10:1-10

"The sheep hear his voice." (John 10:3)

 The people who first heard Jesus compare him to a shepherd.  They had some background knowledge that we are unfamiliar with. They knew that when shepherds brought their sheep in for the night, they put them into pens with other flocks. They were able to distinguish their sheep from all the others when it was time to go out to pasture again. And how was that possible? Each shepherd had a distinctive call, which only his sheep would recognize and follow.

This is a perfect metaphor for our relationship with Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd whose sheep know how to respond when he calls! Or do they? This may be an area where some of us need a bit more training. Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly hear his voice from the other voices in the world? This gift of "hearing" which is every believer’s inheritance in Christ, is developed as we imitate the first Christians, who "devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers" (Acts 2:42).

Scripture and church teaching can help us recognize God’s voice. Bonding with other followers of Christ can build us up and give us a place to help us see if our ideas are on target. Personal prayer can become a conversation where we learn to hear the voice of God. And the Eucharist can become an intimate encounter with the Lord, who wants to lead us into a deeper understanding of his will for us.

Isn’t it comforting that we can hear Jesus say, "I love you"? This is our Shepherd’s distinctive call. Do you recognize his voice?

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

Today is also the feast of Saint Matthias. Because he had been a witness to the resurrection, he was chosen by the other apostles to take the place of Judas. The Acts of the Apostles tells of how he was numbered among the twelve.

Acts 1:15-17,20-26

St. Matthias

The lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)

This is exactly what the apostles did in today’s first reading! They didn’t know who to pick as the next apostle. Matthias and Barsabbas were both equally qualified for the role. They both had their own set of strengths, and they both matched the requirements that Peter had set. Both were bold in preaching, and both were deeply committed to Jesus and the new church. So which one should they choose? The apostles didn’t have a long, drawn out process of discernment: They drew lots and left it up to God to decide for them.

God knows where he is leading us, and there are times when he’s the only One who knows how we’re going to get there. The last thing we want to do is over think a decision. We can get so caught up in methods of discerning God’s will and making sure that we are absolutely right that we forget to let go and let God take control. There will be times when we will simply not know what to do— but God will.

Are there any decisions you have to make today that will require you to "let go and let God"? If so, quiet your mind. Then, say a prayer of surrender, make your best decision, and ask God to direct your path. Believe that if you let go in this way, he will guide you.

Friday of the Third Week of Easter

Acts 9:1-20

"Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him,
he said,  ‘Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me,

Jesus who appeared to you on the way.’" (Acts 9:17)

Saul and his friends never got tired of telling the story of his conversion. Barnabas uses it to explain why the Christians no longer need to fear this man (Acts 9:26-29). Paul tells it to those who want to arrest him (22:1-21) and to King Agrippa who met the apostle during his long imprisonment (26:1-23).

This passage is significant because it shows how deeply the resurrection of Jesus can change people’s lives. At the beginning of Chapter 9, Saul is making threats, bent on capturing these heretics and bringing them to justice. By the end, he is docile and pensive, eager to put aside his old life, join a new community, and learn all he can about the things he had been trying to eradicate. Saul is no longer a murderer but rather God’s chosen instrument.

How has Jesus’ resurrection changed you? Perhaps you were paralyzed by fear, burdened by anxieties or driven by selfish ambition until God set you free to give generously. Perhaps you couldn’t let go of a hurt until Jesus showed you the way to forgiveness. How might the Spirit of God want to change the way you see someone else? Maybe you will see the person you consider an enemy in a new light. Maybe you are another "chosen instrument" to help that person to encounter the transforming love of God.

Friday of the Third Week of Easter

Today is the anniversary of the Blessed Mother's first appearance at
Fatima, Portugal.  Let us remember the continued importance of
these approved apparitions and the
great Miracle of the Sun which was given to us at Fatima.

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:44-51

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;

whoever eats this bread will live forever;

and the bread that I will give is my Flesh

for the life of the world.”

To be nourished and fed by the “Bread of Life,” is to draw Jesus into yourself and to be united with him. The old adage, “You are what you eat,” becomes more true here than in any cafeteria or kitchen in the world. Eating the “Bread of Life” is transformative because as he remains in us and we in him we become more like Jesus.

We are called by Jesus to feed on the “Bread of Life” until we are truly satisfied. Abide in Jesus, and allow Jesus to abide in you. Feast on him in daily devotions and prayer. Feast on him in your heart and in every way that you possibly can. The more we feed upon him, both literally and in our hearts, the more like him we shall become.

Wednesday in the Third Week of Easter

John 6:35-40

“I am the bread of life.” (Jn 6:35)

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant by this? How is he the bread of life for us, and what kind of “life” does he give?

“The Fathers of the Church took the example of physical nourishment to explain this mystery. It is the stronger form of life, they said, that assimilates the weaker and not vice versa. The vegetable world assimilates minerals, and animals assimilate vegetables, and the spiritual assimilates the material. To those who receive him, Jesus says: ‘You shall not change me into your own substance. Instead you shall be changed into me.’

“Food is not a living thing and therefore cannot give us life. It is a source of life only in that it sustains the life we have. The bread of life is a living bread, and those who receive it live by it. So while the food that nourishes the body is assimilated by the body and forms human blood, the complete opposite takes place with the bread of life. This bread gives life to those that receive it, ‘assimilates’ them, and transforms them into itself.

“Christ calls himself the ‘bread of life’ precisely to make us understand that he doesn’t nourish us as ordinary food does, but that, as he possesses life, he gives it to us…. To say that Jesus ‘assimilates’ us in communion signifies, in fact, that he makes us similar to him in our sentiments, desires, and our way of thinking; in a word he creates in us ‘the mind that was in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:5).”

Keep these points in mind the next time you receive communion. Offer yourself to the Lord. Give him your challenges and your sins as well as your gifts and treasures. Let him assimilate you and transform you into himself. You won’t lose your freedom or your identity. On the contrary, as you lose yourself in him, you will find even greater freedom and dignity. You will find the life that he wants to give you!

(from The Word Among Us, 5/11/11)

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:30-35

“Give us this bread always.” (Jn 6:34)

The crowd was excited. Jesus had just used a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread to feed thousands! Now, having eaten their fill, you can almost hear them thinking: “Maybe we could get him to keep on providing for us just as Moses kept giving our ancestors manna. We would never have to worry about food again!”

Jesus is well aware that we need food and drink. He didn’t think it was beneath himself to feed his listeners when they got hungry. Jesus is also well are that we are always hungering for peace, security, forgiveness and dignity. He knows that whatever our physical state may be, the “food” he offers can meet our inner needs. This bread of life can strengthen us so that we can face any situation. It gives us the clarity that only comes from knowing we belong to Christ.


Sharing a meal after Bible Study or coffee after Mass is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and a great way to go home satisfied. But Jesus offers us something even more life-giving. Each and every day, he offers himself to us on the altar. He seeks to draw us deeper into his life so that we can be transformed. As we receive him in the Eucharist, he can satisfy our deepest hunger. He can give us the wisdom and courage we need to meet any challenge. He can fill us so much, in fact, that we will have plenty left over to share with the people around us. Jesus Christ, is the bread come down from heaven, giving life to those who receive it!

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

"Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures

for eternal life." (John 6:27)

Easy to say, but not so easy to do when we get caught up in wanting to possess the latest technology or a new outfit. Isn’t it funny that we are initially happy and excited, but then they soon lose their attraction?  Despite what we hear and see in TV ads, our lives are much richer when we invest ourselves in things that endure. God created us for love, not just to acquire things. He created us to love him and to love one another, not to love things that we can buy.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that God wants us all to live like hermits. Especially if we have families, we have to be concerned about providing for their needs. And God doesn’t want to deprive us of the things of this world. Rather, he wants to make sure we are focusing on him first.

Today, think about how you spend your time, talent and treasure. Perhaps a quick glance at what you have can give you a glimpse into your priorities. Take a look too at the things that preoccupy you.

Jesus told us that wherever our treasure lies, there our hearts lie as well. Are you seeking Jesus first? Where can you do better? If you see a need for change, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. You may find that investing in Scripture, Eucharist and the love of God will indeed give you the change you are seeking.