Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

John 3:16-21

... the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil ... whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God."

We are among those who "prefer the darkness." But if we "live the truth" we find in our heart, we know that our first preference is for everything about this life. Jesus beckons us to "come toward the light." Then when the prison guards open the doors of the jail of our making, it will be like the empty tomb - they will find no one inside.

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

Saint Philip

Saint James

Today, Tuesday of the second week of Easter, is the feast of Saint Philip and Saint James.

Philip was born in Bethsaida. He was a disciple of John the Baptist. He became a follower of Christ. James, a cousin of the Lord and the son of Alphaeus, ruled over the Church in Jerusalem. He wrote an epistle and converted many of the Jewish people to the faith. He led an austere life and suffered martyrdom in the year 62.

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

Tucked in the beginning of this Second Week of Easter is the feast of Saint Anthansius. He was born in 295. He accompanied Bishop Alexander to the Council of Nicea and succeeded him as Bishop of Alexandria. He fought courageously against the Arian heresy. For this he suffered many hardships and was exiled several times. His writings are outstanding in their explanation and defense of the true teachings of the faith. He died in 373.

Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday

On this Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday 2011, the light of Blessed John Paul II continues to burn in the world; for the former Pope was one who, always with charity and love, repeatedly articulated the message of Christ's mercy in great and penetrating depth. Through his love for Jesus and through his love for Mary whose "fiat" brought Mercy into the world, he will be forever remembered as a humble and living image of what humanity unceasingly seeks: the regenerative and healing mercy of Christ Jesus.

The Beatification of Venerable Pope John Paul II began at 10:00 a.m. It was truly a sacred moment for which the world has long yearned. During the Rite of Beatification, Pope Benedict XVI raised to the Altar his beloved friend and predecessor, a truly extraordinary Pope whom the entire world knew and loved, and whose memory will remain infused within us all with deep tenderness and veneration for all ages to come.

The Mass was preceded by a gathering of the faithful to recite the Devotion of Divine Mercy, a prayer in which we offer to the Father the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of his dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world. In reciting this profound prayer, we are spiritually united with the Paschal Mystery of our Savior who so unreservedly gave of himself for our sake.

Today, let us recall the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas: "mercy consists in bringing a thing of non-being into being." This transpired in the life of the early Church. The believers "devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to prayers." They were filled with awe; they were witnesses of wondrous signs; they lived for the good of the other; they were selfless and generous; they overflowed with "exultation and sincerity of heart." God "in his great mercy" gave them - and us - "a new birth of to a living hope" through the resurrection of Christ.

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 4:13-21

Peter and John cannot be silenced by the leaders, elders and scribes in their praise for Jesus, saying "...it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard."

They  pay Peter and John the highest tribute that can be given to any Christian:  "They recognized them as the companions of Jesus." 

In your daily interaction with people, do you remain silent when something is said that makes you feel uncomfortable?  For example, if a racist remark is made or if something is being said about a person who is not present, do you speak up?    The reading inspired this writer to strive to state his feelings in these situations in a calm and positive manner indicating he is truly a companion of Jesus. 

May the same be said uf us.

Friday in the Octave of Easter

John 21:1-14

John does not tell us why the disciples are back in Galilee, but in fact Jesus had told them to return there, where he would meet them. They seem to have been sitting around, unsure of what to do, until Peter decides to go fishing and the others come along. Peter is taking the lead, but what sort of lead is it? Some see this act as "aimless activity undertaken in desperation" that is, abandoning the Lord and returning to their former life. Others think they went fishing simply because they needed to eat. The latter is probably true enough, but there is also a sense that Peter and the others, while not necessarily aimless and certainly not apostate, are doing what is right in their own eyes. The stories in this chapter reveal Jesus' bringing his disciples, especially Peter, more completely under his lordship. The disciples do not know what to do, so they do that which is necessary, and in taking this initiative they put themselves in a place where Christ meets them. Here is the simple truth, attested to by the saints, that when we are uncertain what to do we should simply do our duty and God will guide.

 

We are Peter, and Peter is us. The second chance comes not through some penitential act of Peter’s, but through the sheer grace and love of Jesus himself. It could well prove to be a major turning point in our life if we would...ask ourselves if we really do intend to be life students of Jesus. Do we really intend to do and be all of the high things we profess to believe in?

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48

When we, like the disciples in today’s Gospel, are troubled, what restores our peace?  The humanity of Jesus Christ.  The risen Lord says to the distressed disciples, “Look at my hands and my feet… Touch me and see.”  To prove that they are not “seeing a ghost,” Jesus takes the piece of baked fish given to him and eats it in front of the disciples.  Jesus woos us away from anxiety with the words, “Why do questions arise in  your hearts?”  The pierced man who stands before us is our Answer.  The repentance and conversion that Saint Peter preaches make it possible for God to “grant you times of refreshment and send you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus.”  “All the holiness God has destined for our souls has been placed in the humanity of Christ, and it is from this source that we must draw” (Blessed Columba Marmion).  Those who dare to look at Jesus’ wounds and live as “witnesses of these things” hear the risen Christ say, “Peace be with you.”