In one of my favorite readings to proclaim, John writes of seeing "a new Heaven and a new Earth", brought about by the One who makes "all things new", in the 2nd reading from Revelation.
While we await a future free of death, evil, sin, and sadness, we rejoice that God is creating this reality even now--all God's works are certainly rejoicing. He has started to reverse the effects of sin in Christ, who showed us to love, and commands us His disciples to love. In this love we go forth to preach, in the power of the Spirit, to make the world anew. Indeed, Christ has given us an example, that we might be transformed to reveal Him and His love that changes the world.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
April 17, 2016: 4th Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. By His Paschal Mystery He saved us and made us His people, we who strayed and acted up, much like sheep do. He cares for us intimately and deeply as He leads us into the ways of Eternal Life. We who are truly His listen to His voice as He guides us to Eternal Life. Those who don't listen, like in the first reading from Acts, do not follow Him and so are not on the path to Eternal Life.
And in Eternal Life, we will always be under His care as we worship around His throne, as His people, who are drawn from a great diversity of people, as Revelation describes. We find commonality in following the Good Shepherd's voice through all the difficulties of this life until we reach His Heavenly throne.
And in Eternal Life, we will always be under His care as we worship around His throne, as His people, who are drawn from a great diversity of people, as Revelation describes. We find commonality in following the Good Shepherd's voice through all the difficulties of this life until we reach His Heavenly throne.
Monday, April 11, 2016
April 10, 2016: Third Sunday of Easter
One big reason for celebration during this Easter Season is that Jesus who once was dead is now alive forever and ever. As baptized people whose identity is joined with that of Christ's, we share in His dying and rising.
Case in point: the disciples, who are downtrodden from the experience of Jesus's death, and their own failings in the midst of it, are restored to new purpose in their lives and mission when the Risen Christ appears to them. I couldn't help but make the connection of Peter's jumping into the water with baptism, which signal the start of a new life. And as Christ fed the disciples with breakfast, so He feeds us, especially in the Eucharist.
The Apostles then went forth and proclaimed with boldness the message of faith, which was the beginning of the Church that gives us our mission today, because our spot in Heaven is secured.
It is an amazing work He accomplishes in our lives, so that we can go forth proclaiming Him, before all the world in this life, and in the age to come before His throne, for by His dying and rising, He is so worthy of praise.
Case in point: the disciples, who are downtrodden from the experience of Jesus's death, and their own failings in the midst of it, are restored to new purpose in their lives and mission when the Risen Christ appears to them. I couldn't help but make the connection of Peter's jumping into the water with baptism, which signal the start of a new life. And as Christ fed the disciples with breakfast, so He feeds us, especially in the Eucharist.
The Apostles then went forth and proclaimed with boldness the message of faith, which was the beginning of the Church that gives us our mission today, because our spot in Heaven is secured.
It is an amazing work He accomplishes in our lives, so that we can go forth proclaiming Him, before all the world in this life, and in the age to come before His throne, for by His dying and rising, He is so worthy of praise.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
April 4, 2016: Annunciation of the Lord unto Mary
While delayed, I feel like putting in a good word for this important feast, which was delayed this year until April 4. (Notably, the timing of nine months before December 25 fell on Cross Friday. I heard something on Relevant Radio that early Christians believed life and death happened on the same day. And since they remembered Christ's death on March 25, they celebrated His Birth 9 months later on December 25.)
It's amazing what happens when someone says yes. While it seemed impossible that anyone could be born of a virgin, let alone God, all Mary had to do was say, "Yes," and God took care of the rest. It's a great model for us who follow the Lord as His disciples.
In my own life, I thought of this story right before this RE year began, when I was asked to take on a second class. I said yes, not knowing how things would turn out, and what a blessing it's been.
It's amazing what happens when someone says yes. While it seemed impossible that anyone could be born of a virgin, let alone God, all Mary had to do was say, "Yes," and God took care of the rest. It's a great model for us who follow the Lord as His disciples.
In my own life, I thought of this story right before this RE year began, when I was asked to take on a second class. I said yes, not knowing how things would turn out, and what a blessing it's been.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
April 3, 2016: 2nd Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday
Something I encountered recently suggested mercy is a way of life, not merely a gracious act in sparing one from deserved punishment.
Mercy is a new way of life that Christ breathed into the disciples when they were in a locked room, in great fear. Father Dan at St. Cornelius even indicated in his homily today that their hearts were locked, so nothing could come in, nor come out--not even fear. Jesus Christ released them from fear, doubt, and even guilt, by His very real presence, and sent them forth on a mission, which we see carried out in the first reading from Acts, as the Apostles works great signs, even in healings, in Christ's name.
Indeed, though we have much to fear, we can count on God's steadfast love and never-failing mercy to raise us up, because Jesus Christ is the One who was once dead, but then came alive again, having forever conquered death. He did it the lives of the Apostles, especially Thomas, who struggled to embrace the Good News of the Resurrection proclaimed to him by the others.
And this day, I celebrated how he did it in my life when I attended Mass in the very parish where I was baptized.
Mercy is a new way of life that Christ breathed into the disciples when they were in a locked room, in great fear. Father Dan at St. Cornelius even indicated in his homily today that their hearts were locked, so nothing could come in, nor come out--not even fear. Jesus Christ released them from fear, doubt, and even guilt, by His very real presence, and sent them forth on a mission, which we see carried out in the first reading from Acts, as the Apostles works great signs, even in healings, in Christ's name.
Indeed, though we have much to fear, we can count on God's steadfast love and never-failing mercy to raise us up, because Jesus Christ is the One who was once dead, but then came alive again, having forever conquered death. He did it the lives of the Apostles, especially Thomas, who struggled to embrace the Good News of the Resurrection proclaimed to him by the others.
And this day, I celebrated how he did it in my life when I attended Mass in the very parish where I was baptized.
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