The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 30, 2004
Friday of the Third Week of Easter
St. Pius V, pope

Scripture from Friday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 9:1-20
Psalm 117:1-2
John 6:52-59

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today’s first reading concerning the conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus is truly dramatic. It lends itself so well to meditation. In the process, we should truly place ourselves in the scene, seeing ourselves perhaps as a companion of this brilliant lawyer, Saul. You are aware that something has happened, for Saul falls to the ground, blinded by a light. You also hear a voice speaking to Saul, but you can see no one. In confusion, Saul seeks your help, and so you guide him to Damascus, and await the coming of Ananias who will cure his blindness. How confused you are as a loyal Jew. How can it be that this staunch defender of Judaism is now to be healed by one of the Christians he has set out to arrest? Will you run, or will you stay?

And now, we go back in time to the Gospel scene. You’re one of the audience hearing Jesus say that He is the bread of life, and that He will make it possible, and even necessary, that you eat His Body, and drink His blood! All around you, people are leaving in disgust! How can He do this? You struggle with indecision--will you leave or will you stay and trust that Jesus has power to bring this off some way!

O Risen Jesus, only you can give me the strength and the will to follow you in faith and in trust in this “Way” to which you have invited me. What suffering are you exposing me to if I am to be your follower totally? But, Lord, there is no halfway--I must believe and follow you with all my mind, heart, will, and courage! Take away my resistance, my pride, and my stubbornness of heart! Amen.

- Msgr. Paul E. Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 29, 2004
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
St. Catherine of Siena

Scripture from Wednesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 66:8-9,16,17,20
John 6:44-51

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“No one can come to me
unless the father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44)

This is a very powerful statement of unity and identity. It is the work of the Holy Spirit within us that reveals to us, as He did to the Apostles, who Jesus is. And then, the purview of Jesus was to teach us about the hidden and less knowable Father. By looking at Jesus we begin to discover the Father who sent Him.

Unity and identity. This is the essential mystery of the Trinity. One God, three persons--but One God. This is hard for us to see. And yet we don’t really need to see it. What we need to do is pray it.

God loves us. He calls everyone. He loves us enough to give each person the chance to say no. And yet he continues to encourage us to draw near. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Let the Holy Spirit convict you and lead you by “leashes of love” ever closer to the Father through Jesus Christ--the door, the way and the life of salvation.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
St. Peter Chanel, priest, martyr
St. Louis Mary de Montfort, priest, and author
of “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 8:1-8
Psalm 66:1-7
John 6:35-40

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“It is the will of him who sent me that I should lose nothing...
rather, that I should raise it up on the last day.”(John 6:29)

Today’s reading brings great joy to our hearts, for though the Church has suffered many persecutions through the ages, God’s Word has proven indestructible. Rather than extinguishing God’s truth and love by trying to stamp it out, it has only raised many sparks that have spread God’s fire to new areas. Such was the case after Stephen’s martyrdom and the escape of Christ’s followers to other regions where they could offer the “bread of life” to others perhaps more receptive.

Ignorance of God, complacency and envy made many of the religious leaders in Christ’s nation blind to His identity. Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, read in its entirety, presents Christ as the embodiment of God’s truth and love who will endure through all time by a continual giving of Himself. The body of Christ which perished on the cross on Good Friday was resurrected to a new spiritual life on Easter Sunday.

Jesus tells us that throughout all time, we can renew His new life within us each time that in faith we partake of His Body and Blood. Communion is not a mere symbol but real food that nourishes us in both body and spirit. As we approach the altar to receive Christ, let us join our hearts with His to go forth into the world bearing His love and truth and so draw all others to Him.

Father God,
make the Easter spirit
to dwell ever more fully within our hearts,
that its overflow may bless others with Christ's life.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 7:51--8:1
Psalm 31:3-4,6-8,17,21
John 6:30-35

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

When the crowd asked Jesus to give them a sign so that they might see and believe in Him, Jesus gave this reply:

“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (Jn 6:35)

It’s strange how given such a fundamental statement it’s still a struggle for Christians to come to Jesus and really believe in Him. The greatest obstacle to a communion with Jesus is ourselves! We must set aside our vain hopes and plans so that we can come before Jesus, open and ready to do His will.

We always put conditions on Jesus’ entry into our lives. We don’t mind His help on a certain problem, but woe if He wants to enter another part of our lives!! I think one of the greatest things we can do this day is to give Jesus full permission to love us in all our complexities and to work His healing love in whatever area of our lives He wishes. If we can grow in this spirit of openness and self-offering, our lives will be full of miracles!

- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, April 26, 2004
Monday of the Third Week of Easter

Scripture from Monday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 6:8-15
Psalm 119:23-24,26-27,29-30
John 6:22-29

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Why do we try and make our faith so complex? Why do we have to make so much out of what is so simple? We are no different than the people in today's Gospel that follow Jesus just to see a sign or because he fed them all with a few loaves. Those people were trying to make too much of it all and asked what had to be done to do the work of God.

The simple fact is that believing in Him is all that is required to qualify as a great work of God. Jesus Himself says it in today's gospel:

"This is the work of God, that you believe in The One He sent."

By doing this one simple thing, all else will come naturally. We cannot believe in Him and continue to sin. We cannot believe in Him without doing good works of charity. We cannot believe in Him without receiving eternal life. To believe in Him is to do the work of God.

It's that simple.

- Don Claunch, sfo

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, April 25, 2004
Third Sunday of Easter

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 5:27-32,40-41
Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:11-14

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

During these days following Easter, we’ve heard stories about the Apostles and their encounters with the Risen Lord. They tell of the changes which overcame them, their growing faith and eagerness to profess it. That’s what an encounter with Christ should effect in us. It requires however not only God’s grace, which He generously and willingly gives, but our cooperation with that grace.

Frequently, we’re all too willing to overlook the responsibility that we have for own spiritual growth, expecting that God (even though He can) should overwhelm our senses and sensibility with His greatness. The fact is that for those who seek Him in genuine humility, find Him and willingly allow Him to overcome and take them as His own.

Let us pray then that the Easter mysteries which we have celebrated will transform us as it did the apostles.

The Lord has risen as He promised!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 24, 2004
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest, martyr

Scripture from Saturday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 6:1-7
Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19
John 6:16-21

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today’s scripture readings we see the early Church confronted with a problem; there needs to be an equitable distribution of food (mortal needs) and preaching the word of God (spiritual needs) can’t be neglected to accomplish it.

The way the apostles solved the problem is a wonderful lesson for us all: “Look around among your own and choose men acknowledged to be deeply spiritual and prudent.” Once found, the apostles prayed over them and laid hands on them and we are told the Word of God continued to spread.

So shall it be with the Church of our day. Don’t fret if the appearance of our beloved Church seems to change and priests aren’t involved in some of the more nitty-gritty worldly things that they once were.

Instead see to it that spiritual and prudent people are chosen to accomplish these necessary tasks. Bless them and invoke the Holy Spirit upon them that their response and work will be a holy response and a holy work. And then perhaps, as in the days of old, many priests will come to embrace the faith and the Church will not be wanting for holy priests to sacramentally make Christ present in our world.

- Donna Nelson, ocds

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 23, 2004
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
St. George, martyr
St. Adalbert, bishop, martyr

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 5:34-42
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
John 6:1-15

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

In today’s first reading, Gamaliel, the wisest of the Pharisees, persuades his fellow-religious leaders not to oppose the teaching of Peter and the other apostles, but to let them go. Even though their teaching is contrary to the current interpretation of the Pharisees, he reasons, it may be from God as they claim. If so, we must not oppose it.

Do I really know what the living voice of Christ, our Holy Father, is teaching? Do I have a copy of the New Catechism of the Catholic Church? Do I check this authentic source to see if they conform to my own statements about Church teaching? Do I have the mind of Christ, the mind of the Church?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks a little boy for all the food he had for the day. The boy could have said ‘no’, but he gave up his own will. Is Jesus asking us to give him something today that perhaps we’re reluctant to part with--a sinful habit, a stubborn grip on our own comfort, a lazy neglect of deeper prayer, or hanging on to a prejudice or narrow thinking that impedes charity?

Jesus can do such wonders if only we cooperate.

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 22, 2004
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 5:27-33
Psalm 34:2,9,17-20
John 3:31-36

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“He does not ration His gift of the Spirit...”
“Taste and see how good the Lord is...”

Silly me. I spend all kinds of time trying to do things on my own power, and I get nowhere fast. I try to obey the dictates of my world-view, which are self-centered and limited, and end up frustrated. I try to keep things on an “earthly plane” and The Lord is taking off on His spiritual plane.

Y’ever feel like you just barely missed the boat and you’re not sure why? The above are some reasons why I sometimes miss the boat. He pours out His Spirit lavishly, to give us all the graces we need to face each day, and I put up umbrellas, or worse yet, I “go in out of the rain.”

Fortunately, He hears the cry of the poor, and every so often His grace gets through to me and I realize just how poor I am without Him. He is incredibly, patiently, and infinitely good. The more I realize this, the more I realize my own brokenness. The good news is that when we realize our brokenness, and our lack of power, then we allow Him to be our strength, our healing, our hope, our life. With Him as our source, we find that we can obey His desires, because they have become our desires. Pleasing Him becomes more important than pleasing mere men, as Peter notes in the first reading. And so we find ourselves “blessing the Lord at all times, His praise ever in our mouths.”

- Rose Atiyeh @>-->--

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
St. Anselm, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 5:17-26
Psalm 34:2-9
John 3:16-21

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“The judgment of condemnation is this: the light came into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light...” (John 3:19)

Today’s Gospel begins with the most quoted of New Testament scripture which states God’s motivation for having sent His Christ into the world. It is God’s love that impelled our Father’s salvation plan, a love made visible to us in Jesus when He died on the cross in our human flesh to expiate our sin but who also promised us new life when He rose from the dead on the third day. Christ’s empty tomb brought light and hope into this world darkened by sin.

Christ’s death paid the debt we owed God for the many sins we had committed against Him; His resurrection offers us the precious gift of a new life in Him. We are then asked to use our “free will” to accept this gift and use it in our daily lives, or we can throw it into the corner of a dark closet, neglected and forgotten.

Reading further, we realize that Christ’s mission, along with revealing God’s love, also came as the “light of the world” to reveal God’s truth. It is Christ’s light that enables us to see our sin in contrast with the goodness and purity of God, to see also the misery and destruction we bring upon ourselves by rejecting to live in the love and truth of God. Salvation is genuinely ours when we bring our thoughts words and actions into harmony with God’s will, our only means of creating a just and peaceful world.

Blessed Redeemer,
we know that this world’s darkness and sin
can only prevail when we reject Your light.
Touch our hearts with love,
that they may be opened to Your light. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:32-37
Psalm 93:1ab,1cd-2,5
John 3:7b-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Easter Sunday has come and gone, though rejoicing permeates the liturgy for weeks to come. We eat the leftover jellybeans, wash and put away the best dining room linens and return to our everyday routines. But today’s First Reading reminds us clearly of the main message of Christ, namely to look after the needs of our brothers and sisters.

In today’s Gospel of John, Christ comments to Nicodemus that if we don’t understand His message about earthly affairs, how will we understand about heavenly things. In other words....all the “alleluias” of Easter are empty if we then leave our brothers and sisters physically and spiritually hungry and outside in the cold. We cannot view Easter as only an historical event when the work of building up the kingdom of God is yet unfinished. How are we using our hands, our feet, our eyes, our ears, our hearts, our minds to do so? The task is ours now, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

- Joan of Jesus, ocds
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, April 19, 2004
Monday of the Second Week of Easter

Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:23-31
Psalm 2:1-9
John 3:1-8

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

The scripture series that we’re reading now, bring us to an awareness of the amazing power and action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus that “...no one can enter God’s kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit.” - John 3:5

That power and action is manifest again today in Acts 4:31: “The place where they gathered shook as they prayed. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s word with confidence.” Those of us who live in areas prone to earthquakes or have experienced them can have an appreciation of God’s awesome power in nature and the feeling of smallness and helplessness that it brings.

God is a mighty power to reckon with, and His holy Scripture makes that clear to us. As we struggle through the uncertainties of life, let us have complete confidence in our God, the Almighty--to come back to the shelter of His love for us and His incredible desire to share perfect union with us after we pass on to life eternal.

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, April 18, 2004
Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24
Revelation 1:9-13,17-19
John 20:19-31

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Today is the Second Sunday of Easter and we’re reminded how Christ didn’t leave His followers bereft of His comforting and healing presence, but left them Sacraments with their outward signs and grace-filled efficaciousness.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Forgiveness, Confession finds its origin in the happenings and words of today’s Gospel. In it we hear not only about the institution of the Sacrament, but the story of Thomas’ unbelief about the Resurrection of Jesus. The two are not unconnected, for in it we hear Jesus saying how blessed are those who have not seen, but believe.

That is a message for us and all who never have probed the crucifixion wounds of Christ, and yet believe. The blessings come in the form of the forgiveness of sin that we receive, when in faith we approach Christ hidden, yet sacramentally present in the person of the priest.

This indeed is a sign of belief--a source of incredible blessing.

Let us then recall with great love the source of all love and mercy and thank Him with all our hearts for His life-giving and sustaining presence in the Sacraments of His beloved Church.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 17, 2004
Saturday within the Octave of Easter

Scripture from Saturday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:13-21
Psalm 118:1,14-21
Mark 16:9-15

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“Peace be with you.”

The Lord chose Mary Magdalene “already made clean of seven demons” to first announce His triumph over the death of sin. He spoke this with the words “Peace be with you.” Do we recognize that same power to triumph over what is dead through sin within us and His desire to redeem, raise to new life and make Himself known in every soul?

Unrecognized by two troubled disciples struggling to make sense of His suffering and death, Jesus “interpreted every passage of Scripture which referred to Him.” Finally, at nightfall and supper, they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread. Now revealed, Jesus disappeared from their midst.

Do we recognize Jesus the Christ in the breaking of the bread of His Word and Eucharist? Can we see how He brings back into Himself all who are lost in their understanding through His eternal presence of Word and Sacrament?

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 16, 2004
Friday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture from Friday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2,4,22-27
John 21:1-14

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The readings for the post-Easter liturgies are truly exciting. They stir us out of our lethargy, or, perhaps, the letdown that comes after the crashing climax to Jesus' death--the Resurrection.

Jesus appears many, many times after Easter, and tries in so many ways to convince people that He is truly risen, not a ghost, not a mirage. In today's Gospel, He waits until the apostles, who have returned to their trade, are really frustrated from the lack of results. Then, He dazzles them with a catch of 153 fish!

A noted expert on cross-country skiing has observed that when one falls down (and it happens quite often!), one feels quite helpless. But once one has managed to get on one's knees, it is quite easy to get up again! How often do we, in frustration, give up trying to recover from some loss, when all we need to remember is to get on our knees. Jesus will provide the solution, as He did to the frustrated apostles!

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 15, 2004
Thursday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 3:11-26
Psalm 8:2,5-9
Luke 24:35-48

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“How they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. . .”

Amazing isn’t it? Here are the disciples glad-handing and high-fiving each other in their recognition of Jesus, rejoicing and laughing. And the next thing you know they are terrified.

They knew Him in the breaking of the bread, but they still could not recognize Him when He stood there in front of them. This is the human story. We can see Jesus in all sorts of things--the Church, the Tabernacle, the Eucharistic Host, the Word of God. He is present in every one of those things.

Why do we fail to see Him when He stands face to face with us? When? Whenever we see someone in need--someone who needs food, shelter, a person to talk to, the word of God. Too often we don’t see Jesus here. We may help out, we may not. But if we do, it isn’t often with the thought of the Lord who loves us.

So during Easter, let us rejoice in the breaking of the bread, in the Risen Lord. Let us proclaim His good news to the whole world. But let us also begin to recognize Him in the persons who meet us every day and let us learn to serve more completely, with greater love.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 3:1-10
Psalm 105:1-4,6-9
Luke 24:13-35

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“How slow you are to believe what the prophets have announced.”
(Luke 24:25)

Faith is a gift from God given to all who seek Him. It is the most basic virtue that opens the door to all the other gifts with which He desires to bless us. Faith engenders hope for better things extending beyond the “here and now.” It draws us to prayer, our means of growing in a knowledge of our all-holy God. As we come to know Him in the depths of our souls, we’re infused by His love until we become one with Him in mind, heart and will. Peter gave the crippled man seeking alms a greater gift than mere coins. By restoring the man’s ability to walk, Peter gave him not only physical freedom, but also freed his spirit by giving him faith in God, infinitely broadening his life’s horizons.

How genuine and steadfast is our faith in Christ, our Savior? Now that our Lenten fasts are over and the celebration of His Easter glory--His resurrection--has passed, will we fall back into an unthinking participation in our daily and Sunday rituals?

When we approach the Eucharist, let us recall the two disciples at Emmaus and experience their joy anew by also recognizing Him, our Lord, in the breaking of the bread and pouring out of the wine. His flesh was rent for us and His blood poured out for our salvation. He gave Himself to us completely, body, blood, soul and divinity. We’re called to this same self-giving to Him and, as a result, to others. Renewed in soul, may we bring His resurrection life into this world.

Spirit of truth and love,
fill us with humility
as we recall Christ’s sacrifice for sinners;
grant us the grace to participate
in His holiness and be saved.
Amen

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 2:26-41
Psalm: 33:4-5,18-20,22
John 20:11-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Out of darkness comes the light. . .

Without such a darkness there can be no Light. Through the darkness and horror of Jesus' last hours, we are given the eternal light. We are given the miraculous grace of rebirth with Him through His resurrection on Easter Sunday--a glorious resurrection that we're all called to share.

Jesus overcame. So can we, residing in Him. Let us not fight the darkness in our lives but let us wait in hopeful expectation for the light of God's presence--knowing in the depths of our hearts that it is not far away.

God has a unique plan for each and everyone of us--no detail is left unattended. Today let us remember how deeply we are loved and let our lives be a reflection of this truth.

We ask this through Christ our Saviour.

Amen


- Cliodhna Doyle
(clia at cliadoyle dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, April 12, 2004
Easter Monday

Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 2:14,22-32
Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11
Matthew 28:8-15

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

As the women of Jesus’ group of believers left the tomb, having found it empty, Jesus suddenly appeared to them, greeting them with the salutation: “Peace!” Hearing that and seeing him once again, they joyfully “embraced His feet and did Him homage.” (Matthew 28:9)

Today, Jesus greets us, His believers, in peace. We are consoled by His reassurance that the Father will forgive us our sins, that Jesus has redeemed our souls and won a place in heaven for us! What tremendous happiness is ours, this day after Easter!

Let us each go out into the world today, as the light of the Paschal Candle, bringing the light and peace of Christ to all whom we meet today--and every day.

- Joachim

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, April 11, 2004
Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord

Scripture from Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 10:34,37-43
Psalm 118:1-2,16-17,22-23
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
John 20:1-9

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“On the first day of the week, at dawn, the women came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared.”

Today we celebrate the wondrous day of Christ’s Resurrection. It is a day that evokes many different images of the reality of God’s love for us and how it is manifested. One word that characterizes the Divine attitude is, faithfulness, a faithfulness that springs from love beyond all telling. That is what we hear echoed in the many readings from the Easter Vigil, the faithfulness of God, who loves us and is faithful to His promises.

As creatures who are made to mirror the divine attributes of God, we too are called to faithfulness, to do what is right and just, to keep our promises.

In the story of the women coming at daybreak to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, we see how their faithfulness was rewarded--they became the first witnesses to the Resurrection.

Let this be a lesson for us, an incentive to do all within our power to be faithful to our sacred obligations and responsibilities.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! The Lord is risen, as He promised!

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 10, 2004
Holy Saturday

A reflection for early Holy Saturday morning:

“I lay down my life in order to take it up again.”John 10:17

It appears as rest, this Sabbath tomb,

where grievers honoring “The One” -- await to anoint the “Be Loved.”

It is rather the place of the “I lay down my life...” of descent. He descended into Hell, into the “Out of the depths I cry out to You,
O Lord, hear my prayer...”

The tomb opens the path to gather into Himself those who wait for the coming of the Savior, into new life in Him. Victorious over sin and death He humbly descends under all.

The tomb is the place of the “...in order to take it up again...” through the Resurrection.

He takes all that has died and raises it to New Life in Him.

The tomb echoes His suffering -- so deep and wide that no soul is missed.

Through the tomb He takes His life down so low that none are left behind as He gathers into Himself each one for all eternity --
so that all are in Him and invited to remain in Him, in “The One.”

He prays, He trusts, He accomplishes this desire, “Father, may they be one in Us, as You are in Me and I am in You... that they may be One as We are One. With Me in them and You in Me, may they be so completely One.” (John 17:21,23)

The Go-d News is that He has accomplished all in All.

“Peace be with you.”

We need only to trust, obey, remain.

- Mary Williams
(wlmsconsul at pdq dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 9, 2004
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion

Scripture from Friday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Psalm 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18:1--19:42

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

This year, Good Friday is especially relevant in our lives, Our hearts are weary at the awareness of how much pure evil roams our world, killing innocent people, especially helpless children. Our eyes and ears are beseiged by incredible stories of atrocities from the outer ends of the globe even to our very neighborhoods. It seems to worsen each day! The thought must intrude into my mind: To what extent am I responsible?

As we meditate on the events of Christ’s Passion and Death, we’re aware of the same evil presence, directing the nightmare of his arrest, condemnation, torture, and crucifixion. It is surely an evil dream then as now. How can it be true? How can evil have part with the greatest act of love that ever existed in our world? How does it “fit in” with the plans and providence of a powerful and almighty Father? We are filled with helpless outrage at what is being done to the Lord of life and goodness.

As we contemplate the scourging, the crowning with thorns, and the humiliating journey through the streets of Jerusalem, our hearts break at the sight of a scorned and beaten Saviour. How can it be? Won’t someone stop this terrible injustice before it is too late? Our outrage crumbles into fear and horror as the nails are pounded in to his hands and feet, and he is lifted up before the eyes of the whole world. As His blood pours out of that broken body, tears gush down my cheeks at the realization that my sins have done this. I am responsible for the death of my dearest Friend and Lover!

I will never understand the mystery of “how” and “why” God did this for me! I can only fall to my knees, and, with grateful voice, cry out “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world!”

Have mercy on me, O Lord,
and on the whole world!

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 8, 2004
Holy Thursday

Scripture from the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper:
Exodus 12:1-8,11-14
Psalm 116:12-13,15-18
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“Do you realize what I have done for you?”

What gracious, inspired words to begin this great three-day celebration. Jesus speaks to us through time. The disciples did not understand what He was doing or what was to happen. But here Jesus looks out of time and into our hearts and He asks, “Do you realize what I have done for you?”

Let’s look carefully at what He is asking us. Let us take the word “realize” apart and understand its fullness. Jesus asks us two questions here. The first is “Do you know what I have done for you?” He asks this out of time. It isn’t just to the disciples, but Jesus is looking at you out of the text. As you read the words, the words are reading you as well. Do you realize? Do you know the depths of His passionate love for us? Why is His experience on the cross called The Passion? Do you realize?

But what else can we read the word “realize” to mean? How providential the richness of translation. We can read the word realize to mean, “Do you make real what I have done for you?” In other words, does what Jesus did for us have any present and living reality in our lives? Are we changed because of the richness of His love? Are our lives transformed into the image of His? Do we make real to the world and to our neighbor the deep spiritual blessing of Christ’s sacrifice? Do we realize what He has done for us?

If we do not, then we fail in love. He asks us and the word searches us. Let it search you and your heart, let it change you to become like Him. Ask yourself today and each day, “Do you realize what Christ has done for you?” And if you do not, confess your failing and ask for the grace and strength to do so. Because the truth is, it is the only thing worth doing in life.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Wednesday of Holy Week

Scripture from Wednesday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34
Matthew 26:14-25

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture. . . .

“Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.”

History attests that the vast majority of humanity hates being told that the path they have chosen to walk upon is sinful, leading them not only to bring misery to others but also to cause themselves great eternal loss for having separated themselves from God. Years ago when I first began teaching high school students, marijuana was fast gaining in popularity among them. They justified this by saying it made them feel good, and since it was their own bodies, no one had a right to tell them what to do with them. These youngsters had no sense of responsibility toward their parents, the community and their own well-being. Theirs was a mindless freedom that never counted its price.

Man is free to disbelieve that Christ is the Son of God, but Judas took it a step beyond this by betraying His location to the religious authorities, knowing that His arrest would place Him in danger of punishment, perhaps death. We who call ourselves Christian, who claim to be believers, may see Judas’ behavior as despicable, not realizing that there are many other ways of betraying Jesus Christ. We betray Him in thought word and deed each time we stray from living in God’s truth and love. During these final days of Lent let us resolve to apply the cross to ourselves, truly dying to sin, that we may receive Christ’s resurrected life. If we “talk the talk” we should “walk the walk.” Anything less betrays Jesus by discrediting both Him and His message.

Merciful Lord,
give us light that we may see ourselves as You see us,
as we truly are in the depths of our hearts,
that we may repent and be forgiven our sins. Amen

- Marie Bocko, ocds

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Tuesday of Holy Week

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm: 71:1-6,15,17
John 13:21-33,36-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Time is so precious and our use of it even more so! As we draw closer to Good Friday our gospel reading turns to the Last Supper. As Christ is telling His apostles about His impending death He is very aware of time and states “My little children, I will be with you only a little while longer.”(John 13)

It is interesting to reflect on Christ’s use of time at this point. He continued His role as teacher, almost in a prophetic manner as He interpreted for the apostles what was going to happen over the next several hours. He showed great love and humility through His act of individually washing the feet of those men who had been His followers. He also asks that they treat others as He has treated them.

At that point, Jesus went to the garden to pray to the Father. Prayer seemed to be the culminating action of the evening, and we can determine from the action of the apostles that His prayer, as at other times, was lengthy. (It was long enough that the apostles went to sleep several times)

So to summarize, Christ showed great love and humility, He continued to teach about His role and theirs in the kingdom, and He spent lengthy time in prayer. These are Christ’s prime choices for the use of time. What are our choices?

- Joan of Jesus, ocds
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, April 5, 2004
Monday of Holy Week

Scripture from Monday's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27:1-3,13-14
John 12:1-11

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

St. Paul says that the root of all evil is the love of money.

We know that in a few days Judas will betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver; and that act, combined with his reaction to Mary’s anointing of Jesus today, shows us where his true love is.

We need to remind ourselves that money in itself is not evil. It’s what mankind does with money that is evil. And boiling it all down, what mankind does with money comes to one thing: idolatry.

And we know how much God hates idolatry.

So Judas loved his idol so much that he betrayed the Only Son of God, sending an innocent man to his execution. During this final week of Lent, let us examine ourselves. What idols do we love? Why? How do we get rid of this love of them? How do we get back to loving the one true God? Let us remember, every time we love our idols more than Him, we crucify Christ all over again.

- Don Claunch

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, April 4, 2004
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

Scripture from Sunday's Liturgy of the Word:
Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9,17-20,23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14--23:56

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Very Stones Will Cry Out. . . (Luke 19:40)

In today's Gospel at the Procession of Palms, Jesus say's something quite extraordinary, something that might only be a figure speech, but might also hint at the depth of creation's attachment to its Creator and vice versa.

Sin has mutated us so that we often fail to act. We were made by and for God and were intended to give total praise and glory to Him. Imagine, stones calling out, trees and branches and leaves waving in adoration, hearts beating for one purpose alone, to return love for Love. Yet, this was God's plan; a plan that, though confounded at least for a time by sin, will not be eternally extinguished or destroyed.

During this upcoming Holy Week, we begin that journey of redemption -- redemption for ourselves, for the world and indeed for all creation. The stones will not be silenced, nor shall we -- with God's saving help.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 3, 2004
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 37:21-28
Jeremiah 31:10-13
John 11:45-56

A reflection on today's Scripture:

In today’s Gospel we see the ever-deepening plan to apprehend, convict and ultimately eliminate Jesus. It is, sadly, a scenario that we often find ourselves involved with and even more sadly, fail to recognize and comprehend.

For some, and perhaps many, the historical suffering and death of Jesus is just that: something that happened rather than something that is ongoing. Granted, Jesus suffered and died once and for all for the sinfulness of mankind, but that has not eliminated the suffering that Jesus in His Mystical Body--The Church--continues to suffer.

We understand this when we experience in our own lives suffering that does not explicitly happen to us, yet causes us pain as if it was happening to us. It is no different for the suffering heart of Jesus that beats within His living Church.

Let us then, not be careless and forgetful; let us not in our own way plot against others, apprehending their reputations and killing the goodness that lies within.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, April 2, 2004
Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
John 10:31-42

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

Jeremiah is in a most difficult position. He has followed the command of the Lord to give strong advice to the unwilling Jewish authorities and people. As he feared, they rejected him, stoned him, tried to kill him. In his frustration, he turns to the Lord and complains that he was “duped.” Nevertheless, there is no question in his mind about the Truth and the Power of Almighty God. He is just irritated that he was the one in the middle.

Prophets are rarely popular, and never truly appreciated. When we speak the truth of God, we are almost sure to encounter resentment, even from our friends and family. To experience rejection is to understand what Jesus suffered. In today’s Gospel, the stress intensifies. The curious fact is that even we, his friends, may wish he had used more diplomacy. We know how it will end, but we shrink from the outcome, even as his close disciples did.

Dear Jesus, give me the same kind of sacrificing love, and the same kind of courage that you showed, even to the end. Our times demand it, and our Church deserve my consistent witness. Amen

- Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at twcny dot rr dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 1, 2004
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today’s Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 17:3-9
Psalm 105:4-9
John 8:51-59

A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:

“But I do know Him, and I keep His word. . .”

And in fact, Jesus is His Word. Spoken from the beginning of time. He tells us that whoever keeps His word shall never see death. What must we do to keep His word?

We start by loving Him and taking every opportunity to draw closer to Him. Loving Him requires that we express love to our neighbor, no matter how difficult the person in question may be. Here are some words from 1 John 4:19-20 that help make this clear:

19 We love him, because he first loved us

20 If a man says, I love God, and hateth
his brother, he is a liar:
for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen,
how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

How can we love what we do not see if we do not love what is present before us? Jesus tells us this in the parable of the sheep and the goats as well. Jesus tells us “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” This is one of the very hard words of the Bible because so many people behave in such a way it is difficult to love them.

Nevertheless, if we are to keep our Savior’s word and to see Him in eternal life, we must be obedient to this great commandment. Each of our brothers and sisters is the image of Christ. Each opportunity to serve a brother or a sister is an opportunity to serve Christ.

If we have delayed up until now in our mission to serve, God grant each of us the strength to assume the mission He has had for us. If we have started already to serve, may the good Lord strengthen us in our service. May the Light of Life and Love shine forth from everything we do and give glory to God. May we open wide the gates of heaven to invite in all of those that feel left behind. For in so doing, we keep His word and give Heaven cause to rejoice.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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