Claire Smith

Scripture:

Acts 2:36-41
John 20:11-18

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel reading, Mary of Magdala is outside of the tomb where Jesus was. She is weeping because even though the tomb is empty, her only conclusion at that point is that someone has come and taken His body. And even though she sees two angels in the tomb who ask her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” she is still intent on finding Him.

When Jesus does appear, she doesn’t recognize Him until He calls her by name: “Mary!” and then, at least in my imagination, she hangs on to Him for dear life. And so Jesus says, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” And so she goes and announces to the disciples that she has “seen the Lord.”

The founder of the Passionists, St. Paul of the Cross, would often counsel those who were receiving spiritual direction from him not to get too attached to the feelings they had when they had a “mountaintop” experience” of God. He would invite them to focus on the Giver, not the gifts. Their goal was not to capture or recapture good feelings, but to seek God’s will. I see some of this between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Jesus tells Mary not to hold on to Him because there is something He still needs to do: ascend to the Father so that the Holy Spirit may come. At the same time, she is not to hold on to Him, because there is something she needs to do: to tell the other disciples what she has seen and heard. Mary could not be “the apostle to the apostles” unless she lets go of holding on to Him.

And so, we are not to get too caught up in our feelings that we miss the signs that God sends indicating God’s will for us. Instead, we continue to seek and do God’s will, always in the hope we have in the Resurrection of Jesus.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

Acts 2:14, 22-33
Matthew 28:8-15

Reflection:

In my life I’ve seen the rise of sensationalism, conspiracy theories, and the like in the media.  I can’t speculate the degree which the internet has contributed to this spreading of alternative theories.   Is the news getting more slanted and the conspiracy theories growing, or have they been there all along and I’m learning to be more attentive to them?   I know the latter is true. 

Have you ever noticed conspiracy theories in the scriptures?  I have.  Today is good example.    St. Matthew writes, “The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’”  Why believe that someone could rise from the dead when the story that the disciples stole his body is far more plausible?   And to protect the lie, there is the added component of “hush money”.   If this isn’t already twisted enough Matthew says that if the governor hears about it these conspirators will make sure everything is smoothed out.  Conspiracies, as we know, are not based on truth.   The difficulty is the truth in this story doesn’t make sense in the first century context.  It is far too new of an idea.  The invitation of the resurrection asks a person to believe the unbelievable.  This is so difficult when it goes directly against what we would like to believe with rational thought and our core programming.   As previously stated, the conspiracy theory certainly seems more plausible. 

Yesterday, Easter Sunday, Christians around the world wished their friends and family an enthusiastic and Happy Easter. But what does that mean?  When we share this greeting, are we really wishing another person the incredible joy of the resurrected Christ?  Or maybe we are offering the confusion of an empty tomb?     Looking specifically at the totality of the liturgical Easter day readings, we have gospels which are empty tomb stories, but there are no appearances of Jesus to people.  No one actually has an encounter with the risen Christ.  Today, we begin hearing the second phase.  This is the first opportunity to hear how Jesus reveals himself and it is to the two Marys.  As I read all four gospels Jesus reveals himself to those whom he is closest.  He doesn’t go to the religious or civic leaders. These revelations are to people who are seeking for him or confused and can’t seem to put the pieces together.  And the resurrected Jesus likes being with his friends.    Reread the end of all four gospel accounts and take note of the people to whom Jesus reveals himself.  Where do you fit in that list? 

Believing the unbelievable, allowing God to surprise you, opening the vulnerable parts of your heart to God, these are some truly incredible resurrection moments.   Then our testimony is the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and its impact in our world.  And Christian history reveals our testimony in the risen Christ always carries more weight than someone’s untruths.   

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Scriptures:

Acts 10:34, 37-43
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
John 20:1-9

Reflection

One sentence hidden away in our scripture readings today should absolutely not be overlooked, for it powerfully expresses the galvanizing truth at the heart of Easter, the feast that gave birth to Christianity and undoubtedly the most important day in the history of the world. The sentence appears at the conclusion of today’s gospel: “Remember, as yet they did not understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” Notice that it doesn’t say that Jesus “might” or “could” or even “will” rise from the dead, but that Jesus had to rise from the dead. The history of the world pivots on that declaration because anything less than that forceful had could not supply the hope and trust and reassurance we need to sustain our lives. If Jesus did not have to rise from the dead, death wins and evil and darkness abound. If Jesus’ resurrection did not have to occur, hope becomes a tantalizing mirage and trust a fanciful illusion. Take that single word “had” away and there’s no gospel, there’s no good news to proclaim.

Given the God whose love brought all things into being and whose greatest desire is that we might live, Jesus had to rise from the dead. Given the God whose unexcelled love is stronger than evil, darkness, and death—and anything else that threatens our existence—Jesus had to rise from the dead. Easter should not surprise us, it should never catch us off guard. The resurrection of the crucified Christ is the logical consequence of a God whose love for us is so fierce, so unyielding and relentless, that it defies even death. Easter signals God’s everlasting and invincible victory over everything that tries to destroy the love, joy, communion, flourishing, and peace that God wanted for us and the whole of creation from the beginning.

The heart of the Easter message is that death may be real, but love is stronger. To be an Easter people is to joyfully, gratefully, and exuberantly live from and according to that wonderful news each day, faithfully witnessing it in our attitudes, words, and actions to every person we meet.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology & Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Isaiah 50:4-9a
Matthew 26:14-25

Reflection:

Today is traditionally known as “Spy Wednesday” at least it was when I was growing up in Ireland. However, that was a long time ago. Our son used to refer to those days as “the olden days.” If memory serves me correctly, we began our Easter observances on this day, and we would end on Easter Sunday. Schools would get their Easter vacation on this day.

On Spy Wednesday, we would attend Mass in the evening and every shop or retail store in our town would close to allow their associates the opportunity to attend Mass.  Yes, those were the “olden days.”

Our readings today point to Jesus’ betrayal by Judas in Matthews Gospel, this is the one incident that as a child, I often imagined, heaven and earth would hold their collective breath. It has begun. It, being salvation is upon us. There is mystery in the story. It has all been set up in preparation for this event. Could we stretch it to imagine that it goes all the way “from the beginning” as in the creation story in Genesis.

Our first reading from the prophet Isaiah offers us what is commonly known as the third Servant Song. These few lines are so familiar to us as most of us recognize the story of Jesus who has been called the suffering servant. He has been portrayed in all the Passion movies as the one who passively accepts his suffering—in love.

It tells us about the Lord God who seems to be the prime mover in these few short verses. They speak of resolve and deep faith in God and offer consolation to those who are suffering, almost like a case statement of faith. As the Psalm goes, “Lord, in your great love, answer me (Psalm 69).” How many times do we call out to our God? Jesus certainly called out to his Father in his hour, and he was comforted by an angel. Who are the angels in your life?

The verses of the Psalm for this day seem to echo the first reading. ”For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. In the same way, these verses loop in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians found in our entrance antiphon for this day. This was the thrust of St. Paul’s understanding of the sufferings of Jesus. He “suffers with us”  He understands our pain.

I must admit to being struck by the commitment of the Trinity, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Most of us are very familiar with God’s compassion being likened in the Hebrew Scriptures to a mother’s womb “with deep compassion.”

As a mother and grandmother, I am uplifted when I reflect on the closeness, faithfulness, and love that binds us in relationship, together. The self-sacrificing, I can understand, certainly, it is grounded in the love of the other. Yet, how could the Father and the Holy Spirit just allow Jesus to suffer alone; or did they?  When I find it very hard to deny a request of another little soul for their good. Not for the first time do I appreciate this commitment to the human race, to me and you. Can we learn from the Trinity in the context of “one-ness”? and new ways in expressing our committed togetherness

This Holy Week, may we come to appreciate the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanity in new ways. Amen.  

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Isaiah 49:1-6
John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reflection:

The Sacred Story of The Passion of Our Lord unfolds within us this Holy Week because through our Baptism we are embodied in Christ. We are in His Passion and Death. We are on the cross with him. This belief raises one question within me:

“As I read this story, where do I see myself in it? Or where do I share in the Passion of Jesus Christ?”

Spend the rest of Holy Week through the day of Easter pondering this question. Repeat it like a mantra throughout the week.

Allow God who willed this week for our salvation to penetrate within you. You will become an answer to your own sacred question, through your perseverance in pouring over this question you become an answer, and an answer to other people’s prayers! That is ministry. And the confirmation that we are chosen by God to be other Christs for others is found in the very obstacles, setbacks, defeats and dissolution that we encounter. The prophet Isaiah was lead to await wonderful results, but instead, “…. I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly spent my strength.” (Isa. 49:4-5)

Both of those experiences (within you, and through you to others) have relevance if you ponder them with trust and anticipation.

Do not cheat or cut back on the time pondered or this. Trust and anticipation of what is to come is equivalent to faith. Recall Isaiah’s words again.  

I am very conscious of people I have encountered who have become

“islands unto themselves” and “distant peoples” especially with regard their relationship with God! A dream smashed, plans that just did not work out, an anticipated outcome that never worked out, all because “I relied on God, and prayed to Him, and He didn’t answer my prayer. I don’t trust Him anymore. I do not attend Church. What is the point?”

Consider this then in your prayer. This prophet and Jesus realized that where they were called into earthly life was not for their own ambition, but to achieve a fragile love and a faithful consecration with God and with their neighbors within the context of their particular earthly life! What does not seem to matter in the eyes of the world and its standards for happiness and success, makes all the difference in the eyes of God! Life’s most tragic events, through the faith demonstrated through Holy Week, can turn our mind and heart to the Lord’s glory and to our friendship with the Lord, in a more effective way than any other way in the world.

The first person in our lives must be the presence of God. Such was Jesus’ response to the following. In between announcements of the two betrayals, one by Judas and the other by Peter, Jesus declared: “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in Him.”(John 13:31)

Isaiah the prophet and Jesus relied totally on the Will and the Way of God as they lived through their own “death experiences.”

Pray for this wisdom and grace of “dying to rise” through the Grace of God. It could become an answer to someone else’s prayer.

This was written under the inspiration of Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P.

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P., is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Isaiah 42:1-7
John 12:1-11

Reflection:

It is Holy Week. We have entered the most profound time in the church year. We began yesterday with Palm Sunday by reliving both our high hopes with cries of “Hosanna” and the horror of the passion with cries of “crucify him!”  These holy days invite us to pay special attention to the readings offered to us during this time that leads up to the Triduum, or the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

It is not hard to see in today’s reading from the Prophet Isaiah references to Jesus. That is why they are offered to us for prayer and reflection. Jesus is God’s servant, the anointed one who brings justice to the nations through gentleness and healing. So if we are called to be disciples of Jesus, called to imitate him in our lives, then perhaps we too might hear God speaking about us through Isaiah.

I will use my name, but I invite you to say your own name in praying these verses:

“Bob, you are my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit.”

“Bob, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

We do not walk through this week as spectators. We engage the story of our Lord’s passion and resurrection as our own story. We learn how we can be a light to the world, open the eyes of the blind, or bring out prisoners from their darkness.  Perhaps this week you can ask yourself, “How do I feel called to live as a disciple of Jesus and the beloved of God?”

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14-23:56

Reflection:

Sunday is Palm, or Passion, Sunday. We hear the account of the Passion of Jesus according to Luke (22:14-23:56). There are several things unique to Luke’s account. In the agony in the garden, Luke mentions that an angel ministers to Jesus. While Jesus is on the Cross, He makes an act of the forgiveness He has been preaching to the people: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Later on, Jesus goes beyond even forgiveness to do an act of mercy. When one criminal defends Jesus against the remarks made by the other, he asks, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus replies, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” And finally, when Jesus is about to die, He says, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

There is one other thing unique to Luke’s account. It comes before the actual crucifixion. At the Last Supper, after Peter avows, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you;” Jesus replies, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.” We know that Jesus’ prophecy comes true. What is unique to Luke’s account is that, after Peter’s denial, and the cock crows, Jesus looks at Peter, and Peter, remembering the prophecy, goes out and “weeps bitterly.”

I think it is important for us to reflect on what this meant for Peter, because it may mean something for us. As I reflected on this, I tried to imagine what Jesus’ expression was, and what was going on in Peter’s mind and heart.

I can’t imagine Jesus’ expression being one of anger, although it would have been understandable if it was. At the same time, I can’t imagine a reassuring smile. What I imagine is a penetrating gaze, again, without hostility, but a gaze that confronts you with the truth.

Peter is confronted with the truth of his giving in to fear. And just as Jesus would be stripped of His clothes before He is nailed to the Cross, Peter is stripped. He is stripped of any false bravado. He is stripped of reliance on his own strength. He is stripped of his own understanding of what the Messiah was meant to do. But he is not stripped of Jesus’ love for him! He is not stripped of hope, for Jesus told him that He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail, and that he would strengthen his brothers.

As we begin Holy Week, we might take the risk of letting Jesus look at us from the Cross with a penetrating gaze, and let ourselves be stripped; stripped of any reliance on our own power; stripped of any pretensions or masks behind which we hide ourselves; stripped of resentments and prejudices, and most of all, fears. And if we let ourselves be stripped in this way, we open ourselves to be penetrated with a love and hope that endures even as we carry our own crosses.

In the words of our second reading (Philippians 2:6-11), Jesus emptied Himself, and was “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” for our salvation. He sees us as we are, and loves us. May we let His gaze of love empty us of whatever gets in the way, and follow Him.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.