Claire Smith

Scripture:

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38

 

Reflection:

The Annunciation of the Lord

With the Easter Alleluia’s still fresh on our lips, we today hear the humble words of Mary at the Annunciation of the Lord:  “May it be done to me according to your word”…Fiat!    This 2016 Liturgical Year finds the “regular” date of the feast of the Annunciation on the Good Friday of Holy Week, and thus we’re encouraged to not miss out on the beauty of this Feast by its transfer to today, the Monday of the 2^nd week of Easter.  We have good reason to rejoice with Mary – and to commit ourselves once again to God’s Plan for us.

The Gospel selection from Luke provides us with the familiar details of this feast:  the angel Gabriel was sent to the betrothed Mary, addressing her as “full of grace”.  She was asked to conceive in her womb and bear a son, to be named Jesus…”Son of the Most High”.  Mary’s response was tinged with the feelings that grip us all when we hear a challenging message and which requires a sincere personal response.  Reassured of God’s love for her and God’s Life at work in her, she said “fiat”…Yes!…and her life was changed — as was the history of all creation!

The story of the Annunciation of the Lord is welcome “good news” for Mary, and for each of us and our world!  Mary’s “yes” helped give flesh to the Good News of God’s merciful love for all creation in the person of Jesus who lived, taught, healed, suffered, died and rose for us…ultimately encouraging those Alleluia’s we’ve been singing these days, and God’s redemptive love that helps us face all the challenges of life.

Today’s feast celebrates Mary’s vocation as mother of our redeemer, Jesus – and as we just heard on Good Friday, our mother as well.  She is lovingly present to us and encourages each of us in our vocation, be that as married, single, or priestly/religious people.  Like Mary, we face many challenges and opportunities and can benefit by Mary’s humble example in our “fiat” to the action of God in our lives, our call to lead lives that help give flesh to Jesus’ love for our 21^st century world.

No doubt Mary had great joy in her heart as her life unfolded after the Annunciation.  As we continue to celebrate these days of God’s Easter love for us, may that same Annunciation / Easter joy radiate from our lives as we live our vocations and proclaim and give flesh to God’s mercy and love for our world.

With Mary we say:  Amen!  Alleluia!

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community in Chicago, Illinois. 

Scripture:

Acts 5:12-16
Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31

Reflection:

Jesus said to him (Thomas), “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 20:29

Many of us would have been in the same boat as Thomas. We too have trouble believing sometimes. Sadly, in the church today, many people don’t believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. A 2008 CARA poll showed that 43% of Catholics believe that the consecrated host is merely bread which symbolically represents Christ’s spiritual presence.

Following is one of my favorite “Eucharistic Miracle” stories. Maybe you can share it with family and friends who don’t believe in the True Presence. (You can also Google “Eucharistic Miracles” for more stories.)

“There was a man in Italy who refused to believe the doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. St Anthony could not convince the man by his words would. The unbelieving man would starve his mule for three days, then bring his mule to the town square. Anthony would bring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. If the hungry animal would come to Jesus in the monstrance rather than a bucket of food, then the man would accept the church’s teachings and believe that Jesus was truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.”

“On the third day the man came into the town square with his very hungry mule. St. Anthony approached from the other side of the square with the Sacred Host. Many people, both believers and unbelievers alike, watched to see what would happen. A large bucket of oats and a bundle of fragrant hay were placed before the hungry animal. But all this was ignored by the mule. Instead, the mule approached Saint Anthony and fell on her knees before the Blessed Sacrament to adore Jesus. True to his word, the man made a profession of faith in the Real Presence because his mule had believed first.”[i]

I pray that we would recognize the awesome treasure we have in the Blessed Sacrament, and go as often as possible to receive Jesus – body, blood, soul and divinity.

[i] http://www.worksbyfaith.org/st-anthony-and-the-mule-a-eucharistic-miracle/

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Janice also leads women’s retreats and recently published her second book: God IS with Us. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.janicecarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected].

 

Scripture:

Acts 4:13-21
Mark 16:9-15

Reflection:

Today’s reflection is in two parts: the first taken directly from the Lectionary readings; the second in view of the Sunday celebration of the Divine Mercy.

Most of us know that the followers of Jesus came to be called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26). But what were they called before that? Today’s readings take us through several steps by which the disciples of Jesus came to be identified with their mission, and its corresponding name.

Today’s Gospel of Mark recalls the several events which by which Jesus’s resurrection was made known to the disciples.  Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, who went to tell His disciples, but they did not believe. Jesus appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who returned to tell the disciples, who did not believe. Jesus appeared to the eleven at table and rebuked them for their unbelief. At this point, Jesus commissions them, in a similar way as his parting words at the Ascension, “God into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

The transformation of the disciples is from unbelief to proclamation. They take up the mission of Jesus and it becomes the single driving force of their lives.

Not surprisingly, we find Peter and John, in the reading from Acts, describing their duty as it has become clearer to them: “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”

The New Testament word that names this group of Jesus’ disciples is “witness”. Twelve times in the book of Acts, the disciples describe themselves and their companions as “witnesses” to His Resurrection. To be a witness meant that one had accepted the Resurrection of Jesus as the life-giving event of one’s life; and it meant that one was committed to proclaiming the Risen Lord as the living Savior of all people, the Good News.

We, who are living members of the Body of Christ, are still called to be witnesses. We need to proclaim the presence of Christ among us today; we need to express the unquestioned love of God for each one of us by our treatment of one another.

We celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy on the Sunday after Easter, tomorrow. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has already challenged us to be both agents and recipients of a divine mercy. To whom can I show a divine mercy? How is divine mercy being offered to me?

Because many of us who share these reflections live in the context of religious life and parish life, the grace of mercy is easily received and given among our like-minded friends and parish families.

It is a more challenging effort to break out of the environment of my spiritual family, in order to sow the seeds of mercy in the hard-packed, barren and arid fields of our society’s fringes.

I am thinking back on my visit to a parish in Tennessee last week. One of the parish’s most effective programs is to “feed the hungry,” which it does through its St. Vincent De Paul parish society. Every other Tuesday, in conjunction with Second Harvest, one hundred and forty families come to the parish parking lot to receive a ration of food stuffs which will provide supplementary nourishment for the children and adults in their families. Everyone is welcomed with friendly humor, and genuine interest in the family’s welfare.

We don’t always have to start something new in order to enrich our communities with a divine mercy. Sometimes all we have to do is bring ourselves into the circles of caring and sacrifice that already exist all around us.

May we continue to grow in the grace of mercy given and mercy received during the rest of this Jubilee Year of Mercy!

Fr. Arthur Carrillo, C.P.  is the director of the Missions for Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

 

Scripture:

Acts 4:1-12
John 21:1-14

Reflection:

One of my very favorite sites in the Holy Land is a small, simple stone chapel on the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee.  In recent times it is called the “Church of the Primacy,” commemorating Jesus’ designation of Peter as the leader of the post-resurrection church.  But I prefer its original name, the “Church of the Charcoals.”  For it was here on this lovely spot that the Gospel of John places one of the most exquisite stories in all of the New Testament, the resurrection appearance of Jesus recounted in today’s gospel.

Who could forget this moment?   Peter and several of his fellow disciples, including the Beloved Disciple, the one who is close to Jesus in John’s Gospel but not named, have returned from Jerusalem to Galilee, and one evening Peter decides to go fishing—back to the work he had done before Jesus had walked into his life.  He and his companions fish all night long and catch nothing.  But as dawn breaks, they spot someone standing on the shore. The Gospel tells us their boat was about one hundred yards off shore. He calls out to them, “Lads, have you caught anything to eat?”  When they tell him ‘no’ he tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat.  They decide to humor this stranger giving them directions from the beach and, to their amazement, they catch more fish than their net can hold.  The Beloved Disciple cries out, “It is the Lord” and Peter, ever impulsive, puts on his clothes and jumps overboard to swim ashore. The others drag the boat ashore with its great catch of fish straining their net.

Even more remarkable than the miracle of the catch is the fact that the Risen Christ is preparing breakfast for his disciples over a charcoal fire! “Bring some of the fish you just caught,” he says, and Peter drags the net ashore.  And then Jesus serves his stunned disciples a breakfast of fresh bread and grilled fish; “come and eat,” he says.  None of them dare to say anything, John’s Gospel notes—perhaps afraid this wondrous moment would suddenly vanish before their eyes.  And then, after breakfast, the miracles continue…  Jesus turns to Peter, the one who during the trial of Jesus had denied that he even knew his Master—not once but three times.  And so the Risen Christ heals that threefold denial by drawing from Peter a threefold expression of his love.  “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”  And Peter, who had wept when he realized he had betrayed his master, is on the point of weeping again— “Lord, you know that I love you…”  And then—with his declarations of love for Jesus made, the Lord gives Peter his commission: “Feed my sheep.”

Could there be a more beautiful story than this?  Could there be any more effective way of stating the deepest meaning of the gospel?   The heart of Christian discipleship is love—the forgiving love of Christ for us, the love of our fellow human beings that the Risen Christ asks of us.  The ultimate motivation for all pastoral authority in the church is also rooted in love— “feed my sheep.”  That is the way John’s Gospel sums up the entire teaching of Jesus: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

Fr. Donald Senior, C.P. is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union.  He lives at the Passionist residence in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Scripture:

Acts 3:11-26
Luke 24:35-48  

Reflection:

… they had come to know him in the breaking of the bread.

I’ve been suffering lately, and it’s really had me frustrated.  In my life I’ve been hurt deeply, and physically injured, broken bones, had surgery, been sick – but this thing now has me tearing my hair out.

Writer’s Block.

Melodies, texts, reflections, prayers, commentaries, journals… there’s so much I have to do – the deadlines are looming – and yet it seems as though I can make headway on absolutely none of it.  And what’s most irritating is knowing what I want to write, and yet not getting past the idea to free the path to what’s in my head.  Arrgh!!!

So this morning, while at breakfast with my young daughter, she asked, “Papa, why do you look so worried?”  I replied, “Well, sweetheart, I have a bunch of projects I need to complete, and things I need to write, and I’m having so much trouble being able to really get what’s in my head out on paper.”  She looked at me for moment, processed it a little bit, and then asked, “What is it you need to do?”  “Oh, Miss Love. There’s just so much…”

“Forget about doing all of it… What do you have to do *right now*?”

And so I told her about this reflection you’re reading right now. I told her about the Gospel, and how Jesus appeared to the Apostles and asked for fish. How frightened and in awe they must have been.  And how the Apostles in the first reading cured the sick, all the while saying they didn’t do these great works alone.  And she said, with a depth and wisdom way beyond her 9 years, “You mean like ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength’?”

“Yes! Yes, sweetheart! It’s exactly like that. You see, the Gospel today begins with how Jesus revealed himself to people through the ‘breaking of the bread.’  Even when they thought all was lost, and all was dead, it was sharing in the brokenness that really allowed them to see God’s work alive in their life.  And the Apostles lived that faith as they cured the sick. There is always new life to be sprouted if only we would live the examples given to us – to share honestly and authentically with one another, to break open our struggles and hopes – which allows God the room, the tools with which he’ll work miracles.  All we have to do is get out of God’s way.”

“Golly, Papa. Why don’t you just write that?”

This is not the first time God has worked through my problems with me in such a significantly simple way. Exactly what I wanted to say and focus on with today’s Scripture was exactly how God revealed himself to me… and through my little girl.  All I needed to do was let go of the future worries, share my current struggle, and listen. I needed to get out of God’s way. And guess what?  A miracle happened.

In the breaking of the bread, Christ is revealed. Healing. Death and resurrection.  New life.

How are you in the way of God’s miracles?
Who is God to you, today?
Who are *you* going to be God for?

Dear God, thank you for the gift of your most amazing and ever available presence. Please grant us the grace to always break open ourselves, and let your miracles shine. Amen.

Paul Puccinelli is Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Rita Parish in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Retreat-Team at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center.

Scripture:

Acts 3:1-10
Luke 24:13-35

Reflection:

To help us understand Easter better, it helps to reflect on a few “What if” questions.

What if… there was no forgiveness of sins?  If we committed serious sin, we were forever stuck in our guilt.  Imagine how depressed Peter would have been if, after denying Christ, he could never be forgiven for that.

What if… there was a heaven, but after the fall of Adam and Eve the gates were barred to all?  No hope of eternal life.  When a person died, that was it.  Death would have the final word.

What if…all human suffering was in vain?  Had no meaning.  It was all just a waste of time.

What if…there was no real purpose in living?  We had no real mission or goal.

How terrible life would be if there were no forgiveness, no hope of eternal life, no meaning to suffering and no purpose in living.

Because Christ died and rose from the dead, because of Calvary and Easter, there is forgiveness.  Christ nailed our sins to the cross, and in his resurrection conquered the power of sin.

Because Christ died and rose from the dead, death no longer has the last word.  We have hope of eternal joy with God.  As St. Paul wrote, “O death where is your victory, where is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Because Christ died and rose from the dead, all our suffering has tremendous meaning.   We are baptized into the living Christ.  Our suffering is his suffering and he never suffers in vain.

Because Christ died and rose from the dead, there is a sublime purpose to our lives.  We are here so that Christ can live in us, work through us, manifest himself through us, do his work through us and love through us.

Easter means we have forgiveness, hope, purpose and meaning.

No wonder St. Augustine proclaimed that “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!”

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

As a child, Easter was, and still is, my favorite liturgical season. The solemn days leading up to Easter were filled our home with quiet anticipation of the Resurrection. I have to admit, like every other kid, that I looked forward to the Easter basket with the chocolate malt eggs, marshmallow chicks and a large hallow chocolate bunny with sugar eyes. As I grew, I came to appreciate the deeper meaning of the Triduum and Easter Sunday. There was a deep sense of joy and hope as I walked into our parish and saw the light flooding the sanctuary that was full of Easter lilies and all other types of spring flowers. The many Alleluias that were sung renewed my energy and strength.

When Peter addressed the Jewish people who had gathered to hear his words they were shocked and moved to know the Risen Christ for themselves. The Holy Spirit had given the Apostles a renewed energy and strength to preach the message of the Risen Christ. Peter was ready with specific actions for the people to follow. “Repent, be baptized, be forgiven, receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Their Easter time was filled with a renewed faith and hope to which Christ had called them. They had opened their hearts to hear the message of Peter and the Apostles and, “about three thousand persons were added that day.”

What has been renewed within me during the days proceeding Easter?

Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb to find it empty and she is so full of fear and grief that she will not step into the tomb to see what has happened. Angels ask her, “Why are you weeping?” She states her confusing about Jesus’ missing body and turns around and hears another person asking her, “why are you weeping?” and adds “Whom are you looking for?” She does not recognize to whom she is speaking with until Jesus calls her by her name. Her grief is overcome by joy of seeing her “Teacher”, her “Rabbouni”. The first person in all four Gospels to see the Risen Christ. The first person to experience the energy and strength that comes from the Resurrection. She did not ask him any questions and without hesitation carries the message that Jesus had given her. She tells the Apostles, “I have seen the Lord” and tells them what she has experienced.

How have I heard the Risen Christ call my name?

What energy and strength has been/will be stirred up within me during the Easter Season?

Alleluia!    Alleluia!    Alleluia!

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

HE IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!!!

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples.  At the same time the chief priests and elders were trying to discredit the Resurrection by even paying off the soldiers guarding the tomb!

Discredit the Resurrection!!!!! Now Really!!!!!

How can anyone discredit the Resurrection!?

We all enjoy new life each and every day!  We just finished celebrating the great vigil! We welcomed 18 candidates and catechumens plus a newborn infant into our Christian community!  The fear of the unknown and the joy of the reality of new life that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary felt in seeing Jesus alive was also experienced by our neophyte community!  It is one thing to know in your head what is going to happen, but, when the heart experiences the saving waters of baptism, the holy anointing with chrism and the nourishment that comes with receiving the body and blood of our risen savior for the first time, it is a totally overwhelming resurrection moment!

New life is all around us!  Plants and flowers, green grass and flowing streams, newborn babies, weddings, graduations, sacramental celebrations, are just some of the ways that Jesus shows us HE IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!!!  New life abounds!

As we go through these days of the Easter season, may we continue to be refreshed in the waters of baptism, enjoy the sweet smell of chrism and feast gratefully at the table of the Lord.  May the newness of life in Jesus never wear thin and may we always enjoy the bounty of new life that surrounds us.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!

Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.