Claire Smith

Scripture:

Acts 14:19-28
John 14:27-31a

Reflection:

A Pilgrim Church, But Never Alone

Acts can serve as a template for the Church of today. The Holy Spirit guides the growing Church as it makes its way to the ends of the earth – to the center of world power – Rome. It will not be Peter or Paul who are the main actors but the Holy Spirit.

Yesterday Paul and Barnabas were touted as Gods, to day brings them rejection to the point of being stoned to death, and what follows in Derbe is an ordinary back to work day of proclaiming the good news. As they then retrace their steps to Antioch they add something new to their previous preaching, something learned, ‘We undergo many trials to enter into the Kingdom of God’. They give encouragement. Once home they spend time with the disciples and share ‘all that God had helped them accomplish, and how God had opened the door of faith to the gentiles.

In the early Church these were the days of mystagogy. That is a word we should all add to our vocabulary! Just to explain it is to give someone a catechetical lesson. A rich word really, but simply put it is the way of explaining the presence of the Risen Christ during this Easter season. It points the newly baptized to the sacraments. Our Lord prepares to leave, his presence will not be as before, he can not be held onto neither by the disciples of Emmaus nor Mary Magdalene. The catechesis of the newly baptized, the so called mystaogical catechesis, pointed the newly baptized members of the Church to the sacraments telling them that here is where you will find the Lord Jesus.

The Risen One is with us these Easter days and we hear him in the Word, in the breaking of the Bread, the water that gives life, the community of the Church, those who bear his wounds of, the poor and the Crucified of today. One day the Church seems exalted on another day it feels pelted with stones. Those who proclaim the good news have good times and no less trials as they follow Jesus. And how important was the encouragement that Paul and Barnabas gave!

Acts ends today with a gathering of the community; the Church is here a safe haven. The sowers have gone out into the field and labored, the seed is sown. Our response psalm sums it up nicely, “Your friends tell the glory of your kingship, Lord”. They hear from the lips of Paul and Barnabas “all that God had helped them accomplish, and how he had opened the door of faith to the gentiles”. Like us in the Easter season these friends rejoice to hear the words that will be written as the Acts of the Apostles, and they are nourished and refreshed in the breaking of the bread.

In John’s gospel Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit and the Father. Let us hear an invitation to pray to this Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Praying to the Trinity may not be your usual approach to prayer? As we the Church journey with trails, are generous with encouragement, both sowers and reapers who savor the sacraments, let us pray to the Trinity whom Jesus introduces to us a pilgrim Church but one that is never alone.

Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.

Scripture:

Acts 14:5-18
John 14:21-26

Reflection:

Today’s first reading from Acts begins with a crowd wanting to murder Paul and Barnabas and ends with another crowd wanting to worship them like gods. This is a dramatic illustration of the fickle nature of human respect. Every person has had experiences with this inescapable reality, but perhaps none more so than those devoutly seeking to live the Christian life. In some circumstances, we are mocked and even hated for moral stances that are labelled “out of touch” or “intolerant.” At other times, we are lauded for our charitable acts and patient acceptance of others. Unfortunately, despite how capricious it can be, we often allow the pursuit of human respect to dictate our choices. When we remain silent when God’s laws are being disrespected, we put the opinions of men over divine truths. When we do good works to get praise from men rather than to give praise to God, human respect has become our god.

In the Gospel, Jesus makes it very clear that He wants us to follow His commands for love of HIM. If love for Christ is our motivation for all we do, it matters very little what the crowds think. If we seek only the promise that loving obedience will result in Jesus and the Father coming and making their dwelling with us, both worldly rewards and derisions are meaningless in comparison.

Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory! Amen.

Megan Silas is a Lay Passionist at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Acts 14:21-27
Revelation 21:1-5a
John 13:31-33a, 34-35

Reflection:

During the height of the Covid pandemic, there was a lot of discussion around living under a “new normal.” In some ways, I wanted there to be a “new normal,’ not in the way necessarily that people were talking about at the time, but in the way of the kingdom of God. So, I had a sign made that I put up when I would pray on the corner, where the community garden is, across the street from Holy Family Church: “Praying for a New Normal.”

I bring this up because in our Gospel reading for Sunday (John 13:31-33a, 34-35), Jesus is speaking to His disciples at the Last Supper: “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Every time I hear those words, “new commandment,” I realize that even though those words were spoken centuries ago, they are still new. They are still new because we have trouble embracing them unconditionally, even as Jesus embraces us unconditionally. We want to put some fine print on them, or find some loopholes in them, or seek some restrictions so that they are not so inconvenient for us.

But what if we were to strive to fully obey Jesus’ commandment to love? Maybe we could be open, as Paul and Barnabas were to the Gentiles (Our first reading: Acts 14:21-27), to the truth of God’s love extending to all peoples. Maybe we could be like John in our second reading from Revelation (21:1-5a), able to visualize “a new heaven and a new earth.” Maybe we could actually welcome “God’s dwelling” with “the human race.”

I’m sorry if I sound a bit strident. It just seems that we need to take the commandment to love to heart now more than ever.

May God open our eyes and ears, our hearts and minds to obey this “new commandment” to love one another as Jesus loves us, leading us not only to acts of charity but also working for justice and peace. May the “old order” of hate and fear and the use of violence pass away.

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

Scripture:

Acts 13:44-52
John 14:7-14

Reflection:

There is a prayer of St. Theresa of Avila that is perfect for our gospel today: “Now Christ has no body on earth but yours; now Christ has no hands here on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which his compassion looks out on the world; yours are the feet which carry him now on his way; yours are the hands which touch his people today.” We can take this prayer to heart and bring it to life day after day because of what Jesus promised in today’s gospel: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these…”

 There is no better way to live, and no nobler purpose to embrace, than to be the hands, eyes, feet, and heart of Christ in our world today. The world needs the unshakable hope, it needs the resilient compassion and unflinching mercy, and it desperately needs the darkness-shattering light that flows from us when we allow Jesus to live and minister through us. That is no small thing in a world that is broken, afflicted, anxious, fearful, drenched in pain and flirting with despair. Acts of mercy, justice, compassion, truthfulness, forgiveness, faith, hope, and unconditional love, no matter how small, are all re-creations, all fresh new starts, all unexpected eruptions of Easter life when the power of the resurrected Christ lives in us and works through us, constantly healing, liberating, and making all things whole.  

In today’s first reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas confirm their mission to the Gentiles by declaring: “For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” What would change for us and for others if we began each day by praying, “How am I called to be an instrument of salvation today?” If we did, wouldn’t we be living proof of Jesus’ promise that “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these”? It’s at least worth a try.

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 of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Acts 13:26-33
John 14:1-6

Reflection:

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord:  The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.’
-Psalm 2

The profession of faith in the Nicene Creed we recite at Sunday Mass begins with: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.”

Our faith begins with a relationship, a loving relationship between Father and Son. We don’t use the word “beget” much anymore, but it has a more profound meaning than just giving birth.  It suggests creating and generating.

Listen to today’s psalm response and what the Lord says to you: “You are my son, you are my daughter, you are my beloved; this day I have begotten you.” This is not a description of our birth but of a bond of love that God can never, will never break. We are derived from love—the love the Father has for Jesus, and the love Jesus has for us.

That love we experience should beget love. Novelist Thomas Mann wrote, “For the beautiful word begets the beautiful deed.” My father often repeated the saying that what is freely received should be freely given. He meant, “Don’t be stingy.” Today’s challenge is to look for an opportunity to beget some love at home or at work, with your child or with a stranger in the grocery checkout line.

But first, believe that you really are the begotten 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:

Acts 13:13-25
John 13:16-20

Reflection:

Called to Witness Love Incarnate

It’s the 4^th week of Easter –and the Good News of Jesus Risen continues to spark new Life and Vitality in us and our world.  Celebrating Easter brings with it a renewed sense of God’s life-giving, loving presence — and Jesus’ encouragement to follow His example in witnessing Love through the service of our sisters and brothers.

Today’s Gospel selection from John 13 recounts Jesus’ Last Supper experience of encouraging his disciples, having just washed their feet.  He invites them to follow His example, to believe in Him and share that belief with others in both word and deed.  No doubt, a challenge – but also a gift, as Jesus states: “…Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”  Later verses in John’s Gospel paint a scenario that includes both the disciples’ heartfelt witness AND weak betrayal.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles reveals the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the disciples’ lives.  Paul and his companions arrived in Antioch and were invited to speak in the synagogue.  Paul shared a heartfelt sermon on the history of salvation, culminating in the person of Jesus:   his life, death, and resurrection.  His preaching touched many hearts…and the number of believers continued to grow, as did his own call to missionary discipleship.

Thus, our challenge:  how has Jesus’ Easter event touched and changed our lives?  Do we join Jesus in washing feet – mending the “fences” of distrust and division, and thus reaching out to needy hearts with a good dose of a disciple’s love?  Perhaps we need a disciple’s healthy dose of “Spirit” this Pentecost…  Our world struggles to find meaning and hope, to experience love rather than violence and bloodshed.  Perhaps a few hours of unhindered quiet and mindful prayerfulness can rekindle in us the dynamism of Easter and the Risen Jesus…  No doubt, as transformed Easter people we can “sing of the goodness of the Lord” (Psalm 89)…even with voices perhaps a bit off-key.

Our call to witness the risen Jesus and God’s loving kindness is truly amazing!  Alleluia!!

Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.  

Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

Scripture:

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
John 15:9-17

Reflection:

Today is the feast of Saint Matthias, the disciple who replaced Judas and filled the place of the 12th apostle. We know little about him beyond reading in Acts that he was voted in and ultimately chosen by lots.

Let’s imagine what was going through his mind and what are some of the things he might have done.

Indeed, he would’ve wanted to be the opposite of Judas, promoting honesty and loyalty.

He might’ve become a peacemaker among the apostles when there were disagreements.

As a fellow evangelist, he may have wanted to visit regions that others wouldn’t.

Maybe he was so moved by the words and actions of Jesus that he would want to help people meet the needs of the struggling, suffering, and disenfranchised.

He could’ve been a teacher and mentor for new converts. Because he had the new status of an actual apostle, he might have enjoyed requests to share personal testimonies about his experiences with Jesus and the thousands of other disciples who gathered around him.

A new Pope is taking on the throne of Saint Peter. Any new pope must feel like Saint Matthias for quite a while until he gets his bearings. Let us pray for gifts from the Holy Spirit to shower on him and, while we’re at it, on ourselves since we must choose how to be better disciples every day.

.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting those who live in poverty; he is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.

Scripture:

Acts 11:19-26
John 10:22-30

Reflection:

One of my favorite things about the Easter season is that we are treated daily to reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The rich history of Christianity’s early beginnings, the ups and downs, the challenges and the triumphs are all proclaimed as one seamless story whose common thread is the presence of the “hand of the Lord was with them” (v.21) and the people “full of the Spirit and of faith” (v.24). We see this especially in today’s reading which highlight the scattering out from Jerusalem into the Mediterranean—Greek speaking—world of the early Christians escaping the “affliction” (or persecution) following the martyrdom of Stephen. With the original intention to preach only to the Jews, we read about the good news proclaimed also to the Greeks.

In reading between the lines, one can intuit the spread of God’s word didn’t move exactly as they had planned. As believers, we know that no one can predict the movement of the Spirit, especially in the presence of openness of mind and heart. Our God of surprises, who ignites a flame of faith wherever it falls, makes this possible. We can all be grateful and celebrate the wisdom of the early Christian communities who, guided by the Spirit, wrestled with this notion of inclusion of the “Greeks”—a term applied to anyone outside the Jewish world. Today, that means us!

The text tells of a “considerable number of believers (who) turned to the Lord” (21b) and is juxtaposed against the Gospel where Jesus is challenged by unbelieving “Jews,” and has his good works called into question. Again, Jesus states that true believers hear his voice and are known by him. As believers, we follow and belong to him.

Another thing I love about this time of year is the considerable number of (young) believers preparing to receive their First Holy Communion. Last Saturday, our granddaughter was one of those excited children. She and her classmates were all smiles as they lined up to process into the Church. Their special day had finally arrived, and joy reigned supreme as the liturgy began. I offered a silent prayer of thanksgiving to those early Christians who, through the guidance of the Spirit, had brought us to this moment.

When the time came for Holy Communion, as Eucharistic Ministers, my husband and I were privileged to watch each child come up one-by-one to receive Jesus in the Eucharist from our pastor. The moment felt very sacred and personal, a new beginning in their young lives. Jesus’ words from today’s Gospel came to mind, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of my Father’s hands” (v29), and I prayed that these precious children would always be safe in the hands of the Father.

Jesus’ radical words, that almost had him stoned (in v.31 that follows today’s text), as he restates, “The Father and I are one” (v.30). Can we believe that we are swept up mystically in this unity! May we never doubt that we belong to the Good Shepherd. Amen. Alleluia!

Jean Bowler is a member of the Ministry Team at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.