Sunday, May 29, 2011

Sixth Sunday in Easter

Christ promises not to leave us orphaned, but will send us an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will live in us. That is a source of hope, isn't it, that the Lord will be with us. May we then turn to Him in our decisions, and know His love and presence.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Do not let your hearts be troubled... it is too easy to let fear and anxiety enter our hearts. But faith in Christ means not letting these rob us of our peace. In a world filled with false prophets and false promises, when we place our faith in Christ, we come to know Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. He reveals the Father to us, but also reveals what it means to be human. So, when the storms of life blow, we turn to the Lord in confidence, admitting the fear, but finding the strength in Christ to not let it rob us of our peace.

As St. Teresa of Avila wrote (translated by HW Longfellow):
Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee
All things are passing;
God never changeth;
Patient endurance
Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth
In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Easter

A Good Shepherd knows his flock, and his flock knows him. He speaks to them as he leads them to the nourishment of green pastures by day, and the safety of the sheep fold at night. Jesus Christ is both shepherd and gate, keeping us safe. May we know His voice and follow Him!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Third Sunday of Easter

Stay with us... Cleopas and his companion beg the unknown companion to continue the conversation that had begun on the way to Emmaus. They can't put words to what they are feeling yet, but this one was speaking truth to them, revealing to them the reason and prophetic utterances of Scripture that say that the Messiah must suffer and die. It was in the Eucharistic breaking of bread (or at least at a meal with strongly Eucharistic themes), that they suddenly realize why their hearts burned within - it was the Risen Lord Jesus. They go forth, despite the hour, and rush back to Jerusalem to share the news.
The Lord continues to walk with us, though certainly not in the same way. If we listen to Him in our prayer, He explains all that is happening. In the Eucharist, He nourishes us, and calls us to action.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Divine Mercy Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter)

Jesus reveals Himself to the Apostles, though St. Thomas is not in the gathering. St. Thomas is present the following week, and not only does Jesus reveal Himself, but invites St. Thomas to probe the nail marks. It is mercy that Jesus is offering - to touch His heart, to probe His healing hands. It is here that we have mercy and redemption. May we draw near, and see the Risen Lord as we gather, and then proclaim Him to the world.