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He is Risen!

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Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Mass Readings
First Reading: Acts 10:34A, 37-43
Responsorial: Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6B-8
Gospel: John 20:1-9

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Easter! Isn’t today’s Gospel account from John interesting? Mary Magdala went to the tomb. Why? If she believed that Jesus would rise from the dead, why would she visit the tomb to anoint his dead body? When she finds the tomb empty, she runs to tell Peter and some of the disciples. They run to the tomb. Why are they running?

Wait, wait! Why did she have to go find Peter and the disciples? If they were waiting for his return, why weren’t they camped out in front of the tomb entrance? Did they not believe that Jesus was going to rise on the third day?

Whatever the case, once they arrived at the tomb, their lives were transformed! We see in the first reading from Acts that Peter was out preaching and testifying about Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus and his encounters with the risen Jesus forever changed.

This year, these readings hit me in a profound way. We’ve all been affected by COVID-19, and so many of us have experienced this profound isolation. I’ve been so moved by the prayer chains and incredible videos of choirs performing from their homes, inspiring acts selflessness and service. Is this faith rediscovered or is this just a fad?

Despite the virus, so many of us continue to work from home and in some small way, life seems relatively normal. But in other ways life is a different now – maybe a little slower – I don’t know, but things have changed. This is truly the strangest Easter most of us have ever experienced. Yes, there have been some challenges for a lot of us too. But how many of us have thought about how many things distract us from getting anything done – all the B.S. in the pre-COVID-19 world that we did but that had no value or meaning. For example, I’ve been floored by people’s stories of loved ones who have had to pass away alone during this time and by small numbers allowed to attend funerals.

I wonder, is this experience of self-isolation or quarantine or whatever we’re calling it, has this been our empty tomb moment? Many of us were believers before, but maybe this experience of isolation is like us running to the tomb to find that yes indeed, He is risen! Praise God! Alleluia!

So, as governments begin to consider relaxing restrictions, are we beginning to re-evaluate our priorities? Will we allow ourselves to get caught up again by all the pointless busyness of this world, or will we try to maintain a better a balance with Jesus Christ at the center?

Look, the question for each one of is, do you believe? Do you believe that Jesus was really born, suffered and died and rose from the dead for our salvation? Do you believe that Jesus left us this incredible church which is the fullness of the life Christ wanted for us? Do you believe, I mean do you really believe that we can encounter the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist?

If the answer is yes, then this is a good time to think about how we will live our lives after COVID-19. Let this Easter be the moment when we recommit ourselves to our baptismal promises and put Jesus in the center of our lives. And may we have the renewed sense of courage to share our faith with those we encounter.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and by Spiritual Communion, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions during this first week of Easter.

  1. Recall from Gospel that Jesus was not in the tomb. How confident am I in my faith? What encourages me in times of doubt?
  2. In the Gospel, they went away from the tomb, fearful and overjoyed. What fears and concerns keep me from sharing my faith? When have I found great joy in sharing my faith?

I think that doing our homework will help us recommit our discipleship in service to Jesus and the people of God. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
2. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
3. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
4. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
5. Montague, George T. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
6. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Salvation outside the Church, 776, 846-48
2. Jesus anointed by the Spirit, 438, 486
3. Paschal mystery, 571-72
4. Jesus and Pharisees, 575
5. Jesus as paschal lamb, 608
6. The Resurrection of Christ and our resurrection, 638-55, 989, 1001-02,
7. The empty tomb, 640
8. Jesus’ resurrection as a transcendent event, 647
9. Easter, the Lord’s Day, 647, 1167-70, 1243, 1287
10. Judge of the living and dead, 678-79
11. Feast of Passover, 1164
12. The Sacraments of Initiation, 1212
13. Baptism, 1214-22, 1226-28, 1234-45, 1254
14. Confirmation, 1286-89
15. Eucharist, 1322-23

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041220.cfm
Lectionary: 42

First Reading
Acts 10:34A, 37-43
Peter proceeded to speak and said:
“You know what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.
We are witnesses of all that he did
both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible,
not to all the people, but to us,
the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commissioned us to preach to the people
and testify that he is the one appointed by God
as judge of the living and the dead.
To him all the prophets bear witness,
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Responsorial
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23.
R. (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;
the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
Colossians 3:1-4
Brothers and sisters:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

Or 1 Corinthians 5:6B-8
Brothers and sisters:
Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough?
Clear out the old yeast,
so that you may become a fresh batch of dough,
inasmuch as you are unleavened.
For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed.
Therefore, let us celebrate the feast,
not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Sequence Victimae Paschali Laudes
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.

Alleluia CF. 1 Corinthians 5:7B-8A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed;
let us then feast with joy in the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 20:1-9
On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.

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ATC 6 On Change

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Cardinal John Henry Newman wrote, “To live is to change, and to change often is to become more perfect.”

Welcome to another edition of All Things Catholic. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and I’m so happy you’re here! Together we are going to explore what it means to be Catholic. Today we are going to discuss a question raised by a friend in Switzerland – how the Church addresses change. This question is a great one to discuss in the light of Pope Francis’ post-synodal exhortation on the Amazon, “Querida Amazonia.”

We’ll discuss Querida Amazonia in a future episode, but the point is that the Church seemed on the verge of a large number of changes and that begs the question, how does the Church approach change? Well, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus pointed out, change is the only constant in life. Change is a reality that must be faced. To avoid change can have all sorts of unintended consequences – some more dire than others to be sure.

All of creation is in a constant form of change. It is no different for humans or our institutions. The Church is an interesting phenomenon. There is the eternal form of the Church and the earthly interpretation of the Church. As C.S. Lewis described in the Screwtape Letters, number two, Screwtape tells Wormwood, “I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners.” That’s an apt description for the eternal form of the Church. But the human form of the Church, try as it might, is still very far from perfect. So how does the Church make adjustments?

Now, this is an important question because there are many Anglican clergy and laity who joined the Catholic Church in part because the tenants of the Anglican church changed quickly and perhaps too much. So, the mere discussion of change can be a little disconcerting to some, and understandably so.

There have been so many changes in the life the Church that it would be impossible to even try to list them all in this podcast. But perhaps one of the earliest examples of change concerned the questions raised over Paul’s missionary work and the Council of Jerusalem that we find in Act 15. The question was over the admission of Gentiles. Ultimately the Council agreed with Paul but made a few clarifications that would bind future missionary activity to the Gentiles.

As we walk through history, we will continue to see changes in the life of the Church throughout history right up to the present. There are many different ways change happens. Generally, I would say that change in the Church is slow and methodical, but that is not always the case. For example, the Church can change by Papal decree. One example of this is how Joseph was added to the canon in the mass. During the first session of the Second Vatican Council, the elderly and frail Bishop Petar Cule of Yugoslavia gave a long speech for the inclusion of Joseph. The presider, Cardinal Ruffini, cutoff Bishop Cule and moved on to the next speaker. Pope John XXIII, who was watching on close circuit television, on his own authority and without waiting for a recommendation from the bishops ordered Joseph’s name to be immediately added to the canon.

Other times, changes by papal decree are made after an exhaustive and deliberative process including consultations with bishops and theologians. The development of the Catechism and Canon Law are other examples of this process.

There are advisory committees at the Vatican which study various topics and issue reports from time to time. Popes are not required to act on these reports, but the reports can become part of the data used to advance a change over the course of time. Take for example the idea of ordaining women to the diaconate. The International Theological Commission of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has studied this question three times: from 1972-1974 for Paul VI, from 1992-1997 for John Paul II, and from 1997-2002 for both John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Three studies, three popes, but no outcomes. Pope Francis appointed a separate panel of scholars in 2016 to study the question again, and despite recent newspaper articles, I think the jury is still out on that one.

There are synods, special gatherings of bishops along with other clergy, consecrated religious, scholars and the laity to take up a specific set of questions, themes or handle specific disciplinary issues. Often synods are more local, but they can be requested by a Pope. The work of a synod is advisory.

Then there are ecumenical councils. These are gatherings of the world’s bishops generally at the request of a pope to take up questions of Church doctrine or discipline. The work of a council is legally binding on the Church. There have been approximately 21 ecumenical councils from the Council of Jerusalem that we find in Acts 15 that occurred within years of Jesus’ resurrection to the Second Vatican Council. Just over three hundred years mark the time between the Council of Trent (1545-4563) to the First Vatican Council (1870). It takes almost one hundred years before the Second Vatican Council to be called (1962-1965). So, the calling of a council is an extraordinary event, at least in the life of the Church over the last 500 years.

While there certainly are examples of big changes in the life of the Church, most changes are incremental usually occurring over time. Going back to the example of women deacons, while there has been a lot of study and discussion on the topic, some might argue that nothing has changed. But that’s not true. In 2009, Benedict made a small change to canon law to further distinguish deacons from priests. The change clarified that deacons do not act in the person of Christ the Head. Deacons who are empowered to serve the People of God in the ministries of liturgy, the word and charity, act in the person of Christ the servant. On one hand, this sounds like insignificant word play. But it has been suggested that this subtle change in canon law actually did two important things. It placed a codified limit on the priesthood to men and it opened the door to the possibility of women deacons.

I would suggest that this is a sign of an incremental change that may take centuries before it bears fruit. Actually, the entire diaconate is an example of incremental change. For reasons unknown, the diaconate as a separate order dies out sometime during the Middle Ages. It is revived in 1967 (more or less 500 years later) by Paul VI at the recommendation of the Second Vatican Council, but it was limited to men. The question of women deacons has continued to be studied off and on for almost fifty years. While this is disheartening for some, I think it is an example of change in the Church. I think we can describe change in the Church as a deliberative, if not slow, process.

Why?

I think that the Church tries very hard to be an authentic representation of the Christ’s church on earth. That means the Church is sensitive to not get swept away by fads, popularity and emotion. The Church is not in a popularity contest. The Church is about saving souls – period.

I think the Church is also sensitive to moving at pace that is comfortable for the majority. The Church takes seriously the threat of schisms and tries hard to keep the community of the faithful together. If I may use a hiking analogy, the Church tries not to move faster than the slowest person in the group.

Look, change happens. But when change happens in the Church, don’t assume that it is a knee-jerk reaction to anything. Try to remember that a lot of prayer, research, and time went into any change we experience in the Church.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal and next time on All Things Catholic, I think we’ll take up the question of the Amazon Synod and the Pope’s exhortation, “Querida Amazonia”.

You’re listening to All Things Catholic.

This episode was produced by deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join us again next time and don’t forget to watch for the weekend edition where we break open the Word. Peace!

References:

  1. McGonigle, Tomas D. and James F. Quigley. A History of the Christian Tradition: From the Reformation to the Present. New York: Paulist Press, 1996.
  2. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
  3. Zagano, Phyllis. “What’s the problem with women deacons?” U.S. Catholic, 26 February 2018, http://www.uscatholic.org/womendeacons, (accessed 3 March 2020).
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The Narrow Path

a path through rock that narrows to a slim opening

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Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1, 2
Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

“Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23) Talk about insecurity!

Today’s first reading from Isaiah 66:18-21, and the Gospel reading from Luke 13:22-30, really speak to us about God’s infinite mercy for everyone.

But those who were walking with Jesus, witnessing all his works, presumably calling themselves his disciples, still lacked confidence that they would be saved. I don’t know anybody like that, do you?

Then Jesus says, “Strive to enter through the narrow door,” (Luke 13:24). Jesus isn’t talking about some strange gnostic or Calvinist idea of predestination. No! The Greek word that is used for “strive” is the word we get “agony” from, which in this case means strenuous athletic effort. This is much like the “agony” athletes go through – the effort, the energy, pain and dedication it takes to compete in the Olympics for example. Years of dedication and effort, and yet not all who try will make it to through the narrow gate of competition. Not all will make it to the Olympics. This is the way Jesus describes the path of the disciple.

But wait! There’s more!

Jesus goes on to say, “After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth…” (Luke 13:25-28).

Later, Jesus says that, “…people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south…some who are last who will be first, and some who are first who will be last” (Luke 13:29-30), and the implication is that it might not be them. Now think about that…you’ve been walking with Jesus, but you find yourself outside and others you don’t even know will come from all parts of the world and they, they who did not personally walk with Jesus, might be allowed inside.

Whoa!

This is what should give all of us pause. It doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting in the pew on a regular basis, or you faithfully serve all the time, as clergy or a lay minister. Why? There is no salvation by association, and we can’t earn our way into heaven by going to church or serving the community.

What then does it take and why does Jesus call it the narrow gate?

I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. What does it mean to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior? It means I have to surrender. I accept that Jesus is the Lord of my life, and that I am not the lord of the manner. It’s not my life to live however I want to live whenever I want to live and doing whatever I want. My purpose isn’t to satisfy every one of my hedonistic or narcissistic desires. I have to acknowledge that God created me for a purpose, and that I need to discover and live that purpose as faithfully as possible.

Okay, so I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. Now what? Our responsorial psalm today reminds us that we need to, “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” That’s the response we make to Psalm 117.

As a disciple, I am called to go out into the world and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. I need to share the Good News with those who can’t come to church, don’t come to church or won’t come to church. That’s a big challenge. Look at what’s happening in the world all around us. Once again, we see the rise of nationalism, the rise of bigotry, of hatred, of racism. The world once again is ignoring the lessons paid for with the blood of our fathers and grandfathers who fought to end all wars. The world marches almost gleefully into darkness.

But we, the children of the light, are called to share the light of Jesus Christ with those cast in darkness. That takes great courage, but indeed that is the kind of person who will enter through the narrow gate – those who accept Jesus Christ and who aren’t afraid to spread the Good News about God’s infinite, unmerited, undeserved gift of mercy for all of His creation.

You can’t be born into salvation. Salvation isn’t limited to some racial or ethnic group. Salvation isn’t offered to those who work hard at being good people. Salvation is offered to those who accept the Lord’s invitation. All it takes is our free response.

Are you ready?

Homework! I encourage you to spend some time this week reflecting on the following questions.

  1. First, have I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior? Maybe I’ve been living like a Christian by default, either by birth, expectation or obligation? Or maybe I haven’t opened myself up to Jesus Christ.
  2. Second, have I surrendered by life to Jesus Christ? Or do I still have the arrogance to think it’s my way.

I think by doing our homework today, we can deepen our resolve as disciples of Jesus Christ and help bring the message of hope to a world that desperately needs to hear it. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!