Tag: encounter

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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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5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of a hill overlooking water and two people far in the distance on top of hill

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10
Responsorial: Psalm 112:4-9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Brothers and sisters, we’ve talked a lot about discipleship. But today’s readings, help us understand what it means to live a life of discipleship. Look at the first reading, for example, from Isaiah. The people have returned from captivity and they’re trying to rebuild their lives, their nation, their capital and in particular, the temple, which is the center of Jewish faith and worship.

Earlier in the book of Isaiah he addresses forms of inauthentic worship. So, now the people are rebuilding the temple to restart Jewish cultic ritual, but Isaiah cautions them. He says to them that proof of authentic worship is by the way the people live their lives, like sharing their bread with the hungry, or sheltering the oppressed and homeless, and clothing the naked.

In other words, authentic faith life is not about ticking a box on your calendar, showing up for mass, then rushing out the door to get a great seat at the restaurant. Isaiah is telling us that authentic praise and worship begins with an internal conversion. If you treat the people around, especially the marginalized with generosity, then you will be light in the darkness.

We hear a similar metaphor in today’s Gospel. True discipleship has to be about – it has to begin with real, internal conversion. And the proof of our conversion is that way we engage the world around us. Our light will shine in the darkness if we try to live authentically – when we walk the walk.

Jesus also describes the disciple as salt of the earth. Salt not only flavors food, but it’s a preservative, right? So, living a life of discipleship challenges the way things are and helps preserve goodness in the world. That sounds nice and it’s certainly a noble pursuit, but I think it can be very difficult in today’s culture where we define success as money, privilege, and power to live out our faith. I think it can be difficult for the Christian to reconcile our faith with the way we work. It’s just business, right?

First, helping the marginalized – feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked – begins by treating every person we encounter, especially those we work with and those who work for us, with respect – by not trying to cheat them or take advantage of them for the sake of quarterly earnings. If someone accepts employment in good faith, but your profitability strategy hinges on laying them off before Christmas or after they turn fifty, then that is an exploitative practice and a sinful injustice. It’s the opposite of being a light set on a lampstand.

Ok, so does that mean we need to show up for work with our Bibles and our catechisms, or get an advanced degree in theology so that we’re ready to debate with leaders and shareholders? No, of course not. St. Paul gives us some insight into how we could begin in today’s second reading.

Now he’s going to build on what he’s telling us in the second reading next week, but this week he says you don’t need to come with some big compendium of faith under your arm. We show up in humility and we trust in God. Paul shows up before the Corinthians in weakness and fear and much trembling. But he put his faith in the scandal of the cross and stood before the people. He calls it scandalous because Jesus had to be crucified and die on it.

Putting our faith in Christ Jesus who was scandalized for our sake and allowing ourselves to feel a little uncomfortable regardless whether people will see us as foolish is a willing sacrifice we make as his disciples. Because in the end, it’s not about us – it’s not about whether you or I feel comfortable or uncomfortable. It’s about Jesus. We try by our actions, our words, the very way we live our lives, to facilitate an encounter between someone – anyone – and Jesus Christ. That’s it. We trust that encounter to the Holy Spirit, and we get out of the way.

Homework! After receiving Christ in the Word proclaimed and, in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.

  1. You are the light of the World. How can I bring light and truth into my interactions with others?
  2. Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. How does the way I live reflect what I believe?

Our homework this week is a good exercise for us as disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? The go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

  1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
  3. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Christian beatitude, 1716, 1720
  2. Poor in spirit, 544, 2546
  3. Pure in heart, 2518
  4. Peacemakers, 2305, 2330
  5. Heaven, 326
  6. Christ, center of catechesis, 426

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 73
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020920.cfm
First Reading
Isaiah 58:7-10
Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

Responsorial
Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.

Alleluia
John 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

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15 We Are One Body

Picture of baby Sofia

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Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 – Nehemiah 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm – Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Gospel – Luke 1:1-4

China 2008. A mother gives birth to baby girl. The baby has a severe cleft lip and palate. She’s so little and so fragile. She can’t create a suction because of her cleft, so feeding her is almost impossible. What is she supposed to do? We’ll get back to that in a minute.

The great challenge of today’s readings is about “fresh starts.” Why are the people crying in the first reading from Nehemiah? Well, the Jews had rebuilt the Temple and restored Jerusalem after the end of the Babylonian captivity. Ezra, the spiritual leader of the people, and before Nehemiah, the Governor appointed by Persia, read and interpreted God’s Law to the people. The people were crying tears of joy at this fresh start – this new beginning – for their people.

Back to China. Mom decides to leave the baby on the doorstep of a Buddhist convent. The Buddhist nuns find her on their doorstep with no information, no note, not even a date of birth. The nuns had the baby over to the Chinese authorities who approximate and assign her date of birth. They then place her with an orphanage. Now, there are many orphanages in China that range from just collecting a paycheck to extraordinary. By the grace of God, the baby finds her way to an extraordinary orphanage. The orphanage has a relationship with a U.S. nonprofit agency called Love Without Boundaries. They commit to helping this baby with lip surgery, but first she needs to get her weight up as she is severely malnourished. Let’s leave this story here for a now.

In the Gospel today, Jesus announces the beginning of his mission and ministry as he participates in the Sabbath Liturgy of the Word in the Synagogue in his native home in Nazareth. Then he says, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21). We’ll see how that story turns out next week, but Jesus is saying that his mission, which is similar to the mission given to Moses in Exodus, is to: 1) Bring glad tidings to the poor; 2) To proclaim liberty to captives; 3) To give recovery of sight to the blind; 4) To free the oppressed; and 5) to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord, which means the Jubilee Year, a time for forgiveness and restoration.
So Jesus sums up the sources of His: 1) power and authority; and 2) the nature of His freeing and saving ministry. What does that mean for us?

Back to China. The U.S. nonprofit organization places the baby with a foster family, especially trained to provide care to fragile children. The goal is to get her weight up so that her chances of a successful surgery improve. Her cleft prevents her from creating suction, so she cannot take a bottle. Her foster mother must hold and slowly feed her with a small spoon. Each feeding takes well over two hours. But will it work? Ok, getting back to today’s readings.

St. Paul tells us that as disciples of Jesus, we make up the body of Christ. He says, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer…”, (1 Cor 12:26). So we can’t ignore those around us. We are called to share in the freeing and saving mission of Jesus that we heard proclaimed in the Gospel according to Luke. This idea is rooted in our understanding of the creation story; of being created in the image and likeness of God. This is the key of Catholic Social Teaching.

Back to China. The foster mother is successful and the baby is able to her cleft lip repaired. Her cleft palate will have to wait until she is adopted. Will she find her forever family? Stay tuned…

We can’t turn a blind eye to those around us. Like St. Paul says, a foot cannot say I don’t belong to the body because I’m not like the hand or whatever, (1 Cor 12:15). If one part of the body of Christ suffers, we all suffer. And there is great suffering among us today. New York just passed new legislation that greatly expands abortion, removes protections for the unborn child even if injured while the mother is robbed or assaulted, and permits abortion through birth.

This tragedy is based on language that sounds very reasonable, but really is not logical. An example of this language is a woman should have the right to do what she wants with her body. I understand why this idea resonates with so many Americans. It has all the hallmarks of freedom and liberty. But of course, this argument is based on a gross error in logic. No one – no man and no woman – has the absolute right to do what they want with their bodies. That’s not how modern societies are structured

When I was in college, my philosophy 101 professor put it this way. She said too often we confuse ability for rights. She said, I have the ability to take a gun load it, point it at someone and pull the trigger. But, just because I have the ability to do that doesn’t mean that I have the right to do it. Society has the right to promote the common good and thus has the ability to restrict what a person can do with their body.

Here’s another example. Years ago a friend forwarded to me a video of a Dallas-area Southern Baptist preacher by the name of Matt Chandler. He put it this way. If you think you have the absolute right to do whatever you want with your body, get in your and drive naked down the highway at 95 miles an hour and let’s see what happens.

This idea about unrestricted abortion as a right focuses more on the individual at the expense of those around them, including the unborn. It pushes the “me first” mentality which is at the heart of our consumerist-drive lifestyles – a mentality that reaches far beyond the topic of abortion.

Back to China. The baby is brought to the conference room of a huge hotel. As she sits on the enormous conference room table, she plays catch with the director of her orphanage. She doesn’t know it, but part of her forever family walks into the room. Her new mother catches her toy and they both look at each other for a second and then they both burst out laughing. She climbs into her new mother’s lap and will hardly let go of her the rest of the trip. She found her forever family! Of course the baby I’m talking about is my daughter, Sofia. While official abortion statistics are considered by the Chinese as state secrets, in 2008, the year Sofia was born, there were an estimated 13 million abortions performed and approximately 10 million abortion pills sold in China. Thank God her biological mother didn’t abort her. With what we know of Chinese abortions, yes, it probably would have been no problem. But abortion would have robed our family and everyone Sofia has touched with her beautiful smile and her huge heart. She graces the world with every bounding step she takes. Some might consider Sofia a choice. But to us, she is a brilliant gift that has totally and completely changed our family!

The challenge of our readings today is a fresh start – a new beginning. So now, in light of New York’s abortion law, we have the opportunity to begin again. Some people are so blind. Some people are held hostage – are oppressed – by a misguided philosophy based on absolute freedoms. Make no mistake, there are probably people all around us among our families and friends who support the New York law. We have a duty to reach out to them. How? We need to follow the example of Jesus. Look at the Gospel stories of the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery. Jesus did not yell at them. He didn’t demand their excommunication. He didn’t thump the sacred scrolls. He talked to them directly, but he treated them with respect. He challenged them embrace the Truth of the God who loves them.

We must remember that we cannot force anyone to change their lives or their opinions. All we can do is share the Truth in a loving way that affirms their dignity. And we can pray that the Holy Spirit will nurture the seeds of Truth we plant so that they might have a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ; an encounter that leads to transformation; transformation that leads to their salvation.

Homework! Nourished by the Jesus Christ present in the Word proclaimed and in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect and try these exercises:

  1. What does it mean and what are the implications of the statement that we are all created in the image and likeness of God?
  2. This one might take the entire week to do, but reach out to your family and friends starting with those in close proximity to you. Hug them and as you do, say a prayer of Thanksgiving for the life of that person. You can also try this with family and friends who don’t live near you. You can reach out through various face-to-face apps on your cell phone or your computer. Call them up and as you briefly visit with them, say a prayer of Thanksgiving for the life of that person.

I think by doing our homework, we will be reminded not just about the dignity of the other person, but also about the great gifts God has blessed us with in the form of our family, friends, and neighbors. Do you got it? Good! May each of us come to know the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. +Amen!

Further reading
Catechism of the Catholic Church:
356-384: In the Image of God
789-91: union in the body of Christ
805: The Church is the Body of Christ
1140: It is the whole community, the Body of Christ united with its Head, that celebrates.
2270-2275: Abortion
2322: The Fifth Commandment