5th Sunday of Easter

 We are reminded today that without the Lord we can do nothing: "Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless is abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me." (Jn 15: 4) Is it possible that once I have been baptized and confirmed that I have all I need in my relationship with God? Do I need to go to Mass, or can I pray by myself and direct my own spiritual path? The answer to this is "no." By osmosis we absorb harmful influences from the surrounding society, and we are misled internally by our pride and delusions of self-sufficiency. Jesus tells the disciples: "You have already been cleansed by the word I have spoken to you." (Jn 15: 3) We need constant "cleansing" through listening to the Word and receiving the sacraments. The Early Church knew that it was not acting independently of Jesus and of Peter, the Rock, on which he built his Church: "Then I (St Paul) laid before them... the Gospel I had proclaimed among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain." (Gal 2: 2). The Risen Lord told them: "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Mtt 28: 20) and at the conclusion of St Mark's gospel: "And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it." (Mk 16: 20)

4th Sunday of Easter

 Jesus in today's gospel is the Good Shepherd. This Sunday is often used to promote vocations to the ordained ministry. The world, when it seeks to attack the Church, will inevitably try to destroy Our Lady and the priesthood. The ministry of Pope Francis and the bishops is essential to keeping us united as Catholics. We need to remember to listen to the voices of our shepherds and not to other alien and hostile voices who seek to discredit the authority and teaching of the Church which has endured through the centuries since the resurrection. As much as they are weak, in keeping with our general human condition, the mark of a true shepherd is that he gives his life for the flock. The example and commitment of Bishop John and the priests of this diocese is a visible witness of such love for the Church.

 

3rd Sunday of Easter

 Did Jesus and his followers seek revenge for the killing of Jesus? No, the First Reading for today shows St Peter inviting his fellow Jews to repent: "Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out." (Acts 3: 19) God did not give up on the Jewish people and nor does he give up on us. Jesus did not give up on the disciples who were on the way to the Emmaus and away from the rest of the community. Likewise, God does not give up on us or anyone who turns away from him but rather calls them to return and receive the benefit of his love and joy which is the fruit of the resurrection. Let us, therefore, not be pessimistic or full of anger towards a society, in the West, that has repudiated the Lord. We can hear St Peter say also to them: "And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers." (Acts 3: 17) It can be difficult because our feelings can be hurt by the actions of those who demonize the Catholic Church. Nevertheless, the Second Reading reminds us: "...he (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for us only but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 Jn 2: 2) His love is for everyone including those who persecute him and his Church.

2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)

 The greeting of the Risen Lord to his Apostles is: "Peace be with you." (Jn 20: 19) The prayer the priest prays, prior to the sign of Peace in every Mass, starts: "Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: peace I leave you, my peace I give you." Thus, every time we attend Mass we are recalling and invoking the presence of the Risen Lord to our celebration. We can, like the Apostles in the Upper Room, be paralyzed by fear: "...the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jewish authorities." (Jn 20: 19) Just as the Apostles were empowered by Jesus so too, we, as missionary disciples in 2024 are reinvigorated in our mission to share the joy of the Gospel with the community around us. Lest we be scandalized by our weakness the priest goes on to pray: "... look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever." The Divine Mercy assures us of the forgiveness of our Lord. Furthermore, we are not alone. We are supported by the faith of the Church which includes the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles who continue to help us in our own struggles and weakness.

Easter Sunday

 The Lord is risen! Alleluia! We sing alleluia now but what was the first response of the disciples to the Resurrection? We read that the angels tell them: "Do not be alarmed" (Mk 16: 6) or "Do not be afraid" (Mtt 28: 5), because: "The women were terrified." (Lk 24: 5) They reacted with fear: "So they went away from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid" (Mk 16: 8), or confusion: "They have taken the Lord out from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." (Jn 20: 2) Fortunately, we live after Pentecost and have seen the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church since that resurrection morning, most likely seventy two hours after 3pm on April 13, AD 30. As much as the contemporary world, with all its challenges, may cause us fear or confusion we can have a sure and certain hope that Jesus Christ is indeed risen. The willingness of early Christians to die for this belief points to its truth. Thus, our appropriate reaction is Easter joy. We give voice to this in the Mass, especially the alleluia which has remained silent throughout Lent! May God bless you all on this Easter day and fill you with wonder at the beautiful faith we have received from the Apostles. Alleluia!

Celebration of the Lord's Passion

 What is the point of the Passion of the Lord? The letter to the Hebrews tells us: "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him." (Heb 5:8-9) The deeply unpopular concept of obedience is therefore pivotal to the history of salvation. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, by eating from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and sought to overthrow Him. They were expelled from the Garden. Jesus dies on a Tree in obedience to the Father and opens paradise not just to the repentant thief but to all those who believe in him. Each one of us, not just priests and religious, need to learn obedience so as to be perfected in love of the Lord who died to save us from our sins.

Mass of the Lord's Supper

 Jesus tells Peter: "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." (Jn 13: 8) This can speak to us of prevenient grace. Unless we recognize the God's acts ahead of us and gives us the grace to respond to his love we will not truly have a share in his mission: "For the love of Christ urges us on." (2 Cor 5: 14) Let us be open to his grace, especially this Easter. We need to be humble enough to accept Jesus' example and lead. Otherwise, our faith can be self-indulgent and self-willed. In this way we would work for ourselves and not for the Lord. Thus, there would be no share in the mission of Christ because we are acting out our own mission.