Fourth Sunday in Easter

Jesus is the model shepherd and guardian of our souls. He makes it clear that a good shepherd lays down his life for the protection and guidance of the sheep. The bad or hired shepherd, is merely utilitarian. When trouble (wolves) arrive, this shepherd flees as he is only interested in the self and self-preservation. St. Peter, unfortunately, was like the hired shepherd at one point who denied Christ three times in his moment of need. Yet, St. Peter emerged as the leader and shepherd of the Universal Church. Thus, there is hope for all.

One of the quintessential qualities of being a sheperd is courage. The main source of our courage is knowledge of God and of his constant care for us. Many people who are plagued by fear are really suffering from a problem of truth. They have not grasped through wisdom and understanding who God really is and how he orders his world. God wants to shepherd his people and in so doing lead them home.

Scripture Readings for April 21, 2024

Acts 4:8-12
Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
1 John 3:1-2
John 10:11-18 

Third Sunday in Easter

"You are witnesses to these things." -Luke 24:48

As human beings we witness many things ranging from good to evil. To witness means that one sees, hears, and knows by personal presence and or perception. It is the ability to testify to; to give or afford evidence of something or someone. 

The twelve apostles were witnesses of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Particularly, these post resurrection appearances made by Jesus remind his disciples and followers that death ultimately leads to life. As Christians, we have been commissioned by Christ to not only experience the power of God individually but witness to it by the holiness of our daily lives.

Scripture Readings for April 14, 2024

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-9
1 John 2:1-5
Luke 24:35-48 
 

Divine Mercy Sunday

Blessed John Henry Newman once said, " 10,000 difficulties do not equal 1 doubt. To Blessed Newman's point, we face difficulties every day which can lead to pain and suffering. Suffering, if seen in light of faith, has the ability to purify the mind, intellect, and will. 

In today's Gospel, Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus appeared to the disciples. When Thomas did arrive though, he made an incredible statement about not believing unless he sees the nail marks and places his hand into Jesus' side. We can all relate to Thomas. Sometimes words are not enough as our pain and suffering run deep. Therefore, seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.

Scripture Readings for April 7, 2024

Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
 1 John 5:1-6
John 20:19-31
 

Holy Saturday At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
(Homily Taken from Easter Vigil)

The Lord is Risen! He has Truly Risen!
Blessed Easter to you!

We do not hear much about Holy Saturday as we move from the tragic events of Good Friday to the Glory of Easter Sunday. Nonetheless, the stillness and great calm of Holy Saturday helps prepare the Church for a most glorious day!!!

"What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled. Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son." (Source: Ancient Homily)

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

James Allen Francis' poem entitled One Solitary Life, summarizes quite well the life and death of Jesus Christ and His impact on the world. Our focus has been and always will be Jesus. Palm Sunday invites the Universal Church to walk with Him as He endures His passion. Jesus' walk toward Golgotha can provide encouragement to humanity as well. When we humbly submit to the Father our sorrows and sufferings, something glorious can take its place.

"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5 


Scripture Readings for March 24, 2024

Mark 11:1-10
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Mark 15:1-39 

Fifth Sunday in Lent

The Scripture readings for this weekend remind us that God has formed an alliance or covenant with His people just as He has done throughout all generations. A covenant requires humanity to abide by God's established rules. Moses reminded the people about the covenant God established with Israel. Jeremiah reminded the Israelite people to stay faithful to the covenant. Jesus now simply does not follow the law but comes to fulfill it. 

Take some time to pray that this Lenten season may inspire you, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to follow God's laws which have been taught not as an ideal but as a lived reality. To love the Lord your God with all of heart, with all of your mind, and with all of your soul; to love your neighbor as yourself.

Scripture Readings for March 17, 2024

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15
Hebrews 5:7-9
John 12:20-33

Fourth Sunday in Lent

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Today's Gospel describes the reason for our joy: God's great love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Jesus' powerful conversation with Nicodemus, a man of the law, reveals God's plan for the world. May we have eyes to see and hearts to believe Jesus' invitation for conversion and transformation!

Scripture Readings for March 10, 2024

2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Psalm 137:1-6
Ephesians 2:4-10
John 3:14-21

Third Sunday in Lent

St. Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, calls people to remember the heart of faith: "proclaiming Christ crucified.” Though we may focus on Jesus' teaching or his miracles, the core of our faith is rooted in this reality. 

From the cross Jesus reveals God’s love to all people no matter who they are. Jesus proclaims God’s forgiveness to all. Therefore, our lives are intended to model service and sacrifice. Putting now this belief into practice beckons a call to action as individuals and as a community. Proclaiming Christ Crucified eliminates divisions that may develop within local communities, the Church, and society at large. 

Scripture Readings for March 3, 2024

Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19:8-11
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
John 2:13-25

Second Sunday in Lent

Mother Teresa, was once asked by a reporter in Calcutta, India whether she believed her work with the poor and marginalized was successful. Mother Teresa lovingly responded, "God does not call us to be successful, He calls us to be faithful."

The demonstration of Abraham's faithfulness in the book of Genesis, when he was on the verge of sacrificing his own beloved son Isaac, is critical in helping humanity understand God's intentions when it comes to trials and tribulations. God does not test humanity to crucify, rather through faithfulness to Him, He aims to crown humanity with righteousness. 

As we are now in the second week of Lent, what areas of our lives do we see God's invitation to persevere in faithfulness?

Scripture Reading for February 25, 2024

Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
Ps 116:10, 15-19 
Romans 8:31-34
Mark 9:2-10

First Sunday in Lent

This Lent we are once again invited to pay attention to our own desert. We investigate the desert of a society divided morally, politically, and in so many other ways. But we are also aware of a desert which we are called to enter willingly which helps us to open our hearts and our ears to the words of the Lord: “Repent and believe in the gospel.” We are invited once again into a process of metanoia, that is, of conversion and a change of mind and heart, of turning away from sin, and turning to God with all we are! In doing so, we become a light for others as well. 

As we begin this Lenten journey with curiosity, faith, and hope in our God of mercy and compassion, we walk with catechumens and candidates to the waters of baptism and the Easter Sacraments. For now, let us allow the ashes we received to burn not just our foreheads, but burn our hearts with the desire to follow Christ to the Cross, to the tomb, and to eternal life.

 
Scripture Reading for February 18, 2024

Genesis 9:8-15
Ps 25:4-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:12-15