What do we have left in the tank? Can we give a bit more?

Third Week of Easter Thursday

Acts 8: 26-40

John 6: 44-51

It is day 44 of not celebrating Mass because of the Coronavirus.

 

What do you left in you, can you give a little more? I have this as day 44 for the stay at home order. Things are getting tough, but can we give a little bit more? Our readings have a lot to do with giving a bit more.

 

In our first reading, Philip gives a little more as he encounters a court official coming down the road reading from the Book of Isaiah. The passage he is reading is what we hear on Good Friday. Philip asks him if he understands what he is reading, and the man says, “He does not understand.” Philip explains the whole scripture passage for him. Philip is ready to give even more as now the man asks to be baptized, and he baptizes him. Philip gives a little more what a good lesson for us.  

 

In our Gospel, Jesus shows us how much he is willing to give as he says, “I am the living bread that comes down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” Jesus knows that every few hours, our stomachs are going to tell us to eat something. The food that Jesus is offering can fill us up for a lifetime and into eternity. Jesus is willing to give so much

 

My friends in Christ, what do we left in us, are we able to give a little more?

Lost and Found!

Third Week of Easter Wednesday

Acts 8:1-8

John 6:35-40

Feast day of St. Catherine of Siena

 

“Where is your lost and found?” I would get asked that a lot when we were able to gather. I would guess that every public building has some kind of Lost and Found place. Our readings speak about the lost and the found.

 

In our first reading, after Stephen is martyred, Saul goes from house to house, dragging out those who profess faith as a Christian and having them imprisoned. The whole region in and around Jerusalem is in disarray, as many people are fleeing.

We hear of Philip, who travels north to Samaria, and although this was a place that was very hostile to Jesus and the others, Philip makes a place of the Lost and Found. We are told that as Philip preached, there many people who were once lost become found, and they are filled with joy.

 

In our Gospel, it is all about the Lost and Found as Jesus continues with the bread of life discourse as he says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” He goes on to say I am about seeking the lost and knowing they are found, and I will never give up on you.”

 

My friends in Christ, how might we be feeling lost but not found during this time of isolation? May we know the joy of being found by Jesus this day?    

 

Signs, sign everywhere a sign!

Tuesday Third Weekday Easter

Acts 7:51-8:1

John 6: 30-35

 

Do you ask God for a sign before you act? I do all the time, and I do not see it as a lack of faith. I see it as necessary. I believe asking for a sign is a good thing because when they happen, they give us feedback from God that we need. Signs usually are short and simple. Most signs occur in an instant. Because signs happen quickly, it demands of us to be looking and to be checked into God. So sings require us to be attentive to the movement of God, and then to act on whatever God gave us. In our readings today, we get someone who is ready and those who are not ready.

 

In our first reading, we hear of the martyrdom of Stephen. Stephen is given a sign before he is stoned to death as he is able to see the glory of God. I believe this sign gave Stephen the strength and the courage to go to his death.

 

But there is another sign given in this passage,  and that is the sign given to Saul, who is overseeing Stephen’s death, who would later become Paul. Paul would reflect on this sign many times in his life.

 

In Our Gospel, the crowds want another sign, and this is the same crowd who were feed by Jesus from five loaves of bread and a few fish. The crowds recall the sign given by Moses, who feed their ancestors in the desert. Jesus reminds them of the sign that was given to their ancestors, who God was acting in and through Moses. Jesus goes on to say that he is the only sign that they will need, and they fail to see the sign.

 

What are the signs that God is sending us today? Will we be attentive to what God is saying to us?

 

 

Let’s go for a walk!!!

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 14:22-23

Peter 1:17-21

Luke 24: 13-35

 

I have been going for half-hour walks around the campus two to three times a day during this pandemic. On my walks, I talk about all my disappointments and the things that I am getting discouraged about at this time with God. If you are like me and are feeling this way, we have a wonderful message for us in our readings today.

 

The very first thing I find very interesting in our Gospel is that after Jesus has risen from the dead, he does not go to the eleven apostles who are huddled in a room filled with fear. Jesus decides it is more important to appear first to two minor disciples, and we know they are minor because we only know the name of one. Jesus appears to them because they have given up on him, and they are filled with disappointment and are discouragement. Jesus is telling us, “I can’t have anyone giving up on me; I have to go to them first and answer all their questions.   

 

These two disciples on their way home, and they are discussing all their disappointments and discouragement about Jesus not being the Savior. As they are talking about all these things, Jesus appears to them, but they fail to recognize him. I love that Jesus meets them right where they are by asking them, “What are you talking about?” The two disciples share with him all of their disappointments and discouragements, and Jesus just listens, then he says, “But here is what you are missing, and here is what you have left out.”

 

The next best thing that happens is the disciples invite Jesus to come into their home of disappointment and discouragement. As they are eating, Jesus takes the bread, and as he breaks it, they realize it is Jesus, and he vanishes from their sight. The next thing the disciples say is, “Were not our hearts burning within us as he spoke to us?”

 

My friends in Christ, in our lives right now we all have lots of disappointments and discouragement we know what it looks like and how it feels. However, we do not know what life will look like when things return to some normalcy, but if we allow Jesus to walk with us and fill our hearts with his word, we may be able to say, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he spoke.” May we see and understand the blessings in our midst.

 

There is a lot to figure out!

Friday of the

Second Week of Easter

Acts 5:34-42

John 6:1-15

 

It sounds as though our Governor will be extending the stay at home order until Friday, May 15, and she will be allowing some businesses to start up on May 1. Before we can gather for the Eucharist, there will be a lot that needs to be figured out. There are a lot of things to be figured out in our readings today.

 

In our first reading, the religious leaders are trying to figure out what they are going to do with the apostles as they continue to preach about Jesus Christ. Gamaliel stands up and says, “Maybe we should do nothing because these men are doing things for God, and we do not want to fight against God.”

 

In our Gospel, we hear John’s version of the feeding of the five thousand. In John’s story, it is Jesus asking the apostles to figure out how to feed the five-thousand people as he turns to Philip asks, “What are we going to do to feed all these people?” Another interesting thing that John has in this story is the description that “there was a great deal of grass in that place.” Why would this need to be said? John wants the people reading this to recall Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

 

A small boy is brought forward with five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus takes this food from the boy, blesses it, and distributes it to the people feeding five-thousand and having twelve baskets of food leftover.  The last point to ponder, is why leftovers? At this time in history, there is no place to store leftovers. Food is to be prepared and eaten at one time.

 

My friends in Christ, we like to control things. As we try and figure things out today, we need to be reminded that God’s wisdom supersedes our logic. Will we allow the Good Shepherd to lead us to greener pastures because if we do, then he will lead us to a life of abundance?

Are we obedient to God this day?

Thursday Second Week of Easter

Acts 5:27-33

John 3:31-36

 

I was talking with a parishioner yesterday in the church, and we both talked about how we have been obedient to the social distancing but it hard because we miss our loved ones, and we miss that human touch. Our readings have some things to say about being obedient.

 

In our first reading, the apostles have been arrested twice, put in jail, and now are standing before the Sanhedrin. One thing to know is that as the apostles are standing there, they are outmatched by the 71 members of this court. The apostles have been told never to speak the name of Jesus ever again. The apostles respond, “We are filled with the Holy Spirit, and we are not able to stop speaking the name of Jesus, because we have to be obedient to God.” 

 

In our Gospel, Jesus is telling Nicodemus, who is trying to figure this whole thing out, “You have to be obedient to the one who is from above because there is no rationing of the Holy Spirit.”

 

My friends in Christ, what would our lives look like if we were obedient to the Lord in our thoughts, words, and actions? God is calling us to be obedient. Let us be big and brave today.  

 

Are we going to the light or to the darkness?

Easter Weekday Wednesday

Acts 5:17-26

John 3: 16-21

 

Easter is a time to examine what it is you are drawn to.  Are we drawn to the light and all things that brighten our day? Or do we wait for the night, where temptation and evil may lurk to pull us under? There can be this internal conflict going on in each of us. It’s good to be aware of this, and to heed the warning signs and to stay strong and go to the light. Our readings have this wonderful interplay between light and dark.  

 

In our first reading, the apostles are preaching in the temple during the day at Solomon’s Portico, and they are arrested for preaching and healing the sick. During the night, an angel comes and frees them from jail. The next day, the apostles go right back to the temple and begin preaching again. When the guards do not find the apostles in the jail, they go and arrest the apostles a second time. The apostles are living in the light, and when they are in darkness, and the angel comes and saves them and brings them to the light.

 

In our Gospel, we hear the most famous line in sacred scripture, “God so loved the world that he gave his only son that anyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” God’s plan is for us to follow the light as Jesus says, “Evil people prefer the night to do their evil deeds, but holy people live in the light because they live in truth, so their deeds may be seen.”

 

What are we drawn to today, the light or darkness? As Easter people may, we live in the light this day.

Do we live in one mind and heart?

Easter Weekday Tuesday

Acts 4:32-37

John 3:7-15

 

I love our readings today because we can relate so easily to what the Christian community is going through as we continue to experience this stay at home order.  

 

In our first reading from the Book of Acts, we hear of people who are trying to live by the way that Jesus did and by what he said. The group of believers knows of the life, and death, of Jesus but the resurrection has made them even more serious about their faith. One man who took his faith seriously sold a piece of property and gave the money to the apostles. He will be forever remembered as a “son of encouragement.”

 

In our Gospel, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, and he tells him, “You must be born from above.” Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus is saying, so Jesus gives him an analogy to help him understand as Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit being like the wind that blows about.

 

My friends in Christ, for us to do what our readings are talking about is only possible by realizing that conversion to Jesus Christ has to happen every day, not just once and done.  True conversion is allowing the Holy Spirit to blow us where God wants us to be.

 

What would things look like in our homes to make sure that “Everyone was of one heart and one mind?” What would it take for us to not think of ourselves and to make sure that others are well cared for today? May God’s word sink deep into our hearts this day?

Do I like myself?

Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:42-47

Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

 

It has been an interesting week. I have never spent so much time alone in my life! At one point during the week, I had to ask myself, “Do I even like myself to spend this much time alone? Do I like myself enough to know that the risen Christ is working in and through me?” 

 

Today as we do every year, we are going to look at St. Thomas. I believe Thomas thought well of himself. If we look back in scripture, the gospel of John has two stories of Thomas. At the raising of Lazarus, it is Thomas who says, “Let us go and die with him!” He sounds pretty confident of himself and in Jesus. In another story, it is Thomas who is willing to say what is on the apostle’s minds, “We don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Thomas is brave enough to ask the question of Jesus, so all would feel better.

 

I wonder what the apostles thought of themselves. The apostles are still terrified and not sure of themselves as they are huddled in the upper room with the doors and windows locked. Jesus appears to them and says, “Peace be with you.” He shows them his hands and his feet, and once again says, “Peace be with you.” He breaths on them and giving them the Holy Spirit. Was this enough to change their ideas of themselves?

 

Thomas is not with the apostles when Jesus first appeared to them. When he returns, he says, I will not believe unless I see the wounds in his hands, his feet, and his side.” I wonder if part of Thomas’s reasoning for saying what he did is because he does not see a change in the apostle’s life. The door and the windows are still locked; we get no evidence of them going out to preach the Good News. I wonder if Thomas is thinking, “What do you guys think of yourselves, you have seen the risen Christ?”

 

When Jesus comes a week later, the room is still on lockdown, and the apostles are still huddled together. Jesus calls Thomas over and shows him the wounds, and Thomas proclaims, “My Lord and my God!” Tradition has it that Thomas thought pretty much of this event as he went all the way to India to minister.

 

My friends in Christ, do we like ourselves to allow the risen Christ to change us? Are we willing to let go of hatred, a lack of forgiveness, bitterness, and a lack of patience? Let us think better of ourselves, as the risen Christ lives within us.

It is hard to recognize!

Friday Octave of Easter

Acts 4:11-12

John 21:1-14

 

It is hard to recognize people or see their expressions when wearing a mask. I was in the grocery store the other day, and I had my mask on, and I came to the end of the aisle, and as I wanted to turn left, someone else wearing a mask was coming the other way. I smiled and said, “I am sorry,” but I know she could not tell that I was smiling, and I certainly could not know if she was smiling. How do we recognize those things in our lives that God is giving us?

 

I love our Gospel as it is full of things to reflect on. In our story today, it is Simon Peter does not yet recognize Jesus as risen from the dead so he decides to go fishing, and some of the other disciples go with him. As they are fishing, Jesus is on the shore, and he begins to talk with them, but they do not recognize him. When Jesus tells them to put their nets out on the other side of the boat, and they do they pull in a record amount of fish. The other disciple, known as John, recognizes that it is the Lord and says, “It is the Lord.” Peter recognizing now that it is the Lord, swims to shore. Jesus is giving the disciples a new calling as they begin to recognize him.

 

In our first reading, Peter and John are living for the Lord as they recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world. Both of them are doing just what Jesus did, as they are preaching, teaching, and healing people. The two are arrested and asked, “By whose authority are you doing these things?” This is the same question that was asked of Jesus. Peter responds, “By what good deed are you arresting us?” This is also the same answer Jesus gave to this question. So it is obvious that Peter and John now do know Jesus the risen Christ very well.

 

How do we recognize Christ in our lives in those that God has blessed us within our lives? How are we being challenged to share the Good News of Jesus Christ this day?