Scripture Reflections for the Third Sunday of Easter: April 26, 2009

When Christ appears unexpectedly, the disciples are afraid—of course, that is their “usual pose” in the Gospels—forever afraid about something. But it is to that fear that Christ speaks words of assurance and peace, not words of exasperation. We, the 21st century disciples, are sort of like those first disciples. We, too, “frighten easily.” We are like nervous horses—ready to bolt at any disturbance. But, when we “bolt,” we are returning to familiar behaviors—all of the things we had hoped Christ would change in us. Yet, His words are not words of judgment. They are words of peace. Take a breath. Be at peace. He is here. All will be well. He gives us the space to return, and to grow. So let’s ask His Grace to continue to walk in His footsteps—the footsteps of the Prince of Peace.

Scripture Reflections for Low Sunday: April 19, 2009 (Sunday of The Divine Mercy)

“Forgiveness” is the message of the Gospel, from its opening lines to its conclusion. We usually think of the Holy Spirit coming to the Church at Pentecost, but today we read, that “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit!’” And when the Spirit of God comes, forgiveness comes, for God is love, and “His mercy is everlasting,” as the Psalmist puts it. And it is forgiveness we see at the Gospel’s conclusion, as Thomas’ lack of faith is forgiven. What held Thomas back from confessing faith was his fear of being a fool. What had held them all prisoner in that upper room was fear of the consequences of their having put faith in Jesus. Forgiveness overcomes fear. I think we are being asked to try it! If you would like to overcome fear in your life, you will find that you gain power through forgiving those who’ve wronged you. Let Divine Mercy Sunday be a day of pardoning.

Scripture Reflections for Easter Sunday: April 12, 2009

The Easter Gospel is far removed from Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs. There is nothing “soft” in the Easter account. Rather, it begins in a cemetery—a place of death. That is where the God of Life meets us—when all is in ruins, and there is no hope. It is in life’s raw, uncontrolled, and hopeless points, when there is nothing left that WE can do to save ourselves, it is there that the Power is born from the dust of death. In an age that has “tamed” the Easter message and made it a sales pitch for new wardrobes, it’s important for us to remember that its real message is for when the wardrobe fails, and all seems lost. God will be found there…and life will come. It is in EVERY area of importance in our lives that death shall have no dominion!

Palm Sunday: April 5, 2009

This Sunday is a meditation in how to stand to our own truth. As Christ did not back down, neither do we. In the second reading we sense what it is we are, in the end, standing for: we are living the only path that leads to fulfillment in this life and the next. And that path is one of sacrifice—Christ “empties Himself,” and so must we. It is in emptying ourselves that we find fulfillment. And we can help each other stand to this truth by “speaking to the weary a word that will encourage them,” as the first reading puts it. Lots of ink has been spilt over why Christ died—but in the end, whatever the technical reason behind the death sentence, He died because he reached out, and crossed boundaries that were uncomfortable. He filled others, moreover he nourished people it wasn’t safe to nourish! In this he taught the universality of God’s love and our brotherhood and sisterhood. Let us all live to that Truth.