Reading From Acts

In Chapter Two of the Acts of the Apostles, we have the dramatic story of Pentecost Day. The Holy Spirit comes upon Jesus disciples in a manifest and dramatic way. From this point on, something new and wonderful has begun; the Church is born.

The chapter ends with a description of how life looks in this new church. It tells us that they devoted themselves ... 

... to the teaching of the apostles	Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
... to the communal life,	All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need
... to the breaking of bread	Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes
... to the prayers	They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people

(Acts 2:42-47)

We might call these the four marks of the infant Church. Also, we might draw on them to create a model for our spiritual life.

1.

Teaching of the Apostles: Ultimately, what we be is a revelation, not a construct from a consensus of what we think is true. This is the apostolic tradition, which the Church has received, incorporates, and hands on to each subsequent generation of believers. We believe what the Church believes and holds to be true.

Our spiritual life must be rooted in the teaching of the Church. Because of this, a pattern of study of the Church's teaching must be incorporated our spiritual life.

2.

Communal Life: A true spiritual life is not lived out in the privacy of one's own thoughts, detached from responsibility toward the world and those in their midst. To Cain's reply to God in Genesis, "Am I my Brother's keeper", the answer is yes. 

Our spiritual life must be lived out in true fraternal bonds with others; our natural family, our parish and Church family, our family relationship in the society in which we live.

3.

Breaking of Bread: "Do this in remembrance of me". The life force of the spiritual life is the Holy Spirit. It is a communion in the life of God. This "Life" is a work of God, breathed into us by the Spirit. "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." (Mtt. 18:20)

The sacramental life of the Church is the preeminent source for our communion in the life of God, with the Eucharist our "daily bread of life."

4.

 Prayer and Praise: Our spiritual life forms and shapes our whole life, who we are and the way we live. Because we have but one life, the life of the Spirit, it must necessarily be seen by others. "Let your light shine before others ... " (Mtt:5:16)

Our spiritual life is a witness to all the world of God's saving grace, transforming us, filling us with hope. It is the incarnation of God's love for all the world to see, that they too may come to faith in Christ. We are the Body of Christ, the Church, the city built on the top of the hill.

Second Sunday of Easter

Homily Notes for the Second Sunday of Easter

As you know, today is still Easter day in the sacred liturgy. The Church celebrates that one day for a whole week and for the liturgy of the Word, the Gospel texts are taken from all four gospel writers and their accounts of resurrection of Jesus. Following the close of this day, the Easter season will continue for fifty days – ending with the celebration of the Ascension and Pentecost.

As a preparation for Pentecost, the first reading of the liturgy of the word will be taken from the book of the Acts of Apostles, and continue reading through the whole book. Acts of Apostles is the second part of Luke’s gospel. It takes us through the unfolding history of the first generation of the Church. This is our story – it is who we are – where we came from – how we got here and why we have gathered in this way to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

There are also a couple other things that make this weekend special. It is Divine Mercy Sunday, established by pope John Paul ll on this day in the year 2000. And on this very Sunday, Pope John XXlll and Pope John Paul ll will be canonized, Saints of the Church.

I find all this quite significant for us at this time in the history of the Church. It is not uncommon to hear it suggested that the Church is in decline and no longer relevant; that perhaps the Church might even disappear, braking into fragmented pieces, replaced by rational thought and technology.

It is because we are surrounded by such a cloud of doubt, that this time in Church is so important for us, and why we must make reading the Acts of the Apostles a central part of our personal faith life, just as the Church makes it so in the liturgy of the Word.

When we turn to Acts and the story of Pentecost, we quickly see that our Church was not made up by the design of a group of people, a work of human enterprise. It comes from God, and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ followers were not great revolutionaries, rather they were a group of frightened and confused and very ordinary people. Then comes Pentecost Day and all is changed in a dramatic moment.

On that very first day, Pentecost day, Acts shows us clearly, that the Church comes under attack. The joyful and exuberant faith of these Spirit-filled people is written off as nothing more than a product of too much alcohol, they are a bunch of drunks. From that first day up to today, the Church is constantly attacked and discredited. This is our constant history.

Acts also shows us how the members of this new Church will be, “a-work-in-progress”, made up of frail humans being, sinners now saved, learning and growing under the constant presence of the Holy Spirit.

So here we are today, the latest additions to this long history. I strongly encourage you to take up your scriptures and read and study the book of the Acts of the Apostles. May these Easter days be as powerful days of healing and building of your faith as they were for that first generation of believers we celebrate through these Easter days.

Voices of Easter - Four

These posts contain the voices spoken in the scripture text of Easter. As you pray, listen carefully to these and see how much they echo your own thoughts on the Resurrection of Jesus.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 

“Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But he said to them,

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands

and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,

and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples

that are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that through this belief you may have life in his name. Jn. 20:19-31

Voices of Easter - Three

The following posts contain the voices spoken in the scripture text of Easter. As you pray, listen carefully to these and see how much they echo your own thoughts on the Resurrection of Jesus.

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going

to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.

And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

He asked them,

“What are you discussing as you walk along?”

They stopped, looking downcast.

One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,

“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem

who does not know of the things

that have taken place there in these days?”

And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”

They said to him,

“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,

who was a prophet mighty in deed and word

before God and all the people,

how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over

to a sentence of death and crucified him.

But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;

and besides all this,

it is now the third day since this took place.

Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:

they were at the tomb early in the morning

and did not find his Body;

they came back and reported

that they had indeed seen a vision of angels

who announced that he was alive.

Then some of those with us went to the tomb

and found things just as the women had described,

but him they did not see.”

And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!

How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,

he interpreted to them what referred to him

in all the Scriptures.

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.

But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” 

So he went in to stay with them.

And it happened that, while he was with them at table,

he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, 
and gave it to them.

With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.

Then they said to each other,

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem

where they found gathered together

the Eleven and those with them who were saying,

“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”

Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Lk. 24:13-35

Voices of Easter - Two

The following posts contain the voices spoken in the scripture text of Easter. As you pray, listen carefully to these and see how much they echo your own thoughts on the Resurrection of Jesus.

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.

And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”

She thought it was the gardener and said to him, 

“Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him,

and I will take him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”

which means Teacher.

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.

But go to my brothers and tell them,

‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary went and announced to the disciples,

“I have seen the Lord,”

and then reported what he had told her. Jn. 20:11-18

N O T E S

You can also follow the Easter postings from last year 2013, starting here, March 31

Voices of Easter - One

The following posts contain the voices spoken in the scripture text of Easter. As you pray, listen carefully to these and see how much they echo your own thoughts on the Resurrection of Jesus.

But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead ... Mtt. 28:5

And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." Mtt. 28.9

And returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Jo-anna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. Lk. 24: 9-11

........................................footnotes......................................

Review again the structure of this approach to prayer:

• PLACE: choosing a place with a measure of quiet and solitude.
• PRESENCE: entering this prayer expecting to be guided by Grace.
• PETITION: asking for the graces that will make this prayer fruitful.
• PASSAGE: preparing a passage of scripture for reflection.
• PRAYER: entering the passage, looking, listening, imagining you are there,    focusing on various persons, collecting your thoughts, feelings, reaction. 
• PRAISE and thanks: closing with a prayer formed in your own words, as one speaking face to face to another; expressing your gratitude for the blessings and guidance received in this prayer time.

Easter 2014

The Guard at the Tomb

Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.' Therefore order the sepulchre to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can." So they went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Mtt. 27.62

The Women at the Tomb 

Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."  Mtt. 28.1

Bribing the Soldiers

While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. Mtt. 28.11 

Fr Robert Barron

Holy Saturday

Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their purpose and deed, and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Lk. 23.50-52

And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead.  And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Mk. 15.44-45

So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Jo. 19: 38-40

Joseph laid Jesus’ body in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. Mtt. 27.60

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. Mk. 15.47

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Lk. 23:56

Good Friday ends at sundown and the Sabbath begins. The tomb is closed and everyone has gone accept for some guards. 

Two thoughts for our reflection,

1. Where did they go?
2. What was in their hearts?

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jo. 20.19

And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, Lk. 24.33

From these two passages, we might conclude, they had gather together in one place, perhaps the same house with the upper room that was loaned to Jesus, where the Last Supper was celebrated. John mentions their fear of the Jews, and Mary Magdalene standing outside the tomb weeping. Fear and broken hearts was clearly their situation.

Praying on Holy Saturday gives us an opportunity to use the Ignatian approach to contemplation (see notes on method) 

This approach to contemplation directs us to employ our imagination

• Imagine what the scene that you are considering looks like.
• Look at the people in the scene, who are they, what are saying and doing.
• Imagine yourself in this scene, your place, your different reactions.
• Think of how this exercise is affecting you and what fruits for your spiritual life you are gaining.

YOUR PRAYER

THE TIME and THE PLACE: The Sabbath, following Jesus crucifixion, in the upper room. Since there is little scripture texts of to draw on, I have included this picture to help.

THE PEOPLE: It would include, Mary, mother of Jesus, the Eleven, other of Jesus disciples, the women who were following.

THE GRACE I SEEK: This approach to prayer is includes two - the one who prays and the Lord who comes to make our prayer fruitful by inspiring us to see. Prayer is gift, so ask for the grace of this prayer.

THE PRAYER:

• What strikes you at first?
• Who are you focused on?
• What do you hear - talk of danger, voices of disbelief and discouragement?
• Who is weeping, how are you affected?
• Do you see Mary, Jesus mother, what do you see, could you console her?
• Their faith and hope is crushed, can you say, "I know your pain"?

YOUR REFLECTION:

• Collect your thoughts, what are you focused on, what stands out for you?
• Knowing more of their pain, can you identify more closely with these people?
• But they will see the next day, and all will be different.
• Does this give you new hope to meet the challenges to your faith, challenges that are sure to come?

The Sacred Triduum - Holy Thursday

Dish and Towel

Bread and Chalice

Jesus rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

Take all four gospel accounts of the passion for your reflection and prayer during these sacred days. Each has something unique to offer.  The following are some passage, Voices to Hear - highlights that you can focus on for your prayer.

"I have given you a model to follow" ... John's gospel account of the Supper of the Lord, does not include an account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Yet, it is John gospel that the Church chooses for the gospel reading, and the account of the washing of the disciples feet. It is in the second reading, taken from St. Paul's account of what was taught to him, that we have the account of the institution of the Eucharist. 

"A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest" Lk. 22:24 .... here Luke gives Jesus' lesson on humility and mutual service. It is essentially the same message as the dish and towel.

"This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”  Lk 22:20 .... the act of taking communion is that solemn act by which we pledge to be faithful to Christ in all that we say and do, just as he is faithful to us, even to death, death on the cross.

"Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me" Mt. 26.22 .... how are these words spoken by Jesus, how chilling to hear ... ”It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." ... may we never take lightly our sins or presume on God's mercy.

”Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat" Lk. 22:32  .... demanded indeed, but if we are free to choose, then we must also measure up to the proof. 

”Peter said to him, "Even though they all fall away, I will not"  Mk. 14.30 ... what hope do we have against such an enemy? ... but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail" Lk. 22.33 .... one like us is on our side, He has prove his strength on the cross.

"Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; … I go to prepare a place for you” Jo. 14:2 ... 

And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. Jo. 14:3-6 ... 

Watch Fr. Robert Barron's comments on the Eucharist >CLICK<

Voices of Holy Week - 2014

The HOUR Begins

In these posts I have selected the texts revealing some of the many voices we hear during these sacred days. Take them to prayer and ask to gain insight into their message and meaning for your life.

Wednesday (see Tuesday and Monday below) (Review the remarks on spiritual desolation - Palm Sunday post)

In the day of my distress I sought the Lord.

My hands were raised at night without ceasing;

my soul refused to be consoled.

I remembered my God and I groaned.

I pondered and my spirit fainted.

You withheld sleep from my eyes.

I was troubled, I could not speak.

I thought of the days of long ago

and remembered the years long past.

At night I mused within my heart.

I pondered and my spirit questioned.

"Will the Lord reject us for ever?

Will he show us his favor no more?

Has his love vanished for ever?

Has his promise come to an end?

does God forget his mercy

or in anger withhold his compassion?” Ps: 77 Wednesday, Morning Prayer.

"I pondered and my spirit fainted" ... some may think of the conflicts of Holy Week as long past, over and done with. But the struggle transcends time and each generation must enter into it. This IS my Holy Week. Where do I stand?

 "I pondered and my spirit questioned" ... St. Ignatius gives three principal reasons why we find ourselves desolate.

1. The first is, because of our being tepid, lazy or negligent in our spiritual exercises; and so through our faults, spiritual consolation withdraws from us.
2. The second, to try us and see how much we are and how much we let ourselves out in His service and praise without such great pay of consolation and great graces.
3. The third, to give us true acquaintance and knowledge, that we may interiorly feel that it is not ours to get or keep great devotion, intense love, tears, or any other spiritual consolation, but that all is the gift and grace of God our Lord, and that we may not build a nest in a thing not ours, raising our intellect into some pride or vainglory, attributing to us devotion or the other things of the spiritual consolation.
   
   

"Will the Lord reject us for ever?" ... Let him who is in consolation think how he will be in the desolation which will come after, taking new strength for then.

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6: 10-17

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Tuesday (see Monday below)

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified,

“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

 “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”

So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas,

son of Simon the Iscariot.

After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.

So Judas took the morsel and left at once.

AND IT WAS NIGHT! Jo: 13:21

"Jesus was deeply troubled" ... once again we see on what level these things matter. These are matters that penetrate into the depths of the soul, shaking the very foundation of one's confidence and trust. When the bond of love is broken it penetrates our hearts, destroying our faith in what we believed to be true and good, giving us hope.

"One of you will betray me" ... our religious life is not akin to following some rules for healthy living. It is a relationship with another, based on love and mutual trust. I can quit my workouts and it is only a matter of weight. If I abandon my faith practice, I break another's heart.

"Satan entered him" ... true religion is not about the smoke in one's thurible. It is about salvation, the cosmic conflict between evil and good, Satan and Christ. Satan buys people with money for here and now, Jesus offers life with him, eternally. To sin is to sell out, Satan the new owner.

"And it was night" ... when the light is gone, darkness takes over and evil comes out to have its way. Satan needs only to accomplish one thing, separate us from the Light. Then we will destroy ourselves.

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Monday 

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,

I have grasped you by the hand;

I formed you, and set you

as a covenant of the people,

a light for the nations,

To open the eyes of the blind,

to bring out prisoners from confinement,

and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. (Is. 42: 6,7)

"Covenant" ... a sacred contract between two parties. God is one, we are the other, but Jesus stands in our place, representing each one of us, since we alone could not uphold our pledge of fidelity, we are no match for the Deceiver.

"Open eyes" ... we are not saved by reason of our doing. We are saved by that person who has both the power and authority to do it, Jesus.

"Bring out prisoners" ... what stops us? We are not confined by bars and bricks and locked doors. We are held by the voices, seeded in our minds, instructing our actions. Who's voice are we hearing?

"Who live in darkness" ... those who walk alone, counseled only by the wisdom and values of this generation; who cannot hear the voice of Jesus.

Holy Week is about a person, Jesus, not theories and speculations concerning religion. The person of Jesus and our relationship with him is central. This is the "hour" for us to examine our faith. Is it strong and viable, uncompromised and certain, growing stronger in this age of decline of faith?