Author: yuengerwv

How many of us can point to a part of sacred scriptures and say, “Here is is a reference to some of the seven sacraments”?  In today’s firs reading we hear of two sacraments, baptism, and confirmation.  In the Catechism one of the effects of confirmation is “a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witness of Christ.” (1303) Those of us who have been confirmed should be prepared as Peter reminds us, to “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”  How well do we know our faith so as to explain it to others?  Do we make any effort to learn it better?
Jesus says in the Gospel, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”  Jesus breaks the multitude of directives into two, love of God and love of neighbor.  Part of how we love God is to seek to know him better.  Part of how we love our neighbor is to share our faith with them in being ready to give reasons for our hope.   In doing so God gives us the opportunity to live out our gift of confirmation.

Have you ever heard a member of the Church complain about others in the Church?  How about complain about the Pope? Bishop? Pastor? While some complaints are legitimately expressed and are appreciated, others are simply divisive.  Unfortunately, there are those who seem to thrive on complaining about others.  Often it is about insignificant things.  I have had people complain about my having trees trimmed, about my coat of arm in my office, about my haircut (or lack of), other things that have little to do with serious issues.
In the first reading we hear of a positive that came from a complaint, the establishment of the Order of Deacon.  While many Catholics are unfamiliar with Permanent Deacons, over the past 40 years they have reemerged as a vital part of the Church’s ministry.  The greater part of their ministry is behind the scenes serving those in need and making a difference in the community without drawing attention to themselves.  The Spirit of God continues to move and guide the church, sometimes even through valid complaints.
The second reading reminds us of our common baptismal commitment to allow ourselves to “be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  At each Mass, we lift up our hearts to the Father, offering ourselves as a sacrifice How many neighbors would recognize us as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own”? Following up on this Jesus, in today’s Gospel, reminds us, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.”  How well are we doing the works that Jesus did?

In the first reading we hear that as Peter spoke those listening “were cut to the heart.”  WOW!  I remember once speaking with someone and discussing homiletics.  The person was talking about his favorite preacher.  When asked why he was the favorite, he said, “Because every time he preaches, I have to duck!”  When was the last time we were cut to the heart as we listened to God’s words?  How often do we really listen to the homily, or are we distracted by others, children, our thoughts, the bulletin?  We all recognize that not every homily is perfect for each person in a diverse group.  I remember a professor telling us seminarians that on any given Sunday we may reach only 1/5th of the people.  He then added, “Hopefully you rotate the 5th.”
 How many of us have done good things and still gotten in trouble?  Paul reminds us that to suffer for doing good is a grace.  Suffering is a grace?????  How many of us would rather skip the grace of suffering? Christ set the example in his suffering how can we not be open to suffering?
Today we have many people telling us they know what is best.  Do things the way they tell us and the world will be a better place.  Unfortunately, all too often their way excludes God.  Jesus reminds us that often times these other voices belong to thieves and robbers who come only to steal and slaughter and destroy.  As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded that Jesus is the only true voice of God.  We are called to listen to him.  How are we doing?  Remember he came so “that we might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Following up on last week’s readings we have Peter beginning to proclaim the Good News.  Peter clearly proclaims that, “God raised this Jesus” and that “of this we are all witnesses.”
What kind of witness are we?  Do we proclaim the risen Jesus, or do we hide our faith not wanting to be ridiculed for it by those who do not want to hear it?  Peter reminds us we are called to “conduct ourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that we were ransomed from our futile conduct.”  Do we believe our faith is worth more than silver or gold? If we do, then why do we deny our faith in order to acquire silver and gold?
The road to Emmaus story reminds us that we never know where we will encounter Jesus.  While each is invited to respond to Jesus’ call, how often do we say, “I don’t know enough?”   Do we believe that regardless of how much or little we know, Jesus can make up the difference in our knowledge?  Do we work at making sure we study and learn the faith so as to be able to share it?  When is the last time we read the bible or the catechism?

The first reading displays a unique response by the first disciples and apostles.  The sharing of communal life and the equality of all in their needs being met.  The focus is clearly that since everything came from God for the good of all, then how can we not share from God’s bounty for the good of each person?  Missing here is the ego, power, and societal structure of “I am better than you.”
The first reading displays a unique response by the first disciples and apostles.  The sharing of communal life and the equality of all in their needs being met.  The focus is clearly that since everything came from God for the good of all, then how can we not share from God’s bounty for the good of each person?  Missing here is the ego, power, and societal structure of “I am better than you.”
The Gospel reminds us that the first disciples were understandably scared.  Yet even in their fear Jesus is telling them they had a job to do.  He sends them forth with his message into a world that does not like what it hears.  How fearful are we of sharing the message of the Gospel with others?  How often do we need to be reminded our faith is not intended to be lived in a church but in the world, where it can spread and transform the whole world?

In the first reading we hear Peter speaking about Jesus and how special he was.  Little is heard of Peter’s cowardice a few days earlier.  Such takes a great amount of humility.  Like Peter we are called to admit we made a mistake, but that Jesus still loves us.  He reminds us that in spite of our weaknesses we are called to be witnesses of all that he did.  How well do we take the Easter message into our world, our work, our leisure time, and our relationships?  When we think of Easter, do we think more of candy and bunnies, or do we truly rejoice at what God has done for us?  How do we allow that rejoicing to be seen?  Do we publicly give thanks to God, or do we keep our tanks secret and hidden?
The Gospel today reminds us of that first day of the week, the first Easter day.  We have Mary of Magdalen relaying her experience at the tomb.  How do we relay our experience of Jesus’ resurrection?  Do we even experience the resurrection or is it just a mute historical fact for us with no grounding in our lives today?

Today we start with the Gospel reading before we even begin the procession.  It reminds us of how the ordinary people responded to Jesus, some of whom would later condemn him.  How fickle are we in our faith journey?  Are we quick to call ourselves Christian and slow to respond to the requirements of a Christian life?   The prophet says, “he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled.”  How often do we rebel when things are not comfortable or easy or what we want?  When the going gets difficult do we persevere and move forward or reconsider our options for a simpler road to travel?  Do we think we can do such because we feel God has abandoned us?  Yet we know we are more likely to abandon God than he us.
Jesus emptied himself to sacrifice everything for you and me.  What are we willing to sacrifice for him?

The prophet tells the people God will have mercy on them in spite of their sinfulness, which is why they were exiled.  He tells them that in the future they will have the spirit of the LORD and as such will follow the LORD more unreservedly.  This theme is repeated in the Psalm where we repeat, “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.”  The question is are we willing to admit our inequities and ask for mercy?
Paul reminds us how essential the Spirit of God is to be able to respond to God’s call.  He also reminds us of the focus on the resurrection to come.  
This weekend we hear of the resuscitation of Lazarus.  We have heard the story many times, but do we stop to think of what Jesus is saying and the implications for ourselves?  While many Jews did not believe in a resurrection of the dead, Lazarus’ sister Martha clearly did as she stated, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”  The resuscitation of Lazarus is one of the reasons for the crucifixion of Jesus, because people were turning to Jesus and no longer listening to the power brokers in Jerusalem.  When we have heard the story many times, how do we respond?  How would we respond to see someone we knew had died came walking up to us to chat?  Where does that leave us in our journey of faith?

How often do we judge people based on their appearances? The first reading even has the prophet Samuel making the same mistake. Perhaps as we go through our Lenten observances, we should be particularly cautious about pegging people based on an insufficient knowledge. Which of us can see another’s heart or understand their mind? Along with the psalm we are reminded that God alone is our shepherd, we need to trust in His guidance.
This dovetails with Paul’s argument that we live as children of light. Such light produces goodness and righteousness and truth. Such can only happen when we learn what is pleasing to God and respond and act accordingly. If you listen to the Gospel antiphon sung during the alleluia before the gospel reading you will hear the scriptures that remind us that whoever follows Jesus will have the light of life.
In the Gospel of the blind man, the disciples wrongly attribute the man’s blindness to the fact that someone must have sinned. Jesus reminds us that such thinking is not accurate. The disciples are coming from a perspective that negative things are God’s punishment for sin; that if people were good and holy nothing evil would befall them. This attitude is clear from the line where the Pharisees state, ”This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” In today’s world we sometimes hear the same thing when people become sick or have accidents. They ask what they did to deserve such. In most cases they did nothing to deserve such. We need to remember that we do not always understand why God allows such things to happen. Our challenge is to trust that whatever misfortunes happen in our lives, they are opportunities to glorify God, as Jesus points out.

In the first reading we hear that “The LORD said to Moses, to tell the community: “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.” How often do priests hear people say, “I’m a good person” or “I am not a bad person”? Far too often. God does not call us to be “good” or “not bad” he calls us to be holy! Paul reminds us that, by virtue of our baptism, we “are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in us!” Too many of us listen to the popular and successful in this world. We consider them wise simply because they are popular or wealthy. Yet he reminds us that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God”.
In our world of political polemics there is a maliciousness toward those who disagree with our understanding of what needs to be done. Yet that maliciousness comes straight from the evil one, regardless of whether one is to the right or left politically. We are called to “love our neighbor and hate our enemy” and to “pray for those who persecute us.” So, we are called to not be “not bad” or “good” but to be perfect, just as our heavenly Father is perfect.