Doubly Loved
Thursday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 3:11-26; Lk 24:35-48 It is really I. Touch me and see. Lk 24:39 The theme of recognizing Christ continues in today’s Gospel. After Jesus had vanished from their sight, the two disciples had rushed back to Jerusalem, “where they found the Eleven and the rest of the company assembled” (Lk... Read More
The Emmaus Problem
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 3:1-10; Lk 24:13-35 Their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Lk 24:31 Today’s readings pose an important question: “How do you look?” Not your appearance, but your way of viewing. Do you simply observe things, or do you gaze intently, looking beyond the obvious? Do you merely see... Read More
Come as You wish
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 2:36-41; Jn 20:11-18 Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 Today’s first reading is taken from St. Peter’s Pentecost sermon, in which he urges his listeners to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38). The only reason the crowds are listening to Peter at all... Read More
Go to Galilee
Monday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Mt 28:8-15 “They are to go to Galilee, where they will see me.” Mt 28: 10 A few days ago at the Vigil Mass, we heard an angel instruct the women at the tomb to tell the disciples, “He is going ahead of you to Galilee” (Mk 16:7) Then the Sequence for Easter Sunday announced,... Read More
Response Ability
Easter Sunday Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Col 3:1-4 or 1 . 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16:1-7 or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Lk 24:13-35 “Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms.” Col 3:1 The knowledge that the Father wants to raise each of us up with Christ gives us great... Read More
Ultimate Destiny
Holy Saturday Readings: Gen 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a; Gen 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Ex 14:15-15:1; Is 54: 5-14; Is 55:1-11; Bar 3:9-15, 32-4:4; Ezek 36: 16-17a, 18-28; Rom 6: 3-11; Mk 16:1-7. “… so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we, too, might live a new life.” Rom 6:4 The Easter Vigil,... Read More
Up Close and Personal
Good Friday. Readings: Is 52:13-53:12; Heb 4:14-16;5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42 “One of the soldiers ran a lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” Jn 19:34 In his encyclical letter “Rich in Mercy,” Pope John Paul II wrote that the cross of Christ “speaks and never ceases to speak of God the Father, who is absolutely... Read More
Pass it on!
Holy Thursday Readings: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Rv 1:5-8; When 4:16-21 Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 “As I have done, so you must do.” Jn 13:15 On Holy Thursday we celebrate Christ’s institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. But the main reading is from the Gospel of John,... Read More
Yes or No?
Wednesday of Holy Week Readings: Is 50:4-9; Mt 26:14-25 “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.” Mt 26:24 We’re back at the Last Supper, this time from the Gospel of Matthew, who prefaces his account of the meal with the scene where Judas agrees to hand Jesus over to the high priests for thirty pieces of silver. In Monday’s... Read More
Deliver us from Evil
Tuesday of Holy Week Readings: Is 49:1-6; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 “Immediately after, Satan entered his heart.” Jn 13:27 Once again we find ourselves reclining at table with Jesus, and once again John’s Gospel provides us with contrasting characters, focusing this time on Judas and Peter at the Last Supper. The passage begins with Jesus suddenly... Read More
