Fourth Sunday of Easter

Now, I’m a Brooklyn boy and don’t easily relate to the image of a shepherd with sheep. But I've blessed many house pets in my ministry. Which reminds me of a story. 

A German Shepherd, a goldendoodle and a domestic cat died. All three faced God, who asked what they believed.

The German shepherd replied, "I believe in discipline, training and loyalty to my master." "Good," said God. "Sit at my right side."

The goldendoodle replied, "I believe in the love, care and protection of my master." "Aha," God said. "Sit to my left."

Then God looked at the cat, and asked, "What do you believe?" 

The cat gave God a slow blink and said, "I believe you are sitting in my seat." Now there's one huge difference between dogs/cats: dogs have owners; cats, staff.

Circling back to the Word of God, we hear about Peter and John in the Acts of the apostles. Both were arrested for doing a good deed. 

Peter courageously proclaims that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone or foundation of a new age and that we have access to God’s triune life through Jesus. The author may be asking us whether Jesus is indeed the center of our own lives, our way, our truth, our life and our light.

In the Gospel, we have the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The crowds in the time of Jesus could easily relate to shepherds and sheep. The job was dangerous. Shepherds had to deal with wild animals -- wolves -- and also outlaws.

The shepherd’s dedication to the sheep inspired the biblical writers to speak about God as a good shepherd. Thus, in ancient Israel, the psalmist sang: “The Lord is my shepherd.” Like the good shepherd long ago, Jesus cares for the weak and helpless, heals the sick, seeks out the lost sheep and brings back the stray. 

Yes, even more: He lays down his life for his sheep. He includes those we might call "outsiders" and says there will be one flock. We may be wondering: where are the “good shepherds” today?

Yes, the Word of God today gives us much to think about. I would like to zero in on the Letter of John, which speaks about our future. We shall see God as God is; we shall be like God. 

The author of the letter says God is our Father and we are children of God and as such, we are called to do the will of God in our everyday life! But how? 

For some people, the “will of God” is vague and ambiguous and unclear to them? But I don’t think so.  I believe we do the will of God by being faithful in our relationships and responsibilities, by doing the best we can in our everyday activities. 

If you’re working to pay the bills, and making time to be with your family, especially when your children need you, you’re doing the will of God.

If you are overwhelmed caring for a sick family member and you try your best to make a loving home, blessed are you. You’re doing the will of God.

If you happily volunteer to work for a not-for-profit, shop for a homebound neighbor, help a youngster with homework, blessed are you.

If you refuse to take shortcuts that compromise your integrity and ethics, refuse the rationalization that “everybody does it,” blessed are you. 

If you struggle to discover what God asks of you in all things; if you try to seek God’s presence in every facet of your life and every decision you make; if your constant prayer is not “give me” but “help me to do this,” blessed are you. You’re doing the will of God.

If you spend time listening and consoling others who look to you; if you manage to heal wounds and build bridges; if you can see the good in everyone and seek the good for everyone, blessed are you. 

If you try to understand the perspective of the other person and manage to find a way to make things work for the good; if you love the unlovable and forgive the undeserving , blessed are you.

If your faith puts you at odds with some people, if you refuse to compromise basic principles, blessed are you as you’re doing the will of God. And in the end, heaven will be yours.

Monday, April 22, is the start of Passover. Let us take to heart the Seder prayers of our brothers and sisters. Among those verses are:

"We thank you God for the gift of Festivals for joy and 

holidays for happiness, among them this day of Passover, 

the festival of our liberation, a day of sacred assembly 

recalling the Exodus from Egypt.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, 

who has kept us in life, sustained us, and enabled us to 

reach this season."

My friends, the Word of God invites us to think about many opportunities to do a good deed on our earthly journeys. Jesus calls us to eternal life and asks us not only to seek the will of God but to do the will of God in our daily lives. May God grace us to do so with joy. Amen.

Third Sunday of Easter

As the weather warms up, I recall the story of two nuns in a market. One spotted beer and said, “Wouldn’t that be a delight?” The second nun answered, “Yes, but I wouldn't feel comfortable buying it since the cashier knows us.” The other nun replied, “Don't worry, let me handle this,” and she picked up a six-pack and approached the cashier.

“We use the beer for washing our hair,” the nun explained. The cashier smiled, put a bag of pretzels with the beer, and said, “Curlers are on the house.” The moral of the story: you can't fool some folks.

The solar eclipse last Monday became a transcendent experience for some people; They were lifted out of themselves into the presence of someone greater than themselves. Though we may seem small compared to the huge sun, and the moon crossing its path, each of us has been created in the image of God; and the purpose of life is to mirror that image or presence of God in our attitudes and behavior. Yes, we are called to be like God and our final goal is to see God as God is.

In the Gospel we hear about the excitement of the two disciples as they tell the other disciples how in the breaking of the bread at Emmaus they recognized with their “eyes of faith” the new, transformed reality of Jesus Christ. As they recount this extraordinary experience, Jesus suddenly appears in their midst, shows them his wounds, and then eats with them. 

Yes, God transformed the earthly, crucified Jesus into a new transcendent reality; and so too God will transform us.

The letter of John proclaims we have a Father in heaven and hence we are sons and daughters of God, heirs to his kingdom. Jesus Christ is our advocate, through whom God gifts us with his eternal life. But to participate in God’s life, we must hear and do God’s Word.

 In the Book of the Acts, we meet Peter. God gifted Peter with faith and courage so that he could proclaim the good news: that Jesus Christ is “the Holy and Righteous One,” the author of life, the long-awaited Messiah.

Peter concludes: “repent,” refocus your lives upon God, seek forgiveness and mercy, ask for the grace that God’s light may shine through your daily lives.

Though Peter often seemed impetuous, he always was ready to admit a mistake, to make amends. He was someone you could trust. It’s been said, “The true measure of character is what we do when nobody’s watching.” 

Leo Tolstoy, the Russian novelist/philosopher, focused on essentials. He noted there are only two important questions in life: what shall we do and how shall we live? I like to think that the apostle Peter would answer, “By being men and women of moral character.”

Men and women of character have a moral compass: an informed conscience. So what is conscience?

Conscience is closely associated with our feelings—we sometimes feel guilty—but conscience is more than feelings. It is a an almost instinctive power of judgment. Within each one of us, there is a tension to choose our better or worse self. Our conscience is a friendly guide in our quest to be true to our better selves.

Now there’s a difference between character and  personality. Our personality on the surface puts us in a category: cheerful, moody, and so on. Character, by contrast, is singular: defining who we are at the core of our inmost self. Character is ethical.

Character, by definition, is either good or bad. It manifests itself in choices each one of us must make about the fundamental values or virtues by which we live.

A person of moral character will choose the dignity of the person over impersonal business or material advantage, a respect for human beings over lust for pleasure, power, or personal success. 

A person of character will “go the extra mile,” speak up for what is right, defend what is fair, take a stand on principle and conscience—yes, an informed conscience. 

Persons of character will not simply “go along to get along.” They will try to choose what is true and good and right in all decisions, small and great, that affect work, relationships, and even leisure time.

Peter invites us to be men and women of character. Although he failed at times, he always picked himself up and started afresh to do the right thing.

Yes, I like to think that the quality of our life and our soul’s destiny will be measured by our character: going the extra mile to help someone in need; being faithful to our promises; working for the common good; trusting in an all good and compassionate God who is ever near to each one of us and who will bring us into eternal life. 

May Peter whom we meet today in the Book of the Acts inspire us to be men and women of moral character. Amen.

Second Sunday of Easter

I asked a friend how can I make my day better, feel more optimistic? He suggested I do two things: 1. Don’t watch the news. 2. Stay off the bathroom scale.

I rediscovered a bestseller titled The Death of Common Sense by Philip Howard. The theme is that government policies have replaced common sense.

The London Times even published an “obituary” about Common Sense. Here are a few excerpts:

Common Sense will be remembered for cultivating such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; that life isn’t always fair; maybe it was my fault; and don’t spend more than you earn.

Let’s hope common sense prevails in our lives, in our federal government and national security, and in our pastimes including sports.

We continue to celebrate the Easter miracle: Jesus Christ is gloriously alive, and because he lives, we live with God’s life. 

Have you ever witnessed a miracle? A depressed person resurrected to hope; an addict resurrected to sobriety; a troubled marriage resurrected to renewed love; an angry man resurrected to mercy.  

We can help create little miracles every day. Today, think about how you can help create a miracle for someone.

he Book of the Acts carries us back to the beginnings of the Christian community. They were a family who looked out for one another, who cared deeply. That community is a role model for us.

The Letter of John emphasizes what unites us: our faith in Jesus Christ; our spiritual birth in baptism; our partaking sacramentally in the body and blood of Jesus Christ; and our fidelity to a way of life. As Mother Teresa said simply but profoundly: God does not ask us to be successful, but to be faithful.

In the Gospel, we have a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus. We have no idea what the Risen Christ looked like—he could pass through locked doors, as he had exited from a sealed tomb. He could appear and disappear. 

And then the Risen Christ breathed upon the disciples, through the energy of the Spirit, the gifts of wisdom, love, courage, peace, and forgiveness: gifts that we too possess, gifts that contribute to the well-being of all people.

The skeptical Thomas wasn’t there that day. A week later, Jesus appears again. Jesus urges "believe." Then Thomas makes that awesome declaration of faith: “My Lord and my God.”

We know little about Thomas. But we can easily relate to the doubter or questioner. To be human is to question. We can also relate to the deep desire to believe. Christianity proposes that we were born to be in relationship with God. Otherwise, we will experience a hunger, a feeling that something is missing. St. Augustine, in his classic autobiography Confessions, captured this hunger eloquently: “Our hearts are restless until they can find rest in you, O God.”

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” In Jesus, we find life where there was death. Yes, every human being is made in the image of God. But we are fallen human beings. It does matter how we live. Good and bad, light and darkness, generosity and selfishness, live within us.

That's why we cry out for healing and mercy, which we celebrate today: divine mercy. Only in Jesus can we find the way. Through the mystery of his dying and rising, Jesus has freed us from death so that we can live in relationship with God forever. Christianity challenges us to live life authentically, to be true to our own selves.  

Now there are many indicators pointing to God: the universe presupposes an orderer (just as a watch presupposes a watchmaker); hope indicates a future, and so forth. There are also indicators that there’s no God—witness the evil that people sometimes do. 

Fortunately, faith in God is a calculated risk. Blaise Pascal, a 17th century mathematician, inventor and philosopher, wagered this:

• One does not know empirically whether God exists.

• Not believing in God is bad for one’s eternal soul if God exists.

• Believing is of no consequence if God does not exist.

• Therefore, it is a safer bet to believe in God.

So, believe. Witness this magnificent planet that points to God.

Thomas concludes, “My Lord and my God.” Yes, Jesus lives, and because he lives, we live. In relationship with God forever. Someday God will transform our bodily existence, like that of the earthy Jesus, transform, into a new kind of spiritual embodiment. That's why we hear at every funeral mass, “For those who believe, life is not taken away, life is merely changed.” 

Let us pray that the gift of faith will empower us to proclaim each day, “My Lord and my God,” to spread the good news of God’s mercy, to help create little miracles by reaching out to someone in need.

Easter

 

Happy Easter! Felices Pascuas! Joyeuses Paques! Buona Pasqua!

We have so much to be grateful for, especially the gift of faith that enables us to relate to Jesus as our way, our truth and our life. Today is a day to be joyful, happy and enthusiastic about life. But, a few of us may say, life gives us so many lemons.

You may have heard about parents who had twins, one an optimist, the other a pessimist. The parents asked a psychologist how to better understand these two. The psychologist recommended this for their birthdays: buy a nice bicycle for the pessimist; and for the optimist, go to a horse stable and gather into a gift box the “stuff” from the stable floor.  When the twins opened their gifts, the pessimist whined about the color of the bicycle and the lack of gadgets. Meanwhile, the optimist looked inside his box and then giggled, “There’s gotta be a pony here somewhere!” The moral of the story is obvious: be an optimist; and hang around optimist people.

Easter symbolizes new life. Because Jesus Christ is gloriously alive! Easter is about daybreak, starting over. Jesus’s resurrection is a new day. Each morning, we awaken with a chance to start over. Perhaps the night before, we carried burdens: things undone, bad things said, good things unsaid. But with the dawn comes opportunity.

We begin again TODAY. Who wants to be more loving, more generous, more caring, more thoughtful, more helpful? Who doesn’t know a heart to heal, a relationship to mend, a lost soul to find? This Easter, God wakes us up again, to rediscover His extraordinary grace transforming our ordinary lives.

In the Gospel, we hear about the resurrection of Jesus. Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb only to find it empty. She summons Peter and John.          Jesus is not among the dead. He is risen. He is alive. He has passed through this earthly life--through the mystery of death--and entered into a new, transfigured reality. This heavenly reality can be ours as well. That is the Easter message!

Some of you may have seen monuments to those lost in wars or tragedies. The Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC displays the names of 58,000 plus men and women killed or missing in that war. When I visited that memorial, I’ve often thought, How many hopes lie buried here. These people were full of life, and suddenly they were dead.

The disciples could have uttered the same words: how many hopes lie buried here. Yet soon after, Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb, then to the disciples in the upper room, and to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The resurrected Jesus was not a spirit or ghost; nor was he simply resuscitated, or they would have recognized him immediately. The earthly and crucified Jesus was the same person as the resurrected Jesus. But God transformed him into a new, heavenly reality. And because he lives, we live forever.

How is that? We are born in the flesh, then reborn in the Spirit. Water is poured upon us in the rite of baptism, and in these waters the Spirit of God is poured out to us. The triune God lives within us, and we live within the triune God. As we are confirmed in our faith, the bishop again anoints our forehead in the sign of the cross with the oil of chrism--and God pours out more fully the gifts of the Spirit so that we might practice more faithfully love, generosity, patience. And at this mass, the living Christ sacramentally presences himself in the signs of bread and wine. He mystically reenacts his salvific activity and becomes one with us in Communion.

We are a pilgrim people; and our purpose is to live with God forever. Through the sacraments especially, we experience the living Christ so that we can go forth to love and serve. In the exchange of wedding promises, God strengthens the love that binds a couple together. In anointing the sick, God heals our wounds. If we stumble, the rite of penance celebrates God’s mercy. All the sacraments are signs of God’s unconditional love for us.

Eternal life in relationship with God and one another—that is our ultimate purpose. In the mystery of our own dying, we believe we will make an evolutionary leap into a new reality, as Jesus already has.

Easter is about getting our priorities straight, about asking, “How can we become more god-like, more loving, more generous, more helpful?”  Easter is about finding a heart to heal, a relationship to mend, a lost soul to refresh.

Easter is indeed a fresh start.  Jesus Christ lives.  And because He lives, we live. That is the message of Easter. Amen.