Second Sunday of Easter – Cycle A (April 27, 2014)

First reading: Acts 2: 42-47

“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.  Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  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.  Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes.  They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.  And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

Second reading: 1 Pt. 1: 3-9

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.  In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
 

Gospel reading: Jn. 20: 19-31

“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.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

This being the Feast day for ‘The Divine Mercy,’ today’s readings need to be reflected on in light of that devotion; therefore the theme for today’s reflection will be the Mercy of God.

Reflection:

In the first reading we have a description of how the early Christians lived in response to God’s great mercy when they first entered into the new life of Salvation.  There are many remarkable qualities described in that reading: they shared all things in common, they sold their worldly possessions for the benefit of the community, the devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles, they devoted themselves to prayer and the breaking of the bread.  From this it is reasonable to deduce, the first response to the reception of God’s great mercy is one of holy devotion to all things heavenly.  Moreover, without such a response it is questionable whether God’s mercy has yet been received by that soul.

The second reading describes a second feature: the faith we receive, that will lead us to that promised salvation, is able to withstand the trials of this life.  More important than withstanding, those trials are actually an integral part of our formation for the eternal life that awaits us.  Rather than be discouraged by difficulty, we should recognize the refining benefits of suffering through faith remembering, the same merciful God who gave us salvation will be there for us every step of the way.

Finally, the gospel reading gives us the very familiar story of “Doubting Thomas.”  If ever there is a situation that reminds us of our dependence on God’s mercy it is falling into doubt.  If we examine the Lord’s instruction to Thomas we can gather that doubt is as much a choice as belief is.  Yet, the Lord was merciful with Thomas and forgave his unwillingness to believe.  How many of us reject the teachings of the Holy Spirit as they have come down to us through “tradition” due to our own unwillingness to believe?  Rather than conform ourselves to God’s will as it is communicated to us through legitimate authority, we prefer instead to conjure an understanding of God to a likeness that suits our sensibilities by our own authority.  Isn’t that just another form of idolatry?  When such is the case, is a good outcome even possible???

There is no substitute for humility, and no greater tool for developing it than subjecting one’s self to the rule of legitimate authority.  Remember, the proud will be humbled, and the humble will be exalted!!!

O Mercy of God!  Were we to return to the dignity you intended for us from the beginning there would still remain an abyss separating us from your dignity.  Woefully, rather than make such an attempt in appreciation for your salvation, we stoop to even greater depths by our unwillingness to repent as if to increase the abyss your mercy must descend to bring us back to you.  O Lord, thank you for giving us Sister M. Faustina to be a vessel of “Divine Mercy” for lessening the vastness of that abyss.

  

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time – Cycle A (February, 16 2014)

First reading: Sir. 15: -15-20

“If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will.  There are set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.  Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him.  Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing.  The eyes of God see all he has made; he understands man’s every deed.  No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies.”
 

Second reading: 1 Cor. 2:6-10

“Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.  Rather we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  But as it is written: ‘What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,’ this God had revealed to us through the Spirit.  For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God."
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37 (Short form)

“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’  But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.

“You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall no commit adultery.’  But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

“Again you have heard that is was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’  But I say to you, do not swear at all.  Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’  Anything more is from the evil one.”

 

Introductory theme summary:

Appropriate for our society that presumes upon God’s gift of salvation, we again have another message that points to the necessity of repentance and reforming our lives.

Reflection:

In the first reading we have a clear indication of why it is necessary for us to repent our sins.  God, in His infinite wisdom, permits everyone the liberty to choose between life and death.  In our fallen state of knowing good and evil, we have ready access to each.  Considering all have sinned, there remains the necessity of a choice by us in order to avoid the consequence of death.   Only repentance serves as the real indication of having chosen life.  This passage concludes with a statement meant to confirm there is no rational for supporting the commission of any sin, and does so after assuring everyone that God will indeed grant death to those who do not repent. 

In the gospel reading we have an even clearer indication of the measure of moral observation expected from us.  It isn’t enough for us to simply avoid the actions that are obviously sinful.  We are also expected to adhere to an interior observation of moral conformity.  This is first characterized by the Lord’s reference to the Scribes and Pharisees, who analyzed the letter of the law in order to display an external observation of it, while failing to understand the spirit of the law and there by accomplish its interior objective. 

He then gives three specific examples of this principal as it relates to everyday conduct: anger, lasciviousness, and deception. 

In the first case Jesus draws a correlation between the severity of murder and the interior disposition of harboring anger toward another, and declares that one doesn’t have to go as far as murder to deserve God’s wrath.  Harboring anger in our heart murders one’s love for the person who is the object that anger, filling the void with hate.  Murdering love in one’s heart accomplishes the exclusion of God, who is love.  Shutting out God invites His wrath upon one’s self.
In the second case Jesus instructs us on the importance of chastity.  By pointing out the interior origin of adultery, Jesus emphasizes the severity of neglecting the virtue of chastity.  A very relevant message for us today considering how drastically we have departed from the traditional values regarding sexuality.  Do we really think God has changed his rules for morality, which have been in place for so many centuries and bound so many people?

The third case seems minor in comparison but actually, the dishonesty of deception is considerably graver than most people consider.  God is truth, and any contradiction of truth is a direct opposition to God.  Directly opposing God makes one His enemy.  Try as one may, no one can stand against God.

Finally, perhaps surprising for many, the second reading points to the greatest significance of interior purity, which is to prepare us for intimacy with God.  Each one of these specific virtues are essential to an authentic intimate relationship with God.  It is only by a purified interior being that anyone can accurately follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit so as to perceive even the depths of God.  Our Lord said, “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”  (Mt. 5:8)

Come, let us show God our faith is true.  Instead of continuing to rationalize our sins and sinfulness, let us pay God the respect He deserves and actually repent them as a matter of authenticity in belief.  For He who is holy calls those who believe in Him to a life of holiness!