The Feast on the Beach

~~~ Acts 4: 1-12 ~~~ Psalm 118 ~~~ John 21: 1-14

Peter evidently had not filed the correct paper word to gather large crowds and preach in the public forum. The officials were disturbed by what was being taught about the resurrection of the dead. Acting in fear they throw them in jail. The high priests did not know what to do with these men. They could perform works beyond normal ability and could attract large crowds of people when they preached.

Peter has found his courage where earlier he was quick to deny he even knew Jesus. Peter boldly proclaims that all they are doing is only in the name of Jesus Christ...’the stone rejected’ he says, ‘by you.’

Sometimes when you are depressed the best thing you can do is jump right back into your normal routine. That is exactly what Peter and the others did; they went fishing. Jesus knew them so well. He shows up on the beach, but they too do not recognize him. It is curious that in each encounter Jesus has after his resurrection with those closest to him...they do not see him as they knew him before.

Does that mean that when we die we may not recognize our loved ones who have gone before us? Maybe some food thought.

After Jesus suggests that they cast their net to the other side of the boat...then John figures it out. He excitedly tells Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ Of course Peter being Peter tucks in his clothes and dives into the water. He could not contain his desire to see the Lord.

 

Jesus has the breakfast all ready for them. He invites them to come to the feast. The feast of joy, prepared for them by his resurrection and given to all. They asked no questions, looked at each other, nodded affirmatively and accepted the invitation to eat.

This is the third time Jesus reveals himself after being raised from the dead.

Jesus invites us all to the feast he has prepared for us. There is no pot luck with the Lord everything is part of the Divine plan.

Will you come to the feast? I will look for you there.

Let Jesus Open Your Mind

~~~ Acts 3: 11-26 ~~~ Psalm 8 ~~~ Luke 24: 35-48 ~~~

Peter is not mincing his words during this sermon. He accuses the Israelites of ignoring all of the words of the prophets. “...The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.” Peter finally says after he calms down, but I know you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.”

In other words you still have a chance to make things right with your God. Even if you make a mistake and follow the wrong person; once you discover this you can still repent and be converted.

These are the very people God made his covenant with through Abraham and Moses. He is appealing to their understanding of their own heritage...don’t you get it?

You are the chosen people from ancient times.

Jesus extended peace to the disciples, standing in their midst, while the two from Emmaus are excitedly sharing how they ‘recognized him in the breaking of the bread’.

I think so often we are fearful when we recognize God is working in our lives. Questions do arise within our hearts. Maybe we are fine where we are and the thought of something different is unsettling. Our plans are often not God's plans for us.

Jesus invites them to touch him. He wants them to know without a doubt that it really is him. It is not a ghost they are creating in their mind, but it is him. While they are still catching their breath he asks for something to eat. He eats and confirms for them the truths written by the prophets long before.

Then Jesus does something remarkable, but yet something we can also pray for today... “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” They had this huge AHA! Suddenly their questions were no longer unanswered. They could see with new vision. Jesus was giving them this blessing, because of their faithfulness. They became first person witnesses to the fulfillment of the scriptural promises.

Amazing Grace!!

They had first hand confirmation of his resurrection. They once again touched him and ate with him. This is one of several post resurrection appearances made by Jesus. He was assuring his beloved followers that there would be no questions or any doubt about the resurrection.

They had made the sorrowful journey to Golgotha with him and now

they are included in the magnificence of his Resurrection.

What you have seen with your own eyes,

touched with your own fingers,

and heard with your own ears can never be taken away from you.

These experiences with Jesus permanently imprinted  upon their hearts.

They went out to spread the good news.

The prophets were indeed inspired by God through their words.

What is imprinted upon your heart?

Is Jesus a Stranger to You?

Acts 3:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 105 ~~~ Luke 24: 13-35

I think it is good to be reminded as we are today that the apostles were blessed with the gift of healing in the name of Jesus. Today is one such account...Peter does not boast that he can heal instead he invokes the name of Jesus Christ to extend his healing. While I may be skeptical of some of those who claim to have this healing power; I am reminded today it comes from God and not the person. The power to heal must be for the honor and glory of God not an individual.

Whenever you are healed remember jumping and praising
God is always in good taste and appropriate.

The gospel today is one of my favorites...the Road to Emmaus...

These two friends are feeling really depressed after all that has happened to Jesus. He was their hope and now he was gone. They were feeling pretty confused and frustrated. Suddenly out of nowhere a 'stranger' joins them on their journey. Of course we know this is Jesus. How many times in my own life have I failed to recognize Jesus when he is right beside me too?

Jesus is so patient with them.
He listens while they go on and on about how the tomb was empty.
He does talk with them. He shares knowledge of the scriptures and even though their hearts were burning inside...they still do not recognize him as Jesus, the teacher.

After arriving at their destination Jesus joins them at table to share a meal.

This is where he reveals who he truly is...their beloved Jesus.

They recognized him in the breaking of the bread. They had done this together on many prior occasions. This time it is his familiar actions and not his voice that gives away his true identity. God chooses many different ways to reveal himself to us.

Practice being more aware of the many ways God
reveals himself to you, just for today. 

More Came to Believe

Acts of the Apostles 2: 36-41 ~~~Psalm 33 ~~~ John 20: 11-18

"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

This sounds like a headline riped from one of today's tabloids, but it was actually recorded by the Gospel writer, Luke.  This sentence was part of a longer dissertation being presented to the Israelites by Peter soon after the Resurrection. He goes on to tell them that those promises made to them and to their children and to any one else the Lord will call would be honored.

That day, of those who heard the message, three thousand were baptized. They went on to devote themselves to the teachings of the apostles and to the communal life. "All who believed were together all things in common..." (Acts 2: 44) Times were blessed and filled with joy. Every day more people came to believe and join the community.

For awhile now we will hear about how the faith grew around the teachings of Jesus through his apostles. These testimonies are meant to give us reason to feel grounded in what we have been taught too.

This verse from the psalm sums up their prevailing sentiment "...May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you."

Meanwhile back at the tomb...

Grieving, Mary Magdalene remains weeping. Even when you accept the resurrection you still shed tears for the loss of the physical presence of the one you love who is no longer with you. John places angels sitting in the tomb keeping watch over the space or filling it with grace. Perhaps John was making the connection with the angels present at the birth of Jesus. These angels were not singing this day they were marking the spot where the raising had taken place.

It is wonderful when the angels speak...they inquire as to why the tears are falling.

But much to Mary's surprise the one she sees outside also asks about her tears. This does not bother her because she assumes it is the gardener

who would not have known Jesus.

Then it happens; she hears the voice of the one whom she loves call her by name, 'Mary'. I am convinced that the qualities of the voice of Jesus were beyond our comprehension. For many times it was only his voice that changed people's lives.
Mary must have been overjoyed to hear the sweet sound
of this voice once again saying her name.

Think about how you like to hear your name pronounced by a loved one.
Now imagine God calling you by name. I mean really hearing with human ears your name spoken by God...perhaps at the time of our death.
Wonderful things can happen in a garden.

Celebrate! Day 100 'Under the Fig Tree'

Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33 ~~~ Psalm 16 ~~~ Matt. 28: 8-15

Today is my 100th post for this blog.

I must say I am proud of my discipline to stay the course.

Jesus goes before us in all things. He leads the way for he is the way, the truth and the life. It is through his death and resurrection that we find hope and strength. It is because we see and believe what we have been told; death does not generate despair. Death is not the end. Death is the real beginning.

Therefore we join the psalmist "...my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence..."

The writings of Matthew record that Jesus meets Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they are rushing away from the tomb to share the good news. Jesus says to them, "Do not be afraid...", but they are already down embracing his feet.

It is hard to imagine what this scene might have looked like.

Now Jesus did not have to avoid the authorities. He did not have to fear for his life any longer. He is eager to see his apostles again in his new body.
His new body glorified by God and renewed by the Spirit of everlasting life.

If they could see him they would be filled with his peace and hope.
He would dissolve all of their fears.

The women came with the oils and spices,
but there was no need to anoint the body. The body was already gone.

I am reminded of the Chrism Mass which takes place early in Holy Week. This is the most extravagant and lavish of the liturgies. This special Mass only takes place once  for the whole diocese. This is the Mass where all of the sacramental oils used for the year are extended special blessings. Large urns or jars filled with each of the three oils are presented in procession before the Cardinal.

Each of the oils is given a blessing particular to the sacrament for which it is used.

When the Chrism oil is presented the fragrance is actually added and mixed into the oil by the Cardinal. This potent fragrance infuses this oil used for Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. The three sacraments received only once in a person's life.

The many rituals we hold dear give us a sense of security, one of our basic needs as human beings. These rituals emphasize there is nothing God would not do for us from washing our feet to giving up his very life.

What has this Easter inspired within you?
Personally I am reminded over and over again to let his words of everlasting life be the pillars of my heart. That no matter what may happen there is something greater beyond our understanding and knowledge.

May we never lose our sense of Wonder and Awe
for all the good things He has done for us.

From Death into Life

Acts of the Apostles 10: 34a, 37-43 ~~~ Psalm 118 ~~~ Col. 3:1-4 ~~~ John 20: 1-9

He is Risen!

Let's return to the morning after...I am sure that Mary and those who loved Jesus got very little sleep after witnessing his barbaric death. I know from personal experience if I am upset about something how difficult it is to sleep. Your mind is working over time thinking about possibilities or solutions.

They had no time to properly prepare the body because of the Jewish feast beginning at sundown. They were not allowed to stay at the burial site and keep watch. 
The body of Jesus was laid in the tomb and left alone.

We are never alone when we have Jesus inside our heart.

The tomb was dark, he was wrapped tightly as a baby is swaddled. His arms and legs held close to his body. Swaddling makes a baby feel secure. Jesus was secure in knowing that it was finished, he had completed the will of the Father.

"...while it was still dark..."

Mary and the others returned to the tomb before dawn. The earth lay cloaked in darkness until Jesus was raised and released from the dark tomb. His glory broke forth like the new day's dawn.  The first ray of sunlight pierces the dark sky breaking open the new day.
The resurrection of Jesus dispels all sin and darkness. For he ushers in the eternal light of Salvation. We shall no longer walk in darkness.

Word spread as the rays of sun danced across the horizon proclaiming the empty tomb. The stone rolled back, the swaddling cloths neatly left behind. The separate cloth covering his face carefully set aside. Those who came saw and believed though they did not fully understand the scriptures.

Raised from dead; he now sits at the right hand of the Father
where they reign in glory as one.

As we celebrate the Resurrection let us joyfully sing Alleluia,
just as we joyfully sang the Gloria at his birth.

For we cannot have one without the other; life and death are part
of the great Circle of Life.
Today we are given confirmation of life after death in the kingdom of God.

He Makes All Things New

The Easter Vigil liturgy is saturated with his holiness.

Abundant Blessings...new fire...new water...the scriptural history of our salvation...new Catholics...Baptisms...Confirmation...First Eucharist...invocation of the Saints...all supported with beautiful music.

Behold, he makes all things new.

Christ is the Alpha and the Omega.

This solemn night gives birth to the mystery of new hope.

This is a most holy night...a most sacred night when we commemorate Christ fulfilling the promise of eternal life. We remember all that he has done for us and we celebrate because we believe. We believe that we shall see the goodness of the Lord. We believe that we shall walk in the land of the living with the Lord.
We believe that we too shall be made new.

We gather as a community to bear witness, but also to watch and pray together. We gather in solidarity with the newest Catholics. In truth they in turn inspire me to renew my faith.

The Light of Christ triumphantly enters into a darkened worship space. The new paschal candle annonces the saving light that dispels all darkness is here. This very large pillar candle of fire is prominently placed for all to see in the sanctuary.

The church gives us both Old Testament and New Testament readings, nine in all as we trace the history of our creation...the faith of Abraham...the safe passage of the Israelites...reassuring words that God will be there to take us back...the invitation to come to the water...acknowledging the wisdom of God...purified through God proving his holiness...

Romans 6:3-11 ~~~ Psalm 118 ~~~ Mark 16: 1-7
We are baptized into life and death with Christ. We will be joined with Christ in his Ressurection. Death will no longer have power over us...he makes all things new.

Alleluia...Alleluia...Alleluia
We have reason to rejoice the tomb is empty. The stone has been rolled back...Jesus is clothed in his glory. He makes all things new...Mary and the others were amazed at what they did not find. They did not find the body of Jesus they had come to anoint.

The glorious Jesus whom they did not recognize instructed them with a message to deliver to the disciples and Peter.

"He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you."
Mark 16:7

He goes before us making all things new.
Spring is the most appropriate time of the year for us to celebrate the Resurrection. Nature responds every year to his credit and for his glory...
making all things new.

New things are fresh and clean. They smell pure not at all life the decay of death.
We prayed during this Lent for a clean heart and our prayers are answered with much more. We have been given a fresh start. We have been given another opportunity to respond to the question..."Who do you say that I am?"

I say, Lord, you are the one I am forever grateful to for leading me to your side.
I am forever grateful for being given abundant graces.