This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Psalm 118:24 Where is Jesus? “They have taken the Lord from the tomb,and we don’t know where they put him.”So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb… When Simon Peter arrived after him [other disciple],he went into the tomb and saw […]
Are you comparing? Are you for or against? Are you an obstacle for others? In this Gospel, the disciple John questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. John’s question might have been motivated by jealousy. Previously in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had been unable to heal. John’s question is further evidence that the disciples have not yet grasped Jesus’ words to them. They continue to compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and they do not want to share the power of Jesus’ name with others…The disciples observed that the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus’ name and was successful in his healing efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus’ name, yet he was not a follower of Jesus. Later in this Gospel, Jesus teaches us not to create obstacles for those who are just beginning to have faith but to encourage even the smallest signs of faith. The Greek word used here for sin also connotes “stumbling” or “causing scandal.” In vivid terms Jesus teaches his disciples the consequences to those who would put obstacles before people who are on the road to faith. – Excerpt from the Sunday Connection by Loyola Press. While the miracles that happen in these stories can be unbelievable, they are eyewitness accounts recorded for us in the Gospel. We learn that so much can happen in Jesus’ […]
In today’s story from the Book of John, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning. In the dark, she sees that the stone has been moved away from the tomb. It’s open! She runs to get Peter and the beloved disciple (John) and tell them about what she has found. John runs faster than Peter so he gets their first. He looks in and can see the burial cloths! Peter goes in first to see that the cloths that Jesus was wrapped in for burial are there but the tomb is empty! Then John went in, saw and believed. Somehow, even after all the things that Jesus said, they didn’t understand that Jesus had risen from the dead. On Easter, we celebrate Jesus victory over death. We get to sing the Gloria and Alleluia again! We thank God for the gift he gives us. He has born our sins and purchased for us Eternal Life. We enter the season of Easter. Over the next weeks of Easter Season, we learn about the times that Jesus appeared to the disciples. He really rose from the dead! We hear about the signs and wonders of the Apostles in the Acts of the Apostles. Easter Sunday Readings for April 21, 2019 – John 20:1-9http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042119.cfm Next week, we celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy. See the bulletin for more details!
A good heart produces good. A good tree produces good fruit. A disciple is a good student that not only sits at the feet of the teacher but becomes like the teacher. We can only become the best version of ourselves by emulating the teacher. The saying that ‘you are what you eat’ is very true. What you put in matters! What are you doing to water your faith and grow in love? Lent begins in a few days. We can enjoy Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) but then we need to dig in and make some changes. Resolution Reset. You probably had goals at the beginning of the year. Did you evaluate the areas in your life that you could improve? It’s much easier to eat well and exercise when you have positive influences. Your attitude matters. That’s the spiritual side of the equation. What can you do to improve your spirit and mood? Confession (get that beam out of your eye) and spiritual reading can help to lighten the load. Read the daily Readings, get an app or join a bible/book study. Even better—get a friend to join you! Getting someone to walk with you is Jesus’ prescription. In Mark 6, he sent them out in pairs and said to keep it simple but do it! It changes everything! Based on the Gospel for Sunday, March 3, 2019 http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030319.cfm
Can you be trusted in small matters? (Luke 16:10-11) I asked students in Grades 1-5 at the beginning of class time this week if they can be trusted. I told them the Scripture and then posed a few questions. If they volunteered, they could take responsibility for something small. Students raised their hands and even jumped up for this chance […]
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