Wednesday, 3rd Week of Easter                    Today’s gospel reading is part of the long discourse in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel on the Bread of Life. For us Catholics, the Bread of Life is Christ in the Eucharist. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus asserts, “I am the bread of life…”             One gospel commentary … Continue reading THE EUCHARISTIC BREAD

Tuesday, 3rd Week of Easter                         Today’s first reading talks about the martyrdom of Stephen. St. Stephen is the first Christian martyr.             In the earliest days of the Church only those who, like St. Stephen, suffered a martyr’s death were recognized as saints. The reason was that sanctity is conformity to Christ. And one … Continue reading CONFORMITY TO CHRIST

Monday, 3rd Week of Easter                          “Do not work for food that perishes…”             There is a story found in C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. Mary, Edmund, their cousin Eustice, and some of the colorful creatures of Narnia, come upon a crystal-clear pool of water with what appears to be a golden statue of … Continue reading PERISHABLE FOOD

3rd Sunday of Easter                        A famous musician and singer said, “The world is like a symphony orchestra.” “God is the Conductor of that orchestra.” “When people turn to him for direction, there is harmony among them.” “But when they turn away, then there is trouble, confusion, and strife.”             The disciples of Jesus turned … Continue reading PEACE TO YOU

3rd Sunday of Easter                        A story is told of the great missionary to Burma, Adorinam Judson. Judson went to the King of Burma to ask his permission to be allowed to go to a certain city to preach. The King, a pagan but quite an intelligent man, responded, “I’m willing to allow a dozen … Continue reading WOUNDED HANDS AND FEET

3rd Sunday of Easter                        Ten years ago, a group of former parishioners asked me to facilitate their overnight recollection. It was originally scheduled before the Holy Week. And they wanted me to dwell on the theme of metanoia – repentance and conversion. But it was moved three weeks after – so it was already … Continue reading RESURRECTION AND CONVERSION

Saturday, 2nd Week of Easter                        “It is I. Do not be afraid.”             In John’s Gospel, the statement “It is I,” which literally “I am,” is the revelation formula par excellence. It reflects the Old Testament self-revelation of Yahweh.             Let us go back to the Book of Exodus… Moses was called and told … Continue reading IT IS I… I AM

Friday, 2nd Week of Easter             Jesus took the five loaves and two fish of a boy. Obviously, they were not enough – they were practically nothing. However, it was all that Jesus needed to perform a miracle. The small gifts of an insignificant boy were enough to feed everyone. Jesus used this very small … Continue reading OUR LITTLE RESOURCES

Thursday, 2nd Week of Easter                       “Whoever disobeys the Son… the wrath of God remains upon him.”             What is God’s wrath? According to Leo Zanchettin, it is often described in the Old Testament as divine anger at man’s disobedience. The prophets used highly descriptive images, like blazing, consuming fire, to convey God’s wrath. Scripture … Continue reading GOD’S WRATH

Wednesday, 2nd Week of Easter                   Light and darkness, belief and unbelief, as well as above and below: John uses these words to convey what it means to turn from sin and live according to the ways of God. Jesus came from above and is the light sent by God. Our acceptance of Jesus as … Continue reading CHOOSING LIFE