or else, believe because of the works themselves [charity in love]
[Jesus said], Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
Where or when does charity end?
Saint Paul did put limitations on charity in classic Pauline Theology.
The highest of these standards is charity with love.
All of the works of Jesus are rooted, usually explicitly by tears, groans, and sighs, as outward indicators of expressions of divine love.
Many of his works include other Trinitarian characteristics with ‘looking to heaven‘ or revealing the Father’s presence (I know you hear me).
When we Ask in his name, we ask for the aid of the fullness of God. And, somehow/someway, a divine and perfect response.
Where does charity end? A the feet of the Father.
When does charity end? It is eternal.
Our charity begins in and from the divine life of God. So give with silence, in prayer, and with your heart open your treasury and the Lord’s.
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
There are more posers of christianity today than ever before. You can tell as they claim superiority to Jesus. They take advantage of Chirst via Christian Nationalism and raise the heal against the Church.
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
Jesus then adds the works (signs) as additional witness to his being the Christ.
Works speak for themselves.
Testifying to self is an expression of self-awareness and identity. It should be enough. But works leave no room for doubt, at least not reasonable doubt.
Today’s workout was along the riverbed, then do drills up and down the roadside embankment. Work matters.
My favorite saying (original) The Mountain Doesn’t Care.
You prepared well or not. Worked or not. Tested equipment or not. Tested yourself by different metrics or not.
When you encounter the mountain, it doesn’t care. The work tells the story.
Those who deliberately doubted Jesus never met the test of the mountain. And work.
Greetings on this the Monday of the Second Week of Easter Readings: Acts 4:23-31; Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9; John 3:1-8
Summary
Our gospel portion today, John 3:1-6, is the preeminent baptismal gospel portion used by the Church. In it, Jesus describes the necessity of baptism of water and Spirit. By water and the Holy Spirit we receive the gift of new life from God, who is love. In that divine life, which God gives, will keep us safe from the poison of sin and allow love itself to grow always stronger in our hearts.
Nicodemus
Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ (Jn 3:5-7).
Ezekiel – from stone to fleshly hearts, from rebellious spirit to divine spirit. This points to a renewal of both body and spirit.
I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them (Ez 36:25-27).
Joel – a restoration for all, from the youngest to the oldest. All are renewed.
It shall come to pass I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions (Jl 3:1).
Reflection
From the Second Sunday of Easter we celebrate the Divine Mercy. First among the gifts of mercy, is the gift of new life in baptism. May we recall our own baptism today and pray for the baptism of all peoples – that the gift of divine love – bring the relief we all need:
Safe from the poison of Sin.
A life guided and infused with divine love.
Personal Reflection
As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).
A blessing for you based on the baptismal rite.
My brothers and sisters, I entrust you all to the mercy and help of God the almighty Father, his only Son, and the Holy Spirit. May he watch over your life, and may we all walk by the light of faith, and attain the good things he promised us.
Go in peace, and may almighty God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless you.
Greetings on this the Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy) Readings: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Summary
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 Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name (Jn 20:30-31).
Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit
Reflection
All this past week we have been dealing with the disbelief of this most marvelous of realities: Jesus is Risen. We have been exploring the various ways in which the disciples experienced the Risen Lord (and drawing from all the gospel accounts). The empty tomb, the witnesses of Mary, Peter and John and now Thomas’ My Lord and my God! is his most vivid storytelling!
In all this telling, a gift. The gospel accounts. But these are written that you may [come to] believe. Share your Jesus encounter with one another. Together in the Holy Mass and alone in the quiet of our hearts. Allow reading the scriptures reveal the Lord to you! Of which Jesus himself reveals their telling his story. And John reassures as to the divine purpose of all the scripture.
All of this brings Peace. Not as the world brings peace. A peace that enters every part of us and brings the contentment of a baby in the arms of his mother.
Personal Reflection
Jesus is Risen. Alleluiah! Alleluiah! He is risen indeed. Alleluiah! Alleluiah!
Greetings on this the Saturday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21; Mark 16:9-15
Summary
When Jesus had risen (Mk 16:9).
they did not believe (Mk 16:11b). they did not believe them either (Mk 16:13b).
The Samaritan Woman
And they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.” (Jn 4:42).
Reflection
When we preach – and did not Mary Magdalene preach? – it is essential that in some way the listener is experiencing the presence of the Lord Jesus.
Tomorrow we have the beautiful story of Doubting Thomas setting the conditions (if you will) on what it means to believe in the Risen Lord.
Next week when we encounter Jesus on the Road to Emmaus we can see the elements of the Holy Mass lived out on the road as an expression of experiencing the Risen Lord.
It might take time. Mary Magdalene and the Samaritan woman both had to tell their story and take the blowback.
All of these are reinforced by the witness of the Apostles before the leaders, elders, and scribes – even the legal authorityof the Sanhedrin.
Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”
Personal Reflection
Give your witness. Jesus is Risen.
Whoever has ears ought to hear. But to hear, someone must speak.
Greetings on this the Friday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a; John 21:1-14
Summary
Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead (Jn 21:1,14; See Jn 20:19,26).
Sea of Tiberias
The appearances to the disciples, without Thomas
The appearances to the disciples, with Thomas
The gospel of Mark is most known for the three predictions of the Passion of Jesus.
The gospel of John is most known for the revelation of Jesus and in particular the three post resurrection revelations.
Reflection
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (Ps 118:4, 22-24)
In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed (Acts 4:10b).
Personal Reflection
A short story. Yesterday I was heading to the cemetery early and there was a driving rain storm. Stopped at a convenience store for coffee. A man without shoes, in tears. Can you help me? Long story – shortened, drove him to his family in another town (praying silently I would not be late to officiate the burial!). It was brutal weather and his story was moving and personal. He asked a complex faith question from the depths of the injustice and problems he was experiencing. My answer.
I am a sinner. Christ died for me.
The peace that filled the car was palpable.
We shared the croissant and a few more stories. He arrived refreshed at his rental – dry and restored. We prayed and went on our ways.
Jesus reveals himself in kindness and confession. My confession, His kindness, Our future.
I am a sinner. Christ died for me.
The Funeral Outside of Mass was in the cemetery chapel and then under the canopy for burial. I know how much the prayers helped the family by way of the liturgical grace. I am also sure another family received graces yesterday by way of revelation.
Just a nice picture of a porch and shelter after a long day on the trail
Greetings on this the Thursday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9; Luke 24:35-48
Summary
Peter’s Speech
As the crippled man who had been cured clung to Peter and John, all the people hurried in amazement toward them in the portico called “Solomon’s Portico.” When Peter saw this, he addressed the people. And by faith in his name (Jesus), this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you (Acts 3:11-12a, 16).
The Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem
The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you. Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” (Lk 24:36-37, 39).
Reflection
Solomon’s Portico is a place of teaching and shelter for all who come to the Temple. It is in this place the crippled man was healed and clings to Peter and John. Jesus himself having Resurrected and returned to his disciples has flesh and bone – as the Church is in his name – flesh and bone.
There are plenty of days we can be critical of and make suggestions for changes in the Church. By all means, do so! But today? Remember to cling to Peter and John.
Jesus who came back in flesh and bone, Peter and John, flesh and bones stand in Solomon’s Portico offering shelter, healing, and teaching.
Personal Reflection
But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost (Lk 24:37).
The world can be a startling and terrifying place. The Church – at times – can seem like a ghost – not real or imagery only.
But, no. The Church is bread, flesh and bone. The Church is the gift Jesus leaves all of us until the End of Time.
