Category: Easter

Greetings on this the Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9; Victimae paschali laudes; Luke 24:35-48

Summary

Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 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 24:38-39)”

Corresponds to: During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid (MT 14:25-27).

Reflection

I’m not going to give a reflection on ghosts. There is specific guidance on the topic and that can be found in the catechism. Here’s a short approachable video on the topic:

Rather the statement by Jesus is about the efficacious nature of the divine presence.
Simplifying the topic: ghosts frighten, the divine loves.

1. They had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.
2. Peace be with you.
3. Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
4. They were still incredulous for joy and were amazed.
5. You are witnesses of these things (you have seen it for yourself).

Personal Reflection

Bread, peace, personal, visual and witnessed to by so many.

In the Easter Octave we are given the real and palpable Resurrection as much as a text can provide. But the words of Jesus urge us to go deeper of our own analysis. This is not a ghostly, transient, frightful, barely perceptible pseudo-reality. No, resurrection is real, touchable, approachable and filled with loving reassurance.

He is not a ghost. He is not a myth. He is not merely an ideal.

He is the Lord and He is risen!

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042425.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9; Victimae paschali laudes; Luke 24:13-35

Summary

Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Lk 24:32).

Reflection

The Lord God accompanies us in such a gentle way.

That very day, filled with disappointment, we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel, Jesus was there.

So gentle:

1. Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.
2. He asked them questions: what is bothering you? What sort of things?
3. He taught them. Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.
4. He stayed with them. He ate with them.
5. He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him.

Personal Reflection

When we have disappointment in our community or even our church, remember the Journey to Emmaus. When you are in your deepest depression, look around, Jesus is there accompanying you.

1. To walk with you.
2. To talk with you and you him.
3. To teach you the good.
4. To stay with you and break bread with you.
5. To share himself with you.

You are not alone.
Let your heart burn with love.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042325.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 2:36-41; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22; Victimae paschali laudes; John 20:11-18

Summary

During the Octave of Easter the Church gives us two parallel courses of thought. The faith as it moves forward through time with the Apostles (Book of Acts) and the Apostles reaction and acceptance of the Resurrection (the Gospel accounts). Since we are in sede vacante, “the seat is vacant”, it is a marvelous expression of the one and same question.

The Church must go forward AND the gospel message has not changed nor lost its primacy

1. Repent and be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2. Tell THE story, tell YOUR story: “I have seen the Lord”.

In our first readings since Easter Sunday has been from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles and will continue the sequence until Pentecost Sunday. Strategically starting with the Apostles just after Pentecost (Acts 2:14ff) int Easter Octave. We see the forward movement of the faith with this discourse (of the six Discourses of Acts), Apostles healing power, Apostles put before the law and the Signs and Wonders through the Apostles.

1. Peter’s Speech at Pentecost.
2. Cure of a Crippled Beggar.
3. Peter’s Speech.
4. Before the Sanhedrin.
5. Before the Sanhedrin – 2.
6. Signs and Wonders of the Apostles.

In our gospel readings since Easter has been exclusively about the Apostles and their reaction to the Resurrection which will continue until Divine Mercy Sunday.

1. The Empty Tomb.
2. The Appearance to Mary and Mary Magdalene.
3. The Appearance to Mary of Magdala.
4. The Appearance on the Road to Emmaus.
5. The Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem.
6. The Appearance to the Seven Disciples.
7. The Appearance to Mary Magdalene, The Appearance to Two Disciples and The Commissioning of the Eleven (as a set).

Reflection

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” (Jn 20:17b-18).

Personal Reflection

We are in trying times and without our Pope. Everything changes and yet nothing changes. Repent, be baptized and tell your story of your encounter with the Lord.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042225.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Monday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Victimae paschali laudes; Matthew 28:8-15

Summary

Weep not for Francis, but for the world that loses him.
The voice of the poor has died.
Let us be His successors.
--
Llora no por Francisco, sino por le mundo que lo pierde.
La voz de los pobres ha muerto.
Seamos sus sucesores.

• Fr Frank O’Loughlin on the occasion of the death of Pope Francis

The Two Distinct Responses

The Resurrection of Jesus.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (MT 28:8-10).

The Report of the Guard.

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the [leadership] all that had happened. The [leadership] assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the [people] to the present day (MT 28:11-15).

Reflection

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal (Victimae paschali laudes).

Personal Reflection

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

Tumultuous times! Pope Francis was a life-giving gift form the Lord. Now the see planted will yield growth and fruits of the Spirit.

In regards to Pope Francis and his pontificate:

The less we prayed,
the more we were confused.

The less we fasted,
the more enraged we became.

The less we had compassion,
the more we became dogmatic.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this Pentecost Sunday
Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13;

Summary

The gift of the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity. Just as each of the gospel accounts start with an introduction to the life of Jesus and his purpose in the Incarnation, so too the Holy Spirit announces his life and purpose to us at Pentecost.

Offering to All People

• For each Individual, We hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.
• For every Baptised, To each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
• For the Whole World, Send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Change in the Person

• 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.
• In every gift the purpose, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
• In every heart, Holy Spirit, whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.

For the Everlasting Benefit

• Give them virtue’s sure reward (this life).
• Give them your salvation, Lord (next life).
• Give them joys that never end (all life).

Reflection

The giving of the Holy Spirit is as a gift from the Father and from the Son (“proceeds”). The person of the Spirit was given in the Peace of Christ (“Peace be with you”). The person of the Spirit was given in the Breath of the Divine (new creation as in Genesis). The mission of the Holy Spirit is the forgiveness of Sins (the power to become forgiveness).

Personal Reflection

And if he has done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me (Phil 1:18).

In my life the Holy Spirit moves me to forgive. I can only completely do that in the peace of Christ and the love of God, the Father. The prayer of Jesus (the Our Father) has one requirement of us, [to] forgive those who trespass against us.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

First Reading

We hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.

Responsorial

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Second Reading

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

Sequence

Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.
Amen.
Alleluia.

Here: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/06/05/veni-sancte-spiritus/

Gospel Acclamation

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Gospel

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.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Explanation

The Francoist regime has been described by other scholars as a “Fascismo a la española” (“Spanish-style Fascism”) or as a specific variant of Fascism marked by the preponderance of the Catholic Church, the Armed Forces and Traditionalism.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francoist_Spain

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5 and 7; Jn 21:20-25

Summary

I want to present to you the endings of the four Gospels and of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. Like the Beginnings, some with a prologue, but all start with a particular phrase that sets the stage for the script to follow. Any serious reader and study of scripture should take a look at these things as a collection and ponder the specificity of the message as a framework to be remembered as they read.

Your life too has a framework. You have a beginning and one day (hopefully in a happy old age) an ending. You decide what type of life you have and the things you control you design. What is your beginning? Who do you belong to? Who loved you into being? What is your ‘Good News’? Do people run from you or are they attracted to your goodness?

What is the end you want written about you?

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikini_Atoll

Alfred Nobel had loathed war all his life and was stunned when his obituary referred to him as a "merchant of death." He vowed that he would not be remembered as such! So he decided to leave his immense fortune to foster science, literature and peace. The Nobel Prizes were born! All because a journalist did not check his facts. Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history/how-dynamite-spawned-nobel-prizes

Tomorrow is Pentecost and the end of the Easter season. The gift of the Holy Spirit is given. Given so that the ending of your story will be a good ending for all.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Endings

Gospel Mark

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Gospel Matthew

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Gospel Luke

Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

Acts of the Apostles

Let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel John

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19

Notes

Peter’s denial of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels. Only in the gospel of John do we see the details of his rehabilitation.

Love

• “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
• He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
• He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Action

• Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” (Children and Babies).
• He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” (Ordered behavior and the liability to do rightly).
• Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep”. (Adults; Ewes and Rams.).

Future

• When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.
• And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Summary

Paul sought to be judged not by the King Agrippa, titular king, (and Bernice) nor by Antonius Felix (and Drusilla) nor by Porcius Festus (current Roman authority) but by the Emperor, the chief judge of the Roman Empire. They were judging Paul by what he has done.

Peter was being judged by Jesus by what Peter loves.

Reflection

Do you love me dialog is highly regarded for the nature of the judgement and the rehabilitation of Peter. We are judged by Jesus but in a very narrow focus. That’s a fact. We are judged by what we love and then what we do. But first of all and of the highest importance is the question, “Who do you love?“

Personal Reflection

Jesus challenges us to get our love and our actions into alignment. Who do we love and how to we tend to those we love is the nature of the question. But unlike the roman judges for Paul, the centering question is love.

Love, tend and feed. Everyone.

First Reading

And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar. [Later] And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Responsorial

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.

Gospel Acclamation

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you.

Gospel

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry