The Ascension of the Lord • Year A
The true pilgrim is in the world and goes through its venues but does not surrender to the ambitions and idolatries of the world. He exercises discernment upon the reality of life refusing to conform with the illusions, false truths, and seductions of worldly life. And above all, is moved by the Spirit, with firm convictions and courage to proclaim the Gospel message in such a way that creates confidence and hope affecting others to imitation.
Sixth Sunday of Easter • Year A
Christ wants to live his life in us. Yes. That is it, quite simply! And in the Gospel today, Jesus elaborates on how this is going to happen in and through his disciples. The Gospel takes us back to Jesus with his disciples after the Last Supper. He is preparing his disciples for a transition that will follow his suffering, death, and resurrection.
Fifth Sunday of Easter • Year A
So, whether we are office worker, truck driver, medical worker, student or happily retired – our duty is the same: to gather with other disciples and follow the Way of Jesus – the Way of Truth and Life in compassion, service and sacrifice looking forward to sharing with them that dwelling place in God’s House.
Fourth Sunday of Easter • Year A
We, too, are called to do simple things: to cook and to clean, to work and to study, to reach out to a friend, to pray. And sometimes we are called to suffer, whether it be the death of a loved one, the failure of a project, or rejection by a friend. Sickness, financial difficulties, day-to-day struggles – in all of these, Jesus promises, is the way to life. Suffering is not explained, but rather is offered as a mystical part of following Christ and completing his work. In our gospel today, Jesus says that he is both the shepherd who leads us and the gate through which we are to enter into a more abundant life.
Third Sunday of Easter • Year A
one of the first lessons of the Gospel passage is that no matter where we are on the journey Jesus meets us there. While those two disciples “were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.” He heard their concerns and disappointments and then opened their eyes to the Truth, to the transforming message of the Resurrection. So too Jesus meets each of us, draws near us daily on the way, where we are in life. He listens to our joys, our concerns, our hurts. He gives us his very self, if we but let him, which leads to a second lesson from our Gospel story.
Second Sunday of Easter • Year A
Thomas’ profession was based on the undeniable manifestation of God’s enormous love. With Thomas, the Lord calls us to this same lifelong transforming experience from doubt to faith. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). We must open our minds and the eyes of our hearts to recognize the Lord present in our own wounds and the wounds of others.
