Third Sunday of Easter

Lectionary: 46

Reading 1

Acts 2:14, 22-33

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
You who are Israelites, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,
which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.

"My brothers, one can confidently say to you
about the patriarch David that he died and was buried,
and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him
that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld
nor did his flesh see corruption.
God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.
Exalted at the right hand of God,
he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father
and poured him forth, as you see and hear."
 

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, 
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 

Reading 2

1 Peter 1:17-21

Beloved:
If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one's works,
conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world 
but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God.
 

Alleluia

Cf. Luke 24:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us;
make our hearts burn while you speak to us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 

Gospel

Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, 
two of Jesus' disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them, 
"What are you discussing as you walk along?"
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?"
And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"
They said to him, 
"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning 
and did not find his body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see."
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?"
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
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?"
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the eleven and those with them who were saying,
"The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
Then the two recounted 
what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

“He was made known to them in the breaking of bread.”

For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to His Apostles and disciples in many ways, each with an intended purpose. Many received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, while others received catechesis and instruction. All these occurrences shaped them further and strengthened their faith. All doubt of Jesus’ divinity was removed and they were on fire with the faith. With the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, all that was given to them before was revealed completely and all things fell into place. Where they remained hidden in the upper room before, they now stood up to those in positions of authority and power to rebuke them and claim their birthright as Children of God. Today, in the First Reading, Peter announced what is a dogma of our faith:

 

“This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,

you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.

But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,

because it was impossible for him to be held by it.”

 

He then reminds them of Jesus’ lineage through King David and how the revelation of Jesus Christ was revealed to David, with an understanding even then that death had been conquered, and eternal life was given to all of us. Death is no longer to be feared and there is only eternal life remaining through a relationship with God and  Jesus Christ.

 

From King David to Peter, all fear and doubt had been removed. Those touched by God and those who enter into relationship with Him, become a vehicle through which God builds up His kingdom here on this earth. Where His presence is known, all fear dissipates and only joy remains: a perfect emotion and state of being. The pinnacle of this existence is an understanding that there is no death remaining, for it has been conquered.

 

As the Book of the Acts of the Apostles progresses, the Breaking of the Bread is mentioned several times. We read about it in the Gospel reading today, how two of Jesus’ disciples recognized Him because of this act. The establishment of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, has already been touched upon through Jesus’ instructions at the Last Supper, and now it is continuously being emphasized. The message is clear: Jesus Christ is realized and seen through the breaking of the bread.

 

“This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”

 

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”

 

Inextricably clear, we are to eat His body and drink His blood, as Jesus commanded, thus uniting ourselves to Him physically, mentally, and spiritually. All followers of Jesus did this every time they gathered to worship and there were special instructions set down in writing in a document named, “The Didache,” or “The teachings of the Twelve Apostles.” This document offered instruction to first century Christians regarding the Eucharist being the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, along with other dogmas that could not be refuted.

 

What does that mean for us? This means that the Eucharist must be a central part of our relationship with Jesus Christ and that we should be open to having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that has the Eucharist as its primary vehicle. It is through the Eucharist that Jesus Christ is realized, and it is through consuming it that we receive that vital spiritual food that is necessary to combat the evils of the world and everything that opposes God.

 

As we continue to celebrate the Easter Season, we are encouraged to approach our faith with more vigor and an understanding that we cannot separate our faith-life from our physical life. They are intertwined and are the things that define us, regarding who we are and where we are going. If we are indeed Children of the Resurrection and have claimed our birthright as Children of God, then we must act accordingly. Also, as children, we must listen to our Father and do what He says to lead a fulfilling life and experience His love. Spiritual gifts will follow and His Divine Mercy, along with all of His love, will then pour down upon us uninhibited.

 

There are times in our lives, especially in moments of crisis, that we will find ourselves struggling for answers. As Christians, the answers that we are usually seeing have already been given to us through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Teachings of the Church. It is up to us to get out of our own way and actually listen to the answers. It is through these things known as the Deposit of Faith, that we can come to understand that there is no need to question anything. It is through the pursuit of wisdom and a trust in God that we will come to understand these things even before we feel the need to seek them. That is what happened to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus when they encountered Jesus. Jesus rebuked them by saying,

 

"Oh, how foolish you are!

How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things

and enter into his glory?"

 

In other words, they should have known that Jesus was to be resurrected, but they got in their own way and human emotion coupled with their self-will got in the way of fully understanding had occurred and what is still occurring around themselves.

 

Now knowing fully that we are God’s children and Children of the Resurrection, we need to have constant diligence so as not to be caught off-guard. We really do not have any excuse for that to occur. We are indeed possessors of the truth and bearers of the Eucharist. Possessing the truth means we should have no fear of what is to come. Bearing the Eucharist means that God is with us and we should have no fear, only joy in knowing that our Father is with us and watching over us.

 

Deacon Tom

 

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Lectionary: 43

Reading 1

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves
to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,
to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone,
and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
All who believed were together and had all things in common;
they would sell their property and possessions
and divide them among all according to each one’s need.
Every day they devoted themselves
to meeting together in the temple area
and to breaking bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.
And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

R. (1) Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
R. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2

1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith,
to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while
you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith,
more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although you have not seen him you love him;
even though you do not see him now yet believe in him,
you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Alleluia

John 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
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.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But he said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

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 Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

CHRIST HAS RISEN!

 

HE HAS TRULY RISEN!

 

Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. As it is written on the Divine Mercy Website:

 

In a series of revelations to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, our Lord called for a special feast day to be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.  Today, we know that feast as Divine Mercy Sunday, named by Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. 

The Lord expressed His will with regard to this feast in His very first revelation to St. Faustina. The most comprehensive revelation can be found in her Diary entry 699:

My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy.

 

So, it is through our Lord Savior Jesus Christ that we arrive at this day, and it is through Him that we are invited to partake in His mercy. Jesus, who gave up everything so that our sins may be forgiven and that we may obtain eternal life, now beckons us constantly and endlessly to come forward and take more: to receive His Divine Mercy and constant flow of grace that pours down us, only interrupted if we decide to prevent in from cascading our bodies and entering our souls. This is how awesome our God truly is: where mercy is the key element, coupled with love, that defines the perfect relationship that He wants with us. It is not only something that He wants but is something that He pines for.

 

Divine Mercy Sunday is a befitting celebration for the Easter Season, for it reminds us that, if we truly seek forgiveness, it will be freely given, since Jesus Christ died for us and was then resurrected from the dead, thus conquering death and bringing us eternal life. Henceforth, we can be counted among the Children of the Resurrection if we choose to do so. This takes action on our part. Yes, we have already done a lot: carrying our own crosses throughout the Lenten Season, uniting ourselves to the Crucified Christ, contemplating our brokenness, all the while confronting our sinful nature. Then came the Resurrection. It is through the Resurrection that we found joy. The darkness was overcome by the light. That light was Jesus Christ. Through the Resurrection, we not only became witnesses to the light, but are invited to walk into it and become part of it. As Jesus said,

 

“Remain in me and I will remain in you.”

 

  The kingdom of God is truly inside of us, for we are God’s children created in His image. Jesus has also told us that He remains inside of us, thus we become vessels for the Holy Spirit also. The Love of God can and will inflame us, setting us on fire during our spiritual journey to him on this earth, just as Thomas was the first of Jesus’ followers to exclaim the full divinity of Jesus Christ with the words, “MY LORD AND MY GOD.” This was a short time after Thomas jealously rebuked the other disciples when they tried to tell him that the Resurrected Jesus appeared to them. It was the Holy Spirit that opened his eyes and led Him to believe that which, ironically enough, no one else could see. That same Holy Spirit, the love of God, is at work inside all of us and has the capacity to transform ourselves into something greater than we can ever realize as a result.

 

As the apostle Peter reminded us in his letter today, there is cause for rejoicing here. Know that all the good stuff comes from God, so there must be some sort of joy when entering relationship with Him. It is impossible not to experience it when the scales finally fall from our eyes and we then become witnesses to what has been revealed to the Apostles, disciples, and ultimately to all of God’s creation. We are receivers of everything: God’s love, God’s Grace, Jesus’ Divine Mercy, and eternal life. Nothing can compare to that which has been given to us freely. And so, let us continue the Resurrection Celebration as a result and journey with Jesus into Eternity.

 

Deacon Tom