Fifth Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Here are the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2010.

As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples,

     if you have love for one another.

• In thinking of people who have truly loved you,
       how were you changed by their love?
• In what ways are you changed by Christ's love?

The Mystagogia Session this Sunday is at 10:30am
The Catechumenate Session dismisses from the 11:30am mass.

St. Catherine of Siena

Today is the feast of St. Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church. Born into a very large family, from a young age she dedicated herself to Jesus. As a teenager, she became a Third Order Dominican (not a professed religious sister, but official aligned with the order, while living outside of a convent). Several aspects of her life are hard to understand in our own society - her severe asceticism was demonstrated in living only on the Eucharist for extended periods of time, she was gifted with the stigmata, and for several years, she lived in a small room, alone except to go to mass. Although she died at age 33, her influence was impressive: during the time of confusion (the Great Schism) about which man was the 'authentic' Pope, she counseled, cajoled and convinced Urban VI to return to Rome from his exile in France. For much of her life, she did not how to write, but dictated powerful letters and reflections borne of her deep prayer life.

Here is a selection from a 2008 posting in "Godzdogz", a blog of English Dominican students:

The connection between mystical experience and involvement in the concerns and affairs of the world is very clear and very striking in Catherine's case. In 1363, at the age of 15 or so, she emerged from a period of intense solitude to get involved again in the affairs of her family. In 1366, at the age of 19, she experienced a spiritual espousal or 'marriage' to Christ after which she became involved in the life of her city, Siena. In 1370, at the age of 23, she experienced a mystical 'death' and we find her getting involved in the affairs of Tuscany and of Italy generally. Finally in 1375, at the age of 28, she received the stigmata and we see her becoming a figure on the European stage. She becomes the ambassador of Florence to the papal court at Avignon, entreats the Pope to return to Rome, and becomes in turn the ambassador of the Pope to Florence.

Rarely has any Christian, at one and the same time, been so completely immersed in political and pastoral activity while living a life of profound, mystical contemplation. Her mystical experiences are recorded in her Dialogue while her letters show her to be a pastoral theologian and spiritual director of exceptional wisdom and compassion. The eminent Irish Dominican, Archbishop William Barden (the centenary of whose birth we celebrate this year), regarded Catherine of Siena as the greatest of all Dominicans, women or men, perhaps, he suggested, even greater than Saint Dominic himself!

In essence, Catherine reveals to us that contemplation and action form the seamless garment of faith, which all the baptized receive in the Sacrament of Baptism and which we are called to exercise in our daily discipleship as Catherine did through her tireless prayer and work on behalf of peace in the Church and in society.

Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

Today in Scripture

Macombre Christian Academy, Haiti
A recent email from the director of the Macombre Christian Academy in Haiti (which our parish supports through the "Haiti Goat Project") began,

  "The longest journey starts with one step." 

 Throughout the Easter Season, we read from the Acts of the Apostles, the New Testament book that tells us about the growth and struggles of the earliest Christian communities in the days after Jesus' ascension. Sunday's first reading as well as the first reading for today don't shy away from bringing to light the all-too-human emotions of jealousy, pride and selfishness that lead us to want to keep all the fame and 'good stuff' for ourselves. (Why should we let the Gentiles in on the Good News? And if we do, how much will we demand of them first?) One might speculate that if the leaders of the early Church had not had the humility and good sense to be attentive to God's Holy Spirit, Christianity may well be relegated to a tiny sect in the mid-east today, if it survived at all!

If we can take the time to try to discern God's hand at work in a situation, even if things aren't going exactly according to our plan, the end result is likely to be growth, renewal, resurrection. If, however, we wall ourselves off and greedily claim what is 'ours', well, we have nice walls, don't we?

Our journey of faith is a long one. You have already taken that first step.  Let Jesus guide you along the path each day to more closely follow in his steps.

As Catholic Christians, we do NOT teach that natural disasters are God's 'punishment', nor that they are anything other than the natural disruptions that just happen in creation. Where we DO speak of God at work is in how we react to these challenges and disasters. In the bravery of first responders, in the humanity of one stranger comforting another, in the generous offering of prayers, material goods, muscle-power or money ... we demonstrate the love and selflessness that Jesus taught and that the early Church remembered. We ARE the Body of Christ.

This weekend at all the masses, Mr. Obinson Joseph, director of the school in Haiti, will be giving our parish an update on the process of rebuilding their community.  Here's a preview for you!

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Here are the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25, 2010.

• How would you describe a "Good" shepherd?
• Have you even felt as if Christ has been a good shepherd for you? In what ways?

The Mystagogia Session this Sunday is at 10:30am
The Catechumenate Session dismisses from the 11:30am mass.
The next Inquiry Session will be Tuesday, April 27 at 7pm.

Spring Choir Concert

Remember how beautifully the choir sang throughout Holy Week? And the hand bells? Gotta love those hand bells!

Well, this Friday evening at 7:30pm is the Spring Choir Concert, in the church.

Y'all come!

St. Anselm

Born in northern Italy, and living in France and England in the 11th Century,  Anselm was an influential scholar, Archbishop of Canterbury, and considered to be the father of the Scholastic movement. He is one of 33 men and women named as "Doctors of the Church".

It is from this quote of his that we come to one definition of 'theology' as "faith seeking understanding":

Nor do I seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand. For this too I believe, that unless I first believe, I shall not understand.

 For someone whose writings could be technically precise and philosophically deep, he was also grounded in prayer and focused on the love of God. So, for our own prayer today, a prayer and a song from St. Anselm:

A Prayer Of Anselm 

My God, I pray that I may so know you and love you
that I may rejoice in you.
And if I may not do so fully in this life
let me go steadily on to the day
when I come to that fullness ...
Let me receive
That which you promised through your truth,
that my joy may be full.

A Song Of Anselm
Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you:
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children;
Often you weep over our sins and our pride:
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds:
in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life:
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness:
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead:
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us:
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness:
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.

St. Anselm, pray for us!

Third Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Here are the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2010.

• Imagine yourself in that boat, after a long night without catching anything. How do you feel and react during your interaction with Jesus?
• Why did Jesus have Peter declare his love for him three times? Do you think it was rubbing salt in the wounds of Peter's denial, a way to heal those wounds, or something else?
• By his words and actions on the beach, what does Jesus teach us about ministering to others?

The Mystagogia Session will be from 10:30-11:30am in the Living Room (or: after the 9:30 mass ends). This gathering is for our neophytes and newly received and their sponsors.

Those of you who have recently begun meeting as candidates in the Catechumenate sessions, we gather on Sunday April 18, starting at the 11:30 am mass.

Today in Scripture

I passed this sign on Sunday morning (and am grateful to a good friend for going out and snapping a photo for me), and it amused and confused me. Would my response if I knew the date and time of Jesus' arrival be to organize a yard sale? Or maybe Jesus himself is providing the heavenly treasures for the event? Wouldn't THAT be a chance to get some great bargains?!

The first reading today is from the Acts of the Apostles. This is Luke's recounting of life in the early Church, beginning with Jesus' ascension into heaven, followed soon after by the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. An excerpt (Acts 4:32-35) describes what life was like in Jerusalem in those early days:

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the Apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the Apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.

"Communists! Socialists! Hippie-commune-crazies!," we respectable capitalists might say today. But really, they were only following the example of Jesus himself, whose powerful trust in God's and people's generosity made miracles happen. And these early Christians truly believed that Jesus was returning soon, so holding onto personal wealth and possessions took a backseat to the primary goal of being found faithful to his message and ministry.

So perhaps the unintentionally amusing wording of the church sign isn't so far off after all... 
Do your possessions keep you from welcoming Christ right now? I mean, really: do you have 5 pairs of sneakers, or half a dozen purses, or an overflowing closet... while the Christ down the road has no shoes on her feet, no money to put in a purse, no home- let alone a closet? Have we gorged ourselves on Easter candy while the Christ three blocks away is scrounging in dumpsters for his next meal? Perhaps it's time for our own Yard and Bake sale!

There isn't necessarily sin in 'having', unless by our having too much we keep others from having anything at all. Money and home and possessions are good, but not ends in themselves to a faithful Christian. By our baptism in Christ we become brothers and sisters to one another in faith, and as family we are called to look out for each other, to take care of and pray for and support one another as we are able.

"Jesus is Coming"

What's the next line on YOUR sign?

Perspective

Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes -
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Second Sunday of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Here are the readings for the second Sunday of Easter, April 11, 2010.

• Does the way you live your life help others to believe in the power of Jesus Christ, or lead them to doubt it?
• In your faith life, what is confusing and begs for deeper understanding?

The first Mystagogia Session will be from 10:30-11:30am in the Living Room (or: after the 9:30 mass ends). This gathering is for our neophytes and newly received and their sponsors.

Those of you who have recently begun meeting as candidates in the Catechumenate sessions, we next gather on Sunday April 18, starting at the 11:30 am mass.

And you who are just getting started- our next Inquiry session is Tuesday April 13, 7-8:30pm.

God is so good.

New Growth

Throughout the RCIA process, those who prepare for baptism get called a lot of names! Inquirers at first, they become catechumens once they enter the process of formation in the faith. At the beginning of Lent, the public statement of intention and readiness for the sacraments of initiation is formalized as they inscribe their names in the Book of Elect. With their baptism at the Easter Vigil, yet one more new title is bestowed: neophyte. That word came into Latin from Greek root words that mean "new growth", and refer to the new life in Christ, and the hope for continued growth and maturity in their faith. But the most important name of all is the one that will mark them (and us) forever: Christian.

How wonderful to live in the Northern Hemisphere, where Easter and Spring can intersect, making it easy to see in nature an echo of the resurrection we celebrate!

The Gospel for today is the story of the disciples encountering Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. It is our story, as well. We walk this journey of faith together, sometimes needing others to help us understand what's really going on, and blessed by the sudden realization of Christ truly present with us. May that awareness stir us all to jump up and share this good news by the way we treat one another.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Tonight we resumed our communal prayer, gathering in darkness, yet confident in our Savior, the Light of the World.

We approached the font, calling on the prayers of all holy men and women, asking for new, eternal life or renewing the vows of our own baptism.

Together we were fed at the feast, nourished by Christ's own Body and Blood, in order to live as Christ's Body, pouring out ourselves in loving service to one another.

Congratulations to our neophytes: Abby, Denise and Ken, who have each become tonight a new creation in Christ through their baptisms. And we warmly welcome Rachele, Jessica and Carolyn, already one with us in Christian baptism, and now received into the Catholic Church. As the Holy Spirit came upon them all through the sacrament of confirmation, we are blessed that they now share fully with us at the Lord's table.

Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia!!

The Easter Triduum: part three

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! 

Exalt all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ our king is risen!

...This is the night when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

... What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

...Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth,
and we are reconciled with God!

...Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.
Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

(excerpts from the Exsultet, the Easter Proclamation)

The Easter Triduum: part two

Just as we departed last night in silence, we gather today silently, continuing our three-day prayer. On the only day of the year when Catholic Mass is not celebrated, at 3:00 PM we begin our Commemoration of the Lord's Passion.
There is a stark simplicity to all we do today: the altar is bare, music is minimal, and our fasting reminds us of the significance of this Friday we call "Good". Two elements of our worship stand out as well.
General Intercessions: There are 10 today, encompassing an ever-widening circle of humanity, and emphasizing by this inclusivity the universal nature and intention of Jesus Christ's saving sacrifice on the cross. The structure of each intention is the same: an introduction of the subject of our prayer, a pause for silent prayer, and then a prayer that collects and summarizes all of our silent prayers into one.
Veneration of the Cross: "This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world."
Awed by the depth of Jesus' love for us, we come forward to show reverence for the symbol of our salvation. As one Body we process with humility and gratitude, offering a touch, bow, kiss or genuflection. By venerating (showing reverence for) the cross, we acknowledge its importance in the story of our salvation; the worship of which we sing is reserved truly for God by whom and in whom our salvation was accomplished.

In the readings today, the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not "unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" and are encouraged to "approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help".

• As you prepare to approach the font and the altar, for what graces and timely help might God be thanked?
• Where is God's grace still needed?

The Easter Triduum: part one

Christ Washing Peter's Feet by Ford M. Brown

Today is Holy Thursday. Lent comes to an end and this evening we gather to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Consider first the words of the Opening Prayer this evening:

God our Father, we are gathered here to share in the supper which your only Son left to his Church to reveal his love.
He gave it to us when he was about to die and commanded us to celebrate it as the new and eternal sacrifice.
We pray that in this eucharist we may find the fullness of love and life.

So, we settle in to listen to the readings, and hear first the story of the Passover, then very familiar words in the letter to the Corinthians. But what's happening in the Gospel? Jesus, during the meal, began to take on the role of a humble servant to those who knew him as "Master and Teacher". Jesus explains, "I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

• Reflecting again on the Opening Prayer, what does this 'mandatum' (command, mandate) reveal to us as Church about Jesus' love? 
• How in this act, in this attitude, can we find fullness of love and life?