Fourth Sunday of Easter

Here are the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 29, 2012:

 

Acts 4: 8-12

Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29
1 John 3: 1-2

Luke 10: 11-18

Some of the earliest Christian portrayals of Jesus on the walls of catacombs portray Jesus not on the crucifix, but as the Good Shepherd. And further symbolism and Scripture link Jesus not only as our shepherd, but as the sacrificial lamb whose blood spared the Hebrews from death at Passover, and whose blood now frees us from eternal death.

Good Shepherd, from the Catacombs of St. Callisto
(visited on parish pilgrimage in November 2011)

One commentary on this Gospel muses on the difference between the good shepherd and the hireling, and using Peter as an example of the hireling in his denial of Jesus after his arrest, and running away and hiding (unlike the Beloved Disciple who stood at the cross with Mary). And yet-- doesn't this say that there's hope for us all.. that the hireling CAN come back, can learn courage, and can become a good shepherd?

• How in your life are you like the Good Shepherd?
• How in your life are you like the Hireling?
• When do you feel like the well-cared for sheep?

At Mystagogia this week, we will be doing an exercise using the rosary and scripture.

Third Sunday of Easter

Here are the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter, April 22, 2012:

Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19

Psalm 4: 2, 4, 7-9
1 John 2: 1-5a

Luke 24: 35-48

To get the full drama of this resurrection account, it really is best to read ALL of Chapter 24 of Luke's Gospel. It begins with women going to the tomb, finding it empty, and reporting back to the apostles who don't believe them. Peter goes to the tomb and also finds it empty. Then we read the "Road to Emmaus" story, where Jesus joins two disciples on the road and is finally recognized by them in the familiar action of his blessing and breaking the bread at table. These disciples head back (still on the same day, by now the evening of Easter Sunday) and while they and the apostles are trading stories (can you imagine the speculation, doubt, hope, swirling around that room???), Jesus himself appears!

To help them get past their fears, he invites them to touch him and eats in front of them, proof that he is truly and fully raised, not just a figment of their collective imagination.

"Why are you troubled," he asks them, and "Peace" is his wish for and blessing of them. Not a scolding for deserting him on Good Friday, nor mocking them for cowering in fear in this room, but "peace".

•  Which story of Chapter 24 resonates most with you right now?
• In what way are our celebrations of sacraments similar to the events of this story?
• In what ways to do you experience Christ's peace?

Mystagogia continues this week after the 9:30am Mass.

Easter Vigil of the Lord's Resurrection

Here are the readings for our final service of the Triduum, 

the Great Easter Vigil,

which at St. Andrew's begins at 8:30pm on Holy Saturday.

Genesis 1: 1 - 2: 2

Genesis 22: 1-18
Exodus 14: 15- 15: 1

Isaiah 54: 5 - 55: 1
Baruch 3: 9-15, 32- 4: 4
Ezekiel 36: 16-17a, 18-28
Romans 6: 3-11

Mark 16: 1-7

Good Friday

Here are the readings for our second service of the Triduum, 

which at St. Andrew's begins at 3:00pm on Good Friday.

Isaiah 52: 13- 53: 12

Psalm 31: 2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25

Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9

John 18: 1- 19: 42

The Sacred Triduum Begins

This evening is the first of the three great services
of the Sacred Triduum (Latin, meaning three days).

Here are the readings for this evening's service:

Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14

Psalm 116: 12-13, 15-18

1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

John 13: 1-15

Please click here for a reflection on Holy Thursday.