The unity of the disciples through gratitude, love and peace offers us an example of how we draw together today with the people God puts in our lives. This is is not easy work…but it is worth it!
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
As the disciples moved from doubt to bold belief, we see the process that often accompanies our transformation in faith. We need time to understand, integrate and apply God’s grace to our lives; may this Easter season help us to proclaim the Good News with boldness!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the Octave of Easter
*************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
The Risen Lord appears to some of the disciples while they are fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Their encounter reveals that God gives us what we need so that we can face the challenges in life.
Mass Readings – Friday of the Octave of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
After the resurrection Jesus appears to the Apostles and explains how he has fulfilled the prophecies within the Sacred Scriptures; that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, die and be raised on the third day. He concludes this passage with a powerful exhortation, “You are witnesses of these things.” Our faith was built on the witness of others, and our lived example of faith helps others encounter the Risen Lord today.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the Octave of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Two disciples encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Their journey reveals how God continues to touch the hearts and lives of believers today. May we continue on the path as we walk with the Lord!
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the Easter Octave
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the Risen Lord. Empowered by Jesus, she is sent to proclaim the resurrection to the Apostles. Her example reminds us that God continues to bless us in our weaknesses and strengthen us for service in the world today.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the Easter Octave
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Photo Credit: Mary Magdalene, 2018.
Study: Where have I experienced profound moments of unity with others?
Pray: Where do I see signs of disunity in my life? Call upon the Lord for grace and strength.
Serve: How can I help others grow closer together? How can I foster unity?
Mass Readings – 2nd Sunday of Easter
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind…” (Acts 4:32)
I marvel at the transformation of the disciples. Before the resurrection of Jesus they were filled with fear, paralyzed by their own weakness and doubt; after the resurrection they are changed, as evidenced in even the basic ways they lived and worked together.
One heart and mind!
Unity can be challenging in even the best circumstances: we see things differently, hold our own unique values and principles, as well as personal tastes and interests. Working together is tough, yet it is a common sign of holiness – the practical proof that we are doing our part to build the Lord’s kingdom here on earth.
What supports unity? Jesus Christ! Unity with Christ provides the grace for unity with Christ’s brothers and sisters; this clear sign of faith draws others to the Good News and fosters our community with one another. Take a look at a few of the patterns that emerge in today’s readings:
Another way to say it: Sharing, Gratitude, Love, Peace – which find their source in Jesus and flow through us to the those we meet. I would suggest that the disciples used these building blocks to form the first elements of the Church, working together in unity with the grace of Christ to proclaim the Good News.
This work continues today. We all know firsthand the effects of discord – where lives are broken and fragmented by selfishness, fear, hate, and a hardness of heart – yet we believe in something greater…Christ is triumphant! Our response can mirror the disciples:
May we bring these powerful blessings of the resurrection to our world today:
One heart and mind!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
***************
Note: This post was first published on April 12, 2015.
The resurrection of Jesus brings hope and life as we turn away from our sins and embrace the living Lord. No matter what’s happened in the past, may we draw strength from God’s love and walk in the light of Christ’s amazing grace. The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
We wait in vigil through the night to hear the news of Easter joy: Christ is risen! At the Easter Vigil we join with the Church around the world, welcoming new members to the faith and recalling the great events of salvation history.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Study: Where in my life have I discovered God’s strength and grace? How have others helped me?
Pray: Where do I need God’s strength right now? Call upon the Lord with boldness to face the challenges of life.
Serve: How can I be an instrument of God’s strength to another? How can I help someone today?
I can only imagine the surge of excitement that went through the disciples as the word was shared. Beyond the agony of the Cross and the sorrow of the Tomb on that first day of the week the message was proclaimed: He’s Alive!
And everything changes. This group of disciples – bound by fear and selfishness – are transformed with a new strength and conviction. Their encounter with the Risen Lord will empower them to face the obstacles of this world with joy and hope. They have seen the risen Christ…what is there to fear? They have embraced the one who has conquered sin and death – there is NOTHING that can shake their confidence in the light of Easter morning.
This same strength comes to us. Like the first disciples, we can turn to Jesus and allow his saving grace to renew us with a strength far beyond our own. We can claim a hope that sustains us in the midst of our challenges and struggles. The Easter sunrise brings light to the darkest corners of our hearts.
What in our lives needs to be touched by Jesus Christ? We are invited to boldly come forward, receive his resurrection strength, and face whatever this world presents with confidence: the victory of Christ enlivens us to travel through life with the conviction that the grace he gave his disciples continues in our hearts today.
May this Easter season be a time of transformation and renewal; a time where we embrace the gift of our lives with a new freedom and conviction. In the light of this Easter, may we follow the one who leads us from sin and death to the abundance of life…in this world, and the world to come.
Happy Easter!
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
***************
Note: This post was originally published on March 29, 2015.
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 