Weekly Reflection

Fifth Sunday of Easter
He who has God has everything; he who has everything, but God has nothing.” – Saint Augustine

In the first reading, St. Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, recounts how Barnabas presented Saul to the apostles. Saul, now Paul, was a persecutor of the Christians, and it was difficult for the disciples to welcome him. Barnabas, in his introduction, narrated how God used Paul to witness the resurrection of Christ. In the second reading, St. John gave the proof of our belief in Christ as - love of neighbor and obedience to the commandments. In the gospel reading, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. As such, we must allow God to prune us and remain in the vine to bear abundant fruits.

Today’s liturgy invites us to abide in Christ the true vine. Our unity with Jesus, the true vine, is based on our relationship with him and obedience to his words. It is in remaining with Christ that our lives continue to be meaningful and fruitful. We need Jesus in every aspect of our lives because we are nothing without Him. By participating in our private prayers and public prayers of the Church, we strengthen our relationship with Jesus. The daily readings of the scripture, the love of our sisters and brothers, frequent reception of the sacraments of Eucharist, and penance reinforce our mutual connection with Jesus.

Secondly, the liturgy invites us to the openness of God’s pruning. The example of St. Paul in today’s first reading emphasizes the result of God’s pruning. Saul, a persecutor, now pruned by Christ, becomes an apostle of the gospel. In like manner, we need to allow Jesus to remove the excesses of our lives for his glorification. We must be open to God helping us eschew our daily vices to grow spiritually.

“If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing. If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything.” – St. Bonaventure.

Fourth Sunday of Easter
“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10: 14

In today’s first reading, Peter stands to defend the healing of the crippled cured and saved by Jesus. In the second reading, St. John affirms we are the children of God now as we await the unrealved fulness of his love. In the gospel, Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep, loves, and ready to die for them.

The Church observes the Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations on every fourth Sunday of Easter. On this day, the liturgy invites us to celebrate, appreciate, promote, and pray for vocations. This commemoration takes its root in Jesus the Good Shepherd who cares, protects, leads, feeds, and ready to die for His people. The Good Shepherd's example challenges all those in a position of authority to contemplate their leadership roles.

As we celebrate this day, let us pray for more vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and diaconate. We ask the Lord to send people of goodwill to minister to his flock. Also, on this day, let us as a family reflect on vocations and encourage our children. Because the family is the bedrock of vocations, we need to promote it in our homes. When was the last time you had a family discussion on vocations?

“We all have a Vocation; we believe that God has placed us in this life to fill a special need that no one else can accomplish.” St. Francis de Sales.

Third Sunday of Easter
"God does not judge Christians because they sinned, but because they do not repent."
– St. Niphon of Constantia.
 
In today's first reading, Peter addressing the crowd laments the people's ignorance for condemning Jesus to death. He invites them to repentance and conversion for the forgiveness of their sins. In the second reading, St. John admonishes us not to sin. He consoles us with the gift of Jesus, the advocate, who is the expiation for our sins. St. John concludes, we must keep his commandment not to be a liar. In the gospel, St. Luke recounts the appearance of Jesus to his apostles. Jesus eats the piece of baked fish offered to him to convince the timid apostles. He ends his visit with the promise of the Holy Spirit.
 
The third Sunday of Easter invites us to a renewed consciousness of God's presence in our lives. We become aware of His presence through the transformation from the old ways of sin to the resurrected Christ's new life. The apostles' experience in the upper room calls us to prepare to witness to the resurrected Christ. The resurrection of Christ continues to strengthen us as we await the arrival of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.
 
Daily, we are invited to celebrate and encounter Jesus in the scripture and the breaking of bread. At the liturgy of the word, God speaks to us. At the liturgy of the Eucharist, we receive the spiritual food of His body and blood. This meeting with Jesus at the Eucharistic celebration propels us to go out fearlessly to the ends of the earth.
 
"Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life" – This is one of the parting words of the Mass that prompts us to live the experienced resurrected life of Christ.

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
“Look into my heart and see there the love and mercy I have for humankind, and especially for sinners. Look, and enter into my passion.” Jesus to St. Faustina (Diary 1663).
 
In today's first reading, St. Luke, the author of the Acts of the Apostles, describes the characteristics of the early Christians as one united community in heart and mind, sharing everything in common. In the second reading, St John teaches that whoever keeps God's commandment demonstrates his love for God. The gospel reading tells of Jesus's appearance to His apostles as he authorizes them through the Holy Spirit to forgive sins. The narrative concludes with Jesus revealing himself to Thomas, who wanted evidence of his resurrection.  
 
The gospel reading points to today's reflection on God's mercy. Jesus empowers His Apostles to forgive sins. In the sacrament of penance, through the priests acting in the person of Christ, we receive God's pardon. On April 30, 2000, at the canonization of St. Faustina, Pope John Paul II declared the second Sunday of Easter as the Divine Mercy Sunday. This second Sunday of Easter invites us to gaze on God's mercy, pray for souls in purgatory, and trust in His mercy. Also, it is a day to share God's mercy and live it. Often, we find it difficult to forgive one another. As challenging as it is to forgive, we learn from the life of St. John Paul II, who pardoned a brother, Mehmet Ali Ağca, who attempted to kill him. 
  
As we celebrate God's Divine Mercy, let us live the life of ABC: Ask for God's mercy because we are constantly in need of His forgiveness. B – Be merciful just as our heavenly Father is merciful to us. C – Completely trust in God because the more we trust in God, the more we receive from Him. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.
 
“He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. AS often as I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.” -  St. Faustina.

Easter Sunday
“Faith in the resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being; the cry for unending life which is a part of the person is indeed answered. God exists that is the real message of Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means also knows what it means to be redeemed.” Pope Benedict XVI

In today's first reading, Peter boldly testified to the resurrection of Christ by telling the story of how Jesus was arrested, crucified, and resurrected. The resurrection of Christ gave Peter the confidence to proclaim the events fearlessly. He challenged the crowd to believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. In the second reading, St. Paul urged us to live like the resurrected people and focus on what is of the above. In the gospel reading, Mary Magdala invited the apostles to encounter the empty tomb.

The season of Lent is over. The anticipated passion of Christ has ended with His resurrection. Jesus has conquered the power of sin and darkness. We rejoice and are glad. The celebration of Easter is the most remarkable event in the Catholic Church. Our gathering today takes its root in the resurrection of Christ. Because with His resurrection, the title Christian is meaningful. Easter celebration assures us of our trust and hope in Jesus. Through His resurrection, we are confident of following the right path. Christ fulfilled his promise to rise after three days in the tomb. Thus, His resurrection reassures us of our resurrection.

As we celebrate the most incredible feast of the Church, let us, like the apostles, witness to the resurrected Christ. As St. Paul encouraged us in today's second reading, we must continue to think of what is above, not of what is on earth. We must live like the people of the resurrection.

Happy Easter – Keep the celebration till Pentecost Sunday - it is 50 days of Easter.