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May 1
Today’s gospel passage marks the third time that Jesus appeared to His disciples following His brutal execution. If you’re looking for a happy ending from today’s Gospel (Jn 21: 1-19), I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed.
Why? Because the sacred liturgy of the Church isn’t an infomercial on TV. It doesn’t promise happiness. It doesn’t promise success. It doesn’t promise a happy ending. Rather, it gives you a goal to achieve and more importantly, a great story to live.
Whether your story has a happy ending or not is up to you! What I’m saying is that what we celebrate in the Easter season isn’t a happy ending. Sad to say, some folks think otherwise. They think that following Jesus is going to make life easy and sweet.
Well, guess what? There are going to be days when your life in Christ is going to leave you with more questions than answers.
I know, I know: “Christ is the Answer,” right?
Well, maybe not. At least not the clear-cut answer we often seek.
Think back to the people who encountered the Risen Lord in the days of the Bible:
Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, Cleopas and Paul and many others. Each encounter is different and each encounter is unsettling.
Not once does the Risen Christ give a straight answer to their questions. Not once does the Rison Christ promise a happy ending. Furthermore, His message isn’t exactly straight-forward. He doesn’t say, “Follow the rules and everything will turn out great.”
Instead, today, on the shore of the lake, He tells Peter, “Follow me” not: “Follow the rules.”
Sure, rules are good. Rules keep us out of trouble but rules don’t get us to heaven.
Jesus says, “Follow me.” In other words, He demands a radical change in the way life is lived.
Status no longer matters. Possessions no longer matter. Disabilities no longer matter. One’s age no longer matters. Past mistakes no longer matter. Politics no longer matter. When people encounter the Risen Christ, God is all that matters.
The power of God to take your life and transform it. The power of God to transform fishermen into apostles and couch potatoes into missionaries. The power of God to transform the pain of sickness into an opportunity to give witness.
The power of God to overcome the oppression of injustice and, in its place, offer a vision of what the world could be... a world where every human being is treated with due respect.
No doubt, the Resurrection of Jesus from death is God’s way of thinking outside the box. So don’t be surprised if, when you believe in the risen Christ and follow the risen Christ you discover that your life in Christ isn’t designed to fit into a little box.
So, today, the Risen Lord sends His Spirit into you (and me) to entice you and dare you to take the risk of following Him on a path that is highly uncertain, often frightening and perilous, but worth every sacrifice you make, because it’s the only thing that counts.
In the end, it’s only God and your connection to God.
Can I get an Amen???
In Mercy,
Fr. George Farrell -
May 3
Do you remember the AAA TripTik? I have made many trips when I depended on the directions and maps provided by the AAA agent. I eventually moved on to Mapquest, and have finally given in to using a GPS for directions when traveling someplace new or infrequently visited. I must admit, however, that I still look at Mapquest before I head out. Last month, I made two out-of-state trips. A few times I decided to follow some of the directions from Mapquest that were different from my GPS and heard … “Recalculating … recalculating.” And when I missed a turn: “Make a U-turn at the next available opportunity.”
If only discernment were that easy, and we can be told what path to take. But, wait … we dohave a way of knowing what road to travel and where to turn! Jesus reminds us of this in today’s Gospel (Jn.14:6-14): “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He not only knows the way, He IS THE WAY! It’s no wonder that the early followers of Jesus weren’t called Christians, but believers or followers of The Way (cf. Acts 9:2, et.al.).
One of my favorite lines from scripture is Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” When I’m getting close to a turn when driving while following my GPS, I need to stop engaging in conversation or listening to the radio so I don’t miss the directions. We also need to eliminate the distractions that can easily throw us off course so we can hear the “voice” saying “this is the way …”
Even if the terrain is rocky or we go off-road, Jesus is with us. Even when we make a wrong turn in life, he “recalculates” for us, over and over, until we’re on the right road. Even when we’re not even sure of the destination, he knows where we’re heading. Each right road leads us into a deeper truth and a deeper life - a deeper relationship with him.
May we trust in our inner GPS - God’s ever-Present Spirit - whispering in our ear, guiding us along The Way each day, each moment of our lives.
In Mercy,
Mary Pollini -
May 5
“A Good Shepherd Prayer of the Faithful”
In anticipation of “Good Shepherd Sunday”, may our hearts always know that you, Lord, are there guiding us. That we are never lost, never alone, and always in your tender loving care.
Good Shepherd, guide us.
For the grace of healing. May our wounds of body, mind and spirit enable us to become instruments of new life and hope to others.
Good Shepherd, guide us.
For the world and its leaders. Make them unafraid to honestly confront the challenges of inequality, racism and violence.
Good Shepherd, guide us.
Nourish the hungers we hold in our hearts. Open our minds to deeper faith. Stir us with compassion for those who suffer and act upon it.
Good Shepherd, guide us.
For peace on our planet and for a flourishing of love in every home, parish community, school
and workplace.
Good Shepherd, guide us.
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For those who are suffering — the sick, the addicted, the dying and the grieving. And for our own personal needs that we hold in the silence of our hearts…
Good Shepherd, guide us.
God our Creator, thank you for sending us Jesus, our blessed Good Shepherd, to guide us along the path to Eternal Life. Lord, You are the guardian of our homes and source of all blessings. You delight in the happiness of your people. Hear the prayers of this Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer community. Fulfill our needs and guide our actions. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
In Mercy,
Jennifer Paragano -
May 8
Happy Mother's Day to all have birthed life, and to all women who given us life in any way! This is a special day to hold you close in our heart.
This is a very different Mother's Day for me. My mom, Jennifer, lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday. She's actually being waked today--so indeed, a very different celebration. Yet I look at her life with love, admiration, and awe. She taught me how to be strong, loving, and faithful. And now she'll be able to teach me new things in new ways.
I invite you to express your gratitude to the people who have helped make you YOU. I'm fortunate that I was able to spend Mom's last days with her. I spoke my heart to her and now will learn a new way to speak with her. Speak your heart--share your love--express your gratitude.
In Mercy,
Laura M. Arvin, OP -
May 10
Friends
Recently a neighbor invited me to have dinner with her. It wasn’t for any particular reason or event, but mostly because she loves to cook and wanted someone to share a meal with. I was nevertheless flattered by her invitation.
When I arrived, she joyfully greeted me at the door. Her fireplace was warming the chilled air and she had lovely music playing in the background. Her table was set with her best china and the table was arranged with much care and thought. She happens to be an extremely good cook, thus the dinner was outstandingly delicious. Most of all, I began to realize how much love and effort she put forth to welcome me and when I returned home I was feeling happy and content. I felt appreciated and accepted for who I am.
The next morning as I sat in prayer, I began to thank God for her and all the beautiful friends that have come into my life in the past few years. During my quiet prayer time I began to think about how much God loves me and how He invites me to revel in his love and care. He sets out a banquet and draws me in. He nourishes me with the bread of life. He showers me with his love which is often manifested by relationships with others.
I am so grateful for my life. I am so grateful for the many wonderful people who reflect God’s love to me in so many beautiful ways. I am reminded of how important its is for me to likewise reach out to others and be the hands and feet of God. What will I do today to spread God’s love to others? What will you do?
Lovingly,
Nancy Dowd -
May 12
Hello friends in Christ. Our readings today remind us that Jesus is the pivotal point in history. I can clearly see by the readings today that each one of us, as the modern disciples of Jesus, are part of the redeeming plan of GOD. GOD has control over history. In the Gospel, which takes place on the night before Jesus dies, Jesus reminds His disciples that He has come as the Master Who serves. Just as Jesus has washed the feet of His followers, so they must be willing to serve others.
We are so privileged! Not only have we heard the message through the human voices of those who came before us in faith, but we are also being given the opportunity to announce the same message to others.
The main way we are called to preach the Good News to others is addressed in today’s Gospel. We are called to be servants, just as Jesus served. We are called to be willing to “wash the feet” of others. This “washing of the feet” can take many forms. It can be our unconditional love for our family demonstrated by our doing our regular routine tasks with a cheerful heart. It can be the way we treat those with whom we work (or have worked in the past). It can be the caring for a sick and/or aged person who needs our help. We can “serve others” by simply smiling at a person whom we encounter in our daily activities including associating with others via social media.
Whenever we are willing to think of others before ourselves, it is then that we are imitating our Master came who to serve and not to be served. From our serving others and sharing the Good News with them, people should be able to see our relationship with our Master, just as Jesus revealed His relationship with His Abba by His acts of loving service and His words. If we can do that, then the words of today’s psalm will resonate through our very being: “The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness. For You have said, ‘My kindness is established forever’; in heaven You have confirmed Your faithfulness.”
Personal Reflection Questions:- What will I do today to demonstrate that I am a servant of the Lord Jesus as I interact with those whom I encounter?
- How can I be more of a loving servant with a particular member of my family, a specific co-worker, or a person who crosses my path today (even if it is only online)?
- What can I do to encourage others to proclaim the Good News by the way they serve the people around them?
In Mercy,
Justina Kwapy -
May 15
My daughter, a devoted Mets fan, has proudly created a blue and orange wardrobe of casual and very tasteful, stylish business attire that without logos, clearly identifying her as a loyal fan.
Wearing your favorite sports team’s cap or jersey, or a St Christopher, Miraculous Medal or Cross tells the world something about you – your loyalty, what you value and your faith. You have a special connection or LOVE for that team or Saint or Jesus and show they are important and have real meaning in your life.
I wear a silver Jerusalem cross I bought in Bethlehem, in the Holy Land. I don’t wear other necklaces because this cross convicts and identifies me as a devoted follower of Jesus, not only as an outward sign, but professes my heartfelt desire to live as a faithful disciple of Christ.
Today’s Gospel message reveals Jesus’ heart of love and the deeply personal loving relationship He desires us to have with Him and with each other.
Jesus speaks these loving words to All of Us who mean everything to Him. “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: Love one another. 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.”
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This gives real meaning to the beloved song ~ They’ll know we are Christians By Our Love. These lyrics ~
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love
There’s no “gray area” on how God wants us to Live. It wasn’t simply a suggestion, He gave us a commandment - Love one another!! This is the remedy that’s urgently needed at this very moment, among all peoples, among all governments, everywhere, for everyone!Can we be a listening ear with a gentle landing, a safe space on our daily walk? There’s so much more that unites us than divides us. We’ve been reminded we are all in this together. Can our mission be, each one of us, to live to Restore Unity and Guard Each Person’s Dignity by offering the Healing Balm of Compassion and Kindness, Words of Understanding and Friendship and a Handout of Mercy and Love? If not us ~ Who??
St Paul instructs us to “Clothe Yourselves” with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. In addition to all these things put on love,which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. (Col. 3:12,14-15).
God needs our help! As we “clothe ourselves” for daily living, can our example as we love one another invite and encourage others to “put on love” and love one another…
So They’ll know We Are Christians By Our Love.
In Love and Mercy,
Donna McCabe -