Fourth Week OF Easter A NEW MISSIONARY APPROACH Introduction The Christians of Antioch, the first to be called “Christians” as disciples of Christ, were of two kinds: those Greek-speaking of Jewish origin, who had fled to Antioch from the persecuted Church in Jerusalem. They communicated their faith to their fellow Jews, but they […]
Fourth Week OF Easter OPEN CHURCH: ALL ARE CALLED Introduction “I have come that they may have life – life in abundance,” says Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He is the door to all. In the first reading, Peter defends his action of baptizing the pagan Cornelius on the same grounds: also […]
Fourth Sunday of Easter 1. Shepherd with a Heart 2. I Know Mine and Mine Know Me Note. Good Shepherd Sunday is a world-wide prayer day for vocations. Today’s Mass fits the theme very well. Those who want to concentrate entirely on the theme of vocations today could use a Mass for vocations, from among the […]
Third Week OF Easter LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO TO? Introduction Once there was peace, the Church of the Risen Lord continued to grow throughout the Holy Land. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter continues the mission of Jesus: he speaks, he heals, he raises to life. In the […]
Third Week OF Easter CHRIST LIVES IN ME Introduction “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” This is the question of Jesus the Lord when he lets Saul, the persecutor, encounter him on the way to Damascus. Jesus identifies himself with his persecuted disciples. From that moment on, Saul will serve the Lord, […]
Third Week OF Easter ENCOUNTERING CHRIST IN WORD AND SACRAMENT Introduction Luke presents the conversion of the treasurer of the queen of Ethiopia very much in parallel with that of the disciples of Emmaus. The latter had listened to Christ’s explanation of the Scriptures about himself, and then recognized and really encountered the living, […]
Third Week OF Easter PERSECUTION, BREAD OF LIFE Introduction The fervor of the young Church is so contagious, that even in persecution Christians use the occasion of the persecution itself to preach the risen Christ. Indeed, God does not abandon the Church, even in moments of trial. The reading from Acts says that there […]
Third Week OF Easter JESUS, THE BREAD OF LIFE LIVES ON HIS DISCIPLES Introduction Stephen and the persecuted Christians of the early Church relive the passion of Christ; they suffer not only for Christ, but also with him and like him; their attitude is also: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit; Lord, do not hold this against […]
Third Week OF Easter WHY DO WE SEEK JESUS? Introduction Today and in the next few days, two unrelated Scripture texts run parallel – Stephen’s martyrdom presented as an imitation of the martyrdom of Christ and the Eucharistic discourse of Jesus, as given in John 6 after the multiplication of bread.Jesus confronts […]
Third SUNDAY OF Easter 1. Marked with Wounds 2. Dying and Rising with Christ Greeting (see First Reading) God has glorified his servant Jesus,the Holy One, the Just One, the prince of life. God raised him from the dead and to that fact we are the witnesses. In his name we are gathered here. May […]