Mar 27, 2018
by Sr. Barbara Jean Franklin, ASC
God’s mercy endures forever.
We use many images to describe the essence of the community of believers that we have come to call the church. Perhaps the image that is most commonly used, and certainly the favorite of Pope Francis, is People of God. There’s a certain down-to-earth reality in that image, an implication that people, humanity, is what church is all about. Today’s readings give us a wonderful kaleidoscope of what is best and what is worst in humanity: we are generous, needy, believing, doubting, bold and fearful. So it should not surprise us that the Sunday after we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus we are challenged to bring God’s mercy into every aspect of our lives, every relationship that we make or break.
Pope Francis speaks of “pastoral care in conversion” in Evangelii guadium. He described that conversion when speaking with the bishops of Brazil: “There is need therefore for a church that is capable of rediscovering the womb of mercy. Without mercy it is scarcely possible today to penetrate into a world of the ‘injured’ who need understanding, forgiveness, and love.” The church is to be the place where all can feel welcomed and loved, pardoned, and challenged to live according to the gospel.
As Precious Blood congregations, mercy should be our hallmark. Divine Mercy Sunday might be considered a common feastday for all of us. Our call is to be the Street People of God, those who bring God’s mercy to the peripheries—to the bruised, forgotten, shunned, poor and despairing. And we do. Consider Precious Blood family members ministering to and with the LGBTQ community in California, the poor who come to the Center of Hope in Wichita, the many immigrants in St. Louis, the young men and families who come to the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, those who seek help at the Brunner Literacy Center in Dayton, and the people who take a stand in behalf of our planet in Columbia, PA.
Every day each of us is called to the periphery of human existence. Maybe we never leave our home and our sphere of influence seems miniscule. But what a powerful gift we give the world if all we ever do is pray with the psalmist: “God’s mercy endures forever.”
Mar 27, 2018
by Rev. Michael R. Mateyk, CPPS, Atlantic Province
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The boldness of Peter and John is truly inspiring. They had no fear at all. No fear of the authorities. No fear of the criticisms of others. No fear of what may happen to them if they didn’t keep quiet about Jesus. And it was that boldness that allowed others, so many others to both hear and come to Christ. Makes me often wonder and ask the question, how bold am I? In my ministry am I modelling the boldness of these two great disciples? This can be a very tough question. It is however one that I do need to ask myself on a regular basis. Hopefully we have all made some time for honest reflection during Lent. Now that we are in the Octave of Easter we are called to be bold and spread the truths of our faith. The psalm for today, Psalm 118 is a wonderful one for us to use to rev us up. To be that jet fuel to get us moving. To give us that boldness of these disciples to stand strong, courageous and confident that the risen Christ is with us each and every step of the day.
Mar 27, 2018
by Sr. Patricia Marie Landin, SSMO
By what power and in whose name have people of your stripe done this?”
Peter had the answer, “It was done in the name of Jesus Christ.”
By what power did the apostles take in so many fish that they could not haul the net in?
John had the answer, “It is the Lord”
It is the Lord, Jesus Christ, who became incarnate, lived among us, died, and rose from the dead. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone of the church. It is the Lord, Jesus Christ, who is our power and our glory.
Let us reflect on every little gift we enjoy, every moment of this day. What is the power that makes it all possible? “It is the Lord.”
Let us reflect on the good choices we have made. What is the power that makes it possible? “It is the Lord.”
Let us reflect on the poor choices we have made. What is the power that makes it possible to seek forgiveness? “It is the Lord.”
Each day presents us with such a variety of occasions in which to encounter people. As Christians, we believe that we are not alone in these encounters. If we were alone, we might fish all night and catch nothing.
But the power of God is with us. Let us remember today to expect great things of our God…..and to be grateful.
Mar 27, 2018
by Bishop Joseph Charron, C.PP.S., Kansas City Province, Bishop Emeritus of Des Moines, Iowa
The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place
along the way, and how they had come to recognize him
in the breaking of the bread.
During the Easter season may we all find ourselves “on the Way” expectantly awaiting and attentive to the presence of the Risen Lord who makes our hearts burn with renewed faith.
Christ is truly present when we gather to celebrate his Body and Blood in the Eucharist. However, as Vatican II reminds us, he is also present in the Scriptures which he continues to break open for our spiritual nourishment and growth.
Furthermore, the Council urges us to watch for and find Jesus in the midst of our daily encounters with our sisters and brothers for as he himself reminds us “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst.” Jesus is present in us and with us!
The Eucharist itself, as evidenced in the Last Supper account in St. John’s Gospel, commands us to wash each other’s feet as part and parcel and completion of our Eucharistic encounters. “As I have done for you, so must you do for one another.”
Finally, at the conclusion of today’s Gospel passage Jesus commissions us with a great responsibility in our daily lives: “You are witnesses of these things.” Indeed, we are witnesses for the Risen Lord, not only in professing faith in his death and resurrection but also in carrying out our given mission to serve our brothers and sisters. For when we serve others as Jesus did, we truly profess faith in his death and resurrection until he comes again and hope that he will truly come again. “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Mar 27, 2018
by Rev. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S., Cincinnati Province
What I would like to discuss is the passage that points to Jesus walking with his two disciples. “As they approached the village to which they were going, Emmaus, Jesus gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.”
When I first entered the C.PP.S. formation program Br. Gabriel Bridges C.PP.S. told me to first decline invitations to people’s kindness. I was to say, “Oh I can’t accept you paying for this meal.” Br. Gabriel said do not be so eager to accept an act of kindness or people will see that you are too wanting. He said after you have declined once then accept the gift. Jesus is playing this same game I believe. He gave the impression that he was going on further, that he had better things to do, but Jesus truly wanted to stay with these two disciples. He wanted to stay with them just as much as they wanted Jesus to stay with them.
It is my belief that Jesus is so in love with us. Jesus is a perfect gentlemen and he does not make us do anything we do not want to do. Give Christ permission to enter every aspect of your life. Allow the joy of the resurrected Christ to enter your hearts in the weeks ahead. God bless you all.
