May 23, 2017
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart
…your right hand saves me.
Imagine Paul, Silas and the other prisoners in today’s reading from Acts (16:22-34) praying these words upon finding themselves unharmed after the earthquake which demolished the prison. And surely the jailer is thanking the gods that his charges are still in place in the earthquake-ridden jail. That saved his head! But then a conversation changes his perceptions about who really saved them, and his whole life is transformed into more than he ever imagined possible through Baptism, quite a different sort of “earthquake!”
Baptism is unimaginable grace, newness that can’t fully be expressed or understood. The grace of God comes with urgency to hearts open and ready; a free gift which really frees, liberating and opening the person to fullness of life in Christ.
Sixty-nine years ago today this baptismal grace flooded my soul and, like the jailer and his family, my life has never been the same because of God’s love and the faith of my parents who brought me to these saving waters. Perhaps today you might reflect on the day of your Baptism and the graces and blessings that have been yours since then…simply because of those waters, those who brought you to them, and God’s gracious gift. Then, together with Paul, Silas, the other prisoners and the jailer and his family, we might make the words of Psalm 138 our own.
Sr. Toni Longo, ASC
May 22, 2017
On the Sabbath, we (Paul and his companions) went outside the city gate to the river where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God.
As we celebrate this Easter season, it is encouraging to read the accounts of the early missionaries of the Church recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. In the passage quoted above, Paul has arrived in Philippi, a key city in the Macedonian region of what is now Greece. It is quite apparent from Paul’s later letter to the Philippians, which is written when he is imprisoned, that he had a great love and affection for the believers in this city and had great faith that they could withstand whatever future persecutions might come their way for believing in Christ. At its inception, the community must have been small as they were not allowed to meet in the city itself. The reason they had to meet outside the city gate was because there was a prohibition, written on the arches of the city, that forbade bringing any unrecognized religion into the city. Much like Jesus who was crucified outside the gates of Jerusalem, those who were unwelcomed in Philippi had to congregate outside the gates as well. Adapting, as a good missionary would, sensitive to those whom others may have discarded or written off, and never allowing cultural or gender boundaries to deter his evangelistic spirit, Paul and his companions find a place conducive to prayer where they proclaim the good new of Jesus Christ to a group of women! The one mentioned is an influential merchant, who most likely was able to convince those in authority to give the fledgling Christian community some leeway. She most likely had a wealthy clientele, as purple was expensive back then and worn by the nobility. As Missionaries of the Precious Blood Men and Women today, we must emulate Paul’s example of going where the gospel needs to be heard, engaging with all segments of society, but especially the most neglected, abandoned or judged. We must work together and help support one another in moments of trial and difficulty and look for opportunities to make Christ more known and loved. For when we do so, the Holy Spirit will work in us to extend the nets of God’s kingdom ever wider.
Rev. Sam D’Angelo, CPPS
Atlantic Province
May 21, 2017
May 21, 2017
Sixth Sunday of Easter
The crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip.
“The medium is the message.” Today’s readings remind me of these well-known words of Marshall McLuhan. Jesus’ life was both his medium and his message. Moreover, through the Advocate that Jesus gave to us, our lives, too, can become medium and message.
We hear in Acts, that the crowds paid attention to what Philip was saying. They believed because of what they heard and saw – unclean spirits left and the paralyzed and crippled people were cured. Philip was both medium and message, and the Samarians were filled with joy! Yet, the apostles realized that there was more. Peter and John went to lay hands upon them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. Imbued with the Spirit, they now were not only recipients but also bearers of the message.
We, too, are both recipients and bearers of the message. Today’s second reading from Peter tells us how we are to deliver that message, namely with gentleness and reverence. It is not only what we say but also how we say it that is important. How we live, how we present ourselves, how we allow the Spirit to be visible through us is an integral part of our response to the call to be Jesus’ continuing, reconciling presence in this world. Our lives are both medium and message.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises that he will not leave us orphans – “you are in me and I in you.” Jesus is with us, within us, around us. It is the journey of a lifetime to realize the truth and the import of this amazing gift and trust!
In these times, when there is so much pain and division in our country and around our world, it can be particularly challenging to maintain the conviction that we are not orphans. Yet, in our brightest days and our darkest nights, we must “be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for [our] hope.” We must proclaim with gentleness and reverence our belief and trust in the unseen presence of the Spirit. Through the Spirit, the lives we live and the words we speak do have the power to bring peace and healing to our world even though we may never see the results. This Spirit who can use our lives as both medium and message is our source of hope.
Sr. Janice Bader, C.PP.S.
O’Fallon
May 20, 2017
…You do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world.
There are times in my life when I wonder why I have been chosen. Being rejected, hated and persecuted are not on my “bucket list”.
But then I realize the honor of having been chosen and my heart rejoices in that fact. Being chosen means Jesus wants to share His life with me. That life will no doubt include occasions of suffering. After all, I am choosing to follow Him who shed His precious blood completely.
Being chosen also means being in mission like Timothy who followed Paul on his missionary travels. Persecution and rejection were present, but never deterred them in their resolve to proclaim Jesus and His saving work.
So as we all journey in this Easter season, I chose again to accept this invitation to follow Jesus with a rejoicing heart. What a privilege to share in this mission of Jesus. Why He chooses me will always remain a mystery. But I humble accept and today and each day, I will seek to proclaim God’s love—that love which gave ALL.
GLORY TO THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
Sr. Arlene Hirsch C.PP.S.
Dayton
May 19, 2017
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friend
When I think of this scripture verse, the idea of laying down one’s life for a friend, I think about veterans the men and women who fought in the building and preserving the freedom that we enjoy today as people living in the United States.
Paul F. Keller, my grandfather served in the Army during the Korean War and took pride in his military service to the country. At the same time his heart was torn every time our country would fight another war. He knew about the destruction that war brought to families. Grandpa spent just a few short years of his life in the military but in all reality he spent his whole life in risking his life for a friend. In the years that followed the war he spent his life providing for his family working in a local factory and farming. A trait that I will remember Grandpa for the most would be for his gift to garden. Each year as he got older, the garden was supposed to get smaller but still he had more than enough produce from his garden to give a way to neighbors, family, and many others.
Paul F. Keller, a man who was willing to give his life in the service our country so that others could live. A man who was willing risk his life throughout his whole life so that other people could live. Grandpa is one example of many people that risk their lives each day so others can live. I would imagine many of you can think of examples of such people. Today let’s remember those people who are willing to risk their lives so that other people can live.
Mr. Matthew Keller, C.PP.S.
Cincinnati Province
