Fourth Sunday of Easter_A - Abundant Life_042626

  

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Abundant life”

 

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A

 

The reason that Jesus came into this world, he tells us, is that we might have “abundant life.” That’s interesting, for who doesn’t want to get the most out of life or have the greatest experiences during this lifetime? We all do! The trouble is that we all have a different idea about what such a life would look like and how we would go about pursuing it. But be aware! There is a cataclysmic difference of opinion between what we would consider living an “abundant life” and the “abundant life” Jesus had in mind when he spoke these words.

 

We are living in the most prosperous country ever to have existed. We are living during the most unprecedented expansion of technological knowledge that gives instant access to information to anyone anywhere on our planet or traveling in space above it. We have diagnostic capabilities that are simply amazing, increasing both the quality and duration of our lives. We have countless forms of entertainment; we have access to products made around the world. Just key in a couple of digits, swipe your credit card, and products from around the world will be at your door tomorrow. We have all sorts of toys and gadgets that compete for our time. We have so much food that we throw a quarter of it away! We want for nothing…. Except…. this may not be the “abundant life” that Jesus came to give us.

 

The “abundant life” Jesus came to share with us has to do with satisfying the deepest desires of our hearts: our need to love and be loved; our need to be respected as people who are created in the image and likeness of God. We have within us the need for “human flourishing” which means that we will never achieve true happiness unless we strive to become all God created us to be. Because we have this need to be all that God calls us to be, we possess an intrinsic dignity and worth that must be always respected. “Abundant life,” in Jesus’ eyes, envisions a just and peaceful world where we all can achieve the highest and most dignified status possible by the proper use of the gifts and talents God has given us and who one day will ask us to render an account of what we have done with those gifts and talents.

 

Reading today’s gospel suggests that we need to be doing more in pursuit of the “abundantly life” to which each of us has been called. In order to achieve this richer existence, we should strive to rid ourselves of some of our worldly concerns such as our need to be in control of outcomes and others and place our trust in God’s divine plan; we need to overcome our selfish tendencies and resist our prideful attitudes; we need to develop a spirit of generosity and compassion. To grow firmly in the “abundant life” Jesus intended for us means that we need to better prepare ourselves to serve others and to find in them the face of Jesus who calls us to, “deny ourselves, pick up our crosses daily and follow him.” In doing so we become more fully engaged in that “abundant life” to which we have been called. In doing God’s work, we find life to the fullest.

 

As I reflect on today’s gospel about the “Good Shepherd,” I think of the many health care workers, first responders, rescue personnel and medical staff who put there lives on the line moment by moment as ‘shepherds’ watching over the flock of those who are in critical need and face personal crises.  But caregiving is not an activity we can leave for others. Being Good Shepherds is not just something left up to pastors and deacons. These are ways we demonstrate our love for the Lord and give witness that we are his disciples. The message in today’s gospel: service dedicated to the well being of others is a path that leads to the abundant life that Jesus calls all his followers to travel. At this critical time for our world, we pray that we may all find this pathway. God bless you and your loved ones on this amazing journey finding all God has in store for you, his beloved.

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com where you will find contemporary conversations with several Paulist Deacon Affiliates and their guests exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold of our church… those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton who argues  that without "interior solitude," society cannot be held together by love, but only by "violent and abusive authority".

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  Sit back and enjoy Thomas Merton feed your soul on YouTube - Turning to Thomas Merton

 

 

Third Sunday of Easter_A - Spread the Word_041926

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Spread the Word”

 

Third Sunday of Easter, Year A

 

Reading St. Luke's account of the events following Jesus' resurrection we see that the only post-resurrection encounters with Jesus recorded in Luke’s gospel take place on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is a busy day for Jesus. At dawn, some of the woman came to the tomb to complete the burial ritual that was interrupted by the Passover feast. They found the stone rolled back and two men in dazzling white asked them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; but has been raised.” So, they ran off, found Peter, and told him what they had seen and heard. Peter did not believe them and had to go check it out for himself. When he arrived at the tomb, he found it empty, just as the women had said (LK 24:1-10).

 

Luke continues with the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and while in route, they encounter a stranger who is totally unaware of the happenings over the past several days, meaning that Jesus had been put to death. This stranger calls these disciples to task admonishing them on how little they learned from the Prophets, and He begins to relate to them all that scripture had to say about the Christ. He then reveals His identity to them when He breaks bread with them. Then He suddenly disappears. LK 24:13-35

 

These disciples, their hearts on fire, rush back to Jerusalem and meet with Peter and “while they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” Jesus shows them his wounds and asks for something to eat. They gave Him some fish and again He reminds all there of what had been written about Him by the Prophets. He then opens their minds, so they understand what was written about Him in the scriptures. He then instructs them to be “witnesses of these things.” (LK 24: 36-48)

 

Jesus and the disciples then head out on the road that leads to Bethany where Jesus ascends into heaven (LK 24: 50-53).

 

Quite a day wouldn’t you say!!! And it’s all in Chapter 24 of St. Luke’s Gospel. In each encounter that day, Jesus continues to teach and feed His disciples with the Word of God and the Bread of Life. This is the work that Jesus invites us to do – share with others the Good News others have shared with us and that we participated in when we share in the Eucharistic Banquet that began with the activities of Holy Week that continue in the light of Christ’s glorious Resurrection.

 

There is a reason we celebrate Easter over many weeks. It is so that we can try to understand the mystery of the Resurrection and for us to look forward to and prepare ourselves for the gift of eternal life that Christ has won for us.

 

Stay safe, hopeful and faithful in these joyful days of Easter.

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com where you will find contemporary conversations with several Paulist Deacon Affiliates and their guests exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold of our church… those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: The Seeing Eye by C.S. Lewis presents an eloquent and colorful defense of Christianity for both devotees and critics... in a collection of essays composed over the last twenty years of his life.

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  Listen to C.S. Lewis’ The Seeing Eye on YouTube Video.

 

 

Second Suday of Easter or Sunday of Divine Mercy_A - Devoted to the Cause_041226

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Devoted to the Cause”

 

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy), Year A

 

Webster’s Dictionary defines “Devote” as: “to commit by a solemn act 1) as devoted oneself to serving God or 2) to give over or direct (as time, money, or effort) to a cause, enterprise, or activity”.

 

Our First reading today expresses the primary and central activity of the early “Believers” following Christ’s death and resurrection…. as being “devoted...to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer.”

 

This is a unique time for Christians. As we live in the shadow of the Cross and Christ’s Resurrection, we are witnesses to the evil forces all around: in the wars raging in the Ukraine, Sudan, Iran; in the polarization in political and religious life and communities, in the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ who lack the necessities of life. The suffering and distress we see around us challenges us to ask if we are “devoted” to following in the footsteps of Jesus as we read those first disciples were those who shared in and responded to those in need. Hopefully our participation in the Pascal Mystery has made us more “devoted” and committed to Christ’s in everyone around us.  

 

 

We emerge from Easter a little frazzled and dazed yet, as undoubtedly was the case that first Easter, we face the future with renewed hope knowing that our lives will never be the same because of the events of that First Easter Sunday.

 

We know that as Christianity took root during those early days, many people experienced deep and profound changes in the way they lived their lives as they began to care for and respond to the needs of their families, friends, neighbors and even strangers all because of their devotion to the life and teachings of Christ and the work of the Apostles.

 

The changes people made were remarkable. We read some of them in the Acts of the Apostles that chronicles the early days of our church and how the community of believers came together initially to be nourished by Word and Sacrament. But it soon grew into much more than that. We read today that….

 

 

Awe came upon everyone.

Wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

All who believed were together and held things in common.

                                      They would sell their property and possessions and divide                            them among all according to each one’s need.

Every day they devoted themselves

 to meeting together in the temple area

...and to the breaking of the bread in their homes.

They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart.

Praising God and enjoying favor with all people.

And every day the Lord added to their number

those who were being saved…..

 

People remain devoted to many causes today. Some are devoted to do good for others. Some are devoted to themselves. It is an individual choice!

 

As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we pray that the Father of mercies, the God of all consolation will be with us in mind, heart and spirit and with those who are devoted to serving others.

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com where you will find contemporary conversations with several Paulist Deacon Affiliates and their guests exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold of our church… those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it. 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft who explains that being virtuous is not a means to and end of pleasure, comfort and happiness but rather a way to experience life to the fullest by having the moral character to make right choices along the way.

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  Cardinal Virtues - Day 241: The Cardinal Virtues — The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

 

 

 

The Resurrection of the Lord - Mass of Easter Day_A - This is the Day_040526

 

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“This is the day!”

 

The Resurrection of the Lord - The Mass of Easter Day, Year A

 

The Responsorial Psalm for the morning Mass of the Resurrection is taken from Psalm 118 encouraging us to embrace the moment, to live in the present, to let our hearts sing out, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad”. I can’t think of a better attitude than this to embrace throughout the day and beyond for that matter, especially given the state of our nation and world around us. Being grateful for being alive and sharing in the wonders of family and friends might be a struggle for some of us because of the problems that we are facing – uncertainty because of serious medical issues or the lack of resources to pay for them, uncertainty about staying employed or finding a new job, uncertainty about the future for our children or grandchildren, uncertainty about the future prospects for peace in the Middle East and other “Hot Spots”  in our world. Being grateful for this moment, what we call the “the eternal present now” through which God continues to unfold creation, is challenging at times since we often get swept up in the demands of this world. Finding reasons to rejoice in the Lord when there is so much change and so little security is, well, an act of faith to say the least.

 

Staying focused on the present is a “Eucharistic,” that is a “thankful,” appreciative mindset that we should take with us as we leave Church after Mass. The reality of our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist should enable us to recognize on this, the holiest day of the year, that God is in, around and with us every moment of our lives. If we really believe this, our lives will change. We will find the joy and happiness God intends for us to have in each “present moment” that passes. This does not mean that we live in a bubble and that we go unscathed through life. This would be delusional thinking... there is nothing that can prevent us from experiencing the hurts and disappointments that life scatters along the way. But what it does mean is that we are able to cope with the failures, disappointments, and sorrows that we suffer along the way and rise above them.

 

“This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad.” As we celebrate this great mystery of Christ’s rising from the dead, let this joyous refrain echo in our minds and in our hearts as we seek to keep His spirit alive within us and do our best to share our joy with all those we meet along the way.

 

May you and your loved ones enjoy a most Blessed Easter Season!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com  and listen in as the three deacs engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or leaving it. 

 

OTHER RESOURCE

Recommended Reading: The Life of The Beloved by Henri J.M. Nouwen is insightful testimony of the power and invitation of Christ to lead us into a deeper spiritual life in today’s world.

 

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  The Life of the Beloved Henry Nouwen was a spiritual teacher of the first magnitude. Born in the Netherlands in 1932, he was called to the priesthood at a young age. Throughout his life, he studied philosophy, theology, psychology, and spent much time traveling, living in community and speaking publicly. His work is beautifully suffused with his own personal and intimate experiences of God’s love. This is one of his many works that are available on YouTube. Enjoy watching them.

 

 

 

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion_A - Wash Away My Troubles_032926

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

Wash Away My Troubles

 

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, Year A

 

As we read through Jesus’ Passion by St. Matthew today, we hear how Pilate handled matters when he lost control of the crowd... “he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourself’”.

 

In capturing so vividly Pilate’s attempt to wash himself clean of any complicity in Christ’s death, Matthew has given us an image we may, at times, use to escape our own culpability in wrongdoing; we wash our hands of the matter. This need to become clean when things have gone wrong is universal and timeless. Pilate obviously realized that. Along similar lines, we may recall the story of King David years before whose guilt drove him to journal his remorse over the killing of Uriah, the Hittite, the husband of Bathsheba. We read his lament in Psalm 51:

 

            Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness;

            in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.

            Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.

            For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.

 

And guess what? This need to become clean again when we are troubled by our guilt is still around today. It has even been popularized in our music, I’m sure some of you may recall these words to the song, “The Road to Shambala by Three Dog Night:

 

            Wash away my troubles, wash away my shame

            With the rain in Shambala

            Wash away my sorrow, wash away my pain

            With the rain in Shambala

 

Yes, in all honesty, we make mistakes, (yet rarely own up to them though...) and we do things that hurt others and ourselves. Or, sometimes, we fail to do the right thing and that makes us feel just as guilty as if we did something wrong. We need to get back on the right path... the path of righteousness. What better image than that of water as a sign of our becoming clean again as a first sign of our willingness to show remorse and begin anew?

 

That is the exact function of the Sacrament of Reconciliation…you see, this Sacrament provides real cleansing. It provides healing from the inside out; in one’s heart and one’s attitude. Real and therapeutic forgiveness comes from the very person Pilate unjustly condemns to death. It’s unfortunate that today when there is so much need of forgiveness and such a profound underestimate of our own sinfulness, this healing Sacrament is so underutilized. As we come to the end of our Lenten journey, let us attempt to take advantage of the graces Our Lord makes available to us when we ask him to cleanse us of our sins and heal our brokenness.

 

Remember to enjoy the day and let your joy touch others!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com and listen in as the three deacs engage in a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those thinking of coming into or leaving it.

 

 

OTHER RESOURCE

Recommended Reading: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis explores the core beliefs of Christianity by providing an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. A brilliant collection, Mere Christianity remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C. S. Lewis’s reputation as one of the leading writer and thinkers of our age.

The book brings together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War II. Lewis discusses that everyone is curious about: right and wrong, human nature, morality, marriage, sins, forgiveness, faith, hope, generosity, and kindness.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: Shortest Way Home: C.S. Lewis & Mere Christianity

 

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent_A - "Lord, If You Had Been Here"_032226

 

Image Credit - Lazarus of Bethany – en.wikipedia.org

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Lord, If You Had Been Here”

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A

 

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a remarkable one, but he is not the first person that Jesus brought back to life. There are other accounts of people Jesus brought back from the dead. It’s just that Lazarus’ is the most dramatic, since by all accounts, he was dead the longest. The gospels also give accounts of how Jesus brought the son of the Widow of Nain back to life as well as Jairus’ daughter. Amazing accounts of Jesus’ awe filled public ministry. But there is more to life than life……

 

We all have experienced times in our lives when we were not fully alive. We have all been down that lonely and fearsome road when we have suffered the loss of a loved one or have struggled with sickness ourselves or sat helplessly by and watched someone we love suffer a debilitating illness. We have all when been bruised and battered in the game of life one way or another. Perhaps we were traumatized by the lost a job or were found ourselves in a bad marriage or relationship. These are painful moments, moments when we can truly say and feel that we ourselves were caught in a death grip. Today’s gospel reminds us of the times when we have witnessed or experienced the therapeutic power that other peoples’ love has had in raising our morbid spirits to new life. The love and support of our spouses, friends and family can sustain us, give us hope and allow us to simply breathe when we are in desperate need and feel that we can’t go on, when we want to give up on life ourselves. The love and physical presence of others when we are merely going through the motions and pretending we are alive can truly lifts us up…. resurrects us and enabled us to get through the darkest of days. Have you forged and experienced such powerful relationship like this over the years? I hope that you have.

 

Being with others to help and console them through the difficult moments of their lives makes Christ’s Divine Presence a reality, as real his Eucharistic presence. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” MT 18:20

Our Lord desires to be present to everyone at all times but especially during times of our brokenness. Jesus calls his followers to bring his divine presence into the lives of others, without limit, condition or judgment…to listen and be there for them if only in shared silence, if that is what is needed.  

 

Today’s gospel tells the wonderful story of Lazarus being reunited with his family through the miracle of his resurrection. We have the ability to help restore vitality, indeed life itself, to anyone we are willing to share the burden of life with by simply being with them, consoling them and being the very presence of God at a time when darkness seems to never end and the hope of tomorrow is yet to dawn.   

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com where you will find contemporary conversations with several Paulist Deacon Affiliates and their guests exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the thre

shold of our church… those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it. 

 

OTHER RESOURCE

Recommended Reading:  “Living with Wounds – The Passion in Theology & in Our Lives” The Most Rev. Erik Varden, Bishop of Trondheim, Norway, leads us into the mystery of redemptive suffering in this presentation.  Engaging and thoughtful as we prepare ourselves for Holy Week.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: The Spirituality of Everyday Life, Part 2 by Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O

 

Fourth Sunday of Lent - Sin: The Bad We Do; The Good We Fail To Do_031526

 

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Sin: The Bad We Do; The Good We Fail to Do”

 

Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A

 

Today’s Gospel brings up the topic of sin from the perspective of its consequences. Jewish understanding was that if there was an illness, mental deficiency or the occurrence of some misfortune, it was attributable to sin on the part of the individual or the parent. That’s why the disciples wonder who is responsible for the man’s blindness: the man himself because of his own sins, or was it his parents’ fault, i.e., because of their sins. Jesus avoids laying blame. Rather, he says, “it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him” (Jn 9:2-3). Jesus puts an end to the notion that God employs disease to punish us for our sins.

 

According to St. Thomas, “sin is nothing else than a morally bad act (St. Thomas, "De malo", 7:3), an act not in accord with reason informed by the Divine law. God has endowed us with reason and free-will, and a sense of responsibility; He has made us subject to His law, which is known to us by the dictates of conscience, and our acts must conform with these dictates, otherwise we sin.”  (1)

 

Actual sin is committed by a free personal act of the will. It is divided into sins of commission and sins of omission. That’s right; you can actually sin by doing nothing, by failing to perform an action!! That raises the table stakes slightly, doesn’t it? Why is that? Well, sometimes we have a moral obligation to act. That’s the lesson of the Good Samaritan. You just can’t ignore someone in need. Sometimes you can’t choose not “to get involved.” 

 

Look at the words of the “Confetior that is sometimes recited during the Penitential Rite during Lent. We acknowledge to God and our brothers and sisters that we have wronged them by our thoughts, words, and deeds; in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do…. It’s right here. I’m not making this up…

 

I confess to almighty God

and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

 

There is still a lot of Lent to go. In the days ahead may God give us the courage and ability to recognize our many faults and the grace to change our ways for the better.

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com where you will find contemporary conversations with several Paulist Deacon Affiliates and their guests exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold of our church… those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

Recommended Reading: I Have Loved You - In the Exhortation's first chapter, Pope Leo underlines that love of God is inseparable from love for the poor. He urges Catholics to relentlessly identify and denounce structural injustices, "even at the cost of appearing foolish or naïve." Pope Leo concludes that "a Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today."

 

Recommended YouTube Video The Spirituality of Everyday Life, Part 1 by Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O

 

 

 

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[1] http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm