Fourth Sunday of Easter_A - Abundant Life_043023

 

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. 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 respected at all times. “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 recall 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 have contracted covid-19. But care-giving 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 and stay safe. 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com for a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton addresses the pleasure of a solitary life, as well as the necessity for quiet reflection in an age when so little is private.

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  Sit back and enjoy Thomas Merton feed your soul on YouTube - Thoughts in Solitude.

Third Sunday of Easter_A - Spread the Word_0423232

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 and 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. 

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 for a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer.

 

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 Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday_A - Devoted to the Cause_041623

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 has been a unique time for Christians, especially us Catholics who hold the Eucharist as the foundational reality of our faith. Post the Covid Pandemic we are able to gather once again and hear the Word of God and celebrate Christ’s presence in a real and sacramental way in the Eucharist. Trying to get back in the grove after the coronavirus temporarily suspended this two-thousand-year practice of receiving the Eucharist has been difficult to say the least. Perhaps that absence from the “Table of the Lord” has been a real desert experience for us... a time of fasting from the “source and summit” of our faith. Hopefully it has made us more “devoted” and committed to Christ’s presence at His sacred meal. But as we move beyond the disruption caused by the Covid virus, let’s not forget the sacrifice and selflessness of those professionals whose concern has been for the lives and safety of others. They make God smile and they give many others a ray of hope in the goodness of humanity. 

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 for a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer.

 

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 - Peter Kreeft Ph.D.

 

The Resurrection of the Lord - The Mass of Easter Day_ A_040923

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 negativity that surrounds 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 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 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 for a contemporary conversation exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer.

 

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