5 April Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
“So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, ‘They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him’” (Jn 20:2).
Communion Connection –
These three disciples – Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter, and the other whom Jesus loved – show us what it is to have friendship in Jesus. They fear He is missing so they run and search for Him, they talk about Him, and they yearn for Him. They do this individually, but they also do this collectively because their bond with Him unites them with one another. Through the help of one another they are able to search and discover Him more perfectly. Each brings their own awareness and their own way of loving to the effort of their common quest – and then the strength of their minds and hearts working as one spreads the message of their love out beyond them.
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron - http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-resurrection-of-jesus-is-not-a-myth/837/
- Order of Carmelites Lectio - http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-easter-resurrection-lord-b
12 AprilSunday of Divine Mercy
“The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you’” (Jn 20:20-21).
Communion Connection –
Even though the doors were locked, the Risen Lord appeared in the midst of the disciples, for no barrier could separate Him from His friends any longer. The fear of the disciples was now replaced by deep joy. Now, as Jesus had been able to fulfill the Father’s plan because He was one with Him, so too would the disciples be empowered to lead this lofty mission because the Risen Lord was in them. But every Christian needs to hear these words of Jesus resonating in his or her heart. To fulfill this mandate of the Lord, we must be living members of the Church – be one with the Word of God, being evangelized ourselves first and then all the world.
Additional Catholic Resources:
19 AprilThird Sunday of Easter
“’Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things’” (Lk 24:46-48).
Communion Connection –
A witness is someone who sees or knows something and is necessary in order to convincingly share that knowledge. Being a witness implies responsibility – because there are others who depend on the witness to reveal some truth to them. Jesus reminds us that we have that responsibility as it relates to Him – because His message can’t otherwise be known. Yet, it’s a responsibility that we do not bear alone, in isolation. Jesus is speaking to us as a community of believers. It is a “common calling”, and the message of our testimony is even more powerful when given from our unity which not only “speaks” the message but expresses it through the oneness of our lives together.
Additional Catholic Resources:
26 AprilFourth Sunday of Easter
“’I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep’” (Jn 10:14-15).
Communion Connection –
Such love and intimacy we know from Jesus. He claims us as His own and we know it to be true because He took that love to the cross – not willing to forsake us even when it meant a humiliating and painful death. What wondrous love! But there’s more. This intimacy goes beyond Him knowing and loving us – to Him being known BY us! He opens Himself up to us and invites us into His heart, allowing Himself to be vulnerable to our ways of loving. Sometimes we think those ways are feeble – yet He finds them beautiful and holy and He thirsts for more. He likens His relationship with us to His relationship with the Father – a communion of self-giving love.