Weekly Reflection 042504AD

April 25, 2004AD

Third Sunday of Easter

Not Just Any Fishfry

Recall the movie The Perfect Storm. There is a tradition among fishermen who have been on the open sea for a while. Those who have weathered many perils share a fish dinner in which they eat some of what they caught when they came ashore.

The fishfry to which the Risen Jesus invites the 7 disciple-fishermen is an atypical one, to say the least. The fishermen had tough luck all night. It was at the suggestion of the Mysterious Host ashore that they lower the nets for a catch. What a catch, indeed!

In the past 20 years, those who sell Lotto tickets have commented on the spike in the number “153” whenever this Gospel comes around on a Sunday. People hear the number at Mass and get a ticket when they pick up their Sunday papers. Scripture scholars have wondered on the symbolism of the numbers. One opinion is that the number represents the number of species of fish named at the time that the Fourth Gospel was written. Therefore, the number represents the universality of the mission of the Church, represented by the fishing boat, captained by Peter.

Scripture scholars have also commented on the fact that in the 4 Gospels, nobody catches a fish without the assistance of Jesus. Is this a reminder to all of us that Jesus is with us in our efforts to be “catchers of people”? Any good that any of us does for the sake of the Gospel ultimately is prompted by the Risen Jesus, in Whom we live and move and have our being.

The fishfry hosted by the Risen Jesus also serves as an opportunity for Jesus to address a few matters for the group. We can be sure that the “Big (-mouthed) Fisherman” cringed when he saw the charcoal fire that Jesus had made. (The last time he saw one was the night that he denied three times that he knew who Jesus was.) We know for sure that he cringed when Jesus asked him three times point blank if, indeed, Peter loved Jesus. Sadly, Peter declares three times that Jesus knows well how much Peter loved Him. All has been forgiven. Typical Jesus!!!!

Finally, the rehabilitated braggadocio fisherman is told by Jesus that, in his future, decidedly dark days lie ahead because of the love that he has for the Risen Jesus. Peter was told in advance that his death would be a violent one (as was the death of the Lord). Indeed, the words of Jesus were fulfilled when Peter was crucified in Rome on Vatican Hill on or about June 29, 67 AD. Nevertheless, Jesus throws the gauntlet down when he tells Peter and all of us told in the language of discipleship, “Follow me.”

This beautiful Easter story is fraught with meaning for all of us as we are reminded that the Risen Savior calls us to a meal each week. At our weekly meal, Jesus reminds us that He forgives us all. Then, He nourishes us with the Food Which He provides, at which we are strengthened against the chaos that threatens us throughout our lives. Finally, He challenges to rise from the Meal and follow Him in the week ahead. 042504AD jfq

Weekly Reflection 041804AD

Sunday April 18, 2004AD

Second Sunday of Easter

Doubting Thomas

The patron saint of Missouri, the “Show Me State” makes his annual appearance in our traditional Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter. Thomas represents those who demand empirical verification that belief in Jesus is legitimate. When Jesus meets his demand, Thomas’ response is “My Lord and my God.” (This is the highest title attributed to Jesus in the Gospels. Recall, the author of The DaVinci Code says that Jesus was not pronounced divine until 325 AD.)

Many think that the incident of Doubting (Skeptical) Thomas probably represented the last account in the original Gospel of John. If such is the case, Jesus’ words to Thomas at the conclusion of the Gospel today would have originally been the last words of the Risen One in the Fourth Gospel. What does Jesus say? “You believed, Thomas, because you have seen. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Is Jesus talking about us? With the Help of the Holy Spirit, indeed, He is. However, it is not that easy. We all experience, at times, the Left Hand of God. In our lives, there is an assortment of experiences that challenge our faith in the God revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Catholics and all Christians should be very circumspect in talking about the depth of our faith. We all want to be strong believers. However, sometimes the vicissitudes of life can challenge an easy faith and make our “credo’s” a little shakier. We might be strong believers one day and, then, on difficult days, “Yo” or “Nes” believers on others. We pray for the Strength always to be firm in our faith in God. Even though we have not seen, may we always believe.”

Each week, Catholics profess our faith routinely as a conclusion to our Liturgy of the Word. We rattle off very quickly (hopefully, not mindlessly) the 14 articles of Christian faith which, we believe, unite us with Christians of the last two millennia. Someone asked a noted theologian if it were time to change the Nicene Creed, which is, after all, over 1600 years old. The theologian warned against any change in the creed. It might be arrogant to assume that we know the true meaning of certain words. He asked, “What do you mean by “I”? by “believe”? by “God?” by “Father”? by “Almighty”? by “Creator of heaven and earth?” What makes modern people think that we could do the best job naming Christian reality? The same theologian wrote in another place, “The first article of faith equals the last article of faith”. If we believe in God, the Father Almighty, then, we believe in the last article of faith, the Resurrection of the Body and life in the world to come. They are two ways of expressing the same reality of belief in a God Who can give life in any situation, the God revealed by Jesus Christ.

Jesus met Thomas’ challenge; Thomas believed. With God’s Help, may we who have not seen always believe, on good days and bad, in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God. 041804 AD jfq

Weekly Reflection 041104AD

Sunday April 11, 2004AD

Easter Sunday

The Way Down is the Way Up

Throughout the Gospels, the only one who consistently refers to Jesus as “Son of Man” is Jesus Himself. Simply put, in biblical language, “son of man” is a generic tem for humanity; it means “everyone” The term can also refer to the figure mentioned in Daniel 7, “One like a Son of Man who comes in judgment on the clouds of heaven.”

When the ladies arrive at the tomb, they were reminded that Jesus had said that the Son had told them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to be handed over, to die and to rise. They recalled His words, but they did not understand them.

These ladies were individuals who had been with Jesus from the get-go in Galilee. Mary Magdalen and Joanna (whose husband worked for King Herod!!!) were followers of Jesus along with other women; these ladies traveled with Jesus and the Twelve on the fateful journey to Jerusalem. They had been recipients of healings from Jesus and had heard His teaching and preaching of the arrival of the Kingdom of the God of Life. They went the whole distance with Jesus, even to their presence on Calvary and their assistance (as family members) in Jesus’ funeral arrangements.

Still, they did not understand the meaning of Jesus’ words of the necessity of the Son of Man’s death and resurrection. It is only when Jesus Himself explains the mystery that the Jesus Movement came into being. Interestingly, when the Risen Jesus explains the Scriptures about His death and Resurrection, the Risen One refers to the necessity of the Christ (Messiah) to die and to rise again.

Was the divine necessity for the death and Resurrection of Jesus (the Son of Man and the Messiah) a reference to the Paschal Mystery, of which St Paul speaks so emphatically?

Was the Son of Man Who was to come in judgment subject to the Paschal Mystery of death and Resurrection for the very same reason that the son of man, viz., everyone of us, is subject to the same mystery? Was the secret hidden in the pattern of creation, yet denied by people who prefer to control reality, of death and Resurrection answered for everyone of us by the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Christians believe the answers are yes.

The Way Down is ultimately the Way Up. Painful, at times, the implications of this Paschal Mystery, that is built into reality by a Loving Creator, has been denied or rejected by all of us. Jesus, The Son of Man, the triumphant Judge, had first to experience what each of us (sons (and daughters) of humanity)) experiences.

Jesus died with forgiveness in His heart, concern for the needs of others and ultimately, surrender to the plan of the God of Life for Him. He gives us the example and the Help (through our life with Him in baptism) to be people of forgiveness, concern for others and surrender to a life-giving, yet mysterious God. The Way Down is the Way up. Trust Jesus. He knows. He is the Way!! 041104AD jfq

Weekly Reflection 040404AD

Sunday, April 4, 2004AD

Palm Sunday

Why Is Holy Week Different?

Next week, we remember with love and thanksgiving all that Jesus does for us. Today, we focus on the example that Jesus set for us during His hours on the cross. As ever, Jesus teaches how to die just as He teaches us how to live. When our day comes, with His Help, we can die as He did. Once again, by example and word, Jesus practices what He preaches.

St Luke points out 4 distinct points in the Passion Narrative when the mercy of Jesus is manifest. 1) St Luke tells us that Jesus healed the ear of the guard in the garden when Jesus was arrested. 2) St Luke tells us that Jesus consoled the women of Jerusalem who mourned His death. 3) Jesus forgave His executioners and His ridiculers. 4) Jesus thought of the other dying criminal in Jesus’ final moments. Even, in His death agony, Jesus teaches us.

In His words from the cross, Jesus teaches us. With His help, we can face our final hours as He did. St Luke tells us that Jesus spoke three times from the Cross. Mentioned above, he prayed for His torturers, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He left this world with no grudges or hard feelings. How often do people, even in their final hours, refuse to be reconciled with family or friends who have wronged them? How many people use estates and inheritances as a final way to make a vindictive statement?

Second, Jesus thought of others in His final moments. When the other criminal asked to be remembered when Jesus entered His kingdom, Jesus’ response maintains the other-orientation of the Life that He led. “Amen, I say to you. This day you will be with Me in paradise.” Are we not gratified when we are with sick and/or dying folks, who focus on what is happening in the lives of others? They learned that their lives are not about them, but part of a greater picture. May we all learn from Jesus!

Finally, just as Jesus was tempted three times in the wilderness at the start of His public life, He was tempted three times as He hanged upon the cross. Three times, the executioners, the religious leaders and the other thief challenged Him to come down off the cross if He were indeed the Son of God. Three times, He remained silent. However, in His dying breath, Jesus spoke the words of Psalm 31, including the beautiful and serene, “Father, into Your Hands, I commend My Spirit.” Jesus had said Yes to God’s Plan throughout His life; He maintained His Yes in His dying breathe. As we experience mini-deaths and Resurrections throughout the course of our lives, we ask Jesus to give us the faith and hope that He demonstrated in His dying words. When our own deaths arrive, may we be as forgiving and other-oriented and peaceful and fulfilled as Jesus in Luke’s Gospel today. He can make it happen.

In this Lent, when the “Passion of the Christ” has riveted our attention, in the movie, Jesus’ dying words were the words we heard today. Think; pray about it. 040404AD jfq