Sunday Reflections

With his two brief accounts of the Ascension (in the Gospel and in Acts), Luke remains our main source of information about Jesus' Ascension to heaven. What is striking here is that the passage speaks more about the disciples---their fears, their questions and thier mission---than about Jesus himself. Throughout the resurrection narratives, Jesus has helped the disciples to understand the story of Jesus within the larger story of salvation history.

With five words in today's gospel, Jesus has 'raised the bar' in relation to what love looks like. Jesus tells us that we are to love "as I have loved you." His love is unconditional, merciful, generous, and is a free gift. In comparison, in our human condition, our love may not always reflect these divine qualities. In the resurrection of Jesus we believe, as reflected in the book of Revelation today, that God is "making the whole creation new." God's love is always capable of forming, reforming, and transforming.

The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd. He leads and guides us. He protects us and cares fr us in our need. However, this leadership depends following the shepherd, beginning with listening to the voice of the shepherd. Jesus says that those who belong to him "listen to his voice." This may sound easy but it is a challenge. Our independence and thought that 'we know better' are obstacles to this listening. Jesus possesses all truth, and expresses unconditional love. If we listen to him, he will give us that quality of life, as we follow our shepherd.

The first reading for the third Sunday of Easter is from the Acts. The apostles are brought before the Sandedrin and chastised for teaching in Jesus' name. Peter's reply includes "We must obey God rather than men." Their behaviour has changed dramatically from thre time of Jesus' passion to his resurrection. How has our behaviour changed from the time of Lent to now? Certainly for me, making faith a priority thyrough the allocation of time and various forms of devotion was not an issue during Lent. But now, it is far too easy to slide back into pre-Lent behaviours.

We may be struck by the audacity of Thomas in this gospel, as he sets down conditions to believe that Jesus has risen.  Imagine, the testimony of friends with whom he has walked for three years was not enough!  And then Jesus does appear to the apostles, when Thomas is present, and Jesus fulfils what Thomas asked.  Despite how we feel about Thomas, sometimes we do the same:  we set down conditions to believe that Jesus has risen, that God loves us, and that He is with us.  Sometimes we, too, fail to accept the testimony of others.  Jesus is in our midst, but so

Throughout his ministry, Jesus has followed God’s will to offer forgiveness, compassion, reconciliation, and healing to all whom he meets—especially those, who in the eyes of the world deserve it the least.  But this is who Jesus has come for: the least, the little, the last, the lost, and the dead.  As Jesus ministered this way in word and deed, he proclaimed that we are all God’s children, deserving of love.  No one is excluded.  No one.

I see people helping each other throughout the Passion of Jesus this Sunday. Simon helping to carry Jesus’ cross, Veronica wiping his face, the repentant thief acknowledging Jesus’ divinity, just to name a few.

  Written by Rita Bailey - Apostle of the Resurrection

This Sunday’s gospel of the Prodigal Son is one of the most memorable we encounter in the teachings of Jesus.  For many it is a parable that speaks of the truth of God’s mercy and love, as they identify with the ‘prodigal’ son.  For some it produces the response “It is not fair!”, as they identify with the ‘good’ son.  However, I invite you to focus today on this (supposed) ‘good’ son.  The father, his heart filled with unconditional love for his son (sound familiar?), can only rejoice that his son has come back to him: disgraced, poor, and ashamed.  The eyes of the

Usually the link between the first reading and the gospel reading is apparent.   However, this Sunday we may have to look more closely; but once we see the link, we will hear news of great joy!  The first reading from the Book of Exodus contains the well-known story of God speaking to Moses in the burning bush, giving him instructions to go to Egypt and to tell the Pharaoh to set the Israelites free.  The Gospel from Luke is a call by Jesus to the repentance of sins.