Sunday Reflections

Finally, after a long Lenten season we can say those joyous words, and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.  His resurrection to new life is also our resurrection.  Through our Baptism we share in that new life.   The virtue most associated with the resurrection - and the Charism of the Congregation of the Resurrection - is hope.  Just as God did the impossible and the improbable in raising Jesus from the dead, we believe that God can also do the impossible and the improbable in our life here and now.  That is the basis of our hope

We do not earn or deserve God’s love; it is a gift given freely and unstintingly.  When we feel most alone, most unworthy, most unlovable, the all compassionate heart of God remains open to us.

We are called to love God wholeheartedly, and to love thy “neighbour” as myself. God will do anything for us and never leave us. Do you have someone you do/would do anything for?  Has someone gone above and beyond for you? God loves us without limits. How do you respond to this amazing gift by reflecting that love to others and to ourselves?

While many of us treasure the season of Lent as a time of preparation for the renewal of our Baptismal promises at Easter, there are some among us who are preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil. We witnessed these people in our parishes on the First Sunday of Lent as they took part in the Rite of Election and entered into the third stage or period of preparation which the Church calls a time of Purification and Enlightenment.

Those of us who are getting older are aware of the challenge of failing eyesight.  So, we can only imagine the joy and relief of the young man who was given sight – for the first time – by Jesus.  The Pharisees try to trap the young man and his parents to discredit Jesus, however the young man has called him a prophet.   In the Jewish mentality physical illness or handicap was an outward sign of an sinfulness within.  Such was not the case, as Jesus says, but to reveal the glory of God.  Then Jesus turns his attention to the Pharisees and calls

Story – France – soldier buried ex cemetery

• Not Catholic – friends move fence at night

• All included – who makes room for you?

• Do we include others? Do we move fences?

• Yes in tough moments, then return

Skip for a moment – Lent – end is not fast – penitence

• These are means (good)

• Goal of Lent – transformation – different person

Abraham is known as the “Father of Faith.” He earned this title because of the numerous ways that he put his trust in God. Our first reading marks how Abraham left his homeland in response to God’s call, trusting that God would be with him as he relocated to a land that he did not know. Later, he trusts that God will bring forth a son from his union with his very old wife, Sarah. Still later, he will trust God’s command to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, for whom he longed.

Each First Sunday of lent we hear the reading of the temptation of Jesus.  Just as we are tempted, so too Jesus suffered temptation.  The evil one knows us well, and knows how to attack us, and lead us into sin.  Jesus had been fasting for forty days, so naturally the devil tempted him with food.  Jesus resisted.  Then he tempted him with testing his Father, and then to idolatry.  Jesus resisted.  He shows us that during this Lenten season our spirit and will can (and should) be stronger than our flesh.  Temptations can be overcome by being faithful t

A little boy was standing at the edge of the beach.  It was very evident that he wanted to go into the water.  A lady was watching the little boy, wondering why he didn’t go into the water.  She watched him.  The lady came over to him, and asked why he didn’t go into the water.  The lad asked her if she had gone to Church this day.  Yes, she had.  Did she listen to the Homily?  Yes, yes, she did.  Did she put some money in the basket?  Why was he asking all these questions?  Then it became clear – he wanted someone he

               The Resurrectionist Charism Statement asserts that “we believe that God calls us to work together for the resurrection of society, bringing his life and love to all.”  There is no one outside the love of God and there is no one who is outside the love that each of us is called to have for others.  This includes our enemies.  Jesus maintains in our gospel this weekend that we are called to do more than tolerate our enemies.  In fact, we are to love them and pray for t

In our human condition sometimes we can have the tendency to minimalize things - doing the minimum with the hope of the maximum benefit.  This happens in regard to the law as well.  It may lead us to think, "How far can I go without breaking the law?"  Today's gospel speaks to us about the commandments, and how we respond to it.  Naturally, Jesus is calling us to live fully our life in him, and  to contribute to the kingdom of God.  Our words and actions do have an influence on one another, and we can make a difference.  On our own we may not