Jesus returned after the resurrection to strengthen and teach the disciples.
As He was about to leave again He reminded them that His words were also the Father’s.
His ministry was truly a divine ministry.
He also promised that He would send the Holy Spirit to help them understand and persevere.
In our liturgical year, we too are once again awaiting the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
What do you need to help develop your understanding and spiritual life?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052222.cfm
Jesus gives us this commandment as a benchmark of the Christian life.
It is the exact reflection of all that Jesus did during His time with us on Earth.
It is a simple commandment to remember but sometimes a hard one to live.
This commandment also fulfills much of the essence of the commandments given to Moses.
We now have another mirror to examine our lives. Will we take a new look?
readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051522.cfm
Jesus affirms his unity with the Father.
His promise of eternal life is grounded in His absolute authority over the universe.
Others will try to snatch His followers away but they will be protected.
Jesus gives assurances to His followers particularly when they are exposed to adversity.
We have the promise. Will we respond accordingly as His followers?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050822.cfm
Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection.
He performed miracles and ate with them to prove that it was really Him.
The disciples were pulled from the routine of their daily lives to address the mission for which they were chosen –
to spread the faith and belief in Jesus.
We are called to a similar mission – to reach beyond our routine to announce the good news, even in small ways.
Are you prepared to participate in this mission?
If not, how will you prepare?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050122.cfm
There is no information ever recorded that is more important than this fact.
Had Jesus not risen all else would be for naught!
Each of us must make this fact the center of our lives.
James and John saw what happened and they believed.
We must also engage ourselves with the witness of Peter and John.
Easter is a time to rejoice over the fact that saved us. It is a time to respond in extreme awe and gratitude.
How has the resurrection influenced your life?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041722.cfm
The Holy Trinity is one of the greatest mysteries of our faith. It is also a powerful revelation of the essence of Almighty God.
As Catholics, we do all things “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. “
We have heard and seen the overarching creative thrust and intervention of God in all of physical and human existence.
We are sent forward with the power and authorization of this trinitarian God. Do we realize the magnitude of our task?
readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053021.cfm
Jesus calls us His friends.
He wants us to be slaves to nothing so that we are truly to love.
His love for us is absolute even to the point of dying for us.
We are His chosen representatives to be His presence in this world.
He asks us to continue to spread His message.
Are you ready to give up much in order to do this?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050921.cfm
Notice how everything Jesus says is devoted to us.
We are the branches, intimately connected to Him.
He encourages us to “stick with Him” in all things, even if it may be difficult at times as we are pruned.
We can ask for what we need to remain close to Him and He will provide it for us.
What do we need to remain close to Jesus?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050221.cfm
Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
He did lay down His life for us.
Jesus knows each of us and he calls to us.
When we follow Him, we are part of the flock with one Shepherd.
The Father’s love and Jesus’ love come to us in Jesus’ voice.
Can you hear Him?
Jesus appeared to the disciples to strengthen their belief in His resurrection.
Jesus had to “connect the dots” for the disciples who were still trying to sort out what had just happened.
The disciples were present at the crucifixion. Now they saw Him again in person.
It was hard to understand what this meant and what God was doing.
Jesus told them that what was in the scriptures was true. He died to save us.
We were not there. But we now know the story. Are the dots connected for us?
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041821.cfm
The story of the resurrection was so fantastic that it can be hard to believe it.
Thomas, the Apostle, could not believe at first.
He believed when he saw Jesus again.
We, too, have received the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and Confirmation.
We have received Jesus in the Eucharist.
“My Lord and My God” come to me once again!
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041121.cfm
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection are the single most important events in all of history – past and future.
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection are the most important events affecting your life. Without His Resurrection, you would have no future.
With His Resurrection, you have eternal life before you.
In celebrating the Sunday Eucharist, we worship, praise, and thank God for His saving acts.
We also bring our lives to offer in thanksgiving.
In gratitude, we do this every Sunday, the Lord’s Day and invite all to join us.
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040421.cfm
The Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the epitome of love.
We were created because of that love and for that love.
We are destined to remain in that love for eternity.
God is with us always, in spite of what we do that is not right. God’s love is unconditional.
We are called to believe so that we may respond and not reject our destiny.
Can we open our hearts to God’s urgings?
Jesus gives us a commandment and a promise.
Stay with Me and live in accord with what I have taught you.
I will send you help, the Advocate.
You will see Me through Him. You will experience Me through Him.
When you see Me, you will have life and realize the love of God in your life.
The Spirit comes to us again on Pentecost, only a few weeks away. Are you ready?
Jesus said “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”
Jesus is the way we see God.
He encourages us to stop looking elsewhere for what we need, or need to know.
He passes on to us the power of His spirit.
Are we ready to follow His words and do the works that He has shown us how to do?
Jesus offers us life and not a scattered existence.
He is willing to lead us if we are willing to follow.
There are so many ideas and individuals who would lead us astray.
Jesus tells us to keep our eyes and ears on Him and He will take us through the right gate.
We know who He is.
Why would we follow someone or something else?
Jesus’ disciples knew much of what happened to Him. They knew the history.
Their hearts burned while He opened the scriptures for them.
This was not just history but faith.
It all came together for them…. His life, His death, His resurrection. History, faith, and experience gave them meaning.
We, too, can find him again and again in the breaking of the bread.
History, faith, and experience can cause our hearts to burn, too.
The promises of Jesus have been fulfilled.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the life.
We can trust in His saving power.
His life was about healing body, mind, and soul.
He is with us now. Believe!
– We are offered a relationship with Jesus Christ.
– He asks us to love one another as He loves us.
– We are called to keep His commandments and to love, even to the point of giving up our lives.
– Stay attached to the vine and you will bear much fruit. The Father will give you whatever you need to succeed.
– Are you willing to go this far?
– What else do you want?
