Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Acts 9:1-20  +  John 6:52-59
May 10, 2019

   “For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink.”   

Jesus, like any good teacher, responds to the ignorance of those to whom he’s speaking.  The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?”  Jesus replies not by saying that “eating his flesh” is just a figure of speech. Continue reading →

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Acts 8:26-40  +  John 6:44-51
May 9, 2019

   “…the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”   

Jesus first declares, “I am the Bread of Life.”  Then He describes Himself as “the bread that comes down from Heaven so that one may eat it and not die.”  Third, Jesus calls Himself “the living bread”.  In all three of these statements, Jesus explains that He is not just nourishment.  Jesus is a bread that offers a life stronger than death. Continue reading →

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Acts 8:1-8  +  John 6:35-40
May 8, 2019

   “…whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.”   

One benefit of attending weekday Mass is how the experience of Sunday Mass is more enriching.  During Easter this is even more true.  The Scripture readings of weekday Masses especially tend to dovetail with those of Sunday Masses. Continue reading →

The audio below considers the background and contexts of the Scriptures of this Sunday’s Mass.  Hopefully this will help you in meditating upon the scriptures, and in being open to the Holy Spirit speaking to you during Sunday Mass:

Click HERE to download the audio

Here’s an outline of the audio reflection: Continue reading →

Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Acts 7:51—8:1  +  John 6:30-35
May 7, 2019

   “…my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.”   

When the crowd asks Jesus, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?”, they’re asking a loaded question.  To appreciate both the crowd’s question, and Jesus’ reply, we have to back up to the end of yesterday’s passage. Continue reading →

Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Acts 6:8-15  +  John 6:22-29
May 6, 2019

   “…believe in the one He sent.”    

In today’s Gospel passage from John 6, we hear the crowd ask Jesus two questions.  First they ask, “Rabbi [meaning, “Teacher”], when did you get here?”  Jesus doesn’t answer their question, but He confronts them with the fact that they are only concerning themselves about their physical hunger.  It was for this reason that they had wanted to make Him their king.  But Jesus wants them to want something greater. Continue reading →

The Third Sunday of Easter [C]
Acts 5:27-32,40-41  +  Revelation 5:11-14  +  John 21:1-19
May 5, 2019

   He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.   

 As the Church journeys through the Easter Season, we continually celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection.  But it’s important to recall that the point of this joy is the feast celebrated at Easter’s end:  Pentecost.  Pentecost, celebrated on the fiftieth and final day of the season of Easter, is a celebration of God the Holy Spirit flooding the hearts, minds, and souls of those who wish to live as members of the Body of Christ. Continue reading →

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Acts 6:1-7  +  John 6:16-21
May 4, 2019

   “It is I.  Do not be afraid.”   

How can the presence of Jesus cause fear in people?  Contrast today’s Gospel passage with the scene of the Annunciation.  Jesus says to the apostles in today’s Gospel passage what the Archangel Gabriel says to Mary:  “Do not be afraid!”  Is it odd that God’s Presence—or even the news of His desire to come and be present—so often causes fear? Continue reading →

Sts. Philip & James, Apostles
1 Corinthians 15:1-8  +  John 14:6-14
May 3, 2019

   “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.”   

Throughout the Easter Season, the Scriptures at Holy Mass focus our attention upon several recurring themes.  Examples of this are the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, and the unity of the Church.  As is fitting for the feast of two apostles, the Scriptures for today’s feast of St. Philip and St. James highlight how the Church’s foundation is apostolic.  Of course, the role of the apostles goes beyond the Church’s beginning. Continue reading →