The scripture readings assigned for the fifty days of Easter are geared to help us understand what Resurrection life is all about. In this, the third week of Easter, the gospel each day is taken from John 6 — the “Bread of Life” discourse. Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from… Read More »
MAY82019
“There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered.” You can only imagine how those first followers of Jesus experienced this persecution. They no doubt thought it was a terrible tragedy. They were probably crying out to God about why this was happening to them — weren’t they following… Read More »
MAY72019
The martyrdom of St. Stephen is a story of violence. Unfortunately, as Stephen’s speech reminded his listeners the violence did not begin with him. “Your ancestors … put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one.” Nor did the violence end with him. There was ongoing violence against the Christians for centuries.… Read More »
MAY62019
In the Book of Acts, The people accuse the Deacon Stephen of wanting to “change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” Religious people tend to hold very tightly onto their traditions and when someone proposes changing them they are viewed as a threat. We are seeing something analogous to that in the reaction… Read More »
MAY52019
In the play My Fair Lady the heroine sings: “Don’t talk of love Lasting through time Make me no undying vow Show me now.” Something similar seems to be going on in the post-Resurrection encounter between Peter and Jesus at the Sea of Tiberius. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered… Read More »
MAY42019
The first chapters of the Acts of the Apostles described an ideal community where everyone lived in peace and love. That did not last. Soon there were complaints and rivalry. The situation as analyzed by the apostles is instructive. “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.”… Read More »
MAY32019
St. Paul ordinarily insists on the special revelation he received on the road to Damascus as validating his ministry. We should note that the Apostle did not consider himself as a “lone ranger” but as part of a larger picture of God’s action in history. He wrote to the Corinthians: “I handed on to you… Read More »
MAY22019
“We must obey God rather than men.” These words from Peter and the apostles in the Book of Acts reminded me of the Letter from the Birmingham Jail written by Dr. King in 1963. He was responding to an open letter from white clergy of the city condemning the direction action promoting civil rights organized… Read More »
MAY12019
In the instruction with Nicodemus Jesus said, “people preferred darkness to light … and do not come toward the light, so that their works might not be exposed.” When you think about all of the deeds of darkness we have seen recently — churches, synagogues and mosques attacked; shootings in schools, indiscriminate killing at malls… Read More »
APRIL302019
According to the Acts of the Apostles the early Christians practiced a form of communism — from each according to their ability; to each according to their need. “There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property would bring the proceeds … and they were distributed to each according to need.” To… Read More »
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