Even though the story of the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus is not a resurrection story as such (it is found in chapter 3) it nonetheless serves as an excellent commentary on Easter Faith. Jesus deliberately uses an ambiguous term that we usually translate “to be born again” to describe what Easter Faith is like.… Read More »

At Easter we have thrown in our face the reality of what it means being a follower of Jesus. We aren’t Christians because Jesus was a good teacher who taught us how to live – although he did that. We aren’t Christians because Jesus promised us thirty, sixty and a hundredfold in the kingdom of… Read More »

“Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed.” Christianity was spread by uneducated, ordinary men and women. What they had was not education but a life-defining experience. They encountered the risen Jesus and they knew that there was no more cause… Read More »

After the whirlwind of events — Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection — Peter decides “I am going fishing.” The six others who were with him said, “me too.” But they can’t catch anything. The scene serves as a kind of metaphor that once our lives are touched by Jesus we can’t go back to doing… Read More »

After the Resurrection the disciples are reminded that they “are to be witnesses.” In English we use the word witness most often in a legal sense. A witness takes an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I am reminded of a scene in the play A Man for… Read More »

If you family is anything like mine you have brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren who no longer practice the faith. Despite going to Catholic school and being well catechized, they simply stopped going to Mass. When you ask them about it they answer, “Uncle Johnny, I just don’t get anything out of it.” Mr… Read More »

The most poignant words in the Bible are addressed to Mary Magdalene by Jesus: “Do not hold on to me.” The scene is Easter Sunday. Mary in her loss and grief goes looking for Jesus and only finds an empty tomb. She encounters this seeming stranger and then realizes it is her dearest friend Jesus.… Read More »

During the days after Easter the first reading is taken not from an Old Testament book or from one of the epistles as is customary but from the Acts of the Apostles. The Church is teaching us in arranging the lectionary in this way that the Resurrection of Jesus was not meant for him alone.… Read More »

How can I keep from singing! On this Easter Sunday we gather in celebration, we gather in happiness, we gather in triumph. Jesus, the one who was battered and bruised, who was tortured and tormented, who was crushed and crucified has been raised from the dead. Jesus, our Risen Lord, has conquered all enemies, even… Read More »

This is a day of silence and stillness. We are in a time of pause between the agony of Good Friday and the joy of Easter. We are to notice emptiness. In our day we fill emptiness with FaceBook, Sirius Radio, streaming video, chat rooms. But the liturgy asks us to stop, be silent, reflect.… Read More »