Season of Easter

Easter Sunday - Years A, B, C
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Col 3:1-4
John 20:1-9

Alleluia! The Lord is Risen! May the empty tomb remind us that death has no more power over us. "Oh death, where is your sting? Where is your victory?" The power of the resurrected Lord has conquered death once and for all. It is time to rejoice and celebrate life ... LIFE ETERNAL!

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Second Sunday of Easter - Year A
Acts 2:42-47
Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31

It's difficult for us to imagine what life must have been like for the disciples after they witnessed the resurrection. However, The first reading for the Second Sunday of Easter gifts us a clue about the joy they must have felt over the Good News. Their joy was expressed in their daily breaking of the bread, prayers, and communal life. The apostles were able to perform mighty works and miracles. Perhaps the greatest miracle was the internal conversion of the hearts of those disciples. Their joy turned into charity. "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need."

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a day to remember that the Risen Lord fulfilled his promise. He did not want the sinner to die, but to live. We come as sinners to the one who offers us eternal life. Through his great mercy, we have a share in eternal life. May we all experience the joy of the early disciples who rejoiced in the eternal mercy of God. May our joy lead to deeper prayer, a proclamation of the Good News, and above all, charity.

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Third Sunday of Easter - Year A
Acts 2:14, 22-33
Peter 1:17-21
Luke 24: 13-35

The Gospel of Luke gives us that beautiful story about the disciples on their journey to Emmaus. The journey of the disciples is our journey. (1) Because of their confusion about the news that Jesus' is risen, they can't even recognize Jesus as he walks along with them. (2) Then, he teaches them about how the scriptures point to Jesus. (3) Then, as he sits at table with them, the disciples recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. (4) Finally, they go out to proclaim what they have witnessed.

Sounds familiar? We go through the same four part process on our journey with the Lord. (1) We are confused about our purpose in life and where Jesus may be on our journey. More often than not, we fail to recognize him in our daily life - in our co-workers, relatives, neighbors, etc. (2) Thankfully, we come to Mass every week where we hear the scriptures and see how they point to the Lord. (3) We are invited to the table of the Lord, where we recognize him in the breaking of the bread (Eucharist). (4) Finally, we leave from Mass to carry on the mission of Christ and proclaim what we have seen and heard.

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Fourth Sunday of Easter - Year A
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Peter 2:20b-25
John 10:1-10

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we hear in the Gospel that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He has entrusted to us shepherds, beginning with Peter and the apostles, to care for the Body of Christ - the Church. On this day, we pray for the successors of the apostles, including Bishops Robert Brom, Gilbert Chavez, and Salvatore Cordileone. We remember the priests of this parish and diocese. We ask that we may all pattern our lives on the life of the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Lord.

Please pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. Beg the Lord to offer more shepherds; especially in this portion of his vineyard.

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Fifth Sunday of Easter- Year A
Acts 6:1-7
Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12

Traditionally, the first reading on this Fifth Sunday of Easter is seen as the first ordination of deacons (from the Greek word Diakonia, meaning "to serve.") Last week, we spoke of the praying for vocations to priesthood and the religious life. Today, we should include in our prayers petitions for Deacon Greg Smyth and Deacon Gerardo Marquez. May God bless them for their service to this parish and to the diocese of San Diego. If you see them this weekend, let them know how much you appreciate their ministry.

Let us also pray for Mr. Charlie Frice and Mr. Migue Casabasch who will be ordained to the diaconate in just over one month - June 10th. They have journeyed long and have sacrificed a lot to get to this point. Pray for them as they complete their studies and prepare for their ordinations as deacons for the Diocese of San Diego. They will be a true blessing to this community.

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Sixth Sunday of Easter- Year A
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Peter 3:15-18
John 14:15-21

This Sunday prepares us for the Feast of Pentecost. Jesus tells us in today's Gospel that the Holy Spirit is our Advocate - a friend. He is with us. In fact, in our Sunday Eucharistic, we pray to the Father, through the Son, and with (in unity) the Holy Spirit. How are we one with the Spirit? How do we make the Spirit of God our friend? Do we allow the Spirit to be with us as we pray and carry out our daily chores? As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and remember the joy that the disciples must have felt when the Spirit was with them, let us pray that we will have that same joy and walk with our Advocate and Friend.

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Ascension - Year A
Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 1:17-23
Matthew 28:16-20

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave the disciples marching orders. He said, "Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

As we consider the number of Christians in the world, we can say that disciples have been made in all nations. However, we must continue to do our part and spread the Good News. Spreading the news and sharing the Gospel does not belong to priests, sisters, and deacons alone. In fact, the greatest amount of faith sharing is found in the homes, neighborhoods, and workplace. As we prepare for the Feast of Pentecost next Sunday, let all parishioners of St. Rose of Lima make a commitment to share the faith and make more disciples for the Lord.

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Pentecost - Year A
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Col 3:1-4
Luke 24: 13-35

Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The breath of God renews God's people. The breath of God sanctifies us. The breath of God gives us life, courage, wisdom, strength, and so much more. The breath of God is the Holy Spirit.

On this Feast of Pentecost, may you feel the breath of God in you. May the Holy Spirit fill you with joy and give you the courage to share the Gospel of Christ with others. On this day, you may want to pray this traditional prayer:

Come Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, Grant, that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

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Second Sunday of Easter - Year C
(April 18, 2004)
1st Reading - Acts 5:12-16
2nd Reading - Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Gospel - Jn 20:19-31

These readings are about the early Church growing in numbers. When the risen Lord appears to the apostles, they are filled with joy and share the good news that he is risen. Thomas, the doubter, becomes a believer and proclaims, "My Lord and my God!" Later, the disciples grow in number and proclaim the Lord in word and deed (Second Reading).

As Christian Stewards, charged with the task of sharing God's gifts, how do we share the good news that the Lord is Risen? Easter is not just an event. It is an event that needs to be proclaimed. As Christ's disciples, let us take the Easter message to the streets, to our work place, and to our homes, and proclaim that the Risen Jesus is truly our Lord and God!

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Third Sunday of Easter - Year C
(April 25, 2004)
1st Reading - Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
2nd Reading - Rv 5:11-14
Gospel -Jn 21:1-19

The Gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter includes the powerful dialogue between Jesus and Peter. Three times, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" This, of course, reminds us of the three times Peter had denied knowing the Lord as Jesus went to his death.

This dialogue also includes the Lord's command, "Feed my lambs! Tend my sheep! Feed my sheep!" These commands, together with the Lord's words, "Follow me," tell Peter that, although the Lord is risen, the mission of Christ must continue.

For two-thousand years, our Church has carried on the mission of Christ. As Christian stewards, how do we follow the Lord? How to we tend to his flock? Using the time and talents that have been given to us to carry on the Lord's mission is both a privilege and a command for all Christians.

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Fourth Sunday of Easter - Year C
(May 2, 2004)
1st Reading - Acts 13:14, 43-52
2nd Reading - Rv 7:9, 14b-17
Gospel -Jn 10:27-30

In the second reading and the Gospel, Jesus and we are compared to sheep. The book of Revelation offers words of encouragement to those who suffer persecution because of their belief in Christ, the Lamb of God. Like Paul and Barnabus in the first reading, many early Christians were scorned and eventually condemened to death for preaching the Gospel. To consoul the early Christians, Saint John writes, "the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

The Gospel shares the same message:

Jesus said:
"My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.

A good Christian steward is one who recognizes the gift of receiving the Gospel message. He or she, in turn, gladly and boldy proclaims the Good News to friends and family. Christian Stewards even proclaim the message in church with songs and acclamations. Christian Stewards share their voices and respond to this Sunday's Psalm:

"Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song."

Proclaiming the message comes with challenges. When the message is not popular - The Gospel rarely is - we may find ourselves persecuted for our beliefs. With charity, we must share our belief. The cost of discipleship is great. But, the reward is even better. It was for the early Christians and is for us today.

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Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year C
(May 9, 2004)
1st Reading - Acts 14:21-27
2nd Reading - Rv 21:1-5a
Gospel -Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

Paul and Barnabas, in today's first reading, set out on a journey to proclaim the Good News about Jesus. The message of Christ's love attracted people from all parts of the region. Before they would leave an area and prepare to proclaim in another, they would set up a community - a church - in order to keep the faith alive. "They appointed elders for them in each church and,with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith."

For two-thousand years, apostles, missionaries, and leaders of faith have set up churches throughout the world. St. Rose of Lima parish is one of those churches.

Another church is often forgotten, but has been around since the beginning of Christianity. The Domestic Church - the Catholic family - is the primary focus for any church activity. Parents and children work together to live out the faith that has been entrusetd to them.

As we consider the "appointed elders" in today's first reading, perhaps we should look at one important appointed elder in the domestic church. On this Mother's Day, we remember the gift of mothers. However, their greatest gift is their faith. Sharing the faith with family is crucial; especially in todays society.

All mothers are encouraged to see their gift as Christian Stewards and pass on their faith to their children; even if their children are grown. It is never to late to share God's message of love.

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Pentecost - Year C
(May 30, 2004)
1st Reading - Acts 2:1-11
2nd Reading - 1 Cor 12:3b-7,12-13
Gospel -Jn 20:19-23

The Second Reading for this Sunday's Mass is particularly appropriate for my weekly Stewardship Message. As we read, "There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone."

My gifts were handed to be by God to help accomplish his Kingdom here on earth. Your gifts are to be used for the same purpose. The Kingdom of God breaks into our world through so many personal gifts. As Christian Stewards, we are all called to share the gifts that have been handed to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Artists and musicians, technicians and contractors, lawyers and peace officers, teachers and students, all have the one Spirit but share that Spirit in so many ways.

This Sunday, we have our Welcome Wagon for new parishioners. New and Old parishioners are invited to come and see how our parish carries on the Mission of Christ. Many of our parishioners give of their time and talent to keep this parish going. What gifts have been given to you by the Spirit? How are you willing to share them?

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