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Scriptures of the Day
Acts 10: 34a, 37 – 43
Colossians 3: 1 – 4
John 20: 1 – 9

HE LIVES !!! HE SPEAKS !!! “Why do you look for the living among the dead ?”

“I have risen and I am still with you.”

“Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.”

We feebly try to respond with profundity to the mystery of the Resurrection, but we cannot quite capture its essence. We probably would do better if we used the arts( poetry, music, art, dance) to express the wonder, the awe, the ongoing effect the Resurrection has on all humanity.

And so, I offer for reflection, not my words, but the words of Pope Benedict XVI.

“Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being: the cry for unending life which is a part of the person is indeed answered. Through Jesus we do know the room where exiled love lays down its victory. He himself is this place, and he calls us to be with him and in dependence on him. He calls us to keep this place open within the world so that he, the exiled love, may reappear over and over in the world . . . God exists: that is the real message of Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means also knows what it means to be redeemed.”

Have a blessed Easter!

by Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F

Scriptures of the Day
Isaiah 50: 4 – 7
Philippians 2; 6 – 11
Luke 22: 14 – 23:56

This Sunday begins the most solemn, most holy of weeks, of the entire Church Year – HOLY WEEK.

Beginning with Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, we are invited to journey with Jesus as he gloriously enters Jerusalem, on to the beauty and tragedy of Holy Thursday, then to the ungodly horror of Good Friday. Holy Saturday is a pivotal day. We find ourselves drained by the events of Holy Thursday, and Good Friday, and somewhat relieved that the intensity of these two days is over. Yet as Saturday unfolds we begin to notice a glimmer of hope. Hope in the mystery that we are about to experience and celebrate – the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ !

This week-its events, the tragedy, the suffering, the death of Jesus, his love and forgiveness for us through it all, and His glorious Resurrection, evoke one major response from us. FAITH !

Faith in Life! Faith in our God who brings good out of everything! Faith in our Savior, who showed us how to be faithful to the will of the Father! Faith that the God who loves us will raise us up from death, and bring us to live with Him forever!

Scriptures of the Day:
Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:8-14
John 8:1-11

Throughout the Lenten Season we have been experiencing the tremendous love and mercy of God. It speaks to us loudly and clearly in today’s gospel about the woman caught in adultery. She was brought to Christ crying, embarrassed, full of shame and guilt, carrying the burden of her sin.  I can only imagine how fearful she must have been, not knowing what was going to happen to her.  She was humiliated in front of all the people who had gathered around Jesus to hear him teach. It always amazes me that only the woman is condemned to death, why not the man who was obviously with her? Wasn’t he just as guilty? What does this tell us about the status of women at that time and even today? Are we willing to arouse awareness and try to help put an end to injustices in society such as human trafficking, abortion, inequality in pay and positions, physical and emotional abuse, etc. etc.?

However, in this gospel, it is interesting to note that the Pharisees and Scribes were really not so interested in condemning this woman.  The law could have been carried out anywhere else, but they dragged this poor woman and threw her at the feet of Jesus just to test him. But, as she looked up at him, she saw the love and compassion in his eyes, and knew everything was going to be alright.

Then, Jesus began to write in the sand…..what he was writing, scripture does not tell us. Whatever it was, shocked everyone–the crowd, the woman and the  accusers. They never expected that reaction from Jesus, they didn’t think he would have the courage to defend her but he didn’t give them the satisfaction of giving into their trickery.

Jesus then raises his head and says: ”Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to cast a stone at her”. The tables were turned.  Now the crowd has been humiliated, and their hypocrisy exposed, so they hang their heads in shame, drop the stones they were ready to cast, and one by one began to walk away.

Jesus compassionately talks to the woman and tells her that he will not condemn her either.  He forgives her but tells her to sin no more.  He does not condemn her, but condemns her sin, and she will be forever changed by God’s gift of mercy and forgiveness.

We, too, cannot judge, hurling stones at those whom we think are sinners, for just as Jesus shows mercy, we too must do the same. We are all sinners waiting to be embraced and forgiven by our merciful God.

Reflection on the Fourth Sunday of Lent:  March 6, 2016
Scriptures of the Day
Joshua: 5:9a, 10 – 12
2Paul Corinthians 5:17 – 21
Luke 15: 1 – 3, 11-32

If we had to vote for one Gospel to reflect on during this “Year of Mercy”, I believe this Sunday’s Gospel – The Prodigal Son –would win, hands down!

In a sense, this Gospel has taken on a life of its own. For centuries, the story has focused on and was named, the Prodigal Son. In recent years, noteworthy writers and speakers have titled the story, the Prodigal Father. I imagine that by the end of this “Year of Mercy”, this beautiful parable will be referred to as the Merciful Father. I suggest that this is so because the story of the Prodigal Son is engaging at so many different levels. Any one of us, at any time in our life, can identify with the situations, events, and people that are a part of the story.

Just stop and take a moment to reflect on:

which name for this Gospel resonates with you at this time in your life …
with whom can you most readily identify in the Gospel story . . .
where do you find yourself in relation to the Father . . .

Ultimately, do we find ourselves in the loving embrace of our forgiving, merciful Father?

Have we finally come to realize that there is no need to demand the fair share of our inheritance, as the younger son did. Have we experienced enough of life to know that the Father has so much more to give us than just our fair share. Have we matured enough to use the gifts of the kingdom, to share them with others, so that there is an increase of riches, rather than a wasteful selfish spending of them.

Are we sometimes like the older son, who really missed the boat. Have we like him, foolishly burdened ourselves with a false sense of responsibility, believing that it is our duty to earn our salvation. Have we forgotten that the kingdom is already ours. We need only to be thankful to our Father, cooperate with His gift of grace, and spend our life spreading the goodness of God to others. This is a life that radiates the fullness of joy, a joy that can never be taken from us, a joy that enables us to celebrate the Father’s goodness and love with saints and sinners!

During the course of our lives, every one of us has been a prodigal son/daughter. At times each one of us has been an overly responsible, but sometimes resentful son/daughter. But always, at every moment of our lives we remain the precious son/daughter of our God. Our Father is always waiting for us to return, so that he can remind us, “Everything I have is yours”

How fortunate we are! The church gives us the Season of Lent to call us back to right relationship with ourselves, others, and God.

How fortunate we are! The Scriptures repeatedly remind us of the Good News – the good news that God is on our side.

Howfortunate we are! God has blessed us with Jesus. He has given us his Son to show us His Face, His mercy, His unconditional love.

by Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F.

Readings for the Third Sunday of Lent:   February 28, 2016
Exodus 3: 1-8, 13-15
1 Corinthians 10: 1-6, 10-12
Luke 13: 1-9

Throughout the Lenten Season, the theme of God’s divine mercy is predominant and evident.

Today’s readings are filled with the compassion and love of a merciful God.

In the first reading from Exodus, Moses encounters God in the burning bush. Moses had no idea that he would meet God, he was not even looking for him but  God chose Moses to save his people from the Egyptians and remained with him. Even when we do not seek out God, God finds us and remains with us always, especially when he asks difficult things of us.  God’s love is always faithful and consistent; he is ready to sustain, forgive and nurture us no matter how serious our sins are. But God will not save us against our will or without our co-operation. We must be open to receiving God’s grace and forgiveness because when we sin, God does not stop loving us, we stop loving God.

In the second reading of Paul to the Corinthians, we hear about Moses and our ancestors in the faith. God called them all and although he was not always pleased with them, he never abandoned them. He remained faithful to them, in spite of their unfaithfulness to him.  How strong and unrelenting is God’s mercy.  What hope and consolation this gives us, but we must be willing to change, to heal our broken relationship with him, knowing and trusting that God is there for us…ALWAYS.

In today’s gospel from Luke, the strong words of Jesus are reflecting the traditions of the Old Testament, showing us that God accepts us as sinners, but still loves us intensely.  However, God wants us to repent of whatever keeps us from him and all others.

The second half of the gospel is a brief parable about a fig tree that has not born fruit in three years.  The owner tells the gardener to cut it down, but he begs the owner to let him cultivate and fertilize it for one more year to see of it will again bear fruit.  The owner agrees.  This is yet again, another example of God’s patience

with us, even when we don’t bear fruit.  He is willing to wait and give us another chance because he does not want us to wither and die.  At the same time, our merciful God is just, and will hold us accountable if we fail to respond to his grace.

This Lent is a good time for us to examine our lives and nourish our souls through prayer, almsgiving and sacrifice. When we give our hearts and our whole being to God, good works result in abundance. The works of mercy that we do for others open our hearts to understand God’s mercy towards us. Luke 6:36 tells us to “be merciful just as your father is merciful”

Perhaps this Lent is an opportune time to examine our lives and let our hearts be transformed by God’s amazing grace. Let us be deeply aware of the mystery of God’s presence in our lives and in the whole world so that this season of second chances may inspire us to let fruit immerge—fruit that will be lovingly shared with others.

By Sister Josita DiVita, F.D.C. 

Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent:   February 21, 2016
Genesis 15: 5 – 12,17 -18
Philippians 3: 17 – 41
Luke 9: 28b – 36

Light, Fire, Love are transformative!
Light, Fire, Love manifest the presence of God!
Light, Fire, Love have fascinated human beings all through the ages!
These three dynamic energies have worked miracles – not only by changing things, but more importantly, by changing the minds, hearts, and spirits of human beings.

Today’s first reading invites us to join Abram and look at the bright light of the stars in the heavens. We are further called to enter the mystery of the fiery torch that passed through the sacrifices that Abram prepared for the Lord. As a result Abram received the gift of faith and was able to move forward to a new land with the Living God.

In the Gospel, Peter, James and John were overwhelmed by the transfiguration of Jesus. The light, radiance, and glory of the Lord moved them to respond to the miracle right before their very eyes. Albeit, their desire to build three tents wasn’t exactly where they were being led. But their insight “Lord, it is good for us to be here” was a Eureka moment.

Here and now, this moment is where we encounter the Living God- the radiant face of God, in Jesus, and the fire of God’s love through the Holy Spirit. Here and now is where the power of God’s love (grace) will energize us to live this moment to the fullest. Every second of every day offers us a transforming moment- a miracle to see, and to know how “good it is for us to be here”; and sometimes in some of those moments we actually notice and are aware of the miracle that is being offered to us.

Perhaps this week and throughout Lent we can pray for the grace to use the grace being freely given to us. Perhaps we can pray to be faithful enough to let God’s Light, Fire, and Love transform our hearts, so that our faces, our words, and our deeds manifest the joy of our Risen Savior!

by Sr. Gerrie Contento, M.P.F.