April 1

April 1, 2014:  Tuesday, 4th week of Lent

Readings

• Ez 47:1-9, 12  The angel brought me to the temple entrance, and I saw water flowing out, first a trickle, then ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then a river.  “Wherever the river flows, every creature shall live,  the sea shall be made fresh, fruit trees shall grow and bear fruit.”

• Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9  "The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob."  There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God; God is in its midst.  God will help it at the break of dawn.  Come behold the Lord's astounding deeds!

• Jn 5:1-16  One man in the pool called Bethesda had been ill for 38 years.  Jesus / man:  “Do you want to be well?” / “I have no one to put me into the pool; others beat me there.” / “Rise and walk.”  He did.  Jews / cured man:  “It's not lawful for you to carry your mat on the sabbath.” / “The man who made me well told me to.” / “Who?”  Jesus to man:  “You're well; don't sin.”  He told the Jews Jesus healed him, and they started to persecute Jesus.

Pope Francis

• Homily:  Many Christians, many Catholics, are anesthetized; their sloth cripples apostolic zeal; they don't bother to go proclaim the Gospel.  They're sad people without light, going to Mass but saying, “Do not disturb.”  Sloth is a sin against apostolic zeal, against the desire to share Jesus with others.  The slothful can't go forward, because they stand in themselves, their sorrow, or resentment; they close the door to salvation.  Today we also see the sin of formalism when Jesus is criticized for healing on the Sabbath.  The Pharisees interested in formalities closed the door to God's grace, saying it couldn't work on certain days; we have many in the Church now, saying "it is not possible."  We too have been taken by this acedia or been hypocrites.  Defend yourself against such temptations:  remember “Do you want to be healed?” and “Sin no more.”  Grace accomplishes everything.  Get close to the injured.

Reflections

• Creighton:  “Do I want to be healed?”  What's holding me back?  God won't force himself on us.

• Passionist:  God is the source of life and can make the most arid terrain lush.  God's grace, healing waters, and transforming love are available to us, but we must open our hearts to him.

• Universalis:  St. Ceallach, bishop

• Sacred Space

Music

• Shall we gather at the river/ Lowry (all readings) [Heard the joke?]

• There is a river/ Manion (all readings, especially psalm)

• Lord of the dance/ Carter:  cured the lame on Sabbath (gospel)

• O Lord, hear my prayer/ Berthier (Taizé)

Apparel

• Blue shirt:  water (all readings)

• "Ruler" tie bar:  angel measured 1,000 cubits (1st reading)

• "Tree" and "apple" pins:  where the river flows, trees shall bear fruit (1st reading)

• "Earth" tie:  "fear not though the earth be shaken" (psalm)

• "Walking person" tie pin:  "Rise, pick up your mat, and walk" (gospel)

• Purple suspenders:  Lenten season

Dress your life!