April 10, 2016

3rd Sun. of Easter

April 10, 2016:  Third Sunday of Easter

See 11 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

For the gospel
For the psalm
Pope Francis
Regina Coeli:  Jesus' presence transforms everything: darkness is overcome by light; vain labor is made fruitful and promising; fatigue and abandonment gives way to certainty that Jesus is with us.  The disciples' renewal of hope and missionary spirit are with the Church today.  If it seems that evil has the upper hand, the Church knows the light of Easter shines on all who follow the Lord.  May the Lord renew Paschal faith in us, making us more aware of our mission in service of the Gospel and of others; may he fill us with the Spirit so we may proclaim his great love and rich mercy.
Apostolic Exhortation:  Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), summary continued from yesterday
5.  Love made fruitful

Love is made fruitful in procreation.  We welcome new life, wait for it during pregnancy, show selfless love as parents.  We also see love's fruitfulness in adoption, in the contribution of families promoting a culture of encounter, and in the extended family.  The family is a wide network relationships.  The spirituality of marriage is deeply social.  The relationship between youth and elderly is especially important.  Relationships between brothers and sisters are a training ground for other relationships. 
6.  Pastoral perspectives

Families should both be evangelized and evangelize.  Ordained ministers often lack training to deal with problems families face.  Formation of seminarians needs to be improved, and families need to be more involved in formation for ministry.  Draw on the experience of the oriental tradition of a married clergy.  Prepare engaged couples for marriage better, and accompany couples in the first years of their married life, including re responsible parenthood.  Each crisis has a lesson to teach us; we need to listen carefully.

We must also accompany abandoned, separated, and divorced persons and be cognizant of the suffering of children in situations of conflict.  Divorce is an evil, and the increasing number of divorces is troubling.  Our most important pastoral task with regard to families is to strengthen their love, helping heal wounds, and working to stem divorce.  Respect families with homosexual members; don't discriminate or show violence against them.  (Summary to be continued; complete text here)
Read
  • Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41  The high priest questioned the Apostles:  “We ordered you to stop teaching in that name, but you've taught all Jerusalem.” / “We must obey God.  You had Jesus killed, but God raised him and exalted him as leader and savior to forgive sins.  We're witnesses, as is the Holy Spirit.”  The Sanhedrin ordered them to stop and dismissed them.  They left, rejoicing that they'd been found worthy to suffer for Jesus' sake.
  • Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13  "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me."  Praise and thank the Lord.  Lord, have pity on me; you changed my mourning to dancing.
  • Rev 5:11-14  I heard the countless angels surrounding the throne, the creatures, and the elders:  “Worthy is the Lamb slain to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.”  Then I heard everything in the universe:  “Blessing and honor, glory and might to the one on the throne and to the Lamb forever!”
  • Jn 21:1-19  At the Sea of Tiberias Thomas, Nathanael, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples went fishing with Simon Peter but caught nothing.  They didn't recognize Jesus on the shore saying, "Cast the net over the right side."  They did and caught a boatful of fish.  The disciple Jesus loved recognized him.  Jesus cooked breakfast for them all....
Jesus / Peter, after breakfast:  “Do you love me..?” / “You know I do.” / “Feed my lambs.”“Do you love me?” / “You know I do.” / “Tend my sheep.”“Do you love me?” / (distressed) “You know I do.” / “Feed my sheep....  When you grow old, and someone will lead you where you don't want to go....  Follow me.”
Reflect
  • Greek words for love:  ἔρως (passionate, sensual eros), φιλία (philia, friendship, affection); ἀγάπη (selfless, sacrificial, unconditional agape)  In today's gospel, Jesus asked twice whether Peter agape-loved him, and Peter responded he philia-loved him; then he asked whether he philia-loved him, and he said yes.  Peter had professed his love before, then betrayed him; now he humbly offered philia (not agape) and Jesus accepted it.  Jesus encounters us where and how we are.
    • Creighton:  May I, like the apostles, be drawn into a deeper love for the Lord and freedom to rejoice at opportunities to serve him.  Jesus, now risen, calls Peter to leave his fishing and follow him like he first did; both times Peter recognizes it's the Lord.  May I recognize the Lord before me, be reanimated by remembering my call, and rush towards him who can fill any emptiness.  Jesus, who made breakfast, is the source of our nourishment.  He tells Peter that loving him means loving those he cares for.  If I love Jesus, I want to be and love like him....
    • Passionist:  Fear seems to be driving our political discourse, including fear of being bullied.  What are we teaching our kids about human dignity, free speech, virtue, and compromise?  Who will be today's Peters, proclaiming the truth of God’s love, mercy, and salvation?  Who will tend the sheep?  Who will uphold respect?  How can I help?
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Do you love the Risen Lord more than all else?"  Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, and tests?  He's always ready to renew us and give us hope.  The first miraculous fish catch took place at the beginning of Jesus' ministry when the Lord called Peter to "catch people."  Jesus repeats this miracle to remind him he must continue his mission.  Skeptics say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus, but the gospels vividly paint the risen Lord and recount proofs of his resurrection.  Peter's drawing near to the Lord and professions of love stand in contrast to his previous distancing and denials.  The Lord calls each of us to draw near to him....
    Dress legend
    • '?' tie pin:  High priest questioned the apostles (1st reading)
    • 'Cross' pin:  "You had Jesus killed by hanging him on a tree" (1st reading)
    • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  The Spirit is a witness to these things (1st reading)
    • 'Clear' pin:  "Lord, you drew me clear" (psalm)
    • 'Angel' pin:  "I heard the voices of countless angels" (2nd reading)
    • 'Lamb' tie bar:  "Blessing and honor... to the Lamb" (2nd reading); "feed my lambs" (gospel)
    • 'Sheep' tie bar:  "Tend my sheep" (gospel)
    • 'Fishes' tie, 'boat' tie bar:  Miraculous fish catch at Sea of Tiberias (gospel)
    • 'Girl with heart' pin:  "Lord, you know I love you" (gospel)
    • 'Hand' tie pin:  "You'll stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you" (gospel)
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