Connections between today's Bible readings, clothing, music, life...; a challenge to dress our own lives (Col 3:12-14)
April 22, 2016
April 22
April 22, 2016: Friday, 4th week, Easter
'Hearts' suspenders: "Do not let your hearts be troubled" (gospel)
'Castle' button (oops; didn't realize it was sideways): "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places (sometimes translated 'mansions'); I'm preparing a place for you" (gospel)
'Cars on roads' tie: "I am the way" (gospel)
'Crown' tie bar: "I have set up my king on Zion..." (psalm)
'Ruler' tie bar: "Take warning, you 'rulers' of the earth." (psalm)
'Tree' pin: "They took Jesus down from the tree" (1st reading)
Homily: Message, intercession, and hope are the three interlinked dimensions of a Christian life.
Message: The heart of the gospel message is that Jesus died and rose for our salvation. This is what the Apostles did; they testified at the cost of their lives. John and Peter, forbidden to mention Jesus, said, "We can't stop proclaiming what we've seen and heard," the announcement. We have the Holy Spirit inside us that makes us see and listen to the truth about Jesus: Christ is alive! Christ is risen! Christ is among us in the community and accompanies us on our journey.
Intercession: Jesus said he's praying for us and preparing us a place. He prepares the place by praying for each of us. Jesus is working by praying for us, just as he told Peter, "I prayed for you." Jesus is now the intercessor between the Father and us, interceding by showing the Father his wounds and naming each of us to him.
Hope: A Christian hopes the Lord will return. All the church is waiting for Jesus' return.
Ask, "How do I announce Jesus' good news? How is my relationship with Jesus who intercedes for me? How is my hope? Do I truly believe the Lord is risen and prays to the Father on my behalf? Do I truly believe he'll return? Am I a person of hope?” More
Acts 13:26-33Paul in synagogue: "To us this word of salvation has been sent. Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize Jesus; they found no grounds for a death sentence but still asked Pilate to have him killed, but God raised him, and many are now his witnesses. God fulfilled in the resurrection what he promised our ancestors."
Ps 2:6-11ab"You are my Son; this day I have begotten you." “I'll give you the ends of the earth to rule.” Serve the Lord, and rejoice before him.
Jn 14:1-6“Don't let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. I'll take you to myself, so that where I am you may be too. I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.”
Creighton: We've been reading about the Holy Spirit's marvelous work: today, in preaching and conversions. The Spirit empowers Paul and Barnabas for missionary service, prophetic witness of Jesus....
One Bread, One Body: "The place to be": Jesus has prepared a place for each of us, the place we were created for, where our hearts won't be troubled, where we'll see God's power and glory, where we'll do greater things than Jesus did. May we love Jesus and his Church, know our part in Christ's body as well as possible, take our place faithfully and fully, rejoice to be in Christ and in his body, and proclaim that Jesus has prepared a place for everyone....
Passionist: The Christian Jewish believers were thrown out of the temple and synagogues, scattered and like Paul going to other countries to bring the good news. The heart of Paul's message is the Crucified Lord has fulfilled God’s promise of salvation. To become a believer, focus on the Crucified Jesus, grab on, and don't let go; hold on in every circumstance. Paul reinforces this helping us understand a new way of reading the Hebrew Scriptures: through the prism of the Cross and Resurrection. Today's gospel makes it clearer: No, Thomas, Jesus isn't speaking of a road, but a person, himself, Way to life, Way to the Father. If we keep Jesus as the center of our life, we'll know, have, and follow the Way; it's an inner journey leading us to choices that reflect the Risen Lord in our sense of self, our relationships with one another, our parishes, our Church, and our world.
DailyScripture.net: "Do not let your hearts be troubled!" Jesus knew we'd face trials and persecution. Adversity can discourage us or press us closer to God and his promises. Just as God went ahead of Moses and the Israelites to lead them to the promised land, Jesus says he's going ahead through his ascension to prepare a place for them in his Father's house: a place of peace, friendship, and happiness with God. God's house is never closed nor overcrowded; there's room for all believers. Jesus' promise of eternal life puts our greatest fears to rest.
Traveling alone in unfamiliar places can be unnerving and bewildering, and some places are impossible to pass through without the right person. The Lord Jesus promised his followers that he'd be their guide and friend and lead them to the source of peace, friendship, and life. Jesus alone knows the way to the Father because he has been with him from the beginning. He gives us more than a map or GPS; he personally is the way to the Father's kingdom, and we won't miss it if we follow him. He accompanies us and watches over us.
Only Jesus can say, "I am the Truth." One with the Father, he possesses the fullness of truth. Jesus promised his disciples that if they continued in his word, they'd learn the truth, and it would set them free.
"I am the Life": Jesus shows us the path of life and gives us everlasting life.
Message: The heart of the gospel message is that Jesus died and rose for our salvation. This is what the Apostles did; they testified at the cost of their lives. John and Peter, forbidden to mention Jesus, said, "We can't stop proclaiming what we've seen and heard," the announcement. We have the Holy Spirit inside us that makes us see and listen to the truth about Jesus: Christ is alive! Christ is risen! Christ is among us in the community and accompanies us on our journey.
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