Luke 24:35 – 48

 
Peace was so often a main idea in Jesus’ teachings during his ministry on earth.  After his resurrection he is recorded as saying “Peace be with you” as he appeared to his disciples, time after time. It was this Peace of Christ – a peace that the world cannot give – that allowed Jesus to carry on his rigorous ministry throughout the countryside of Israel from the time of his Baptism.  It was holy Peace that gave Him the courage and insight to confront the Evil One in the desert and in the mouths and eyes of the religious authorities who tried to shut him down. And it was the Peace and Love from his Father that  allowed Jesus to go through the abandonment, the offences, and the pain, of his Passion and crucifixion. This was the Peace Jesus extended to his disciples when he showed up after his resurrection in his crucified body in their midst. And it is this profound Peace that Jesus holds out to us today, whenever we turn to him for help.  Will I receive the Peace of Christ Jesus, the Peace of God the Father, to guide me through the hills and valleys, the swamps and the rough roads, of my life’s journey?  Holy Spirit, help me receive the Peace of Christ Jesus.    
 
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.  This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.   (Psalm 118:23, 24)
 
Often remind yourself that you are in the presence of God.
St. Jean Baptiste de la Salle  
                       
Soli ad gloriam
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Gospel Mystery of the Day                              Wednesday, April 7, 2021
                                                                             Easter Tuesday
                                                                  
Good Morning!      
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
 
John 20:11-18 & Luke 24:13-35 & Acts 3:1-10

 
During the week after Easter, as Jesus entered into people’s lives he did not announce his arrival, but quietly came to them, drawing them gradually into the mystery of His presence.  Mary Magdalene, having conversed so woefully for a few minutes with ‘the gardener’ at the tomb, only recognized Jesus when He spoke her name, voicing who she was, and taking her focus away from death to the light and life of his countenance. Her response? Ecstatic joy – and running off to tell the others. The disciples on the way to Emmaus having talked with Jesus for miles on the road only recognized Him in the breaking of the bread, when he raised his hands, voice, and heart in thanksgiving to his Father for the bread of life and the cup of saving grace. Their response? Ecstatic joy! And then hurrying back to Jerusalem to tell the others. The man lame from birth on the road to the temple was asking for alms, as he had done for years, when he encountered the risen Lord in the ministry of Peter and John; he recognized Christ Jesus at work when Peter healed him in the name of his Master . His response? Ecstatic joy – and walking and leaping and praising God into the temple.  Jesus quietly enters my life and waits for me to recognize him as well: when he calls my name; ‘sups’ with me in my heart;  heals my lameness,  of mind, soul or body; or enters my reality in any of a myriad of other ways.  Will I recognize Jesus present in my life today? Will I, too, ‘run’ to tell others about our Risen Lord ? Christ Jesus, help me recognize you as you come into my life.       
 
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. See the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.  (Psalm 105:3,4)
 
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.
St. Augustine of Hippo
                       
Soli ad gloriam
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Acts 2:14-33

 
Who better to teach me the ways of life than the Master, Jesus of Nazareth, who has raised so many others to life? Who better knows the ways of life than the One who died such a tortuous and unjust death and then returned to life? When Jesus rose again to new life, he lived the ways of life he had proclaimed during his ministry on earth. We witness the many simple ways the risen Jesus interacted with others during the 40 days he walked the earth following the Resurrection:  being present in heart and body to those who recognized him; extending peace first and foremost to everyone he met; walking and talking with those he encountered; tracing the Grace of God’s mercy in all of his conversations; encouraging his friends in their work; making a meal from the fruits of their labours and eating with them; and sending out  his followers to point others to the mercy of God.  When I rise from each small death on my own journey through life and live into each rising again, will I do it ‘my way’, or follow Christ Jesus in his ways of connection, encouragement, faith, and peace? Christ Jesus, make known to me your ways of life.
 
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand is goodness forevermore.  (Psalm 16:11)
 
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.
St. Augustine of Hippo
                       
Soli ad gloriam
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Romans 6:3-11

 
When I was baptized the way for me to live with Jesus was set out before me. My parents and God parents promised to bring me up with faith in Jesus, and many servants of God along the way have pointed me when I have strayed, back onto The Way of Christ Jesus – a path that includes carrying a cross, as the Master reminded us time and again during his ministry.  Our yearly remembrance of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday points me ahead to live into the sepulchre of Holy Saturday that represents my life on earth.  I rouse from time to time in this ‘tomb of life’ where it seems sometimes that walls of rock separate me from the life of love, joy and peace that God designed me for. But as I learn to find Jesus in the dark and become more like him in love, joy and peace, the light that is his life in me breaks through, and I find myself blinking in the sunlight – the Son Light. Then I realize that no matter how hard and dark the world seems to be, the garden of the Resurrection of God’s Son courses around me and through me into the measureless love of God.  Will I curl up into a ball and keep my eyes closed when life become dark, or will I peer through the darkness to find the glorious light and love of Jesus, the Living One?  Christ Jesus, as I die with You, let me like You live in God.
  
The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?  (Psalm 27:1)
 
We become what we love, and who we love shapes what we become. 
St. Clare of Assisi
A Blessed and a Happy Easter season to you and your Family!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is Risen and gives is with us always!
 

Michael O’Brien, Combermere, Ont
Soli ad gloriam
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                  
 
 

 
Isaiah 5:4-7

 
Both Mary of Bethany and Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus under unusual circumstances. Mary purchased and poured out expensive perfume as libation over Jesus’ feet, weeping, and kissing his feet, wiping them with her hair.  Judas sold his connection with Jesus to the Sanhedrin and kissed Jesus on the face to identify and betray him. Unlike those around them who took it upon themselves to judge both Mary and Judas, Jesus accepted both kisses without chastisement. But Mary’s kisses of humility were a sign of her salvation, while Judas’ kiss of self-power consigned him to self-destruction and hell. Will I approach Jesus with the humility and devotion of Mary, or the self-interest of Judas?  Will I, like Mary of Bethany, liberally pour out all that I have for love of Jesus and live into his mercy? Or will I simply kiss Jesus’ cheek by going through the motions of religion and carry on with my own agendas? Holy Spirit help me pour out my resources for love of Jesus.     
  
The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?  (Psalm 27:1)
 
We become what we love, and who we love shapes what we become. 
St. Clare of Assisi
 
Soli ad gloriam
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