John 14:27-31
In our world, there is so much that can cause tension, if not conflict, between family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers and communities at all levels.  And even the smallest shift in our plans due to others’ whims or even a change of weather can disturb our peace. Toxic ‘what if..’, and ‘shoulda, woulda, coulda’ thinking so easily and so quickly commandeers our minds into fight, flight, or freeze mode, and keeps our sights lowered. Then our vision of holy Light, Life and Love dark becomes clouded with fear and worry, soaked with grief and dodging the lightening bolts of frustration or even rage. [I] try my best to plan and project [my] idea of tranquility into my days and ways, but even good habits and habitual ‘self care’ cannot in fill [my] soul with peace.  Into these (thunder) storms of life, Jesus comes to us, walking over the waves and holding out his hand. “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid…” Troubles and fears have a way of filling up our hearts, minds, souls and strength, rendering us powerless to Live and to Love.  The Peace of Christ also has a way of filling up [my] being that, through the power of forgiveness and of holy joy, allows [me] to Live and to Love, no matter the changes and chances – or people – I encounter on my journey. It was this Peace of Christ, fueled by holy forgiveness, that allowed the Son of Man who was the Son of God, to deal with the clambering crowds, walk the Way of the Cross, die on a Roman cross, ( Praying, Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing!), stay connected despite abject abandonment … and rise again to finish his ministry of Mercy on Earth.  Will I engage and entertain, and fill up, my time and energy, with the troubles and fears that assail my life?  Or will I look into the face of Christ Jesus and soak in His Peace, that extraordinary Peace that the world cannot give. Will I let the Peace of Christ, brokered by the release of forgiveness, fill up my being so that I can continue along my journey of Light, of Life, and of Love, following the One who knows the way? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me receive your Peace in my heart, mind, soul and strength.
  
The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:17,18 )
 
Death and life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died reigns glorified!
Sequence for the Gospel Reading on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei *** Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
A Blessed Easter Season to you! 15 days to Pentecost
Let this be our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
 
 

 
Acts 13:13-33
From the time of their creation, human beings have needed saving, from the basic sin of self-sufficiency - that quickly leads to the idolatry of a fruit of creation,  lusts and passions of the flesh,  and the deceits of Lucifer, the one who would not serve. Soon after he met the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul of Tarsus, a man steeped in the history of salvation from a Jewish and Greek perspective, began proclaiming the Good News of the salvation of God brokered through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. He joined the other Disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, Peter and the gang, preaching and real-izing (that is making real) the Word to anyone who would listen. For Paul and the Apostles it was clear: The Holy Spirit of God had been, still was, and would be, at work to bring the beloved human beings of planet earth back into holy intimacy with God in the living, loving and light-filled community of heaven, through a baptism of repentance in line with the service and sacrifice of Christ Jesus; and that Jesus, the new Adam, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life of the Redemption of human kind, a saving Grace that had been, has been and will be constantly at work within and through human experiences of every age and civilization.  Will I recognize the Grace of God bringing about salvation not only throughout human history, but also in the days and ways of my life? Will I real-ize that salvation is the purpose of God -  through each building up and each tearing down, each sorrow and each joy, and each death and each rising again - along my life’s journey?  Holy Spirit of God, help me recognize and realize your salvation unfolding through my life.
  
You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89:26 )
 
Death and life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died reigns glorified!
Sequence for the Gospel Reading on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
A Blessed Easter Season to you! 19 days to Pentecost
Let this be our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
 

 
Ephesians 3:17-21 & 1 Peter 4:8-11 & John 21:1-19
We are designed to love and to be loved – with the Holy Love that is the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God at work in and through our beings. Simon Peter as Pastor and Paul as Preacher, both of whom were gifted with fiery personalities and seemingly unlimited Power from the Holy Spirit, lived into the Lord’s love out loud and without compromise. Paul told the Ephesian Christians to  “be rooted and grounded in love… and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with the fullness of God”. Peter advised his readers , “Let your love be intense… “  And Jesus’ primary instruction to the Apostle who became the first ‘Pappa’, the First Pope, was to LOVE – to love Christ Jesus so much that he would fend, and tend, and feed his People on earth – clearly with same holy love that had propelled our Lord through the Way of the Cross, to Rise Again. Our Lord’s life on earth was simply Intense Love, that is ‘HOLY’ love. Nothing more, nothing less, is the divine plan for anyone who will be a follower of Christ Jesus. No plans, projects or possessions can ever accomplish as much, can bear as much fruit, or bring heaven to earth as fully as one faithful follower of Christ loving God and loving others with the sacrificial and healing love of Christ, minute by minute, day by day.  Will I continue along life’s path with my eyes fixed on the stones and gravel of the world, the flesh and the passions that push and pull at human beings? Or will I, like Paul, like Peter, and like our Redeemer himself, be rooted and grounded in, and know, the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that we can be filled with all the fullness of God? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me love and serve with holy love.
  
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures for ever. (Psalm 118:29)
 
A life not lived for others is not a life… Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
Saint Mother Teresa
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca
 
 
A Blessed Easter Season to you!
Let this be our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
 

Acts 5:27 – 33 & John 21:1-19
Judas Iscariot, had it wrong. He realized his sinfulness and descended into self-centered judgement and toxic shame so much so that he destroyed himself.  But others had it right.  The good thief had it right when he recognized the Saving Grace of the Just One submitting to a demeaning death by crucifixion; he repented and immediately received healing Mercy when he was told that he would soon be with Christ in paradise. Thomas, a disciple who witnessed the crucifixion from afar, refused to believe the prophecy of Christ and the testimony of the other Apostles -that Jesus had risen from the dead. His repentance, when he bowed in contrition with  “My Lord and my God” before his scarred, Risen Master allowed him to receive the living Light and Love of Christ.  He walked forward to become an ambassador of Holy Mercy up to and including his martyrdom years later.    Simon Peter’s experience with repentance was different, custom-designed to the rhythm of the Big Fisherman’s  soul.  A crowing cock reminded Peter that his denial of his Master was forecast by God, and with bitter tears he repented.  Within a few days, Jesus reached out with the  Merciful Forgiveness of the Father; on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. Peter’s resurrected Master welcomed Peter to a fish BBQ and then  healed Peter’s three points of denial by giving him opportunity to affirm three times his love for his Lord – and then gave him a lifetime assignment that was life-giving not only for Peter but for the whole Church going forward. Jesus’ commission of Mercy to Peter,   “Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep, and Feed my sheep” , extended to Simon Peter over two millennia ago is still at work today. (Let us pray that the Mercy of God will currently guide the election of the new Pope!) Will I, like Judas Iscariot, hold onto my sins, judge myself and choose death? Or will I like Thomas and Peter andnall disciples and saints before me, repent of my sins and embrace the Mercy-full forgiveness of God, brokered through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus? 
    
Save me, O God and my tongue shall ring out your goodness!  (Psalm 51: 14 )
 
Death and life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died reigns glorified!
Sequence for the Gospel Reading on Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.caadddwersfc
 
 
A Blessed Easter Season to you!
Let this be our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia