Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter
First Published:Friday, April 28, 2006
Where'd that come from?
Reflection:
The reading from Acts of the Apostles today helps us to understand just how remarkable are the workings of the Holy Spirit. It is clear from the dialog in the Sanhedrin that there have been other popular people during that time, each claiming some special insight and each attracting a following. It seems that the way they dealt with Jesus was the same way the dealt with the others. Ironically, by leaving the Apostles alone (if you call beating and public humiliation leaving alone) the Sanhedrin itself became a testament to the truth of the Lords identity. Instead of loosing their commitment and disbanding as the followers of the false prophets had done, the Apostles gained strength from the experience and the results are obvious today.
Of course, later administrations recognized that simply leaving the Christian community alone would not work and what followed were terrible persecutions. But, for this day, someone recognized the truth and Gods glory is revitalized.
The Gospel from John is one of my personal favorites. It is one of the best stories in scripture to us when I am discussing the faith with non-Catholics. When we think about what makes us uniquely Catholic, beyond our allegiance to the Bishop of Rome, The Pope, the major doctrine that sets us apart is our belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We are joined in this belief by only a few denominations not aligned with the Holy See in Rome share our understanding of the Eucharist. These denominations include some Lutherans, some Episcopalians (or Anglicans) and the Eastern Rite Churches (Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc.). In this country, most non-Catholic Christians do not belong to these denominations so the discussions we have in the work place or socially in non-church events can get very interesting.
The reason the stories of the multiplication of the loaves is so effective is because it sets the stage for the Eucharist. Most, if not all Christians are both familiar with and believe this story. From there it is a short jump of logic to the Lords Supper and follow that with Johns even more explicit scripture my body is real food, my blood real drink. If a fellow Christian can take that small leap of faith, how can they not understand that our understanding of the real presence is the truth and that through Peter and the Apostles this amazing gift has been handed down to us with all the grace it contains. Incredible! Pax
Readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter
First Published:Friday, April 28, 2006
Where'd that come from?
Reflection:
The reading from Acts of the Apostles today helps us to understand just how remarkable are the workings of the Holy Spirit. It is clear from the dialog in the Sanhedrin that there have been other popular people during that time, each claiming some special insight and each attracting a following. It seems that the way they dealt with Jesus was the same way the dealt with the others. Ironically, by leaving the Apostles alone (if you call beating and public humiliation leaving alone) the Sanhedrin itself became a testament to the truth of the Lords identity. Instead of loosing their commitment and disbanding as the followers of the false prophets had done, the Apostles gained strength from the experience and the results are obvious today.
Of course, later administrations recognized that simply leaving the Christian community alone would not work and what followed were terrible persecutions. But, for this day, someone recognized the truth and Gods glory is revitalized.
The Gospel from John is one of my personal favorites. It is one of the best stories in scripture to us when I am discussing the faith with non-Catholics. When we think about what makes us uniquely Catholic, beyond our allegiance to the Bishop of Rome, The Pope, the major doctrine that sets us apart is our belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We are joined in this belief by only a few denominations not aligned with the Holy See in Rome share our understanding of the Eucharist. These denominations include some Lutherans, some Episcopalians (or Anglicans) and the Eastern Rite Churches (Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc.). In this country, most non-Catholic Christians do not belong to these denominations so the discussions we have in the work place or socially in non-church events can get very interesting.
The reason the stories of the multiplication of the loaves is so effective is because it sets the stage for the Eucharist. Most, if not all Christians are both familiar with and believe this story. From there it is a short jump of logic to the Lords Supper and follow that with Johns even more explicit scripture my body is real food, my blood real drink. If a fellow Christian can take that small leap of faith, how can they not understand that our understanding of the real presence is the truth and that through Peter and the Apostles this amazing gift has been handed down to us with all the grace it contains. Incredible! Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 3:36 AM
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