Good Shepherd Sunday

Pope Francis with His Pectoral Cross
of the Good Shepherd

The commentaries for weeks 2 through 4 of Easter are provided by Deacon John Charron of St. Michael’s Parish in Poway, CA in the Diocese of San Diego. For a PDF of this commentary, visit Christ in Our Neighborhood website.

4th Sunday of Easter (Español) 




Prayer

Lord Jesus, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free! May we celebrate your rising from the dead with joy,
knowing that we shall follow you through death into life!
We ask this in your Holy name. Amen.

Commentary

1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 36-41 

Today we continue Peter’s great speech. Last week we left off at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Amazingly, Peter gets the response he had only hoped for --they want to know what they can do! Peter gladly exhorts the answer--repent and be baptized! --3000 followed his invitation.

Peter explains not how this Messiah was to reign on earth, but through His death and resurrection and ascension, Jesus reveals Himself as sharing divine power and intimacy with the Father. If we call on Him, we too can share in the saving power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

We might question at times, what part do I have to play in others conversion? Peter, likewise, may have had the same concern; after all he was just a simple fisherman. Witness and invitation were the keys. He invited them to a deeper understanding of how Jesus worked in his own life, and how He could work in theirs. Counting on the Holy Spirit, as Peter did, to do the rest.

Question

When is the last time I simply invited someone to share my faith?

2nd Reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25 

Have you ever had the question: How can I be patient if I suffer for doing good?

It is possible with Gods grace. That same grace that helps us when we don’t do so good or sin. That same grace that leads us back to a life of righteousness. It is always there, if we but ask for His grace and mercy.

Just as Jesus accepted suffering and put Himself totally in the hands of His loving Father to overcome sin and death, we too can share in His conquest.

Even if we stray in sin, like lost sheep, the shepherd will bring us back into the fold.

Question

How do I deal with suffering?

Gospel: John 10:1-10 

Unless we live or have lived on a farm, most of us don’t know a whole lot about sheep. Typically sheep graze in herds with other sheep and go wherever food is present. It wouldn’t be uncommon to have many shepherds all working at the same time with a larger flock of sheep. When its time to go home the shepherds call out to their sheep and they follow their own shepherd. Think of all the people in the world as if they were sheep. It seems there are many shepherds calling us in too many directions, often to our determent. However, Jesus is calling us by name so that we may have life and have it more abundantly.

Question

What shepherd are we listening to?

This Week's Task

Spend five minutes each day this week and listen to the Good Shepherd.

This is also Good Shepherd Sunday. It is a time for us to remember in prayer the priests of our parish who - in the person of Christ - shepherd us. Take some time to write a note of thanks to the priest of your parish. Let him know your gratitude for giving his life to God and the Church in this unique vocation. “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Group Prayer

The group is invited to pray the following:

"Faithful Shepherd, You are not a hireling
who runs away at the sight of danger,
but Your fidelity was tested and proven
on the wood of the Cross.
Accept the gift of our gratitude
for Your marvelous care.
Help us to hear and follow Your voice.
Watchful Shepherd, who protects the flock
and searches tirelessly for those who wander from the fold,
retrieve the lost and bring them home.
Tend and heal their wounds.

Psalm

Response: Alleluia. 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

Alleluia. 

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

Alleluia. 

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Alleluia.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

Alleluia.

Conclude with an Our Father

For a PDF of this commentary, visit Christ in Our Neighborhood website.

They Recognized Him in the Breaking of the Bread

(The Readings this week are provided by Deacon John Charron of St. Michael’s Parish in Poway, CA in the Diocese of San Diego. To receive a PDF form of these commentaries, visit: Christ in Our Neighborhood)

3rd Sunday of Easter (Español) 

Supper at Emmaus, Carravagio

Prayer

Lord Jesus, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free! May we celebrate your rising from the dead with joy, knowing that we shall follow you through death into life! We ask this in your Holy name. Amen.

1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33                                   

A common fact is that the number one fear people have, even more than death, is public speaking. The fear would likely be greater if it was before a large crowd, let’s say 3000 – 5000  people who were already hostile. Adding to the fact that most of these people know that you and your friends were hiding in fear just a few weeks prior. You didn’t have time to prepare, and you don’t have notes.

Peter appeals to his audience twice to listen carefully to his words. Even Jesus, the most gifted speaker in history, pressed His audiences to take care how they listened. It is likely Peter remembered well the lesson taught to him by Jesus, “do not worry about what you are to say, the Holy Spirit will speak through you”. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is with us when we need to speak, if we are open to Him.

Peter expounded through the prophet Joel and the Psalms that our God of mercy provides recourse if we call upon His name, and His name is Jesus.

Question

Recall a time when the Holy Spirit spoke through you. Is Jesus revealed by what you say and do?

2nd Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Last week we read from 1 Peter and understood the joy received in Baptism. Now what? The same question continues to beckon us.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adult refers to this calling as mystagogia-- a word which means “to go deeper into the mystery.”

Peter reminds us of our continuing journey through life and the importance of delving deeper into the mystery and the positive affect it will have on our actions and response in this world.

We will be held accountable for our actions. We should center our faith and worship and praise in God and live according to the way shown from the teachings of scripture.

Question

In what way has the recent experience of Lent and this new experience of Easter allowed me to go deeper into the mystery of Christ in my life?

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 

Although we all think we know Jesus, sometimes we don’t recognize Him. Even Cleopas and the other unnamed disciple--unnamed perhaps to represent us as fellow travelers--thought they knew Jesus from spending time with Him. But did they really listen to His Word? They had given up hope from the events that had transpired because of what they presumed about Jesus. They actually lived with Jesus but didn’t understand who or what he was.

Jesus takes the time to explain scripture to them and their hearts were on fire. When we understand something its easy to get excited about it, but first we need to understand. The two disciples had open minds and the ability to transform discouragement to hearts on fire.

He stayed with them because they asked. Then Jesus reveled Himself in the breaking of the bread. Each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we too can grow and understand more about Jesus, if only we ask. When we truly recognize Him, not only in the Eucharist but how He works in our lives, we can’t help but be on fire and want to share this news with everyone.

Questions

Do we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread or is it just some ritual we repeat?
When is the last time our heart was on fire?

This Week's Task

Take someone (friend, neighbor, even a family member) to Mass who hasn’t been in a long time. Allow them to enjoy the Real presence of Christ in the breaking of the bread.

Group Prayer

The group is invited to sing the following

 Open my eyes, Lord
Help me to see your face
Open my eyes, Lord
Help me to see
Open my ears, Lord
Help me to hear your voice
Open my ears, Lord
Help me to hear
Open my heart, Lord
Help me to love like you
Open my heart, Lord
Help me to love

Psalm

Response: Alleluia. 

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.

Alleluia.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand
I shall not be disturbed.

Alleluia. 

Therefore my heart is glad
and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon
my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one
to undergo corruption.

 Alleluia. 

You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever

Alleluia. 

Conclude with an Our Father

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Divine Mercy Sunday

  

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet with Bishop Dolan. 

Visit christ-ion.com

Second Sunday of Easter  (Español) 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free! May we celebrate your rising from the dead with joy, knowing that we shall follow you through death into life! We ask this in your Holy name. Amen.

1st Reading: Acts 2:42-47 

Luke paints some very descriptive pictures on what the early church looked like. Today’s first reading is just one of them. It almost seems too good to be true; however, if we compare them to Paul’s letters to the early communities he helped establish, there is quite a contrast.

 Luke is speaking about the Jewish communities that were the first followers of Jesus. They were raised from birth with a sense of family and tradition. Their heritage was everything to them. They knew what it meant to be Jewish especially in their relationship to God and to each other.

On the other hand, Paul wrote to the early communities of Rome, Corinth, Ephesus and so on. His letters contained praise, but mostly encouragement on how to act ethically and morally. He also instructed them on how to truly live as community.

At Easter, we just witnessed how our faith community increase in numbers through the new converts initiated into our Church, thus, we continue the mission to bring new members to the Lord.

Questions

How do I participate in community?

How do I help the Lord, add to their numbers?

2nd Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 

In the first letter of Peter, instruction is given to those about to be Baptized. It speaks of the miracle that happens in Baptism; this inner joy we share as children of God.

This is the joy we also see in our First Reading. We have a sense of belonging in Christ’s community. Community can help us to understand God not only from our perspective but also from the group experience. Each time we share an example from our life, our adventures, our wonder and awe on how God works in our life; it changes the way the group reacts or responds. When we share our time including helping those who are in need, the lonely, the sick, the lost, we usually come away with a new sense of hope.

Although we live life on life’s terms--with all its trials and tribulations, we have hope in salvation through the resurrection of Jesus.

Question

How do we maintain joy when we suffer life’s trials?

Gospel: John 20: 19-31 

Notice the first gift Jesus gives after the resurrection, peace. This is not just a greeting, but also an actual gift. Peace is a state of tranquility or quietness of spirit that transcends circumstances. The term peace as Jesus uses it is a gift from God and congruent with His character. If God is peace, then to know God is to bask in His peace.

John makes the point, loud and clear, that Thomas was absent from the first encounter that convinced the disciples that Jesus was really a live.

Thomas wouldn’t believe unless he had direct contact with Jesus himself.

John uses Thomas’s doubt to make the point that everyone who receives the gospel, by hearing, instead of seeing Jesus in person, is just as blessed with the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins, and the peace that only Jesus can give.

Question

Think of a time when you experienced Jesus’ peace.
How do you share the peace that was given to you?

This Week's Task

Think of people you know who seem anxious or worried and make a point of sharing the peace you have with them. If you’re the anxious or worried one, how can you receive Jesus’ peace? (Hint; Forgiveness of sins.)

Pray the following from St. Francis of Assisi: 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Psalm

Response: Alleluia. 

Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.”

Alleluia. 

I was hard pressed and was falling, but the LORD helped me. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just:

Alleluia. 

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Alleluia. 

Our Father

For more information, visit christ-ion.com

Happy Easter! ¡Felices Pascuas!

Blessings to all as we celebrate Easter within the confines of our homes. Our readings this Sunday focus on the bewilderment of Mary Magdalene and the other apostles as they discover the empty tomb. During this pandemic, our experience may be the same. In this very surreal world, it is hard for us to see our churches empty.  Where is the Lord?  The answer is clear.  He is Risen and he is with you! Happy Easter!


On Holy Saturday, a GotToMeeting with Bishop John Dolan will be offered to reflect on the readings of Easter Sunday.  Sign up at christ-ion.com and the Christ in Our Neighborhood team will register you for one of three Saturday morning Scripture sharing sessions at 7 am PST, 9am PST, or 11 am PST.  Only 15 members per session will be allowed in order to allow for effective sharing.  So, sign up today!

Easter Sunday Commentary  (Español)

PDF Forms are Available on Website

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free! May we celebrate your rising from the dead with joy, knowing that we shall follow you through death into life! We ask this in your Holy name. Amen.

1st Reading: Acts 10: 34, 37-43 

This bold address by Peter is a declaration that Jesus rose from the dead in body and soul. Peter makes it clear that those who saw the Risen Lord also “ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”

In this Easter Season, we rediscover the testimony of the early church that Jesus did not just rise “spiritually.” He rose bodily.

We only have a taste of what his glorious body looked like. He still had nail marks and wounds, he was dressed in white, and he appeared before the disciples even if the doors were locked.

We do not know what our bodies will look like after our death. But, they will be glorious.

Meanwhile, we must believe in the power of Christ who rose triumphant from the grave! Only he can forgive our sins and only he can raise us from the chains of death.

There are many in our world today who cannot accept this truth. Yet, the apostles each went to their death as martyrs testifying to what they witnessed. They each could have recanted their testimony when faced with death, but they didn’t. They saw and they believed!

Question

Why is Christ’s resurrection important to you?

2nd Reading: Col. 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5: 6-8 

The Second Reading for Easter Sunday comes from either Colossians or 1 Corinthians.

While both readings are markedly different, there is one similarity: The new replaces the old.

In Colossians, we are challenged to look at the “new” things of heaven where Christ is, rather than the things of earth. We have died to the things of this world. We live now in the newness of Christ!

In 1 Corinthians, we are reminded to be the unleavened bread (the Body) of Christ and to throw away the “old” yeast that infects the bread. The old yeast is the world that is destined for corruption. We are foolish to hang on to the old world which is passing away when we have Christ who is Risen from death.

This Easter, we celebrate the feast with “the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Questions

How are you living in the newness of Christ?
How are you leaving the things of this world behind?

Gospel: John 20: 1-9 

Mary Magdalene is considered to be the “Apostle to the Apostles” because she was the first to witness the empty tomb.

An early Christian tradition has it that, after the Ascension of Jesus, Mary went to the Emperor of Rome and greeted him with “Christ has risen,” whereupon he pointed to an egg on his table and stated, “Christ has no more risen than that egg is red.” After making this statement it is said the egg immediately turned blood red. The Orthodox Church paint their eggs red to this day. Others paint their eggs with many colors.

Whether this tradition holds up or not, the truth that “Christ is Risen” does.

For more than two thousand years, the power of the Resurrection has changed the lives of billions of people.

Question

How has Christ’s Resurrection changed your life?

This Week's Task

Easter is not just for a day. Though it is the Feast of Feasts and Solemnities of Solemnities, we celebrate Easter for 50 days. During this Season, we read the Scriptures and recall the joyful experiences of the early Christian community.

Over the next eight days, the Octave of Easter, we read through each of the Resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples.

Consider attending daily Mass (on-line at your parish) for the Easter Octave and rediscover the joys found in the Risen Lord. Consult the parish bulletin or website for daily Mass times.

Easter Sequence

Pray the following as a group or alone:

Christians, to the Paschal victim offer your thankful praises! 

A lamb the sheep redeeming: Christ, who only is sinless, reconciles a lost world to the Father. 

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: the Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal. 

Tell, Mary, we will hearken what you saw in the garden: “The tomb of Christ, who is living; the glory of Jesus’resurrection; 

bright angels attesting, the shroud and napkin resting. For Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he will go before you.” 

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining; have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. 

Alleluia!

Psalm

Response: Alleluia. 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”

R/ Alleluia. 

“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”

R/ Alleluia. 

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.

R/ Alleluia. 

Conclude with an Our Father