Promise Fulfilled

The Word

APRIL 16  THOMAS DEMANDS PROOF

Acts 2:42-47; 1 Pt 1:3-9; Jn 2019-31

APRIL

2  PROCESSIONS OF HOLY WEEK REMIND US OF OUR WALK IN FAITH

Mt 21:1-11; Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mt 26:1427:66

Jesus rides a colt to the temple precincts of Jerusalem. Merely a few days later he again processes the streets of Jerusalem, this time carrying a Cross. Over the centuries Christians have taken up the pious practice of following in the footsteps of Jesus. During the celebration of Holy Week and the Triduum we observe three moments of procession: carrying palms; leading the Eucharistic procession to the altar of repose and the solemn entrance of the lighted Paschal Candle. Here we not only remember the past, we embark on a symbolic journey with the Lord in our life of faith.

APRIL 9  JESUS HAS POWER OVER LIFE AND DEATH

Acts 10:34A, 37-43; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mt 28:1-10

In his explanation of the events at the tomb on Easter morning, St. John places a curious emphasis on the small details about the burial cloths of Jesus. As this Gospel has no wasted words or insignificant details, it is worth considering why he makes this point. This stands in contrast to what we heard on the Fifth Sunday of Lent regarding the appearance of Lazarus as he emerged from the tomb. There he was bound hand and foot with his head covered with a hood. Jesus emerges from the tomb unhindered, leaving the burial cloths behind. In this way John clues us in to the power of Jesus over Death and the finality of his Resurrection.

In our world skepticism about truth, the experiences of others, and even reality itself seems to be rampant. We validate the opinions and experiences with which we identify and reject as “fake” that which we do not. At the same time, there is an intentional proliferation of falsity being woven as truth. This indeed leads to a healthy skepticism, but correction of entrenched skeptics is hard to achieve. Thomas the Apostle stands as a model of skepticism. He stubbornly refuses to accept the testimony of the other disciples who encounter the risen Lord. He demands a higher level of truth. This is a lesson for us as we evangelize the world.

APRIL 23  READING THE SCRIPTURES SHOULD DRAW US CLOSER TO THE EUCHARIST

Acts 2:14-22; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24: 13-35

On the day of the Resurrection two of Jesus’s disciples were on their way along the road to Emmaus, a village about five miles from Jerusalem. There they encountered the Risen One whom they did not recognize. The conversation that ensues between them gives us the first model of evangelization in the Scriptures. While the disciples thought that they were evangelizing the stranger, by speaking to him about the marvels and mysteries they encountered in the Death and rumors of Resurrection of Jesus, it was instead the stranger – Jesus himself – who was evangelizing them. There is much we can learn from this encounter.

APRIL 30  ONE SHEPHERD IS TRULY THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Acts 2:14A, 36-41; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

The Fourth Sunday of Easter focuses on the Good Shepherd. This reminds us of the intimate relationship between us and Jesus. This image of a shepherd abides in the Church today. The head of a parish is a “pastor,” Latin for “shepherd.” The bishop is the chief shepherd of the diocese and carries a crozier, or shepherd’s staff, as one of the signs of his office. The idea of the high priesthood and sanhedrin of the Jewish world as shepherds was prominent at the time of Jesus, though many had abrogated their responsibility for their own benefit. Jesus abides with us as the good shepherd, even when we feel abandoned by our shepherds.

Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.

 To read extended versions of Father Koch’s columns, visit TRENTONMONITOR.COM>FAITH & CULTURE>YOUR FAITH