Category Archives: Homilies

Easter VI (May 10th Sunday homily)

May 2, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

Easter VI [A] (May 10th Sunday (8-minute homily in one page) L/26

Theme: Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit to his apostles Today’s readings explain Who the Holy Spirit is, what His roles are, and how we can experience Him in our daily lives.

Homily starter anecdote: # 1: The Winners: Up until 2015, only 13 horses had won the coveted Triple Crown in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S.in 100 years. The last two winners were the “American Pharoah” (2015) and “Justify” (2018). They were 3-year-old horses which won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. What is it that makes some horses winning thoroughbreds? They have more speed, strength, their inherited gene structure, training by expert trainers, and their skillful jockeys to activate and develop their inner powers. We Christians have the stamina given by the Holy Spirit and training by parents, teachers and well-wishers. The question is whether or not we use all this to conquer temptations, avoid sin and practice virtues.

Scripture lesson summarized: The first reading describes how the Holy Spirit helped Philip, the Deacon, to preach powerfully and convert the Samaritans in large numbers, and how the Holy Spirit helped Peter and John, giving them a fresh anointing.

In the second reading, Peter shows us that Holy Spirit makes it possible for believers to live God-fearing lives the in the midst of opposition and persecution.

Today’s Gospel, taken from the “Last Supper Discourse,” describes the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus is going to give his disciples who obey his commandment of love. Thus, the faithful believers will have the indwelling of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in their souls.

Role of the Holy Spirit: As the Divine Advocate 1) The Holy Spirit will instruct us in Jesus’ doctrines and illumine our minds to receive deeper knowledge of our Faith.

2) The Divine Advocate will enable us to defend our Faith powerfully when needed.

3) He will guide us in the proper practice of true Christian love by enabling us to recognize Jesus in the in the poor, in the sick, in the homeless, in the marginalized, in the outcast, in the drug addicts, and even in the criminals (“I was in prison…”), and so to become agents of healing and reconciliation in a broken and divided world.

Life message: 1) We need to welcome the Holy Spirit, allow Him to act in us, and seek His help every day for our steady growth in spiritual life:

a) To conquer temptations from our habitual sins and to avoid the near occasions of these and other sins.

b) To remove the blocks caused by our addictions, evil habits, and from the various forms of abuse which we suffered in our early life, preventing our spiritual growth.

c) To discern and recognize the presence of Jesus in all the people we meet during the day and to offer them humble, loving service.

d) To become agents of reconciliation and healing to others in our family and this community, by asking forgiveness from those we have offended, and graciously granting forgiveness to those who continue to hurt our feelings and ill-treat us.

EASTER VI [A] (May 10): Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, I Pt 3:15-18, Jn 14:15-21

Homily starter anecdotes: # 1: A multimillion-dollar airplane, running out of fuel: In 1991 an Air Canada flight ran into big trouble. Passengers were enjoying an in-flight movie on the Boeing 767 when the jumbo jet’s massive engines abruptly stopped. At first only those without earphones on noticed anything. However, soon it was apparent the jet was in trouble. The pilot came on the speaker system and announced that Flight 143 would be making an emergency landing in a nearby aerodrome. The 69 people on board were trapped in an agonizingly slow but inescapable descent to earth. For several minutes a desperate silence hung over the cabin. Then fear gave way to screams of anxiety as the landing neared. All the latest technology could not keep the jumbo jet in the air. What had happened was this. The electronic digital fuel gauge was out of order. So, the flight crew had depended on the figures given them by the refueling crew before takeoff. But someone on the refueling crew had confused pounds with kilograms. Therefore, eight hundred miles short of its destination, that mighty jet simply ran out of fuel and was forced to make an emergency landing. Fortunately, no one was injured. — A multimillion-dollar airplane, headed in the right direction, but running out of fuel: that’s what’s happening to a lot of people today. They have everything in life going for them (e.g., a new car, a wonderful home, a good education, a good job), and one day they wake up out of fuel. At the center of their lives there is emptiness. They don’t know why they are living. There is nothing outside of themselves to live for. Don’t let that happen to you! Jesus tells us that the power for successful living comes from God. It is the promised gift that Jesus offers us, saying, “Peace be with you! My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27a), and “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me” (Jn 14:1)

# 2: “I would obey the Commandments of God.” When Jimmy Carter was running for President of the United States, one of the more vivid moments in the campaign passed by almost unnoticed. One Sunday morning, candidate Carter had been worshipping at the Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. When the service was over, he exited the Church into the swarm of press encamped on the Church’s front lawn. Cameras whirring, video lights glaring, microphones thrust forward, the media mavens moved in for interviews, pushing themselves to think of clever questions to ask a Presidential candidate on the way out of a Southern Baptist Church. Suddenly, a reporter, probably with a stroke of luck, shouted out a question that genuinely mattered: “Mr. Carter, suppose when you are President, you get into a situation where the laws of the United States are in conflict with what you understand to be the will of God. Which will you follow, the laws of the state or the commandments of God?” Carter stopped, looked up, perhaps with the Spirit gently whispering the lyrics of the Gospel into his ears, he turned toward the reporter and replied, “I would obey the commandments of God.” Alert aides, alarmed by this candor and unnerved by their candidate’s near-treasonous remark, hurriedly whisked him away from the press and into a waiting car. — Carter the politician should have avoided the question, or hewed closely to the law of the land, but Carter the Christian was open to the Holy Spirit Who encouraged him to give an honest answer.

3) The Winners: Up until 1987, only eleven horses had won the coveted Triple Crown in Thoroughbred racing. What is it that makes some horses winning thoroughbreds? Why is it that some horses have more speed, strength and stamina than other horses? Essentially, of course, these traits have to come from within the horses themselves: from their own inner capacity and from their inherited gene structure. Still, it seems that they also need help from outside. To become champions, they need the help of expert trainers and skillful jockeys to activate and develop their inner powers. — It is the same with us. Born human, we have within us capacities to love, learn, choose, work, and so on. But we need the help of parents, teachers and friends to activate and develop these capacities so that we can reach our full human potential. That is why we need the Holy Spirit and why Jesus promised to ask the Father to send Him to us: “I will ask the Father and He will give you another Paraclete – to be with you always; to remain with you and be within you.” (Albert Cylwicki in His Word Resounds)

Introduction: Today’s Gospel Reading continues the Farewell Discourse of Jesus, recorded by St. John. This reading is ideally situated in the Liturgical Year to anticipate the coming feasts of Ascension and Pentecost. We hear of Jesus’ immanent departure and the promise that he will ask the Father to send us the Holy Spirit. The Easter Liturgy makes us feel both the intense, saving initiative of our loving God, and the deep demands He makes of us as “resurrection people.” It also reminds us that to meet these demands we need the inner strength of the promised, coming Holy Spirit. He comes as our Advocate and Counselor Who will gently indicate to us the way we should go, point out the “potholes,” (bad habits), we need to repair, and reveal our relationships in need of further inspection or care. Hence, from Easter to Pentecost, our readings have been focusing our attention on the promises of Jesus to his disciples, especially the promise of the Holy Spirit Whom Jesus will ask the Father to send, and on the results of His coming, shown in the early apostolic preaching of the Good News of salvation. Today’s readings provide answers to puzzling questions about Who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, and how we experience Him in our daily lives. Today’s first and second readings were chosen to help us prepare for the soon-to-be-celebrated feast of Pentecost. They show us how the Spirit worked in the everyday activities of Jesus’ first followers.

Scripture summarized: The first reading describes the success of Philip, one of the first Seven Deacons, among the despised Samaritans and explains how the converted Samaritans received their first anointing of the Holy Spirit through the imposition of hands by the apostles Peter and John. According to today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 66), the Spirit, Who continues to do “the works of God, His tremendous deeds among the children of Adam,” causes believers in every age and place to experience personally the same marvelous acts of Divine liberation. The Refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 33), “Lord let Your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You,” is meant to be our safety-line attaching us to Jesus as we follow Him up Calvary and into Heaven. In the second reading, Peter shows us how the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us believers to live God-fearing lives in the midst of opposition and persecution. Today’s Gospel, taken from the “Last Supper Discourse,” describes the gift Jesus will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit, Who will live as the Paraclete, the Divine Advocate, and Counselor, in those who obey Jesus’ commandments, especially the commandment of love. At this “Last Supper,” Jesus was preparing His disciples for the day when he would no longer be with them physically. So, Jesus promised to ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon the Church. The Gospel reminds us that the Holy Spirit causes Jesus to be truly present in the Church. The risen Jesus’ continued presence in us through the Holy Spirit gives meaning and purpose to all we are and all we do in Jesus’ Name. The Spirit reveals to us what God is really like by empowering us to practice mutual love and by providing us with trustworthy guidance. Dwelling within us, the Holy Spirit enables us to manifest our love for God by observing the commandments of Jesus, especially the commandment of love. This commandment includes commands to recognize Jesus in the neediest, in the poor, in the sick, in the marginalized, and even in the criminal (“I was in prison…”), and to be agents of healing and reconciliation in a broken and divided world.

The first reading (Acts 8:5-8) explained: Here, the success of one of the first Seven Deacons, Philip, among the despised Samaritans is described. Owing to the vigorous persecution which began in Jerusalem after the martyrdom of St. Stephen, the disciples had been dispersed. Philip turned the dispersal into an opportunity to preach the Gospel message by taking it to Samaria. Although the Samaritans were despised by the Jews, Philip followed the assignment Jesus gave the apostles in chapter 1 of Acts: “You are to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, yes even to the ends of the earth.” The Apostles Peter and John were then sent by the Apostles in the Church in Jerusalem, to Samaria so that new community could meet people who had experienced the risen Jesus. The early Church believed that that no Christian community could exist without a relationship with someone who had experienced the risen Jesus. By calling down the Spirit upon the newly converted Samaritans, Peter and John brought them into fellowship with the whole Christian community, thus healing the 500-year Samaritan schism. We see from this event that the Holy Spirit operates only where there is communion with the apostles who, as “witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection,” certify the risen One’s continued activity on earth. Through the imposition of hands by the successors of the Apostles (our bishops), we also receive the Holy Spirit. We are empowered to profess our Faith boldly, to bear witness to the Truth of the Lord, and to stand for what is right and good. We receive the Spirit’s consolation in our difficulties.

The second reading (I Pt 3:15-18) explained: This portion of Peter’s First letter to the Church explains how the Holy Spirit makes possible God-fearing lives in the midst of opposition and persecution. Peter warns that God-fearing Christians shouldn’t be surprised by angry outbursts of resentment and militant confrontation from those around them. He clearly encourages the persecuted Christians to keep to the moral high ground no matter how much they’re mistreated. If we are willing to suffer for Christ and with Christ, God will see us through and will vindicate us. Meanwhile, we have the consolation of the Holy Spirit Who lives in our hearts and Who raised Christ from death. However, those who refuse to die and rise with Jesus actually prevent the Spirit from working in and through them. Peter also advises the newly baptized in the Church that Jesus must be so much a part of their lives that His dying and rising come through even in the way they respond to questions about their Faith: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts…. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope but do it with gentleness and reverence. “

Gospel exegesis: The context: Jesus’ promise to his disciples of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-21), is part of the long “Farewell Discourse” near the end of John’s Gospel. Jesus made this farewell to his disciples at their Last Supper, just prior to his arrest, crucifixion, death, and Resurrection. This long discourse is a unique summary of the mystery of the Incarnation and the role of the Holy Spirit. God’s promise of the Holy Spirit should not have been a mystery to the followers of Jesus who knew the Holy Scriptures. The origin of this promise can be traced to the Old Testament books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In the days of the prophets, God had promised to make a new Covenant [Jer 31:31] with His people. He had promised to put His law within His people, writing it on their hearts, that He might be their God and they might be His people [Jer 31:33]. He had also promised to put a new spirit within His people, to remove their heart of stone and to give them a heart of flesh [Ez 11:19, 18:31, 36:26]. And finally, God had promised to put His Spirit within His people to enable them to follow His statutes and be careful to observe His ordinances [Ez 36:27]. Paul tells us that this promise has been fulfilled: “Do you not know that you are God’s Temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” [1 Cor 3:16].

The Jewish concept of Spirit: In Hebrew, the word for spirit is ruach () – in Greek, pneuma ( ); in Latin, spiritus – all of which suggest breathing. The idea is that when a person is breathing, he is alive. It is from this notion that the idea of an animating, life-giving, intelligent, and active force comes. The word (in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin), thus meant “breath”, “life” and “spirit.” The Jewish tradition taught that when the Messiah came, God’s very own Life (Breath, Spirit) would be poured out upon all the faithful believers.

The promise of the Paraclete – the Advocate, Comforter, Helper, or Counselor: To Jesus, real love is something difficult, and it must be expressed not as sentiment or emotion but as real obedience to God. So, we weak human beings need the daily assistance of a Divine Helper in the Person of the Holy Spirit to practice real love. The Greek word used in John’s Gospel for this Helper is Parakletos. For the Greeks, the word parakletos meant a lawyer, a legal assistant, a courtroom advocate. Jesus is telling us that the Holy Spirit is our Advocate Who speaks up for us when we’re accused, judged, or wrongly condemned, and our Witness Who testifies in our behalf. Parakletos can also refer to a person who comforts, counsels, or strengths us in time of need. The Holy Spirit gives us Life, stands by us, defends us, strengthens us, and consoles us. Jesus was the first Paraclete sent by the Father. “But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” (I Jn 2:1). Since Jesus’ presence as a Paraclete was limited in time and place, he assured his disciples of “another Paraclete” in the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit assists us in our inadequacies and enables us to cope with life in the true Christian spirit. The Paraclete is our Defense Attorney defending us before God, the Judge. Although the penalty for our sins has been paid in full by Jesus, we still need the help of the Holy Spirit in our daily struggles against sin. In addition to being Companion, Defense Attorney, Witness and Prosecutor (enlightening us to our own sinfulness and leading us to repentance), the Paraclete will also be present to teach the disciples and to remind them of what Jesus had taught them (14:25-26). (For the additional roles of the Holy Spirit confer Jn 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7-14).

Assurance of the Risen Lord’s presence with us. Jesus assures his disciples that they will not be left as orphans. He promises them awareness of his risen presence – in themselves, in each other, in the Church, in Scripture, in the Sacraments, and in the praying community — through the enlightening presence, teaching and action of the Holy Spirit. We will never have to face any trial alone—even death—if we walk with Jesus. He protects us from the Evil One. His Resurrection, in fact, changed the despair of the apostles to hope when they realized beyond doubt that Jesus IS the Son of God. “You will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” (Jn 14:20). The indwelling Spirit of God nourishes us each time we receive the Sacraments, each time we pray, and each time we read the Bible.

Life message: We need to be open to the Holy Spirit, our Paraclete. 1) The purpose of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to help us grow towards maturity and wholeness. We all have faults that prevent our growth: blocks of sin and imperfection, blocks due to childhood conflicts, blocks due to deeply ingrained personality traits and habits, blocks caused by addictions, and blocks resulting from bad choices we have made. We all have these blocks within us and they keep us from becoming what God wants us to be. They prevent us from growing into maturity and wholeness. God, the Holy Spirit, helps us to see the truth about ourselves, to discern the blocks that inhibit our growth and to allow Him to transform us. 2) Like the Good counselor He is, the Spirit enables us to become stronger. The Holy Spirit comes to our aid and gives us the strength to make difficult and painful decisions. 3) The Holy Spirit actually lives in us, and we hear the voice of the Spirit, counseling and guiding us in the way of truth. Let us open our minds and hearts to hear Him and to obey His promptings.

JOKES OF THE WEEK: The Heavenly Attorney’s earthly counterparts.

1) A lawyer and a Pope die at the same time and go up to Heaven together. After they’ve been there awhile, the Pope notices that the lawyer gets a little better treatment than he does. So, he calls St. Peter over to ask him and says, “You know that lawyer I came up here with? Well, I’m not complaining, but he seems to be treated a little better than I am… he’s got a better house and more servants. I don’t understand. I was a Pope and served God all my life; this guy was just a lawyer. What gives?” St. Peter responded, “You have to understand – we get Popes all the time; this is the first lawyer we’ve ever had.”

2) An attorney was on vacation in a small farming town. While walking through the streets, he noticed that a car was involved in an accident. As expected, a large crowd gathered. The attorney was eager to get to the injured, but he couldn’t get near the car. Being a rather clever person, he started shouting loudly, “Let me through! Let me through! I am the son of the victim.” The crowd made way for him. Lying in front of the car was a donkey!

3) A lawyer’s dog, running around town unleashed, heads for a butcher shop and steals a roast. The butcher goes to the lawyer’s office and asks, “If a dog running unleashed steals a piece of meat from my store, do I have a right to demand payment for the meat from the dog’s owner?” The lawyer answers, “Absolutely.” “Then you owe me $8.50. Your dog was loose and stole a roast from me today.” The lawyer, without a word, writes the butcher a check for $8.50. The butcher, with a feeling of satisfaction, leaves. Three days later, the butcher finds a bill from the lawyer for $100– for consultation!

4) In the mint, a one-dollar bill and a twenty-dollar bill become friends. They get split up and go into circulation. Six years later they happen to be in the same load of bills returned to the mint for destruction. So the one says to the twenty, “How was your life?” “Oh, marvelous,” says the twenty, “I went to Vegas, to Europe, last year to the Super Bowl, just wonderful. And you, what about your life.” “Awful,” says the one dollar bill, “every week the same: church, church, church.” Hmm.

USEFUL WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

Nick’s collection of Sunday homilies from 65 priests & weekday homilies: https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies

Don’ collection of video homilies & blogs: https://sundayprep.org/featured-homilies/

Geoffrey Plant’s beautiful & scholarly video classes on Sunday gospel, Bible & RCIA topics: https://sundayhomilies.au/homilies/

Brant Pitre’s commentary on Cycle A Sunday Scripture for Bible Class: https://catholicproductions.com/blogs/mass-readings-explained-year-Biblical basis of Catholic doctrines: http://scripturecatholic.com/
Agape Catholic Bible Lessons: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/

6)Catholic directory & resources: http://www.catholicweb.com/directory.cfm

^{7) It’s Catholic:}^{http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/html/article654.html}^,

^{8) Catholic online:}^{http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1586}

10) Bible project videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject/

The beginner’s guide to life of faith: http://www.beginningcatholic.com/
Catholic Community Forum: News, reflections, homilies, patron saints (http://www.catholic-forum.com/)

13) Focus On the Family: http://www.family.org/

14) Outlines of Bible books http://www.catholicdoors.com/outline/index.htm

15) New American Bible with notes http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/

25 Additional anecdotes: 1) “No ticket please; he is my friend.” Here is the true story of a pastor. One day I was stopped for speeding. I knew I was wrong. I was late for the Mass in a remote mission church. I was driving on a brand new four-lane highway with almost no traffic. When I saw those flashing blue and yellow lights behind me, I knew that I was going to be even later for the Holy Mass. After the patrolman got my license, he went back to his car. I waited for him to return with the judgment against my mistake. As I waited, another police car pulled up behind the first. The man with my license went back to the second car. My anxiety level was rising. He left the second car and came back to my car. He handed me my license and said, “The sergeant says that you’re a friend of his. Keep your speed down and drive carefully.” He returned to his car and drove off. So, did I. — I was guilty. I had broken the law. I deserved the ticket. I deserved to pay the fine, but because of a friendship, my mistake was forgiven and forgotten. There was no penalty to pay. This is how Divine Grace works. We are saved because Jesus considers us his friends, as stated in today’s Gospel.

2) “I can’t believe what you just did.” There is a story about a woman, Dorothy Pryse, who was listening to a Christian radio station as she drove to the grocery store one morning. The radio preacher was talking about kindness. He said, “I wonder how many of you are listening to me on your car radio and thinking of how you can be kind while driving?” Dorothy began thinking about what he was saying. A few blocks away, she saw a woman waiting in her car to come out of her driveway. Traffic was heavy, and Dorothy knew this woman would have a hard time getting out, so she slowed down and let her back out. The woman smiled and waved. When she got to the grocery store, Dorothy saw a parking space. As she started pulling in, another car on the opposite side began to pull into the same spot. Once again, Dorothy backed out and found another parking spot. As they both got out of their cars, the driver of the other car said, “I can’t believe what you just did. Anyone else would have made me back out.” Dorothy explained what she had heard on the radio about showing love. The two women began talking. Dorothy discovered the woman had just moved into the area, didn’t know anyone, and was looking for a Church. “I invited her to come to our Church,” Dorothy says, “and a strong friendship has blossomed from our chance meeting and a small act of kindness.” — This story illustrates that one can experience the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and act according to His promptings — just as Dorothy and the apostle Philip did.

3) “I will not leave you as orphans.” The 55-year-old factory worker is laid off when the plant closes leaving him with no prospect of another job. Too old and too weary to consider re-training, without skills that can be retooled, he feels alone. Unemployed and living on pension funds that will soon run out, does he have anyone there to say to him, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will not abandon you”? Or how about the eighty-year-old, alone at home after fifty years of marriage? Her spouse no longer with her, she nods off in front of the television set, a half-eaten frozen meal cold in front of her. She is alone in a house too big for her; her children, with lives of their own, are in different towns. Who is there to say to her, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will not abandon you”? Or the AIDS-ravaged young man in Africa. His errant lifestyle has brought shame on his family and driven his friends away. His body is dying, and he lies alone in pain. For him and for the millions of others throughout the world who face this dreaded disease, who is there to say, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will not abandon you”? It may be the teenager who is different from the rest, the wife or husband whose spouse has left, the businessman whose business is failing, or the parent whose child has rebelled and left home, or any of the countless others in the world around us who feel alone and without hope, rejected and lonely, like a rookie facing Bob Gibson. — To them and to us, there is Good News this morning. For there is One Who is here to say, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will not abandon you.”

4) The Holy Spirit is the best Teacher. A pilot, a business executive, a pastor and a Boy Scout were flying together on a small private plane when they suddenly experienced engine trouble. Within a matter of minutes, the pilot said, “This plane is going down. Furthermore, I have noticed we have only three parachutes on board. I have a wife and children at home. They are expecting me for dinner.” With that the pilot took a parachute and jumped. Immediately the business executive spoke up and said, “Some people think I am the smartest person on earth. If I should perish in this plane, it would be a great loss, not just to my company, but to the world.” With that, he grabbed for a parachute and jumped. That’s when that pastor turned to the Boy Scout and said, “Son, you are young, and I am old. You have your life ahead of you. I’ve finished mine. Take the remaining parachute and jump.” But the Boy Scout said, “Relax Reverend. The ‘smartest man in all the world’ just grabbed my backpack and jumped!” –“When the Holy Spirit comes, He will teach you all things” (v. 26). Did you have a favorite teacher? What was he or she like? Great teachers awaken us to possibilities, enlighten us to truth, sensitize us to others, and give us tools to carry on. The Holy Spirit is like a good teacher.

5) Elizabeth Barrett Browning: One of the most famous of all the 19^th century English women poets was a woman by the name of Elizabeth Barrett. An invalid for many years, her illness was very severe, so that in the end, she was so weak that she could not even raise her head from her pillow. One day, she was visited by another poet, a man by the name of Robert Browning, who had come to meet the author of the poetry that had inspired him so. After his first visit, an amazing thing happened. He left Elizabeth with such joy and happiness that she was able to lift her head. On his second visit, she sat up in bed. And on their third, they eloped and were married. Today she is known as Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the great 19^th century English love poets. — Such is the power of love! Love has the power to heal. It has the power to make well. It has the power to lift drooping heads and fill empty hearts. No wonder people were healed just by coming into the presence of Jesus! Did you ever wonder about that, those stories in the New Testament that tell of someone who came to Jesus and with just a touch or with just a word was made well? There’s no secret to that. If we believe that Jesus was God’s Love Incarnate, God’s Love in the flesh, why shouldn’t people be healed just by coming into contact with Jesus? For love has the power to do that. But we must first come into God’s presence through prayer, through Bible, through the Eucharist.

6) Jimmy Reed’s wife: Stashed away in a drawer somewhere around my house, now nearly forgotten, is a batch of old 45 rpm records from the ’50s and early ’60s. Worn and scratchy, long since outmoded by the flashy digital technology of compact discs, these primitive vinyls were once the jewels of a great treasure trove. Here and there in this dusty stack, one can find an occasional recording by the great bluesmaster Jimmy Reed. In placing the phonograph needle again and again in the grooves of Jimmy Reed’s records, we began to notice something curious. If one listened very carefully, there could sometimes be heard, ever so faintly in the background, a soft woman’s voice murmuring in advance the next verse of the song. The story that grew up around this — and perhaps it is true — was that Jimmy Reed was so absorbed in the bluesy beat and the throbbing guitar riffs of his music that he simply could not remember the words of his own songs. He needed help with the lyrics, and the woman’s voice was none other than that of his wife, devotedly coaching her husband through the recording session by whispering the upcoming stanzas into his ear as he sang. — Whether or not this story is accurate, Christians will surely recognize a parallel experience. Jesus tells his followers that the role of the Holy Spirit is, in effect, to whisper the lyrics of the Gospel song in our souls, all the time.

7) “Did we land, or were we shot down?” A commercial airline pilot, on one occasion, made a particularly bad landing. The wheels of the big jet hit the runway with a jarring thud. Afterward, the airline had a policy, which required that the pilot stand at the door while the passengers exited. He was to give each of them a smile and say, “Thanks for flying with us today.” In light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment, but no one seemed annoyed. Finally, everyone had gotten off except for one little old lady walking with a cane. She approached the pilot and asked, “Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?” “Why, no Ma’am, what is it?” said the pilot bravely. “Did we land,” she asked, “or were we shot down?” — Maybe you’ve had days like that–days when it felt like you were shot down. Even worse, maybe things are going quite well for you, really. Your friends and your family tell you how fortunate you are. But you don’t feel fortunate. It is on such occasions that we need the prompt assistance of the Holy Spirit.

8) “Watch Jimmie in chapel!” In his book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Oliver Sacks tells the story of Jimmie, a former sailor, now a patient in a nursing home, whose severe neurological disorder had left him with a profound and permanent amnesia. He simply had no memory of anything from 1945 on. Having no ability to retrieve the past and no ability to construct a meaningful present, Jimmie lacked the continuity that makes for a sense of the self. He was, wrote Sacks, a person who “wore a look of infinite sadness and resignation.” However, when Sacks asked the Sisters who ran the nursing home whether Jimmie had lost his soul, the Sisters were outraged by the question. “Watch Jimmie in chapel,” they said, “and judge for yourself.” So, Sacks did watch Jimmie in chapel, and there he observed an astounding transformation. He saw an intensity and steadiness in Jimmie that he had not observed before. As he received Holy Communion, there was “perfect alignment of his spirit with the spirit of the Mass.” There in worship, Jimmie was no longer at the mercy of a faulty and fallible memory. — Jimmie in his own way is like all of us. In the final analysis, none of us is able to construct a self. We must all be given a story and a continuity not of our own making. Where we have no faithful memory, God remembers, and by the grace of God, the Spirit whispers the lyrics of the saving Gospel in our ears. (The story, from Oliver Sacks, The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat, is reported in Craig Dykstra, “Memory and Truth,” Theology Today, XLIV/2, p. 162.).

9) “Video Baby.” A few years ago, The New York Times carried an interesting ad for a video tape titled “Video Baby.” It’s a 30-minute tape, designed for busy people who are devoted to family values, but can’t seem to find the time to start a family of their own! The tape shows two infants doing the cute things that babies do, like crawl around, play with a rattle, take a bubble bath, play with their toes, smile angelically, and then fall quietly asleep. No spitting up, no crying, and no diapers! The ad says, “Enjoy bath time without being splashed, and mealtime without wearing the food. Just set the VCR and use the off button whenever you like.” Imagine the possibilities for a sequel: “Video Teenager”! — Today’s readings invite us to experience for ourselves the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit living within us for facing the problems of life, not for avoiding them.

10) The soup of the soup of the duck: Here is a Nasruddin story retold by Fr. De Mello, S. J. A relative once came to visit Nasruddin, bringing a duck as a gift. The bird was cooked and eaten. Soon one guest after another began to call, each claiming to be a friend of the friend of the “the man who brought you the duck.” Each one, of course, expected to be fed and housed on the strength of that hapless bird. At length the mullah could stand it no longer. One day a stranger arrived at his house and said, “I am a friend of the friend of the kinsman who brought you the duck.” And, like the others, he sat down, expecting to be fed. Nasruddin placed a bowl of steaming water before him. “What is this?” asked the stranger. “This,” said the mullah, “is the soup of the soup of the duck that was brought to me by your friend.” — De Mello says, “One hears of people who become the disciples of the disciples of the disciples of someone who had experienced the Divine. How can you kiss through a messenger?” Today’s Gospel reminds us that we should have first-hand experience of the Spirit of the Triune God living within us and share it with others as Philip did (Acts 8:5-8).

11) Father helping his son to cross the finish line: At the 400-metre race at the 1992 summer Olympics, a young man was hungry to win a gold medal after being forced to withdraw from the previous Olympics because of injury. However, at the start of the race, Englishman Derek Redmond popped his right hamstring. This is a severe and excruciating injury. All the other runners continued the race leaving him like an orphan alone on the track. Amazingly Redmond got back up and started hopping towards the finish line. The other runners had all finished the race in a matter of seconds. Redmond, in tears, slowly and laboriously kept hopping. It looked as if he would fall any moment now. Suddenly, a man appeared beside Derek. His father had run down from the stands and pushed his way through the security guards to reach his son. Redmond’s father put his arm around his son and let him cry on his shoulder for a second. Then, with his father holding him up, Derek hobbled to the finish line and then he hopped over the line by himself to finish the race. –There’s a word of hope for you and me. When we are feeling like orphans, feeling deserted, alone, abandoned, unloved, futureless, we have a Father who gives us His strength to keep on going, a Saviour who whispers to us, “We will do this together”, and the Holy Spirit who cheers us on and will enables us to cross the finish line. We are not abandoned because we have a God who loves us. He says to each of personally and individually, “I will not leave you as orphans.” (Fr. Gerhardy).

12) Domesticated eagle. Once a tribesman who lived in a forest found the egg of an eagle, took it home and hatched it along with other chicken eggs. The eaglet started growing along with other chickens in the farm. It started eating bugs, pecking and hopping here and there like the other chicks. But it never learnt to fly like an eagle. One day as it was scratching the ground for food it saw an eagle majestically flying high in the sky. The eaglet started looking at it and admiring its grandeur when other chicks came to the eaglet and said, “Look, that one is the eagle, the king of birds. You and I are chickens and we cannot fly like that eagle. Leave him and alone and come let us go search for our food.” The poor eaglet from then on thought it was a chicken and lived like a chicken and never learnt to fly. — A Christian who does not allow the Holy Spirit living within him or her to be active is like the eaglet in the story who did not realize who it is and what it is capable of. (Fr. Eugene Lobo S.J.).

13) Angel carrying torch and water: There is a story about a person who saw an angel walking down the street. The angel was carrying a torch in one hand and a bucket of water in the other. “What are you going to do with that torch and that water?” the person asked. The angel looked at the person and said, “With this torch, I am going to burn down the mansions of Heaven; and with the bucket of water, I am going to put out the fires of Hell. Then we’re going to see who really loves God.” — The angel’s point was that many people obey God’s commandments out of fear of punishment in Hell or hope of reward in Heaven. They don’t obey God for the reason Jesus gives in today’s Gospel. Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey my commandments.” (Fr. Chirackal).

14) Doing what his Father said: More than ninety people conducted an all-night search for Dominic DeCarlo, an eight-year-old boy lost on a snowy mountain slope. Dominic, who had been on a skiing trip with his father, apparently had ridden on a new lift and skied off the run without realizing it. An hour passed, the search party and the boy’s family became more concerned for his health and safety. By dawn they had found no trace of the boy. Two helicopter crews joined the search and within fifteen minutes they spotted ski tracks. A ground team followed the tracks, which changed to small footprints. The footprints led to a tree, where they found the boy at last. “He’s in super shape!” Sergeant Terry Silbaugh, area search and rescue coordinator announced to the anxious family and press. “In fact, he’s in better shape than we are in right now!” Silbaugh explained why the boy did so well despite spending a night in the freezing elements. His father had had enough foresight to warn the boy what to do if he became lost, and his son had enough trust to do exactly what the father said. Dominic protected himself from frostbite and hypothermia by snuggling up to the tree and covering himself with branches. — As a young child, he would never have thought of doing this on his own. He was simply obeying his wise and loving father. (Luis Palau from Devotions; quoted by Fr. Botelho)

15) Believing in the Power: On the banks of a river lived a hermit. Over thirty years he had been doing ‘Sadhana’ to walk on water. He was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. He sustained his life only on cow’s milk which was supplied by an eleven-year-old girl, living on the other bank of the river. One day her mother said to her, “There are heavy clouds and there is going to be a downpour and the river will be flooded. Tell the hermit that you won’t come tomorrow.” The girl did so. The hermit said to the girl. “Don’t worry about the flood. I will teach you a ‘mantra’ and you will be able to walk on the water. Close your eyes and repeat ‘Krishna, Krishna, Krishna’ and you can comfortably walk on water.” As expected, the rain came in torrents and the river was overflowing. The girl got ready to take milk to the hermit. The mother refused. But the girl told her mother that the hermit had given her a ‘mantra’ to walk on water. Believing her, the mother allowed her to go. The girl went to the river, closed her eyes, repeated ‘Krishna, Krishna, Krishna,’ and walked on the water. The hermit was looking on in wonder. Repeating the ‘mantra’ the girl returned home walking on water. The hermit thought to himself. “How wonderful, I enabled that girl to walk on water. I have the power. Now let me try for myself.” Confidently, he stepped on the water — and drowned forthwith. –-The young girl had tremendous faith in the mantra given by the hermit, a faith that the hermit himself did not have. It is implicit Faith that can do wonders in this world. [G. Francis Xavier in The World’s best Inspiring Stories; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

16) No orphans in the reign of God: Margaret Fishback, a young woman, who searched for direction at the crossroads of her life, composed a beautiful poem with the title “Footprints,” which has appeared on plaques, and cards, calendars, and posters and is treasured by millions all over the world. “One night I had a dream – I dreamed of walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints, one belonged to me and the other belonged to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me I looked back, I looked at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of life, there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of my life. This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why in times when I needed you most, you should leave me.” The Lord replies, “My precious little child, I love you and I would never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” – The Good News given to us today is that while the journey of life will not always be easy, it need not be travelled alone. [John Pichappilly in The Table of the Word; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

17) Responding to the Spirit: When Jimmy Carter was running for President of the United States, one of the more vivid moments in the campaign passed by almost unnoticed. One Sunday morning, candidate Carter had been worshiping at the Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. When the service was over, he exited the church into the swarm of press encamped on the church’s front lawn. Cameras whirring, video lights glaring, microphones thrust forward, the media mavens moved in for interviews, pushing themselves to think of clever questions to ask a presidential candidate on the way out of a Southern Baptist Church — “Did you like the sermon?” “Did you enjoy the choir this morning?” “Do you plan to remain a Baptist in Washington?” — on and on the banal questions spewed. Suddenly, a reporter, probably in a stroke of luck, shouted out a question that genuinely mattered: “Mr. Carter, suppose when you are President, you get into a situation where the laws of the United States are in conflict with what you understand to be the will of God. Which will you follow, the laws of the state or the Commandments of God?” Carter stopped, looked up, and blinked into the bright Georgia sun, obviously turning the question over in his mind. Then, perhaps still “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” perhaps with the Spirit gently whispering the lyrics of the Gospel into his ears, he turned toward the reporter and replied: “I would obey the Commandments of God.” Alert aides, alarmed by this candor, unnerved by their candidate’s near-treasonous remark, hurriedly whisked him away from the press and into a waiting car. — Carter the politician should have avoided the question, or hewed closely to the law of the land, but Carter the Christian had the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ whispering in his ear, “Do you love Me? The world cannot see or know Me, but do you love Me? Do you keep My Commandments? (Quoted by Fr. Kayala).

18) “S.S. HOPE“ The U.S.S. Consolation served as a hospital ship from 1944-1955. It offered healing and comfort to the wounded in both World War II and the Korean conflict. The Consolation was decommissioned in 1958, but instead of being sold for scrap or made into a floating museum, the Consolation was reborn in 1960 when it was turned over to a newly formed civilian service organization – Project Hope. “HOPE” was the acronym for a civilian medical volunteer service organization — “”Health Opportunities for People Everywhere” (today, think, “Doctors Without Borders”). In short, the U.S.S. Consolation got a new coat of white paint and was re-named the S.S. HOPE – a name that was painted in huge red letters across her bow. For the next fourteen years that “HOPE” floated across the seas of the world, pulling into ports from Malaysia and Indonesia to South America and the Caribbean, bringing hands-on medical care to whoever needed it, offering medical training for any and all local care-givers, and extending medical education to families to help them keep healthy. — What a different image from a cruise ship to a Hope Ship! Instead of a lights-blazing, music-blaring, hangover-bringing, big white party ship, every time the S.S. HOPE pulled into a new port its mission and message were spelled out simply four big red letters: H.O.P.E. The clear declaration of hope is what 1 Pt is all about — Hope in Christ. (Quoted by Fr. Kayala).

19) “I will not leave you orphans:” In 1626, the French Jesuits launched an organized missionary effort among the Huron Indians. The Hurons, a nation of Iroquoian stock, then lived near Georgian Bay in Canada’s Province of Ontario. Leader of these Jesuits was the notable Father Jean de Brebeuf. The Huron apostolate was difficult, but gradually some of the Indians began to embrace the Gospel. One of the most admirable converts was Tehoronhiongo. Baptized “Francis” by Fr. Brebeuf himself, he developed into a man of prayer who sought constantly to deepen his knowledge of the Faith. Unfortunately for the Huron mission, the New York Iroquois began a war of extermination in 1642 against their Huron cousins, striking also at the French who sided with the Hurons. After eight years the Iroquois achieved their aim. They broke up and scattered the Huron nation. During that bitter struggle, Fr. Brebeuf and four other Jesuit priests in Huronia were murdered. (They were canonized as martyrs in 1930). A great many Hurons fell before the enemies. Many more were taken captive and “adopted” by their conquerors. Indeed, one whole Huron village, St. Michael’s, originally located near Orr Lake in Ontario, was induced to move down to New York State. They resettled near Holcomb, N.Y., in the country of the Seneca Iroquois. One of the citizens of this “adopted” captive village was Francis Tehoronhiongo. Of course, he and the other exiled Huron Christians were now deprived of priests. Finally, however, the Iroquois made peace with the French and even invited Jesuit “blackrobes” to come into the Iroquois country. There were perils involved in accepting this invitation; still, the Jesuits did send the missionaries. When Fr. Jacques Fremin arrived at St. Michael’s in 1668, Francis greeted him warmly. He had been praying for twenty years to be able to receive the sacrament of penance again before he died. Now he said to Father Fremin, “At last God has heard me. Confess me!” The priest was touched and very happy to oblige. Fr. Jacques found Francis “an old man of approved Faith.” He now engaged him as a catechist. Not only did the Huron understand well the mysteries of the Faith; he behaved with such Christian dignity that no other Indian ventured to speak indecently or irreverently in his presence. — In today’s Gospel, Our Lord promises “I will not leave you orphaned.” He who had established the Sacrament of Reconciliation did not abandon this old Huron who prayed for a chance to go to confession. Far from leaving us orphaned today, Jesus provides us constantly with priests whom He uses as the instruments of His presence and His absolution. The sad fact is that we do not approach these priests more frequently and more appreciatively, asking them with Huron Francis “Confess me!” –(Father Robert F. McNamara).

20) The Divine Presence of the Holy Spirit: There is a touching story told of a humble, consecrated pastor, whose young son had become very ill. After the boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, the father was told the shocking news that his son had a terminal illness. The youngster had accepted Christ as his Savior, so the minister knew that death would usher him into glory; but he wondered how to inform one in the bloom of youth that soon he would die. After earnestly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, he went with a heavy heart through the hospital ward to the boy’s bedside. First, he read a passage of Scripture and had a time of prayer with his dear child. Then he gently told him that the doctors could promise him only a few more days to live. “Are you afraid to meet Jesus, my boy?” asked his devout father. Blinking away a few tears, the little fellow said bravely, “No, not if He’s like you, Dad!” (Fr. Lakra).

21) How TV’s Were Born: A little over 75 years ago a little-known American inventor of Russian descent, Vladimir Kosma Zworykin began to work for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Over the next few years Mr. Zworykin worked on an idea called an iconoscope and a kinescope. The kinescope would eventually come to be known as the Cathode Ray Tube and in 1929, Mr. Zworykin revealed his great invention to whole world in a much-publicized demonstration. The iconoscope became the TV Camera for broadcasting and the Cathode Ray Tube became our TV Receiver. All of this came about because of the small seed of an idea in the mind of one man. — Now, because of that idea, we all sit and watch “in the branches” of the “tree” that grew from that small mustard seed. As you can see, from the small seed of an idea great things can grow. And so it is with your Faith in God and with the presence of Holy Spirit within your heart. (Source Unknown).

22) “Yes, we are all here.” I recall the story of a little girl who, when trains were popular transportation, was taking her first train ride with her parents. As night descended, the mother took the girl, who was clearly quite anxious, and placed her on the upper bunk of the sleeper. She told her little one that up there she would be nearer to God and that God would watch over her. As silence enveloped the young lady she became afraid and called softly, “Mommy, are you there?” “Yes dear,” came the response. A little later, in a louder voice, the child called, “Daddy, are you there, too?” “Yes dear,” was the reply. After this had been repeated several times one of the passengers sharing their sleeper car finally lost his patience and shouted loudly, “Yes, we’re all here, your father, your mother, your brother, and all your aunts and cousins; now settle down and go to sleep!” There was a moment of silence and then, in hushed tones a little voice asked, “Mommy, was that God?“ – Jesus, in offering peace, does not say, “I’m here, the Holy Spirit’s here and God is here, now be at peace!” The peace that Jesus offers cannot be had simply by desiring. The peace of God is a gift, it can only be received as a by-product of faith. That’s why the world is largely a stranger to it.

23) “It is well, it is well, with my soul.” Many of you know the story behind one of America’s best loved hymns, “It is well with my soul.” Horatio Spafford was a wealthy businessman from Chicago. However, the Chicago fire of 1871 wiped Spafford out financially. A couple of years later Spafford’s wife and four children were traveling to Europe when their ship collided with another ship. The four children perished, while Anna survived. She later sent Horatio a telegram with these two words, “Saved Alone.” Spafford, heartbroken and sad caught a boat to be with his wife. It was on that voyage that he wrote:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like a sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

— Have you found that kind of peace? You can, with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone. We live in God’s world. And we are created to live in community with one another. Thanks be to God. Amen.

24) UFOs & God: Many of you watched the television program “CBS Reports on Unidentified Flying Objects.” The sum and substance of the whole report was that if there were UFO’s around, we have the equipment and the knowledge to know that they are there — and they are not. But I was particularly intrigued with the final statement of that program, made by a young, brainy, eminent astronomer. The reporter had asked him why he thought there was so much interest in so many observations of UFO’s today, if they didn’t really exist. And with sophisticated, intellectual snobbery, he said, with all of the country listening and as the final punch line of that program: “Oh, I suppose it’s our contemporary substitute for God. They take the place of that superhuman, omniscient, all-seeing, benevolent creature out there some place that people like to think are watching over them but in which nobody believes very much today.”
— There it is, fellow citizens, and I shuddered, because it gives us the answer for our neglect of prayer, our obsession and our preoccupation with our own power to answer our own prayers! Power – it’s the keynote of our age, power windows, power brakes, power steering, power garage doors, power politics, computerized power, transistorized power, industrial power, financial power. We are strong. We are independent. We need no help of any kind from anyone. We are wise and powerful, wealthy and affluent. (Rev. Louis H. Valbracht)

25) Be similarly hope-filled, despite the hostility and persecution. Author and playwright, Václav Havel was sentenced to four-and one-half years in prison in 1979 for his involvement in the Czech human rights movement. Though he would later become his country’s president (1989), he suffered years of rejection and persecution for his beliefs. When asked the reason for his hope in the face of so much hostility, he replied, “Hope is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons. Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously headed for success, but an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it has a chance to succeed” (Disturbing the Peace, Alfred A. Knopf, New York: 1990). — In the second reading from 1 Peter, the author exhorted his readers to be similarly hope-filled, despite the hostility and persecution to which they were subjected because of their commitment to Christ. (Sanchez Files). L/26

“Scriptural Homilies” Cycle A (No. 31) by Fr. Tony: akadavil@gmail.com

You may visit my website by clicking on http://frtonyshomilies.com/ for missed or previous Cycle A homilies, 141 Year of Faith “Adult Faith Formation Lessons” (useful for RCIA classes too) & 197 “Question of the Week.” Kindly visit https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies under CBCI or Fr. Tony for my website version. (Special thanks to Vatican official website http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church.html -which completed uploading my Cycle A, B and C homilies in May 2020) My post-retirement contact postal address in the U. S. is Fr. Anthony Kadavil, C/o Fr. M. C. Joseph, Pastor St. Agatha Catholic Parish 1001 Hand Ave, Bay Minette, AL 36507 36507. Contact me by email only at akadavil@gmail.com. I am back at my home in my home country since June 2023. I live in my home in my home country since my final retirement in June 2023.

EASTER VI [A] (May 10): Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, I Pt 3:15-18, Jn 14:15-21

The second reading (I Pt 3:15-18) explained: This portion of Peter’s First letter to the Church explains how the Holy Spirit makes possible God-fearing lives in the midst of opposition and persecution. Peter warns that God-fearing Christians shouldn’t be surprised by angry outbursts of resentment and militant confrontation from those around them. He clearly encourages the persecuted Christians to keep to the moral high ground no matter how much they’re mistreated.If we are willing to suffer for Christ and with Christ, God will see us through and will vindicate us. Meanwhile, we have the consolation of the Holy Spirit Who lives in our hearts and Who raised Christ from death. However, those who refuse to die and rise with Jesus actually prevent the Spirit from working in and through them. Peter also advises the newly baptized in the Church that Jesus must be so much a part of their lives that His dying and rising come through even in the way they respond to questions about their Faith: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts…. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope but do it with gentleness and reverence. “

The Jewish concept of Spirit: In Hebrew, the word for spirit is ruach () – in Greek, pneuma ( ); in Latin, spiritus – all of which suggest breathing. The idea is that when a person is breathing, he is alive. It is from this notion that the idea of an animating, life-giving, intelligent, and active force comes. The word (in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin), thus meant “breath”, “life” and “spirit.” The Jewish tradition taught that when the Messiah came, God’s very own Life (Breath, Spirit) would be poured out upon all the faithful believers.

The promise of the Paraclete– the Advocate, Comforter, Helper, or Counselor: To Jesus, real love is something difficult, and it must be expressed not as sentiment or emotion but as real obedience to God. So, we weak human beings need the daily assistance of a Divine Helper in the Person of the Holy Spirit to practice real love. The Greek word used in John’s Gospel for this Helper is Parakletos. For the Greeks, the word parakletos meant a lawyer, a legal assistant, a courtroom advocate. Jesus is telling us that the Holy Spirit is our Advocate Who speaks up for us when we’re accused, judged, or wrongly condemned, and our Witness Who testifies in our behalf. Parakletos can also refer to a person who comforts, counsels, or strengths us in time of need. The Holy Spirit gives us Life, stands by us, defends us, strengthens us, and consoles us. Jesus was the first Paraclete sent by the Father. “But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” (I Jn 2:1). Since Jesus’ presence as a Paraclete was limited in time and place, he assured his disciples of “another Paraclete” in the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit assists us in our inadequacies and enables us to cope with life in the true Christian spirit. The Paraclete is our Defense Attorney defending us before God, the Judge. Although the penalty for our sins has been paid in full by Jesus, we still need the help of the Holy Spirit in our daily struggles against sin. In addition to being Companion, Defense Attorney, Witness and Prosecutor (enlightening us to our own sinfulness and leading us to repentance), the Paraclete will also be present to teach the disciples and to remind them of what Jesus had taught them (14:25-26). (For the additional roles of the Holy Spirit confer Jn 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7-14).

JOKES OF THE WEEK: The Heavenly Attorney’s earthly counterparts.

USEFUL WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

Fr. Nick’s collection of Sunday homilies from 65 priests & weekday homilies: https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies

Fr. Don’ collection of video homilies & blogs: https://sundayprep.org/featured-homilies/

Fr. Geoffrey Plant’s beautiful & scholarly video classes on Sunday gospel, Bible & RCIA topics: https://sundayhomilies.au/homilies/

Dr. Brant Pitre’s commentary on Cycle A Sunday Scripture for Bible Class: https://catholicproductions.com/blogs/mass-readings-explained-year-Biblical basis of Catholic doctrines: http://scripturecatholic.com/

Agape Catholic Bible Lessons: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/

6)Catholic directory & resources: http://www.catholicweb.com/directory.cfm

^{7) It’s Catholic:}^{http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/html/article654.html}^,

^{8) Catholic online:}^{http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1586}

10) Bible project videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject/

The beginner’s guide to life of faith: http://www.beginningcatholic.com/
Catholic Community Forum: News, reflections, homilies, patron saints (http://www.catholic-forum.com/)

13) Focus On the Family: http://www.family.org/

14) Outlines of Bible books http://www.catholicdoors.com/outline/index.htm

15) New American Bible with notes http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/

25 Additional anecdotes: 1) “No ticket please; he is my friend.” Here is the true story of a pastor. One day I was stopped for speeding. I knew I was wrong. I was late for the Mass in a remote mission church. I was driving on a brand new four-lane highway with almost no traffic. When I saw those flashing blue and yellow lights behind me, I knew that I was going to be even later for the Holy Mass. After the patrolman got my license, he went back to his car. I waited for him to return with the judgment against my mistake. As I waited, another police car pulled up behind the first. The man with my license went back to the second car. My anxiety level was rising. He left the second car and came back to my car. He handed me my license and said, “The sergeant says that you’re a friend of his. Keep your speed down and drive carefully.” He returned to his car and drove off. So, did I. — I was guilty. I had broken the law. I deserved the ticket. I deserved to pay the fine, but because of a friendship, my mistake was forgiven and forgotten. There was no penalty to pay. This is how Divine Grace works. We are saved because Jesus considers us his friends, as stated in today’s Gospel.

12)Domesticated eagle. Once a tribesman who lived in a forest found the egg of an eagle, took it home and hatched it along with other chicken eggs. The eaglet started growing along with other chickens in the farm. It started eating bugs, pecking and hopping here and there like the other chicks. But it never learnt to fly like an eagle. One day as it was scratching the ground for food it saw an eagle majestically flying high in the sky. The eaglet started looking at it and admiring its grandeur when other chicks came to the eaglet and said, “Look, that one is the eagle, the king of birds. You and I are chickens and we cannot fly like that eagle. Leave him and alone and come let us go search for our food.” The poor eaglet from then on thought it was a chicken and lived like a chicken and never learnt to fly. — A Christian who does not allow the Holy Spirit living within him or her to be active is like the eaglet in the story who did not realize who it is and what it is capable of. (Fr. Eugene Lobo S.J.).

20) The Divine Presence of the Holy Spirit: There is a touching story told of a humble, consecrated pastor, whose young son had become very ill. After the boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, the father was told the shocking news that his son had a terminal illness. The youngster had accepted Christ as his Savior, so the minister knew that death would usher him into glory; but he wondered how to inform one in the bloom of youth that soon he would die. After earnestly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, he went with a heavy heart through the hospital ward to the boy’s bedside. First, he read a passage of Scripture and had a time of prayer with his dear child. Then he gently told him that the doctors could promise him only a few more days to live. “Are you afraid to meet Jesus, my boy?”asked his devout father. Blinking away a few tears, the little fellow said bravely, “No, not if He’s like you, Dad!” (Fr. Lakra).

21) How TV’s Were Born: A little over 75 years ago a little-known American inventor of Russian descent, Vladimir Kosma Zworykin began to work for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Over the next few years Mr. Zworykin worked on an idea called an iconoscope and a kinescope. The kinescope would eventually come to be known as the Cathode Ray Tube and in 1929, Mr. Zworykin revealed his great invention to whole world in a much-publicized demonstration. The iconoscope became the TV Camera for broadcasting and the Cathode Ray Tube became our TV Receiver. All of this came about because of the small seed of an idea in the mind of one man. — Now, because of that idea, we all sit and watch “in the branches” of the “tree” that grew from that small mustard seed. As you can see, from the small seed of an idea great things can grow. And so it is with your Faith in God and with the presence of Holy Spirit within your heart. (Source Unknown).

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like a sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

24)UFOs & God: Many of you watched the television program “CBS Reports on Unidentified Flying Objects.” The sum and substance of the whole report was that if there were UFO’s around, we have the equipment and the knowledge to know that they are there — and they are not. But I was particularly intrigued with the final statement of that program, made by a young, brainy, eminent astronomer. The reporter had asked him why he thought there was so much interest in so many observations of UFO’s today, if they didn’t really exist. And with sophisticated, intellectual snobbery, he said, with all of the country listening and as the final punch line of that program: “Oh, I suppose it’s our contemporary substitute for God. They take the place of that superhuman, omniscient, all-seeing, benevolent creature out there some place that people like to think are watching over them but in which nobody believes very much today.”
— There it is, fellow citizens, and I shuddered, because it gives us the answer for our neglect of prayer, our obsession and our preoccupation with our own power to answer our own prayers! Power – it’s the keynote of our age, power windows, power brakes, power steering, power garage doors, power politics, computerized power, transistorized power, industrial power, financial power. We are strong. We are independent. We need no help of any kind from anyone. We are wise and powerful, wealthy and affluent. (Rev. Louis H. Valbracht)

“Scriptural Homilies” Cycle A (No. 31) by Fr. Tony:akadavil@gmail.com

You may visit my website by clicking on http://frtonyshomilies.com/ for missed or previous Cycle A homilies, 141 Year of Faith “Adult Faith Formation Lessons” (useful for RCIA classes too) & 197 “Question of the Week.” Kindly visit https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies under CBCI or Fr. Tony for my website version. (Special thanks to Vatican official website http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church.html -which completed uploading my Cycle A, B and C homilies in May 2020) My post-retirement contact postal address in the U. S. is Fr. Anthony Kadavil, C/o Fr. M. C. Joseph, Pastor St. Agatha Catholic Parish 1001 Hand Ave, Bay Minette, AL 36507 36507. Contact me by email only at akadavil@gmail.com. I am back at my home in my home country since June 2023.I live in my home in my home country since my final retirement in June 2023.

May 4-9 Weekday homilies

May 2, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

May 4-9:Your attention, please: When you miss any of my homilies by email, please click on or visit my website https://frtonyshomilies.com/ I upload homilies on it a week earlier.

May 4 Monday: Jn 14:21-26: 21 He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

The context: Today’s Gospel passage is taken from Jesus’ Last Supper discourse. It was commonly held by the Jews that when the Messiah came, he would be revealed to the whole world as King and Savior. Hence, Judas Thaddeus asks why Jesus is revealing himself only to his disciples. Jesus does not answer that question directly. Instead, He continues his work of preparing his disciples for his imminent departure from them by assuring them that he is not leaving them alone. Instead, Jesus is going to live in them along with God his Father and God the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Father can be experienced through the experience of love. It means that the criterion of the Father is always the same: love. “If anyone loves Me, he will observe My word, and My Father will love him and We shall come to him and make a home in him.”

Jesus promises the abiding presence of the Holy Trinity in his disciples who express their responsive love for him by keeping his commandments, especially his commandment of love, because only this type of loving will open them and make them receptive to the Divine Indwelling of the Trinitarian God. Jesus is referring to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the soul renewed by grace. God repeatedly revealed Himself in the Old Testament and promised to dwell in the midst of His people (cf. Ex 29:45; Ez 37:26-27; etc.). But here Jesus speaks of the presence of God in each person. We are each a part of the Divine chain of love. God loves man. He sent His Son to prove it. After Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension, God the Father continues to live in us with His Son and the Holy Spirit. This abiding God gives us the Father’s protection and providence, the Son’s redemption and forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Spirit’s sanctification and guidance.

Life messages: 1) Let us live in constant awareness of the abiding presence of the Trinitarian God within us and behave well in His presence. 2)

During moments of doubts and temptations, let us seek the active guidance and strengthening of our indwelling God. Fr. Tony(https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/;

May 5 Tuesday: Jn 14:27-31a: 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence.

The context: In his Last Supper discourse, Jesus gives two gifts to his disciples, namely, the gift of peace and the gift of the cross leading to glory. Today’s passage refers to the gift of peace. Wishing a person peace (Shalom), was, and still is, the usual form of greeting among the Jews and the Arabs. Shalom is a right relationship with God and with others. Arabs wish each other saying “Islam Alikum” in Arabic, meaning peace be with you. And the response is “alikum Islam” (and also with you). Moses instructed the Aaron and his descendants, the priests, to bless the Israelites with God’s peace: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Nm 6:22-26).“Peace be with you!” is the greeting which Jesus used, and which the Apostles continued to use. Hence, the Church uses it several times in the liturgy. Peace is one of the great Messianic gifts. St. Paul tells us that it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus repeats his promise saying, “My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you.” Pope St. Paul VI (canonized October 14, 2018), said: “True peace must be founded upon justice, upon a sense of the untouchable dignity of man, upon the recognition of an indelible and happy equality between men, upon the basic principle of human brotherhood.”

Life message: 1) We are invited to live in the peace wished by Jesus. This requires that we be reconciled every day with ourselves, with our neighbors, and with our God. Reconciliation with God demands that we obey His commandments, repent every day of our sins, and ask God’s forgiveness. Reconciliation with others demands that we forgive others for their offenses against us, and that we ask for their forgiveness for our offenses against them in words, attitudes, and deeds. Reconciliation with ourselves comes from our grace-given humble recognition of our weaknesses and failures and our grateful acceptance and use of the Holy Spirit’s loving gifts to us of deepened love and trust that God loves us in spite of these weaknesses, forgives us our sins when we repent, helps us to do better, and uses our weaknesses to bring us closer to Him, in order to demonstrate His own Love and Power working through us for His glory. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflectionsMay 6 Wednesday:

May 6 Wednesday: Jn 15:1-8: 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples:

The context: During his Last Supper discourse, Jesus uses one of God’s Old Testament images, the vine and the branches, to help his disciples understand the closeness of their relationship with him and the necessity of their maintaining it. Jesus assures them, using the parable of the vine and branches, that the Life-giving Spirit, Whom Jesus will send them, will be present and active among his disciples and their successors. This Gospel passage also emphasizes the need for Christians to abide in Christ as an essential condition for producing fruits of kindness, mercy, justice, charity, and holiness. Paul further clarifies this idea in Colossians 1:18 using another metaphor, that Christ is the Head and Christians are the different members of His Mystical Body. Pruning is an essential part of growing fruit-producing branches. In the vineyards in Palestine, dead branches were pruned to save the vine. Fruitless, leafy branches draining life sap from the main trunk were also pruned away leaving only fruit-bearing branches. Jesus tells his apostles that they have already been pruned by the words he has spoken to them. Eventually, they will be pruned of all attachment to the things of this world so that they may be ready to attach themselves to the things of Heaven.

Life messages 1) We need pruning in our Christian life. Pruning, which cuts out of our lives everything that is contrary to the spirit of Jesus and renews our commitment to Christian ideals in our lives every day, is the first type of self-imposed pruning expected of us. A second kind of pruning is accomplished by practicing self-control over our evil inclinations, sinful addictions, and aberrations. A third type of pruning is done by our permitting Jesus to prune, purify, and strengthen us as God allows us to face pain, suffering, contradictions, and difficulties with His grace and the courage of our Christian convictions. 2) Let us abide in Christ and let Christ abide in us: Personal and liturgical prayers, frequenting of the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation, daily, meditative reading of the Bible, and selfless, loving acts of kindness, mercy, and forgiveness, all made possible by God’s grace, enable us to abide in Jesus, the true vine, as fruit-bearing branches.

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

May 7 Thursday: Jn 15:9-11: 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.

The context: During the Last Supper discourse, Jesus teaches his disciples that love is the hallmark and the criterion of Christians. Jesus reminds his disciples that he has chosen them as his friends with a triple mission. First, they are to love others as he has loved them. Second, they are to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Third, they are to ask God the Father for whatever they need in Jesus’ name.

The criteria of Christian love: First, Jesus modifies the Old Testament command from “love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Lv 19:18) to “love others as I have loved you.” This means that our love for others must be unconditional, forgiving, and sacrificial. Jesus invites each Christian to be in the inner circle of his friends by obeying his commandments including the new commandment of love. Such friends abide in Jesus as Jesus abides in them, and their prayers in Jesus’ name will be answered promptly by God the Father. We express our love for Christ by obeying his new commandment of love. Jesus further explains that the real source of Christian joy is the certainty that God loves us. We, too, must be ready to express our love for others by our readiness to die for them as Jesus died for us.

Life message: 1) Let us remember that true Christian love is costly and painful because it involves sacrifice on our part when we start loving unlovable, ungrateful, and hostile people with Christ’s unconditional, forgiving, sacrificial love. But our Christian call is to love others as Jesus has loved us, and as Jesus loves them. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

May 8 Friday: Jn 15: 12-17: 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.

The context: Today’s Gospel passage is a part of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse. Jesus reminds his disciples that he has chosen them as his friends with a triple mission. First, they are to love others as he has loved them. Second, they are to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Third, they are to ask God the Father in Jesus’ Name, for whatever they need.

First, Jesus modifies the Old Testament command from “love your neighbor as you love yourselves” (Lv 19:18) to “love others as I have loved you.” This means that our love for others must be unconditional, forgiving, and sacrificial. We, too, must be ready to express our love for others by our readiness to die for them as Jesus died for us. Jesus reminds the apostles that the ultimate expression of love (and especially Christian love, agápê) lies in self-sacrifice for others. Second, Jesus explains that the calling to produce fruits, which the Apostles received, and which every Christian also receives, does not originate in the individual’s good desires but in Christ’s free choice. Third, Jesus concludes his advice by referring to the effectiveness of prayer offered in his Name. That is why the Church usually ends the prayers of the liturgy with the invocation “Through Jesus Christ our Lord….”

Life messages: 1) Let us cultivate an abiding and loving friendship with Jesus: a) The qualities we normally expect from our friends are trust, mutuality, faithfulness, equality, forgiveness, joy, and sacrifice. Jesus offers us all these qualities in our friendship with him. b) As a friend, Jesus has trusted us by sharing with us everything that he has heard from his Father. Hence, we have to trust him as a friend by listening to him through the Bible and talking to him in prayer. c) As our friend, Jesus will be always faithful to us. Let us return this fidelity by being faithful to him in doing His will. d) By calling us his friends, Jesus makes us equal to him. Let us be proud of this and lead lives worthy of our unique status. e) As an understanding friend, Jesus is ready to forgive us time and time again. Let us also forgive those who offend us. f) As a friend, Christ has told us everything so that our joy might be complete in him. Let us enjoy Jesus’ Divine friendship. g) Jesus declared that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend. He has done it for us. Hence, let us also love others sacrificially.

#2: Let us be persons for others: Jesus demonstrated the love God, his Father, has for us by living for us and dying for us. Hence, as his disciples, we are to be persons for others, sacrificing our time, talents, and lives for others. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

May 9 Saturday: Jn 15:18-21: 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.

The context: In today’s Gospel passage, taken from the Last Supper discourse, Jesus warns his apostles of what they can expect from a world which ignores God and His teaching. They will be hated and persecuted as Jesus was. But there can be no compromise between Christ’s disciples and the followers of the powers of darkness. The term “world” in today’s Gospel passage means people who are hostile towards God and opposed to His will. They represent an evil society which “calls evil good and good evil” (Is 5:20). Such a society will hate Christ and his teachings because Christian teaching exposes the evil of society and its false and dangerous doctrines. Since the Church Jesus established stands for truth, morality, and justice, it does not support the modern “dictatorship of relativism.” The modern world hates and ridicules everything Christian through its liberal, agnostic and atheistic media.

Life message: Let us ask the Holy Spirit for the courage of our Christian convictions to believe and practice what Jesus taught and what Jesus continues to teach through the Church. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/25

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 27nd- May 2nd Weekday Homilies

April 24, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

April 27- May 2: Kindly visit my homily website https://frtonyshomilies.com/for missed homilies, by clicking on the link or typing it in Google Search. Fr. Tony. April 27 Monday: Jn 10:11-18:11 I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father. (http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/)

The context: It was winter, probably the time of the Jewish Feast of Dedication, and Jesus was walking on the east side of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Jews gathered around him and asked him if he were the promised Messiah. Instead of giving them a straight answer, Jesus told them that he was the Good Shepherd and explained to them his role as such.

Role of Jesus as our Good Shepherd: Introducing himself as the Good Shepherd of his flock, Jesus makes three claims in today’s Gospel. 1) He knows his sheep and his sheep hear his voice. Jesus knows each one of us, our needs, our merits, and our faults. He loves us as we are, with all our limitations, and he expects us to return his love by keeping his words. He speaks to us at every Mass and in every Sacrament, as well as and through the Bible, through our pastors and our parents, through our friends, and in events of our lives. 2) He gives eternal life to us and all his sheep by receiving us into his sheepfold through Baptism. He strengthens our Faith by giving us the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. He supplies food for our souls in the Holy Eucharist and in the Divine words of the Holy Bible. He makes our society holy by the Sacrament of Matrimony and through the Sacrament of Orders, keeps His Church holy and increasing in numbers and sanctity by keeping His priests faithful, trusting, loving and obedient, united in a single, unbroken line — from Christ and the Apostles through history — until the end of the world when Christ will judge the world and bring His Church safely Home to the Father for ever in Heaven. 3) He protects his sheep by placing them in the loving hands of his mighty Father. Without Jesus to guide us and protect us, we are easy prey for the spiritual wolves of this world; these include Satan, as well as the seven deadly sins of pride, avarice, envy, gluttony, anger, lust and sloth.

Life messages: Today’s Gospel challenges us to be good shepherds to those entrusted to our care and to be good sheep in Jesus’ sheepfold, namely the Church. 1) We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time and talents for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers.

2) We become good sheep in our parishes a) By hearing and following the voice of our pastors through their homilies, Bible classes, counselling, and advice. b) By taking the spiritual food given by our pastors through regular and active participation in the Holy Mass and by frequenting the Sacraments, prayer services, renewal programs and missions offered. c) By cooperating with our pastors, giving them positive suggestions for the welfare of the parish, encouraging them in their duties, occasionally offering them loving, constructive criticism, and, always, praying for them. d) By daily prayers for good pastors and all their needs and intenions. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L-26

April 28 Tuesday: St. Peter Chanel, Priest, Martyr:(https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-peter-chanel/) St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest: (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-louis-mary-grignion-de-montfort/) Jn 10:22-30:: 22 It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

The context: It was December during the week of the Jewish Feast of the Rededication of the Temple or Hanukkah, a week with the year’s shortest days and longest nights. The feast was also known as the Festival of Lights because during this feast the Jews lighted lamps representing the Mosaic Law and put them in the windows of their homes. Hanukkah served as a remembrance ofthe cleansing and rededicating of the Temple and its altar by the Jewish military commander Judas Maccabaeus in the year 165 BC, after he had liberated Jerusalem from the control of the Seleucid Kings of Syria. (It was the Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes who had profaned the Temple and its altar and so rendered it unclean and needing complete rededication). It when he was teaching in Solomon’s portico during Hanukkah, that the Jews plotted to trap Jesus by asking him to declare whether or not he was the promised Messiah.

Jesus’ reply: 1) Jesus charged the Jews with unbelief and challenged them to believe in his Messianic and Divine claims by assessing his miracles objectively and truthfully instead of blindly holding to their own personal ideas about the promised Messiah as a wondrous military leader and political liberator. Who would destroy Rome and make JERUSALEM the Capital of the World! 2) Then Jesus pinpointed the cause of the stubborn unbelief demonstrated by those Jews who were hostile to Jesus — “The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.” Now, Faith and eternal life cannot be merited by man’s own efforts: they are a priceless Gift of God. Those who believed in Him (the disciples and followers), were in the process of accepting and living out this priceless Gift from God which those Jews who called him “enemy” were stubbornly refusing to accept it from his hands. . 3) Jesus then assured his sheep – those who hear and follow him, walk in his Way, that is, try to live out their Faith in him by keeping His commands. — that they would have eternal life and would not perish because they were protected by God his Father Who is stronger than the Evil One. 4) Finally, Jesus declared, “I and the Father are One” (Jn 10:30) . In other words, Jesus reveals that He is One in substance with the Father as far as Divine Essence or Nature is concerned, but He also reveals that the Father and the Son are distinct Persons.

Life messages: 1) When doubts about our Faith haunt us, let us try to read more about our Faith, to consult Catholic experts in our locality or reliable Catholic sources on the Internet, and to pray for the light of the Holy Spirit. 2) Let us find protection from the temptations of the Evil One in the sheepfold of the Church by frequenting the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist, by meditative reading of the Bible, by personal prayers, and by works of charity. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26 For additional reflections: Click on https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 29 Wednesday: St. Catherine of Sienna, Virgin, Doctor of the Church: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-catherine-of-sienaJn 12:44-50: 44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in mebut in Him who sent me. 45 And he who sees me sees Him Who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me.”

The context: Today’s Gospel text, taken from John’s Gospel, is a passage from the last public discourse of Jesus before his arrest and crucifixion. The main ideas in the passage are 1) Jesus’ relationship with the Father; 2) Jesus’ role as the Light and Life of the world; and 3), the criteria for His final judgment of us – Heaven or Hell

1) Jesus teaches us that he is one with the Father and he is the image of his invisible Father. Because He is one with the Father, the Father speaks through him and operates through him. Hence, those who accept Jesus and his message accept God the Father’s message.

2) Jesus claims that he is the Light and Life of the world. Psalm 27 exclaims, “The Lord is my Light and my salvation!” As Light, Jesus removes the darkness of evil from the world and from our souls, shows us the correct way to go in life, and gives us the warmth of his sharing, sacrificial love. As Light, God’s Word enables those with eyes of Faith to perceive the hidden truths of God’s Kingdom. As the Life of the world, Jesus, by his words, produces the very Life of God within those who receive these words with Faith. 3) At Death, we are rewarded or punished eternally based on whether or not we accept Jesus and his teachings and, if we have chosen Jesus, whether or not we live our lives accordingly.

Life messages: 1) As Christians, our duty is to reflect and radiate the light of Jesus in the darkness of the evil of this fallen world around us by acts of sharing love, kindness, forgiveness, and humble service. 2) Let us ask for the strength of the Holy Spirit to choose Christ and his ideals every day and to reject everything contrary to Christ’s teachings. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections: Click on https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 30 Thursday: St. Pius V , Pope:https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-pius-v/Jn 13:16-20:16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.”

The context: Today’s Gospel is the second part of the explanation Jesus gave to his disciples after washing their feet before the Last Supper. He promised his disciples that that whoever listened to them would be listening to him as well, provided his preaching disciples became the humble servants of others. Gospel lessons: In the first part of today’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the fact that the hallmark of his disciples must be their readiness and generosity in offering humble and sacrificial service to others, because that was the model Jesus had given them by his life and brought home to them by washing their feet and commanding them (and us) , to do likewise for each other. It is by serving others that we become great before God. In the second part of today’s Gospel, Jesus shows his apostles how to treat people who are unfaithful and disloyal. Jesus hints at the betrayal of Judas by quoting Psalm 4:9: “He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” Instead of distancing himself from Judas, Jesus offers him reconciliation, showing him more affection by washing his feet and by giving him a morsel of bread dipped in sauce with his own hand. Finally, in the third part, Jesus gives us the basis for apostolic succession, stating that one who receives his apostles and messengers receives him, thereby receiving God the Father who sent Jesus.

Life messages: 1) Let us prove that we are true disciples of Jesus by rendering others humble and loving service today. 2) Let us learn to be reconciled with those who offend us by unconditionally pardoning them, by wishing them the very best, and by keeping them in our prayers. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/)L/ 26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

May 1 Friday:Feast of St. Joseph the Worker: (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-joseph-the-worker/ Jn 14-1-6)/Alternate Mt 13:54-58: Introduction: Today we celebrate the liturgical feast of St. Joseph the Worker to honor St. Joseph, to highlight the dignity and importance of labor, and to honor the workers who are dignified by their labor and who bring Christ to their workplace. This is the second feast of St. Joseph; the first was the feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and the patron of the universal Church which we celebrated on the 19th of March.

History: In response to the May Day Celebrations of workers in the Communist countries where workers were considered mere “cogs in the machine,” Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker to Christianize the concept of labor, to acknowledge the dignity of labor and to give all workers a role model and heavenly patron.

Theology of work: The Bible presents God as a worker (Gen 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”) Who is engaged in the work of creation and providing for His creatures. God the Father assigns His Son Jesus the work of human redemption and gives the Holy Spirit the work of our sanctification. That is why Jesus said: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work (John 5:17). Further, after the horendous fall of Adam and Eve, it was God’s command that man should work: “You have to earn your bread by the sweat of your brow” (Genesis 3:19). Jesus showed us the necessity and nobility of work by working in Joseph’s carpentry shop until he started his public life of a preaching and healing ministry. The workers are important and their work noble, not only because they obey God’s command to work, but also because they sustain and promote social welfare and the progress of societies.

Joseph as an exemplary worker: Joseph worked to support his family by helping his neighbors, using his skill in carpentry. He was a just worker, honest in his trade of buying wood, selling his finished products, and charging for his services. He was a working parent laboring hard to support his family. He was a praying worker who prayed in all his needs, got answers from God in dreams on important occasions, and kept God’s presence in his workshop. He was an obedient worker who obeyed the Mosaic Law of Sabbath rest and spent the day of rest to take Jesus to the local synagogue and to teach Jesus God’s Law given through Moses.

Life messages: 1) Let us appreciate the dignity of all forms of work and all types of laborers as they glorify God and promote the welfare of society. 2) Let us be sincere and committed to our work as St. Joseph was, working in the constant awareness of the presence of God. 3) Let us love our work and convert it into prayer by offering it for God’s glory. (Fr. Tony) L/26 For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

May 2 Saturday: St. Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor of the Church:https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-athanasius/Jn 14:7-14 (from Cycle B, 4/26/2024)

John 14:7-14:7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; 14 if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

Scripture lesson: In today’s Gospel selection, Jesus answers Philip’s request at the Last Supper, revealing the unity and oneness (TriUnity) of the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity — the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus clarifies the abiding presence of each Person of the Holy Trinity in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Hence, Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God. Jesus identifiesHimself totally with the Father. At every moment he has done what the Father has asked him to do (Jn 5:30; 8:28-29,38). So, in order to see what God looks like, we have only to look at Jesus, and in order to hear how God speaks, we have only to listen to Jesus. In Jesus we see the perfect love of God – a God Who cares intensely, and Who yearns for all men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus has made visible a God Who loves us unconditionally, unselfishly, and perfectly. If we put our trust in Jesus and believe in him, Jesus promises that God the Father will hear our prayers when we pray in Jesus’ Name. That is why Jesus taught his followers to pray with confidence, Our Father who art in heaven ..give us this day our daily bread … (Mt 6:9,11; Luke 11:2-3).

Life message:1) We believe that God dwells within our souls in the form of His Holy Spirit, making us each the temple of God where we have the indwelling presence of the Triune God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit living. 2) Hence, it is our duty to live always aware of the real presence of God within us and to adjust our life, accordingly, doing good to others and avoiding evil. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) 26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

Easter V A (May 3rd, 2026 Sunday homily)

April 24, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

Easter V [A] Sunday (May 3) Homily (1-page summary for an 8-minute homily) L-26

Introduction: Today’s readings tell us how the early Church accepted the challenge of keeping Jesus’ memory alive by remaining a dynamic Christian community, bearing witness to Christ by their unity, fidelity in worship and spirit of loving, humble service. Today’s Gospel introduces Jesus as the Way to God, the Truth to be accepted, and the Life to be shared and lived.

Scripture lessons: The first reading, taken from Acts, shows us the early Church as a loving, serving, and worshipping community (Acts 6:1-7). Hence, it easily solved a problem of perceived discrimination by instituting the Diaconate for the service of the community. In the second reading, St. Peter advises the early Christians to renew the memory of Jesus by allowing God to make of them ”living stones, ” and to build them into a spiritual edifice, a community of believers, with Christ for its “Living Cornerstone” (I Pt 2:4-5). Peter praises Christians, both Gentile and Jewish, as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own people.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus consoles his apostles (who are sad and disheartened at His announcement that He will be leaving them soon), by assuring them that he is going to prepare an everlasting accommodation for them in his Father’s House in Heaven. He gives them the assurance that he will come back to take them to their Heavenly abodes. It is then that Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus answers Thomas’ question with, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” The basic doctrine of Judaism is that Yahweh is the Way the Truth and the Life. Hence, Jesus is making a revolutionary claim that he is equivalent to Yahweh. Jesus also declares that he, himself, is the safest and surest way to God, discrediting the modern notions that all religions are equally sure ways to reach God, and that no organized religion but only living a good life of sharing love is necessary to reach God. But Jesus is the Way which he calls narrow because it is the way of focused, loving, humble, sacrificial service. Jesus is the Truth who teaches revealed truths about God and God’s relation to man. Jesus also teaches moral truths and demonstrates them in his life. Jesus is the Life because, as God, he possesses the eternal life of God and shares his Divine life with his disciples through the Word of God and the Sacraments. In short, Jesus reveals the Father in the Way he lives, in the Truth of his word and in the new Life that he brings.

Life messages: We need to accept Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life: 1) We accept Jesus as the Way by walking his narrow way of loving, humble, sacrificial service. 2) We accept Jesus as the Truth by learning and practicing what he has taught us, as given in the Bible and in the teachings of the Church. 3) We accept Jesus as the Life by sharing in the Divine Life of God in His Church, making use of the means Jesus has established. 4) We do all of this a) by actively participating in the Eucharistic celebration and properly receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion; b) by the worthy reception of the other Sacraments; c) by the meditative, daily reading of the Word of God; d) by allowing the Holy Spirit, living in the Church and within us, to guide and strengthen us; and e) by communicating with God, the Source of Life, in personal and family prayers.

EASTER V [A] (May 3, 2026): Acts 6:1-7, 1Pt 2:4-9, Jn 14:1-12

Homily starter anecdotes: #1) Surprises in Heaven: A few years ago, a minister of the United Methodist Church was forced out of his congregation and the ministry because he had the “audacity to preach heresy” during his Sunday sermon: “I’m in a Church,” he said, “which acts as if God has a very small house, with only a few rooms and only one door. But thanks be to God, God’s house, according to Jesus, has many rooms, many places to dwell. If it were not so, he would have told us.” To add fuel to the fire, he explained his theory with a story. A good man died and was ushered into heaven, which appeared to be an enormous house. An angel began to escort him down a long hallway past “many rooms.” “What’s in that room?” the man asked, pointing to a very somber-looking group of people chanting a Gregorian Mass. “That’s the Roman Catholic room,” said the angel. “Very high church.” “What’s in that noisy room?” the man asked, pointing to a group of white-clothed people dancing, clapping and singing and occasionally shrieking out loud. “That’s the Pentecostal group,” said the angel. “Very lively.” “What’s in that room?” asked the man, pointing to a group of bald-headed people meditating to the sound of an enormous gong. “That’s the Zen group,” said the angel. “Very quiet. You would hardly know they were here.” Then the angel stopped the man, as they were about to round a corner. “Now, when we get to the next room,” said the angel, “I would appreciate it if you would tiptoe past. We mustn’t make any sound.” “Why’s that?” asked the man. “Because in that room there’s a bunch of very fundamentalist Christians; and they think they’re the only ones here.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives a true picture of his Father’s house. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

2) “My Father’s house.” When St. John Chrysostom was summoned before the Roman Emperor Arcadius and threatened with banishment, he replied, “You cannot banish me, for the world is my Father’s house.” “Then I will kill you,” exclaimed the Emperor angrily. “No, you cannot,” retorted Chrysostom, “because my life is hidden with Christ in God.” “Your treasures shall be confiscated,” the Emperor replied grimly. “Sir, you can’t do that because my treasures are in Heaven as my heart is there.” “I will drive you from your people, and you shall have no friends left,” threatened the Emperor. “That you cannot do either, Sir, for I have a Friend in Heaven Who has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” — In today’s Gospel, Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, gives us the same assurance. “In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

Introduction: Today’s readings tell us how the early Church accepted the challenge of keeping Jesus’ memory alive in the Christian community by fashioning it into a serving and worshipping community (Acts 6:1-7), allowing God to make of them ”living stones” and to build them into a “spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ,” with Jesus Christ as the “Living Cornerstone.” (I Pt 2:4-5). Thus they were built into the Father’s House (Jn 14:1-12). Linking the first two readings to each other and to the Gospel, the Refrain of today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 33) has us sing “Lord, let Your Mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You,” because His Divine Mercy is the Source and binding power of our unity in Him, here and hereafter. Today’s Gospel gives us the image of the Church as a Church in glory in the Father’s House. It also reminds us of the great truth that Jesus is the Way to God, that Jesus is the Truth of God and that Jesus is Life of God through Whom we receive God’s own Life in Baptism. Today’s readings demand from us real Faith not only in God the Father but also in Jesus precisely because he is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn. 14:6), and he instructs us, “You have faith in God; have faith also in Me” (Jn. 14:1).

The first reading (Acts 6:1-7) explained: This passage shows how and why the early Church developed social institutions and Church offices in keeping Jesus’ memory alive. This famous account of the selection of the first Deacons in the Church tells us how the apostles and early Christians, as a Church community, prayerfully and amicably solved a community problem. The Greek-speaking widows had complained that the Aramaic-speaking food-ministers were short-changing them at meals in favor of the Aramaic-speaking widows. The apostles solved the problem by convening a meeting of “the whole community of the disciples” and informing them that they should be the ones to work through their problem. Their task: “Select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to the task” of distributing the food (6:3). Note the names of the chosen seven: “Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch.” Every single one is a Greek! Luke tells us that the Church believed that if the Greeks in the community had a problem, then the Greeks in the community were important and gifted enough to solve their problem. The apostles ratified the choice of these community servants by praying over them and laying hands on them. The apostles’ choice to solemnize the choosing by the ancient ritual of the imposition of hands on those chosen suggests something very interesting about service in the Church. The Apostles seem to be saying that the role of the community servant is worthy of what would become known as “ordination.” That is, service is so important in the life of the Church, that we cannot be the Church of Christ Jesus if we are without mutual service. Word, and Sacrament, and Service, are the three constituents of the Church which Jesus founded, and the Holy Spirit brought to active life.

The second Reading (1 Peter 2:4-9) explained: gives us a view of the Church as a spiritual edifice built from “living stones” upon the “Living Cornerstone of Christ” (I Pt 2:4-5). Our Jewish ancestors in the Faith had once been slaves in Egypt, then nomads in the Sinai, then settlers in the Promised Land for a few generations, and then exiles in Babylon. So the notion of a permanent home, one made (at least in part), of stone, held great appeal for them. Thus, it was natural for Peter, while addressing the Jewish Christians, to use the stone metaphor to describe the place of Jesus in the plan of God, and to specify that the believing disciples were being made into “living stones” forming the “house” which was built, Peter says, on Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, quoting Psalm 118 about the stone rejected by the builders becoming the cornerstone. Peter contrasts those Jews who accept Jesus as their cornerstone with those who stumble on the stone. For all human beings, Jesus will either become a “cornerstone,” binding all together, or a “stone that will make them stumble and a rock that will make them fall.” Peter then addresses all Christians, both Jewish and Gentile, using the loftiest titles applied to Israel in the Old Testament: “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His [God’s] own.” Peter uses startling images like newborn babies, a living stone, royal priesthood, chosen race, holy people, God’s chosen, God’s own, and the like, to promote in all Christians a sense of new identity within the community of Faith. No one has ever expressed the dignity and importance of being a follower of Jesus more perfectly than Peter. We are, “a chosen race,” because we have received the seal of the Spirit of God at our Baptism; “a royal priesthood,” because we share in the priesthood of Christ himself, offering ourselves as living sacrifices by worshiping and serving God daily to help build his kingdom.; “a consecrated nation,” because now Christians are set apart to live the new and everlasting covenant, called to be light and salt for the world; and, “God’s possession,” because we have been united with Him in Baptism, serve Him alone as our Master, and are ready to proclaim the Good News of salvation even at the cost of our own lives, making it available to all who choose to believe.

Gospel exegesis: The context: The disciples are gathered together with Jesus on the last Thursday night of his life in the Upper Room for the Last Supper. The departing Jesus shows them how they are to preserve his memory and carry out his mission. As his final hours on earth approach, Jesus prepares his disciples by explaining to them the full significance of what will happen. He will return to his Father and send them the gift of the Holy Spirit. And after dedicating their lives to leading others to the Faith through the power of that Holy Spirit, they will be reunited with him in his Father’s house. “I am going to prepare a living space for you, a mansion, a place for you for all eternity… I will come again and take you to that place.” The misinterpreted words of consolation: By reproducing the consoling words of Jesus, the apostle, John probably intended to bring a note of comfort to a group of first century Judeo-Christians struggling to maintain their identity in a pagan world. John was attempting to give courage and hope to people who found themselves in the midst of a very nasty fight with their passionate and fanatical Jewish neighbors in the Synagogue. They were frightened, vulnerable, and defensive, and their survival as a community of Faith as well as their individual security and safety were in peril. It is clear that Jesus’s aim was pastoral, an attempt to comfort those friends of his who were afraid and who needed assurance. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in Me… “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” But some later Christians have used such a text of assurance and comfort, not to comfort one another as Jesus did, but as a weapon against people who don’t believe in Jesus, or who don’t believe in Jesus the way they do, or who don’t read the Bible the way they do, or who don’t talk in public about their Faith and the way they feel about it as these folks do. These combative Christians seem to interpret the text as: “There is only one way to Heaven and that is our way!”

The tremendous claim by Jesus. Centuries before Christ, the sages of India prayed every morning the “Shanti Mantra” (“Mantra prayer of peace”) taken from Brihadaranyaka Upanishads (1.3.28), composed in 700 BCE, in the Sanskrit language: “From falsehood lead me to truth, from darkness lead me to light, from mortality lead me to immortality” (“Aasato Ma Sath Gamaya, Thamaso Ma Jyothir Gamaya, Mrtjyor Ma Amritham Gamaya”). Centuries later Jesus gave the answer to their prayer through his tremendous claim: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” In fact, Jesus took three of the great basic concepts of the Jewish religion and made the unique claim that in him all the three found their full realization. This means that he alone is the surest way to God. He alone, Son of God and Son of Man, can authoritatively and flawlessly teach us truths about God, and he alone can give God’s life to us. John’s central message is that Jesus is both the Revealer and the Revelation of God. If we wish to know who God is, what God thinks, and what God wants of us, we must attend to Jesus, the Word of God. “The Jesus of the Gospel does not only show us the way – his life of humble and generous servanthood is the way; he does not just philosophize about a concept of truth – he is the perfect Revelation of the Truth about a God of enduring and unlimited love for his people; he is not just a preacher of futuristic promises – he has been raised up by God to a state of existence in God to which he invites all of us. In embracing the Spirit of his Gospel and living the hope of his Word, we encounter, in Christ, God Himself.” (Connections).

Jesus is the Way. We go to God the Father who is Truth and Life through Jesus, and Jesus calls Himself the “Way” because He, the Only-begotten Son of God, is also Son of Man, the visible manifestation in human form of all that his Father is. To those who teach that all religions lead us to God or that religion used is immaterial provided man lead a good life, Jesus has the answer that he is the safest and surest Way to God because he came from God and he can lead us to his Heavenly Father. The founders of other religions had either wrong ideas about the way to God or they were not sure guides. Lao-Tse (604-531 BC), the founder of Taoism said: “Get rid of all desires, you will have a contented life on earth, but I am not sure about the next life.” Buddha taught people to reach self-realization through total detachment and “nirvana,” but he was not sure if these would lead one to God. Confucius confessed that he did not know of an eternal life or the way to attain it. The founder of Islam, Mohammed Nabi, admitted that he had no hope of the future unless Allah should put His mantle of mercy on him. However, Jesus claims that he is the only Way to God. When a Person is a Way for us to get to the Father and everlasting life, that Way is found only in our relationship with Him, that is, in our union with Him in mind and heart, in will and action. But Jesus’ sure Way to God is the narrow Way of the cross. It is the least-traveled Way of humble, loving, self-giving, and committed service to others. To follow the Way of Jesus is to become a special kind of person, a person whose whole being reflects the Truth and the Life that Jesus is, and reveals to us. It is to be a person of Truth and Life who is totally identified with the vision and the values of Jesus. The medieval monk Thomas à Kempis, the author of Imitation of Christ, explains Jesus’ statement, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” thus: “Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; and without the life, there is no living.”

Jesus is the Truth. Gandhi said, “God is truth.” Jesus is the Truth because he is the only one who reveals to us the whole Truth about God. He teaches us that God is a loving, merciful, providing, and forgiving Father. He also teaches us the Truth that our Triune God lives in each one of the believers. Jesus is the Truth also because he has borne testimony to Truth, demonstrating through his Life and death that the Love God is, and has, for human beings. Truth, here, is that complete integrity and harmony which Jesus himself revealed, not only in what he said and did, but in the total manifestation of his life and person. Jesus is the Truth, the Word of God. To seek the truth elsewhere is to stumble and fall, to deal in falsehood and lies. So, we pray in the 86th Psalm, “Teach me thy Way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy Truth.” For us, to live the Truth in that Way is also to be fully alive, to be a “fully-functioning person,” responding totally to that abundance of life which Jesus has come to give us.

Jesus is the Life. As God, Jesus is Life because he has Eternal Life in himself. In addition, he is the one who gives us his Life-giving Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Life also in the sense that he allows us to share in God’s Life through the Sacraments. Christ rose from the dead for two reasons: first, to give us eternal life; second, to make us fully alive now! His Spirit animates every moment of our lives. To be fully alive is to be in God. Thomas a Kempis of The Imitation of Christ fame wrote, “Without the Way, there is no going. Without the Truth, there is no knowing. Without the Life, there is no living.”

Life messages: 1) We need to know Jesus the Truth and walk Jesus the Way: Jesus asked Philip: “Have I been with you all this time and you still do not know me?” He is asking us the same question: “Have I been with you all this time – in the Mass, in the Sacraments, in the Bible in the worshipping community – and you still do not know me?” If we really believe that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life, then we will find fresh and creative ways to keep alive his memory. Jesus asks us to keep alive his memory by reading and praying the Scriptures, by gathering in Jesus’ name and celebrating the Eucharist “as a Memorial” of him, by handing on the great tradition of Christian Faith, and by living according to his wise teachings. Jesus says, “If you believe in me, you will do the work I do.” This is the work he’s talking about: creating safe, secure, happy places for one another in which the really important work of life — transformation and big-family building — can happen. We can help one another “get a life” in the same way Jesus did: by recognizing the powerful effect we have on one another, for good or ill, and by consciously deciding to make even our smallest choices add up to safe, secure, happy spaces where every member of our big family can grow whole.

2) We need to possess, and live out, Jesus the Life. We share the Divine life of God by making use of the means Jesus established in his Church: a) by actively participating in the Eucharistic celebration and properly receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion; b) by the worthy reception of the other Sacraments; c) by the meditative, daily reading of the Word of God; d) by following the guidance of the life-giving Spirit of God, living within us; and e) by communicating with God, the Source of Life, in personal and family prayers.

Jokes of the week– 1) “No thanks.” Evangelist Billy Graham tells of a time during the early years of his preaching ministry when he was due to lead a crusade meeting in a town in South Carolina, and he needed to mail a letter. He asked a little boy in the main street how he could get to the post office. The boy gave him directions. Billy said, “If you come to the Central Baptist Church tonight, I’ll tell you how to get to Heaven, God the Father’s house.” The boy replied, “No thanks. You don’t even know how to get to the post office, and you are going to teach me how to go to Heaven?!”

2) To the Father’s House with two bags of currency: A stingy old lawyer who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness was determined to prove wrong the saying, “You can’t take it with you.” After much thought and consideration, the old ambulance-chaser finally figured out how to take at least some of his money with him when he died. He instructed his wife to go to the bank and withdraw enough paper currency to fill two pillowcases. He then directed her to take the bags of money to the attic and leave them directly above his bed. His plan was that when he passed away, he would reach out and grab the bags on his way to Heaven. Several weeks after the funeral, the deceased lawyer’s wife, while cleaning the attic, came upon the two forgotten pillowcases stuffed with currency. “Oh, that poor old soul,” she sighed in pity. “How sad. Of all people, he should have known that money only spends here!”

USEFUL WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

Nick’s collection of Sunday homilies from 65 priests & weekday homilies: https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies

Don’ collection of video homilies & blogs: https://sundayprep.org/featured-homilies/
Geoffrey Plant’s beautiful & scholarly video classes on Sunday gospel, Bible & RCIA topics: https://sundayhomilies.au/homilies/

Brant Pitre’s commentary on Cycle A Sunday Scripture for Bible Class: https://catholicproductions.com/blogs/mass-readings-explained-year-Biblical basis of Catholic doctrines: http://scripturecatholic.com/

Agape Catholic Bible Lessons: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/

6)Catholic directory & resources: http://www.catholicweb.com/directory.cfm

^{7) It’s Catholic:}^{http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/html/article654.html}^,

^{8) Catholic online:}^{http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1586}

10) Bible project videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject/

The beginner’s guide to life of faith: http://www.beginningcatholic.com/
Catholic Community Forum: News, reflections, homilies, patron saints (http://www.catholic-forum.com/)

13) Focus On the Family: http://www.family.org/

14) Outlines of Bible books http://www.catholicdoors.com/outline/index.htm

15) New American Bible with notes http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/

23 Additional anecdotes:

1) “You have Faith in God; have Faith also in me” (Jn 14:1). Dr. Robert Schuller, that legendary advocate of “Possibility Thinking,” says that there are two words that have killed more God-inspired dreams and hopes than anything else he can think of. These two words are “Be realistic!” If we Christians, Dr. Schuller says, were “realistic,” then nothing would be accomplished. B, we can do anything. He cites the example of Tom Dempsey–a young man who was born with half a right foot and a deformed right arm, but a ton of Faith. Dempsey wanted to be a football player–in spite of his considerable handicaps. And he did play football. He became a kicker for his high school team. But that wasn’t enough. He wanted to play college ball. And again, he became the kicker on his college team. But when he graduated from college, his dream became even wilder and more fantastic. He wanted to be a professional football player! A professional football player with half a foot and a deformed right arm! Impossible! No coach would accept him. They all shook their heads – all except one. And it is ironic and more than coincidental that Dempsey became a kicker for the professional football team, the New Orleans SAINTS! The rest, as they say, is history. In 1972, Dempsey kicked the longest field goal ever–63 yards! All because he was not “realistic”! — All because, Schuller tells us, Tom Dempsey had Faith in Jesus Christ who gave him the strength to do what he dreamed. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

2) “Is anyone else up there?” There is the story of a man who fell off a cliff. On the way down he manages to grab a tree limb. Peering into a deep canyon, he shudders, looks up, and calls out, “Help, please. Is anyone up there?” After an unbearable silence, a voice answers, “Yes, I am here.” “Who are you?” the man shouts. “It’s Me, the Lord!” Greatly relieved, the man says, “Thank you. Have you come to rescue me?” “Yes,” says the Lord. “Let go the rope.” The man thinks for a second, and then asks, “Is there anyone else up there?” — Well, we can understand the man’s reluctance to let go, but, in reality, there is no one else up there. Jesus says it quite plainly this Sunday, “I am the Way” (Jn 14:6). He does not say a way, but the way. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

3)”They think they are the only ones up here.” Bill O’Reilly of the O’Reilly Factor summed up this thinking perfectly in one of his “talking points” by telling a joke about a certain denomination and then making his point. He said, (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).“Saint Peter was leading a group of new arrivals on their first tour of heaven. Suddenly he stopped and put his finger to his mouth. ‘Shhh,’ he whispered. ‘We can’t make a sound when we walk by this room. Remember that.’ When they passed out of hearing range one of the new souls asked, ‘Why?’ Peter replied, “Because that room is full of Southern Baptists and they think they are the only ones up here.”

4) “How many of you would like to go to Heaven?” A Sunday School teacher asked the children in her class: “How many of you would like to go to Heaven?” All of the children raised their hands except one little guy named Derrick. When the teacher asked him why he didn’t want to go to Heaven, he said, “I’m sorry Mrs. Smith, but my Mommy told me to come home right after the Sunday school class, and she was baking an apple pie for me.” — Well, like that little boy, Heaven is still a desire and a dream for most people. For example, 77% of Americans believe in Heaven, and 76% of Americans believe their chances of getting there are “good or excellent.” Now there are still some people who either don’t believe in Heaven or don’t care to go there even if there is one. The psychologist, Sigmund Freud, said, “Heaven was a human fantasy rooted in man’s instinct for self-preservation.” Harvard philosopher, Alfred North Whitehead, once asked, “Can you imagine anything more appallingly idiotic than the Christian idea of Heaven?” It is not idiotic for those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and who believe in his promise of a heavenly abode as described in today’s Gospel. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

5) “Who, do you think, is ‘very likely’ to go to Heaven?” U. S. News and World Report did a poll a few years ago of one thousand respondents, and they asked this question: “Who, do you think, is ‘very likely’ or ‘somewhat likely’ to go to Heaven?” They asked this question about thirteen prominent figures. You will be fascinated by the results. Of all of the celebrities, the biggest vote-getter was Mother Teresa at 79%. Who came in second? Oprah Winfrey at 66%. Third place went to Michael Jordan at 65%. Fourth place went to Colin Powell at 61%. Princess Diana scored an impressive 60%. But when it came to politicians, the figures began to plummet. Al Gore and Hillary Rodham Clinton each scored 55%. Coming in next was President Bill Clinton at 52% (keep in mind this was before the later scandals). But then what is surprising is to find that even heavenly connections didn’t seem to help much in some cases. Only 47% thought that the popular televangelist Pat Robertson had an inside track to Heaven. The bottom figure was O. J. Simpson who gathered only 19% of the vote. But this is the amazing part. The biggest vote-getter of all was those who were surveyed, because more than 87% of Americans surveyed, believed that they themselves were “very likely” to go to Heaven. — In today’s Gospel Jesus assures his disciples that he is leaving them to prepare Heavenly abodes for them. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

6) “Show us the Father.” Where is God when evil is more evident than good? “Show us the Father” when evil seems to have its way. The July, 1990, issue of Time magazine reported that at least 600,000 Americans are infected with the AIDS virus, more than 136,000 have become sick, and some 83,000 of those have died. Victims of the disease basically fall into two categories: people who have had sex with infected individuals, drug addicts who have acquired the virus from contaminated needles, which brings another monumental dilemma into the picture – drug abuse. What we really want to know is, “Where is God when evil has its way?” and the ache deep down in our souls causes us to cry out, “Show us the Father.” — Christian friend, it is all in knowing how to look. Many of you will remember that several years ago one of the Russian cosmonauts left his capsule and floated in space, remarking to the mission control that he did not “see” God anywhere. C. S. Lewis has said, “If a man never sees God on the earth, he will never see him in space; but if a man sees God here in the faces of men and women in his daily life, then when you hurl him into space, he will put his hand upon the face of God.” Lewis concludes, “The seeing eye is tremendously important.” The eye discerns such evidence as it is equipped to acknowledge. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

7) True story: The phone rang at 1:00am in the home of Leo Winters, a brilliant Chicago surgeon. It was the hospital telling him that a young boy had been tragically mangled in a car accident. Dr. Winter’s hands were probably the only ones in the city skilled enough to save that boy’s life. He got on his clothes, jumped into his car and decided the quickest route to the hospital would be to drive through a dangerous neighborhood, but since time was critical, he decided to take the risk. He came to a stoplight and when he did, a man in a gray hat and a dirty flannel shirt, opened the door, pulled him out of his seat and screamed, “Give me your car!” The doctor tried to explain that he was on an emergency call, but the thief refused to listen. He threw the doctor out of the car, jumped in and sped off. This doctor wandered for more than 45 minutes looking for a phone so he could call a taxi. When he finally got to the hospital, more than an hour had passed. He ran through the hospital doors, up the stairs, to the nurse’s station. The nurse on duty looked at him and shook her head and said, “Doctor I am sorry, but you are too late. The boy died about 30 minutes ago. His father is in the chapel if you want to see him. He is awfully upset, because he couldn’t understand why you didn’t come to help.” Doctor Winters walked hurriedly down the hallway and entered into that chapel. Weeping at the altar was a man dressed in a dirty flannel shirt and gray hat, whose eyes were blinded by tears. The boy’s father looked up at the doctor in horror and realized his tragic mistake. He had foolishly pushed away the only man in that city who could have saved his son. (Kent Crockett, Making The Day Count For Eternity, pp. 27-28.) — There is only one person that can save your soul. When you exit this life, at the moment you die, you will enter into eternity. If you intend to go to Heaven, you had better make sure you take the one Way, which is the only Way and His name is Jesus Christ. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

8) “I am at home in my Father’s hous.e”: The great 18th century Bible commentator, Matthew Henry, anticipating that some would unduly mourn his passing, wrote these words of comfort and assurance: “Would you like to know where I am? I am at home in my Father’s House, in the mansions prepared for me here. I am where I want to be–no longer on the stormy sea, but in God’s safe, quiet harbor. My sowing time is done and I am reaping; my joy is as the joy of harvest. Would you like to know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness. Grace is swallowed up in glory. Would you like to know what I am doing? I see God, not as through a glass darkly, but face to face. I am engaged in the sweet enjoyment of my precious Redeemer. I am singing hallelujahs to Him who sits upon the throne, and I am constantly praising Him. Would you know what blessed company I keep? It is better than the best on earth. Here are the holy angels and the spirits of just men made perfect…I am with many of my old acquaintances with whom I worked and prayed, and who have come here before me. Lastly, would you know how long this will continue? It is a dawn that never fades! After millions and millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now. Therefore, weep not for me!” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

9) “Do not be afraid”: I heard a story about a fella out in Los Angeles who had a strange phobia. He was afraid to cross the street. He felt perfectly at ease when he was in his car riding along the street, but when he was out walking and would come to an intersection, his face would begin to flow with perspiration, his heart would begin to palpitate and his blood pressure would soar up, and his knees would become Jello. It was a very real problem. There are times when you simply have to cross the street. At last he thought he’d better seek out a psychiatrist to help him with the problem. And he found one who told him that he could help him overcome that fear. And the psychiatrist told him that the first thing he needed to do was to imagine himself, just to sit back and use his mind, and imagine himself going back and forth across street, and going back and forth across the street unharmed. And then after he’d done that, he was to go out at a time when traffic would be least, and go ahead and begin to cross and re-cross intersections until he felt comfortable. But how in the world in Los Angeles could you find a time of day when it would be least busy? The psychiatrist told him to go on Sunday morning – on Sunday morning the Catholics would be at Mass, the Protestants would be on the golf course, and the Jews would be out at Palm Springs. So, all week long, all week long, he practiced in his mind crossing the intersection – back and forth in his imagination. And then on Sunday morning, he went out and he walked across the first intersection he came to only to be struck down by a Seventh Day Adventist who was on his way to work! — Jesus’ word is clear. We need not fear the future. Death is not the end for Christians. Death is the intersection between our earth life and our eternal life, and we need have no fear crossing that intersection. Our doubts need not suppress the pull of our discontent. Heaven is ahead and Jesus is there. He has prepared a place for us. In Heaven we will be with him. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

10) “No, God has not revealed himself in any religion:” Karl Barth was lecturing to a group of students at Princeton. One student asked the German theologian “Sir, don’t you think that God has revealed himself in other religions and not only in Christianity?” Barth’s answer stunned the crowd. With a modest thunder he answered, “No, God has not revealed Himself in any religion, including Christianity. He has revealed Himself in His Son.” — In no uncertain terms let me say to you this morning that there are three great religions in the world today: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. But there is only one Son of God, only One through whom God has revealed Himself, and only One whose teachings stand above all others. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life for all men and women. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

11) “He died and went to Heaven.” Did you know it’s politically incorrect to preach about Heaven? The cultural referees say it is escapist or hopelessly sentimental. Hollywood and the media generally teach that this world is all there is. According to their version, you better get all you can now, because your death is just like that of dogs and cats. I heard about a little four-year-old boy who was walking on the beach with his mother. They came upon a dead seagull. The little boy asked, “Mommy, what happened to him?” She said, “He died and went to Heaven.” The little boy pondered that a moment and then asked, “And did God just throw him back down?” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

12) “Birds sing after a storm,” she said, “Why shouldn’t we?” At age ninety-three, Rose Kennedy was being interviewed by a magazine reporter. By this time, four of her nine children had died violently. Another daughter, Rosemary, severely retarded all her life, would soon be gone. Mrs. Kennedy had outlived her husband long enough to have seen his rather profligate and unscrupulous life told and retold in the press. She was an old lady, hit by tragedies again and again. The reporter asked about all this and Rose Kennedy answered, slowly: “I have always believed that God never gives a cross to bear larger than we can carry. And I have always believed that, no matter what, God wants us to be happy. He doesn’t want us to be sad. Birds sing after a storm,” she said, “Why shouldn’t we?” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

13) “I see I am not your first visitor.” In his book The Transforming Friendship, Leslie Weatherhead passes on to us a lovely story of an old Scotsman who, when he was very ill, was visited by his minister. As the minister sat down on a chair by the bedside, he noticed on the other side of the bed another chair placed at such an angle as to suggest that a visitor had just left. “Well, Donald,” said the minister, glancing at the chair, “I see I am not your first visitor.” The old Scotsman looked up in surprise, so the minister pointed to the chair. “Ah,” said the sick man, “I’ll tell you about that chair. Years ago, I found it impossible to pray. I often fell asleep on my knees; I was so tired. And if I kept awake, I could not control my thoughts from wandering. One day I was so worried I spoke to the minister about it. He told me not to worry about kneeling down. ‘Just sit down,’ he said, ‘and put a chair opposite you. Imagine that Jesus is in it and talk to Him as you would to a friend.’” Then the Scotsman added, “And I have been doing that ever since.” A week later the daughter of the old man drove up to the minister’s house and knocked. She was shown into his study, and when the minister came, she said quietly, “Father died in the night. I had no idea the end was so near. I had just gone to lie down for an hour or two. He seemed to be sleeping so comfortably. When I discovered that he was gone, he hadn’t moved since I last saw him, EXCEPT THAT HIS HAND WAS OUT ON THE EMPTY CHAIR AT THE SIDE OF HIS BED.” — Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.” And He, my friends, is a Man and God of His Word! Thanks be to God! (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

14) “Do not be troubled”: During the Second World War, Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave some of the most stirring speeches of all times. After England had suffered a demoralizing defeat at Dunkirk, Churchill reminded the House of Commons about their commitment to ultimate victory. He said: “Victory at all costs, victory in spite of terror, victory however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival. We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas, we shall fight in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall never surrender.” With words like that, Churchill aroused the hearts of his people to remain undaunted, even though they were on the verge of destruction. He encouraged them not to lose faith, however fierce the fight became. — In today’s Gospel Jesus gives one of his own stirring speeches. The scene is the Last Supper, his disciples are present, and the time is the eve of his darkest hour, the day of his death. And yet, in spite of knowing that the worst is about to occur, Jesus tells his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have Faith in God and Faith in me.” (Albert Cylwicki in His Word Resounds; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

15) “You can make a difference!” On November 26, 1965, Time Magazine had a story that can give us all food for thought. An electrical fuse about the size of a breadbox failed, resulting in 80,000 square miles along the US-Canadian border being plunged in darkness. All the electrical power for that entire region passed through that single fuse. Without that fuse no power could reach any point in that vast region. — Like that fuse box each of us has a tremendous potential for good or evil, which can affect a multitude. Jesus promises us believers all His power and even more. All we have to do is walk the way he walked and be Jesus to a waiting world! (Anonymous; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

16) He wanted to be a dropout: It was 1950. The old cardinal of Naples was in his office and seated before him was a young priest who was asking for permission to become a drop-out. He wanted to live on the streets of Naples with the alley boys. The old Cardinal could not take it in. He knew what life was in Naples: 200,000 out of work; young boys hanging on the streets because their parents were without work and could not feed them. They lived by stealing, peddling stolen goods, begging and black marketeering. They slept on the streets and were like wild cats and dodged the police. This young priest, Mario Borelli, wanted to help them, give them a roof over their heads, bread and a bit of human warmth. That the cardinal could understand. But why must the priest become a drop-out himself? Mario knew exactly why: “If I go to these boys as a priest they will spit in my face. They are fearfully distrustful.” The cardinal considered. “Give me ten days to think it over.” After ten days he approved. Mario went on the streets, an old cap back to front on his head, in ragged clothes, a cigarette end in the corner of his mouth. He begged, collected cigarette butts, and became a vagrant. Gradually he won the hearts of those youngsters. Soon he was even the head of the gang. When he found a primitive shelter, his youth went with him. They weren’t able to do otherwise; they were drawn to him. Mario had something irresistible about him. They had no word for it because it was something they had never before experienced. How could they know that word was love? — Perhaps we can now better understand why God became man. He wanted to be one with us to show us the way and save us, “God-with-us,Emmanuel, IS Jesus, the Way to the Father. (Pierre Lefevre, quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

17) St. Augustine’s discovery of God: “Late have I loved You, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved You! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for You. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which You created. You were with me, but I was not with You. Created things kept me from You; yet if they had not been in You, they would have not been at all. You called, You shouted, and You broke through my deafness. You flashed, You shone, and You dispelled my blindness. You breathed Your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for You. I have tasted You; now, I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for Your peace. (St. Augustine, The Confessions X, Chapter 27/Section 38; quoted by Fr. Kayala). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

18) Showing the way: Like the shepherd, and like Jesus, a mother has a close and deep relationship to her flock, her family. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do to protect them from danger. And there’s nowhere she wouldn’t go to seek out the one who strays or gets lost. A mother’s love for her family functions even when she can no longer protect her children herself. There’s a beautiful story in the autobiography of Jimmy Cagney, the famous Hollywood actor. It took place in Cagney’s youth when his mother was on her deathbed. Around the bed were the four Cagney boys and Jeannie, their only sister. Because of a stroke, Mrs. Cagney could no longer speak. After she had hugged each of her five children, she lifted her right arm, the only one that was still functioning. Jimmy described what happened next: “Mom indicated Harry with the index finger of her useless hand, she indicated me with her second finger, she indicated Eddie with her third finger and with her fourth finger, she indicated Bill. Then she took the thumb, moved it to the middle of her palm, and clasped the thumb tightly under the four fingers. Then she patted this fist with her good hand.” — Jimmy says her gesture was beautiful. Everyone knew what it meant. The four brothers were to protect Jeannie after their mother was gone. It was gesture that no words could have duplicated in beauty and meaning. (Mark Link in Sunday Homilies; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

19) Gandhi’s “Dandi March”: The “Dandi March” initiated on March 12, 1930, was a landmark in India’s freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi walked with 78 hunger strikers (Satyagrahis) for 23 days from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal town of Dandi about 380 kilometers away in defiance of the salt tax imposed by the British. In his book My Experiments with Truth, Gandhiji writes that he instructed people: “to make salt along the seashore wherever it was most convenient and comfortable.” The 75^th anniversary of this event was commemorated in 2005 with Indian and foreign pilgrim-yatris retracing this historic “way.” — Indeed, great leaders have imprinted wondrous “ways” on the sands of time. You’ve probably read the “Footprints in the Sand” anecdote. When the man complains that he saw only one set of footprints in the sand during his trials and sufferings, the Lord replies, “Those footprints are Mine! It was then that I carried you!” We can joyfully sing that popular song, “We’re on Our Way to Heaven” not because we’ve discovered salvific ways to Life, but because Jesus – the Way and the Vehicle – carries us heavenward. (Francis Gonsalves in Sunday Seeds for Daily Deeds; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

20) They knit together with prayer: A group of women meet one or two evenings a week. They light a candle and offer a prayer together, perhaps sing a hymn. Then they begin their sacred work. The women are part of a ministry that has touched many lives in many churches and parishes. They knit and crochet prayer shawls. The shawls are given to individuals suffering through a time of transition, crisis, illness or need. A wedding, the birth of a child, a broken bone, an illness, the death of a loved one — all are occasions for the “hug” in the shape of a shawl. While stitching, the maker of the shawl holds that person in her thoughts, making the very act of knitting a prayer. Those who receive the shawls say that they feel loved, cared for and, most of all, surrounded by God’s love and compassion. They are deeply moved to know that someone has cared enough to pray for them and to make a cozy, warm, comforting gift. The mother of a young girl battling cancer told the knitters in her parish that her daughter said that when she felt bad, she wrapped herself up tightly in the shawl and it made her feel better. Another woman refused to take her shawl off during her final months of life because it was her “scarf of love.” Many who have known the solace of a prayer shawl in their last months ask to be buried with the shawl around their shoulders. But the knitters believe that they receive as much from making the shawls as do those who receive them. Their simple knitting and gentle prayer become offerings and symbols of God’s compassion for others — and God is as present to them as they knit as He is to those who will wrap themselves up in the loving warmth of the shawl itself. [From “Knit Together with Prayer” by the Rev. Susan S. Izard, Spirituality & Health (November/December 2004. For more on the prayer shawl ministry, visit the website shawlministry.com.] — To do the simplest work of compassion and charity in God’s spirit of love is to do the very work of Christ; the most hidden and unseen acts of kindness will be exalted by Christ as great in the Kingdom of his Father. On the night before he died, Jesus asks his disciples to take up “the work that I do,” the work of humble servanthood that places the hurts and pain of others before our own, the work of charity that does not measure the cost, the work of love that transcends limits and conditions). (Connections).

21) “Are you sure this is the way?” During the 2^nd World War, in Malaya, a prisoner happened to escape from the prisoners’ camp. He was assisted by a native fellow who led him through a thick forest and from there to freedom and back home. The native fellow walked ahead, and the man followed him from behind. With great difficulty they were finding their way through thorns and bushes, and ups and downs, and twists and turns, and the man got very tired. He then asked the native fellow, “Are you sure this is the way?” The native fellow looked at him, and in broken English he said, “There is no way. I am the way. If you want to be free and go home, then you have to just follow me.”— In the same way, in the Gospel Reading of today Jesus says to us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” As we journey with Jesus through our earthly life in the midst of our problems and difficulties, sufferings and pains, disappointments and discouragements, stress and strain, to the House of our Heavenly Father, all we have to do is to remember we are just following Jesus.(Fr. Lakra). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

22) Many “dwelling places” in the Father’s house: The following story gives insight into God’s mysterious ways and how we are led into “the many dwelling places” in the Father’s house. “Ever since my husband, Ricardo, lost his job and we lost our home, I’d said the same prayer every day, ‘Lord, help us find an apartment. Lots of light, warm and homey, a new kitchen, a clean fully tiled room. Outdoor space, like a balcony would be nice, but asking way too much. A decent place would do.’ Ricardo didn’t believe in prayer. But he didn’t have any other answers. We were renting part of a rundown house in Rockford, Illinois, not ideal conditions to raise our eight-year-old son. It was dark and cramped, the floors cold and bare. The kitchen appliances were constantly breaking down and there was no storage for our things. The shared bathroom was filthy. But there was nothing else in the area that we could afford. Then I found mouse droppings and roaches. I’d had it. Walking back from doing errands one day, dreading returning to our squalid little space, I cried, ‘Lord, we can’t live like this! Where is the apartment I’ve been praying for?’ ‘Turn here and go up two blocks.’ The voice popped into my head so suddenly, so strongly, I didn’t question the thought. I turned and walked. At the end of the second block, the voice spoke again: ‘Turn right and go up three more blocks.’ I obeyed. The house I came to was nothing special. But the urgent voice commanded me: ‘Walk up to the door. Ask about the apartment.’ What apartment? I didn’t see a FOR RENT sign. But I’d come this far. I knocked and a young woman answered. ‘Do you know where I can find an apartment for rent?’ I blurted. Her eyes widened. ‘How did you know? We didn’t even list it yet.’ From inside, her husband asked who was at the door. ‘Someone about the apartment,’ she said. The man appeared puzzled but offered to show it to me. Light cascaded through the windows and across the carpeted floor. Brand new appliances gleamed in the kitchen. There were plenty of closets. The tile in the bathroom sparkled. ‘How much is the rent?” I asked tentatively. “How much can you afford?’ the man asked. I told him; [he said] ‘That’ll do.’ Ricardo couldn’t believe it – ‘You found it how?’ I told him about the voice, the commands, how the apartment had every detail I’d prayed for. With each thing I mentioned, the expression on his face shifted, from disbelief to a dawning belief – especially when I added, ‘Actually, it has more than I asked for. There’s even a balcony!’” ( (cf. Ginger Lloyd, “More than Coincidence” in Guideposts, April 2013, p. 49). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

23) “Believe because of the works I do.” When James W. Loucks, a bachelor and a veteran of the Civil War, died in 1934 at the Soldiers’ Home in Bath, New York, he bequeathed $2000 to St. John’s Orphanage in Utica, New York, and $1000 to the Sisters of St. Joseph at Little Falls, N.Y. His will also instructed the administrators of his estate, the Herkimer Co. Trust Co., to use the residue “for Masses for the repose of myself and my brother, Daniel.” Since the thrifty veteran had saved $10,000 from his humble employment as a farmer’s helper, road worker, and shoemaker, that meant that some $7,000 was to go for Mass offerings. Now, the president of the Herkimer Co. Trust Co. was puzzled about this last matter. He decided that the residue should be invested, and only the interest used for Masses. When this decision came to the attention of the bishop of Rochester, in whose diocese Mr. Loucks died, the bishop replied that Church law required that the whole sum should go for Masses. In fact, he felt obliged to take the case to court. Finally, three years later, the judge surrogate of Steuben County ruled that in this instance Church law took precedence over Civil law. As soon as the total residue was consigned to the bishop, he saw to it that, after this three-year wait, Masses finally began to be offered according to the old artilleryman’s intentions. — Who was James Loucks, whose dying wish was the celebration of several thousands of Masses? His religious history was most interesting, according to newsman James B. Hutchinson. Born to Protestant parents in 1844 at Manheim, Herkimer County N.Y., Jim enlisted in 1863 in Co. H. of the 2nd New York Heavy Artillery. He saw action in the Pennsylvania campaigns of the Civil War from Cold Harbor on. Up to that time, he had had little or no contact with Catholics. But one thing that impressed him deeply as the war continued was the great work the Sisters of Charity were doing with the victims of the battlefield. If they are so caring, he thought, then the Church they represent must be a loving church. Then came the battle of Gettysburg – vast, bloody, frightening. In the midst of it, Jim vowed “If the Almighty God spares me in this war, I will become a Catholic!” God did spare him, and he kept his pledge. When mustered out of service, he went to work on a farm near Little Falls, N.Y., where he approached Father James Ludden of St. Mary’s Church, Little Falls. Eventually received into the Church, he became an active Catholic; deeply religious and much given to reading and study of the faith. Between 1877 and 1885 he served as sexton of St. Mary’s. At the age of 69, he retired to the Soldiers’ Home at Bath. — Our words of praise for the Catholic faith can often win others to join the Church. Even more persuasive than Catholic words, however, are Catholic deeds. It was the good deeds of the Sisters of Charity that moved Jim Loucks to become a Catholic. In today’s Gospel, Our Lord makes much the same point: “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works I do.” Does our daily Christian life impress others to think well of our Church?-Father Robert F. McNamara. L/26

“Scriptural Homilies” Cycle A (No. 30) by Fr. Tony: akadavil@gmail.com

You may visit my website by clicking on http://frtonyshomilies.com/ for missed or previous Cycle A homilies, 141 Year of Faith “Adult Faith Formation Lessons” (useful for RCIA classes too) & 197 “Question of the Week.” Kindly visit https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies under CBCI or Fr. Tony for my website version. (Special thanks to Vatican official website http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church.html -which completed uploading my Cycle A, B and C homilies in May 2020) My post-retirement contact postal address is Fr. Anthony Kadavil, C/o Fr. M. C. Joseph, Pastor St. Agatha Catholic Parish 1001 Hand Ave, Bay Minette, AL 36507 36507. Contact me by email only at akadavil@gmail.com. I am back at my home in my home country since June 2023.

Easter IV (A) April 26th Sunday homily

April 18, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

Easter IV [A] Sunday (April 26) 8-minute homily in one page (L/26)

Introduction: On this Good Shepherd Sundayand the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Church reminds us of our call to become good shepherds of God’s flock and good sheep of His parishes and invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate, and the consecrated life. Both the Old and New Testaments use the image of a Shepherd and His flock to describe the unique relationship of God with Israel and of the Christ with Christians. The first reading is taken from St. Peter’s first sermon, given on the day of Pentecost. Peter as a Christ-appointed good shepherd of the Church, invites his Jewish listeners to enter into communion with the new Christ-founded community after repenting of their sin of crucifying Jesus, by accepting him as their Lord and Savior, and by receiving Baptism in his name. As the gate of the new Christian fold, Peter opens the gate for all new believers in Christ. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), introduces Yahweh as the Good Shepherd of Israel Who cares for us, His sheep, providing for our needs. In the second reading, Peter encourages the persecuted and suffering Christians to follow in the footsteps of their Good Shepherd, Jesus, the “suffering servant,” realizing the truth that Jesus’ suffering and death have enabled them to become more fully the children of God. In today’s Gospel, two brief parables or similes show us Jesus, first, as a selfless, caring “good shepherd” who provides for his sheep protection, food and life itself, and then, as our unique gateway (“sheep gate”), to eternal salvation. That is, besides guiding his flock to Eternal Life as the Good Shepherd, Jesus is himself the gateway to Eternal Life.

Life Messages: 1) We need to become good shepherds and good leaders: Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd. Hence, pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, and caregivers, among others, are all shepherds. We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time, talents, and blessings for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers. Parents must be especially careful in fulfilling their duties toward their children, giving them good example and instruction and training them in Christian principles. 2) We need to become good sheep in the fold of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: Our local parish is our sheepfold, and our pastors are our shepherds. Jesus is the High Priest, the Bishops are the successors of the Apostles, the pastors are their helpers, the deacons assist them faithfully, and the parishioners are the sheep. Hence, as the good sheep of the parish, parishioners are expected to a) Hear and follow the voice of our shepherds through their homilies, Bible classes, counseling, and advice. b) Receive the spiritual food given by our pastors through our regular participation in the Holy Mass, our frequenting of the Sacraments, and our participation in the prayer services, renewal programs, and missions they offer. c) Cooperate with our pastors by giving them positive suggestions for the welfare of the parish, encouraging them in their duties, offering them loving, constructive advice when they are found misbehaving or failing in their duties, and always by praying for themd) Actively participate in the activities of various councils, ministries, and parish associations. 3) We need to pray for those invited to life-vocations by the Holy Spirit to accept them, enter upon them, and persevere in living them out until death

EASTER IV (April 26): Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

Homily starter anecdotes: 1) Moses, the shepherd-leader: The Jews have a lovely legend to explain why God chose Moses to be the leader of His people. “When Moses was feeding the sheep of his father-in-law in the wilderness, a young lamb ran away. Moses followed it until it reached a ravine, where it found a well to drink from. When Moses got up to it, he said: `I did not know that you ran away because you were thirsty. Now you must be weary.’ He took the lamb on his shoulders and carried it back. Then God said: `Because you have shown pity in leading back one of a flock belonging to another man, you shall lead my flock Israel.'” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

2)Jesus knows his sheep by name: There have always been people with a good memory for names: Napoleon, “who knew thousands of his soldiers by name . . .” or James A. Farley, “who claimed he knew 50,000 people by their first name . . .” or Charles Schwab, [Charles Robert Schwab Sr.(born July 29, 1937), is an American investor and financial executive from California. He is the founder and chairman of the Charles Schwab Corporation. He pioneered discount sales of equity securities starting in 1975. His company became by far the largest discount securities dealer in the United States. As of May 2021, his net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $10.6 billion, making him the 210th richest man in the world]”who knew the names of all 8,000 of his employees” or Charles W. Eliot, “who, during his forty years as president of Harvard, earned the reputation of knowing all the students by name each year . . .” or Harry Lorayne, “who used to amaze his audiences by being introduced to hundreds of people, one after another, then giving the name of any person who stood up and requested it.”– But can you imagine Christ knowing all his sheep by name? That’s millions and millions of people over 2,000 years. No wonder we call him Master, Lord, Savior – watching over his flock, calling each by name! (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

3) Pope St. John Paul II, the good shepherd. The most beautiful and meaningful comment on the life and the legacy of Pope St. John Paul II, was made by the famous televangelist, Billy Graham. In a TV interview, he said: “He lived like his Master, the Good Shepherd, and he died like his Master, the Good Shepherd.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus claims that he is the Good Shepherd and explains what he does for his sheep. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

Introduction: Today is called Good Shepherd Sunday, and, appropriately, this day is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Today, the Church calls us to reflect on the meaning of God’s call for each of us and to pray for generous respondents to God’s personal call (vocation), to the priesthood, the diaconate, and the consecrated life, because the entire Christian community shares the responsibility for fostering religious vocations. Both the Old and New Testaments use the image of a Shepherd and His flock to describe the unique relationship of God with Israel and Christ with Christians. The first reading is taken from St. Peter’s first sermon, given on Pentecost. Here, he exhorts his listeners, Jewish people gathered for the Feast of Weeks – the “Sabbath” of the seven weeks that have elapsed since Passover — to know beyond any doubt that the One they have allowed to be crucified is the true Shepherd, whom God has made both Lord and Messiah. Peter then proclaims that the proper response to the Good News about Jesus is to repent and be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ,” and thus to become members of the Good Shepherd’s flock. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, they will receive forgiveness for their sins. The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23), introduces Yahweh as the Good Shepherd of Israel and describes all of the things the Lord does for us, His sheep, in providing for our needs. The second reading, taken from Peter’s First Letter to the Church, continues the “shepherd” imagery. Peter encourages the suffering Christians to follow in footsteps of their shepherd (“the suffering servant”), and to remember that they have been claimed by him. Peter also explains how Jesus, the innocent sufferer, was a model of patience and trust in God, and he reminds us that it is Jesus’ suffering which has enabled us to become more fully the adopted children of God. In today’s Gospel, two brief parables about sheep reveal Jesus as our unique means to salvation. He is the selfless, caring “shepherd” who provides protection and life itself, and he is the “sheep gate,” the one gateway to eternal life.

The first reading (Acts 2:14a, 36-41), explained: This text gives us a summary of the whole Gospel message, telling us Who Jesus is, how he saves us, and how we should respond. Peter tells the people: “You crucified your God and Messiah, but he has risen from death and offers you forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The conclusion of the sermon sums up the whole kerygma in a single Christological formula: “God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus Whom you crucified.” The titles “Lord” and “Christ” have great significance. “Lord” was a title reserved for God alone. When early Christians realized that God had been made flesh in the person of Jesus, they dared to give him this Divine title. “Christ” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” meaning the “anointed one,” or “King.” Thus, Jesus is the long-awaited successor to King David, and the fulfillment of all the Chosen People’s hopes based on David’s glorious reign.

The second reading: 1 Peter 2:20b-25 explained: The “shepherd” reference in the last verse of this reading from Peter’s epistle links it to the day’s Gospel. “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd, the guardian of your souls” (vv. 24-25). Peter then makes three contrasts in this part of his epistle: a) between what Jesus suffered and his surprising responses: “…insulted, he returned no insult;” “when he suffered, he did not threaten”(v. 23); b) between Jesus and us: HE bore OUR sins; by HIS wounds WE are healed (v. 24); c) between our former lost condition and our graced present state.

Gospel exegesis: The context: Jesus was not talking to his followers, but to the Pharisees. They were accusing him of being from the devil because he had healed a blind man on the Sabbath. His response was that he was the Good Shepherd. He was not like the hired hands who collected their pay for watching the sheep but abandoned the sheep in their time of need because these hired men didn’t really care about the sheep. The Pharisees knew exactly what Jesus meant: Jesus was claiming to be God! They also knew he was contrasting himself to them — the hired hands entrusted with the care of God’s people but caring only for themselves.

Yahweh, the Good Shepherd. For a long time, the Jewish people had used the Good Shepherd image for God. The usage goes all the way back to Genesis 49:24, which says that Joseph was saved “By the power of the mighty one of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, the God of your father …” Such imagery was used by Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Zechariah, and of course by David in his Psalms. The psalmist addresses Yahweh as his Shepherd. Ps 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd; nothing shall I want.” (Compare also Pss 77:20, 79:13, 97:7). “He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand“ (Ps 95:7). “Like a shepherd, He feeds His flock; in His arms He gathers the lambs, carrying them in His bosom, and leading the ewes with care” (Is 40:11). Ezekiel foretells what the Messiah will do as Good Shepherd. “I myself will tend My sheep …I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak” (Ez 34:15-16). In short, God is the ultimate Shepherd of the people, providing guidance, sustenance, and protection (Ps 23), and He intends their Kings and other leaders to be their shepherds as well.

The Good Shepherd image in the New Testament: In Palestine, the word “shepherd” was a synonym for selfless love, sincerity, commitment, and sacrificial service. Hence, Jesus selects it as the most fitting term to denote his life and mission (Mt 2:6, 9:36, 18:12-14, 26:31; Mk 6:34, 14:27; Lk 12:32, 15:4; I Pt 2:25, 5:2-4; Heb 13:20). The prophets pointed out the main duties of the Good Shepherd: 1) The Good Shepherd leads the sheep to the pasture, provides them with food and water, and protects them. In Palestine, the shepherd went in front and the sheep followed behind. 2) He guarded them, not allowing them to get lost in the desert or become victims of robbers and wild animals — preventive vigilance. 3) He went in search of the lost ones and healed their wounds —protective vigilance. 4) He was ready to surrender his life for his sheep — redemptive vigilance.

The first parable in today’s Gospel: The first part of today’s Gospel contrasts Jesus, the true Shepherd, with false shepherds, thieves, and robbers. Jesus gives us warning against false shepherds and false teachers in his Church. Jesus’ love and concern for each of us must be accepted with trust and serenity because he alone is our Shepherd, and no one else deserves our undivided commitment. As a true Shepherd, he leads his sheep, giving them the food and protection only Jesus, the Good Shepherd, can provide, and, having redeemed us, he protects us and leads us to true happiness.

The second parable. During the time of Jesus in the land of Palestine, the shepherds would bring the sheep down from the hills in the evening to protect them at night when the wolves and mountain lions were hunting their prey. At night, the shepherds would gather their sheep together and lead them into large pens or sheepfolds which had five-foot-high stone walls. The shepherds put the prickly briars along the top of the wall to prevent the mountain lions and wolves from jumping over it. Now, the doorway was about two feet wide, a narrow space in the front wall facing a fire of wood lit outside at night. The shepherd himself would sleep there in the small opening of the stone wall facing the burning fire with his club and staff. If any mountain lion came, the shepherd would fight it off with his weapons, his short stocky club or his long-pointed staff. Thus, literally and actually, the shepherd himself was the door.

In this parable Jesus compares himself to the Shepherd and to the Gate. The first title represents His ownership because Shepherd is the true owner of the sheep. The second title represents His leadership. Jesus is the Gate, the only Way in or out. He is the One Mediator between God and mankind. All must go through Him, into His Church, in order to arrive in Heaven. By identifying Himself with the sheep-gate, Jesus gives the assurance that whoever enters the pen through Him will be safe and well cared-for. Jesus is the living Door to His Father’s house and Father’s family, the Door into the Father’s safety, and into the fullness of life. It is through Jesus, the Door, that we come into the sheepfold where we are protected from the wolves of life. There is safety and security in being a Christian. There is a spiritual, emotional, and psychological security and safety when we live within Jesus and his Church, within the protectiveness of Christ, a Christian family, and Christian friends.

Life Messages: 1) We need to be good shepherds and good leaders: Everyone who is entrusted with the care of others is a shepherd. Hence, pastors, parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, government officials, and caregivers, among others, are all shepherds. We become good shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, spending our time, talents, and blessings for their welfare, and guarding them from physical and spiritual dangers. Parents must be especially careful in carrying out their duties toward their children, giving them good example and sound religious instruction. Above all, parents should pray for their children and, by living according to sound Christian moral principles, show their children how to do the same.

2) We need to be good sheep in the fold of Jesus, the Good Shepherd: Our local parish is our sheepfold, and our pastors are our shepherds. Jesus is the High Priest, the Bishops are the successors of the Apostles, the pastors, assisted by their deacons, are their helpers and the parishioners are the sheep. Hence, as the good sheep of the parish, parishioners are expected to a) Hear and follow the voice of our shepherds through their homilies, Bible classes, counseling, and advice. b) Receive the spiritual food given by our pastors by regular participation in the Holy Mass, by frequenting the Sacraments and by participating in prayer services, renewal programs and missions as far as we are able to do so. c) Cooperate with our pastors by giving them positive suggestions for the welfare of the parish, encouraging them in their duties, and offering them loving, constructive counsel when they are found misbehaving or failing in their duties and, always, by praying for them. d) Participate actively in the work of various councils, ministries, and parish associations.

3) We need to pray for good pastors and vocations. The Church uses this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations to encourage in those who are being called by God (vocation)) to the ministerial priesthood, the diaconate and the consecrated life to make a prayerful positive response. All Christians need to share in the responsibility of fostering these vocations: a) The faith community must continuously pray for vocations both in the Church and in their families. b) Since good priests, deacons, and people embracing the consecrated life come from good Christian families, all Christian parents need to live their faith in Christ on a daily basis, leading exemplary lives as parents and fostering good relationships with, and among, their children. c) Parents need to respect and encourage a child who shows an interest in becoming a priest or deacon or entering upon a consecrated life. Parents need to encourage their children, including their teenagers and young adults, to participate actively in the children’s and youth activities in the parish, like Sunday school, children’s clubs, and youth associations. They also need to encourage and actively support them in becoming altar servants, gift-bearers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, and ministers of hospitality. On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, let us begin, or continue, especially in these most stressful times in and for the Church (local and universal), to pray earnestly for continued conversion and perseverance in the Faith for our bishops, priests, deacons, those living a consecrated life, and all of the laity, for we are One Body, and what one member suffers, all suffer.

Jokes of the Week: 1) “I guess you must be the sheep dog.” A pastor was teaching the 23rd Psalm in the Sunday school. He told the children about sheep, that they weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off. He pointed to the little children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance. Then the pastor put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children, “If you are the sheep, then who is the shepherd?” He was pretty sure that all the kids would point out to him as the shepherd. A silence of a few seconds followed. Then a young girl said, “Jesus! Jesus is the shepherd.” The young pastor, obviously caught by surprise, said to the little girl, “Well then, who am I?” The girl frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug, “I guess you must be the sheep dog.”

2) Pastor’s vacation: It’s been said that every pastor ought to have six weeks of vacation each year, because if he is a really good shepherd, he deserves it; and if he is not a very good shepherd, his congregation deserves it.

3) Modern shepherds: Four pastors, taking a short break from their heavy schedules, were on a park bench, chatting and enjoying an early spring day. “You know, since all of us are such good friends,” said one, “this might be a good time to discuss personal problems.” They all agreed. “Well, I would like to share with you the fact that I drink to excess,” said one. There was a gasp from the other three. Then another spoke up. “Since you were so honest, I’d like to say that my big problem is gambling. It’s terrible, I know, but I can’t quit. I’ve even been tempted to take money from the tithing contribution.” Another gasp was heard, and the third clergyman spoke up. “I’m really troubled, brothers, because I’m growing fond of a woman in my church — a married woman.” More gasps. But the fourth remained silent. After a few minutes the others coaxed him to open up. “The fact is,” he said, “I just don’t know how to tell you about my problem.” “It’s all right, brother. Your secret is safe with us,” said the others. “Well, it’s this way,” he said. “You see, I’m an incurable gossip monger

– USEFUL WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

Nick’s collection of Sunday homilies from 65 priests & weekday homilies: https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies

Don’ collection of video homilies & blogs: https://sundayprep.org/featured-homilies/
Geoffrey Plant’s beautiful & scholarly video classes on Sunday gospel, Bible & RCIA topics: https://sundayhomilies.au/homilies/

Agape Catholic Bible Lessons: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/

6)Catholic directory & resources: http://www.catholicweb.com/directory.cfm

^{7) It’s Catholic:}^{http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/html/article654.html}^,

^{8) Catholic online:}^{http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1586}

10) Bible project videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject/

The beginner’s guide to life of faith: http://www.beginningcatholic.com/
Catholic Community Forum: News, reflections, homilies, patron saints (http://www.catholic-forum.com/)

13) Focus On the Family: http://www.family.org/

14) Outlines of Bible books http://www.catholicdoors.com/outline/index.htm

15) New American Bible with notes http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/

28 Additional Anecdotes

1) “May I see your driver’s license, please?” Everyone, it seems, is interested in my numbers. I go to the grocery store to buy some groceries. After the checkout woman rings up my bill, I pull out my checkbook and write out the check. She takes it from me. She looks at the information. Numbers tell her where I live. Numbers tell her how to reach me on the telephone. “Is this information correct?” she asks. ”Yes, it is,” I reply. “May I see your driver’s license?” she asks. She looks at my driver’s license and writes some more numbers on my check. Finally, I am approved. The numbers are all there. I can eat for another week. One could wish it were a bit more human and personal. But the IRS knows me by my tax number. My state knows me by my driver’s license number. My bank knows me by my bank account number. My employer knows me by my social security number. On and on it goes for you, for me, for everybody. Everybody knows my numbers. I am not sure that anyone knows me! — The numbers game that is played in our culture is one symptom of loneliness and alienation that surrounds us today. “All the lonely people, where do they all come from?” That is a line from “Eleanor Rigby,” an early song by the Beatles. Loneliness. Isolation. Alienation. These are the realities of contemporary civilized life. “I am the Good Shepherd.” These are Jesus’ words in our reading from John’s Gospel text for this sermon. “I am the Good Shepherd; I know My own and My own know Me …” Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus knows us personally, by name, and loves us. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

2) Moral evil and its consequences: In 1891 the Irish wit, poet and dramatist, Oscar Wilde published The Picture of Dorian Gray, an intriguing fable about moral evil and its consequences. According to the story, an artist named Basil Hallward painted a portrait of the central character, Dorian Gray, and gave it to the young man as a gift. An excellent likeness, the painting captured the handsome youth and goodness of Gray, who did not exhibit the painting but locked it away in an upstairs room of his home. As time passed, it became clear that the painting was more than a work of art. Although Gray’s physical appearance did not age or change in any way with the passing years, the painting became a mirror, as it were, registering the progressive moral disintegration of his soul. Gray, who had squandered his life in unrepented evil, eventually showed the incredibly altered portrait to Hallward who recoiled in horror, remarking that “the rotting of a corpse in a watery grave” was “not so fearful a sight.” — When Peter and the other early disciples first preached the Good News of salvation, their message centered on the figure of the crucified Christ, who suffered, died for the sins of humankind, and then was raised to glory. Like Dorian Gray, sinners are called to look upon the cross of Jesus as a self-portrait, to see therein a mirror of the effects of their own sinfulness and need, and a picture of the cost God paid for human complicity with evil. But the visage of the crucified Jesus is far more than a reproach; it is also a revelation of the love of God for us sinful people. It was this dual realization that caused Peter’s listeners to be “deeply shaken,” and moved to ask, “What are we to do?” (vs. 37). Duly convinced of their own sin and of God’s immeasurable love, they were open to accept the good news and to alter their lives accordingly. (Sanchez Archives). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

3) Showing the way: In San Salvador on March 24, 1980, an assassin killed Archbishop Oscar Romero with a single shot to the heart while he was saying Mass. Only a few minutes before, Archbishop Romero had finished a hope-filled homily in which he urged the people to serve one another. Since Archbishop Romero was demanding human rights for his people under oppression, he knew that his life was in danger. Still, he persisted in speaking publicly against tyranny and for freedom. He once told newspapermen that even if his enemies killed him, he would rise again among his people. — Today, good shepherds who lay down their lives include husbands and wives who can’t do enough for each other to demonstrate their commitment to each other; parents who make countless sacrifices for the good of their children; teachers who spend untold hours instructing the weak students; doctors and nurses who work untiringly, spending themselves to care for their patients; employers who share profits with their workers; politicians who unselfishly promote the common good of their voters, and parishioners who generously support their parish community. What are we doing to shepherd those entrusted to our care? (Albert Cylwicki in His Word Resounds). Full movie: https://youtu.be/Sm1VA6XMpHU?list=PLdaZy-qwbWMbGtpSrJTORzW97eha-Og06 (parts i-iv) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

4) “I only know them by name.” Tony Campolo loves to tell the story of a particular census taker who went to the home of a rather poor family in the mountains of West Virginia to gather information. He asked the mother how many dependents she had. She began, “Well, there is Rosie, and Billy, and Lewella, Susie, Harry, and Jeffrey. There’s Johnny, and Harvey, and our dog, Willie.” It was then that the census taker interrupted her aid said: “No, ma’am, that’s not necessary. I only need the humans.” “Ah!” she said. “Well, there is Rosie, and Billy, and Lewella, Susie, Harry, and Jeffrey, Johnny, and Harvey, and….” But there once again, the census taker interrupted her. Slightly exasperated, he said, “No, ma’am, you don’t seem to understand. I don’t need their names, I just need the numbers.” To which the old woman replied, “But I don’t know them by numbers. I only know them by name!” — In today’s Gospel, Jesus the Good Shepherd says that he knows all his sheep by name. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

5) “I’d like to preserve my integrity and credibility.” About 23 years ago, Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, offered WGN Chicago Radio sports-talk host David Kaplan $50,000 to change his name legally to “Dallas Maverick.” When Kaplan politely declined, Cuban sweetened the offer. Cuban would pay Kaplan $100,000 and donate $100,000 to Kaplan’s favorite charity if he took the name for one year. After some soul searching, and being bombarded by e-mails from listeners who said he was crazy to turn down the money, Kaplan held firm and told Cuban no. Kaplan explained: “I’d be saying I’d do anything for money, and that bothers me. My name is my birthright. I’d like to preserve my integrity and credibility.” [Skip Bayless, Chicago Tribune (1/10/01); from Leadership Summer, 2001.] — The name “Christian” is our birthright. From the moment of our Baptism and our birth into the Kingdom of God, we are the sheep of the Good Shepherd Who promises to lead us to green pastures and beside the still waters. The Voice of the Shepherd protects us. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

5) His master’s voice: Have you ever seen the painting done in the 1930s of a dog, looking with a cocked head, at an old gramophone? The name of the painting is His Master’s Voice, and it’s a symbol of what Jesus is saying to us. “The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

7) “I know the Psalm. The pastor knows the Shepherd.” A famous actor was the guest of honor at a social gathering. As people gathered around, they asked the actor to recite excerpts from various literary works. He obliged and did so brilliantly. Finally, an elderly pastor asked the actor to recite the 23rd Psalm. The actor hesitated at first and then agreed on one condition, that the pastor would return the favor. The actor’s recitation was brilliant and eloquent. People responded to the actor with lengthy applause. The pastor’s rendition was feeble and frail. But when the pastor finished, there was not a dry eye in the house. Finally, the actor broke the silence with these words: “I know the Psalm. The pastor knows the Shepherd.” — “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” Do you know the Shepherd? Have you found Him to be good? Have you discovered He is all you need? (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

8) “Then we FLEECE them!” Two televangelists were talking. One was explaining how he was seeking to be the ideal shepherd to his television flock. “There are three ways I seek to do that,” he said. “What three ways do you mean?” asked the other evangelist. “Well,” he explained, “First, we FIND them. Every year we find new stations to carry our ministry. Then we FEED them. I give them the plain unvarnished word of God.” “But what’s the third thing?” asked the second evangelist. “Well,” he answered, “Once we’ve found them and fed them, then we FLEECE them!” — Some TV evangelists have become quite proficient at fleecing their flock. I hope you understand that nothing could be farther from the example of Christ. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep . . .” Fleecing the flock is a long way from laying down your life for them. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

9) “But I never jumped.” A paratrooper who had recently resigned from the military was asked how many times he had jumped out of an airplane. He said, “None.” A friend of his asked, “What do you mean, ‘none’? I thought you were a paratrooper!” He said, “I was, but I never jumped. I was pushed several times … but I never jumped.” — The hired hand never jumps. He has to be pushed. Churches often have hired hands in them — not our Church, of course! But other Churches are full of people who have to be pushed to do what they know they ought to do. Jesus did not have to be pushed. Do we need to be pushed? (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

10) “I give my life for my sheep”: We applaud when a man or woman gives his or her life for another. Such instances do come along from time to time. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. May 28, 1989: “Former NFL football player Jerry Anderson,” read the newspaper account, “died Saturday after pulling two young boys out of a rain-swollen river about 40 miles southeast of Nashville. Witnesses said Anderson saw two boys, thought to be 11 or 12 years old, attempting to cross a dam spanning the river. One or both boys fell into the water. According to Officer Bill Todd, ‘Mr. Anderson jumped in the water and managed to get the little boys out, but witnesses said he went under two or three times and about the fourth time, he didn’t come back up.’” — He gave his life to rescue two small boys. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

11) You don’t have to be an American or a football player for such heroic actions. In a Middle school in the Ukrainian village of Ivanichi a young teacher died sometime back. He absorbed the blast of a hand grenade to protect his pupils. What was a grenade doing in a middle school? According to the London Times, the teacher, a graduate of the KGB border guard college, had been delivering the military instruction that is a compulsory part of the curriculum for Soviet children. He was teaching them how to handle what should have been an unarmed grenade. When he pulled the pin a wisp of smoke showed that a live grenade had become mixed in with demonstration grenades, and he fell upon it to save the children none of whom was hurt. He gave his life for his sheep. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

12) (False story, true lesson. David Lloyd George’s mother died at 67, not in a blizzard when young.). You don’t have to be a man to perform such heroics. Many years ago, a woman carrying a baby through the hills of South Wales, United Kingdom, was overtaken by a blizzard. Searchers found her later frozen to death in the snow. Amazed that she had on no outer garments, they searched further and found her baby. She had wrapped them around the child, who was still alive and well. He grew up to be David Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of Great Britain in World War I. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

13) Big Brother is watching us: Ever since 1984 hit the bookstores, people concerned about individual privacy and freedom have looked for signs that Big Brother is becoming a reality in our society. And it is true that more and more of our urban landscape is being observed by security cameras. But that is only one way our privacy is being invaded. There was a news report several years ago that Israeli scientists are now marketing a microchip that, implanted under the skin, will protect film stars and millionaires from kidnappers. The chip emits a signal detectable by satellite to help rescuers determine a victim’s approximate location. Originally the chip was developed to track Israeli secret-service agents abroad. The $5,000 chip doesn’t even require batteries. It runs solely on the neurophysiological energy generated within the human body. The firm which developed it, Gen-Etics, won’t reveal where the chip is inserted but said that, at that time, 43 people had had it implanted. Since this report was published there has been an explosion of interest in this technology. Farmers keep tabs on the health and safety of their cows and other livestock with such chips. But the use of such devices to monitor human beings is almost limitless. Already there is a monitoring bracelet for Alzheimer patients, so that families can use GPS systems to help find loved ones who have wandered off. Would it be inconceivable that loving parents might want to monitor the whereabouts of their children via satellite? Why not have a chip implanted? Pet owners are already using such technology. Some cynics have suggested that some wives might want to monitor their husbands. Soon we will see signs, “Big Brother is watching.”– Here’s what’s amusing to me. There are people who have no difficulty believing that one day the government will keep track of us all, but who cannot conceive that an all-knowing God can take a personal interest in each of His children, hear each of our prayers, and be responsive to each of our individual needs. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

14) Images are highly influential. They become emblazoned on the wall of our minds, and they evoke a wide range of responses. Millions of people will remember the fireman carrying the baby out of the ruins of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. World War II veterans, particularly the ones who served in the South Pacific, will always remember Mount Surabachi and the photo of the Marines who raised an American flag at its summit, as well as the image of General MacArthur returning to the Philippines. Neil Armstrong taking that first step on the moon in the early ’70s is frozen in many memories, too. If you were old enough to watch and understand television in l963, you probably remember young John F. Kennedy, Jr., at the casket of his father Jack. Much closer to our own time, many of us will long retain the image of students running out of Columbine High School with their hands over their heads. — Some images are immensely powerful and have a tenacity that is tireless and timeless. If there is one image associated with the Christian Faith, which, more than any other, has found an enduring place within the collective life of the Christian Church, it is the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

15) Hannah and Her Sisters. A recent movie by Woody Allen was titled, Hannah and Her Sisters. The movie deals precisely with that theme. It is about Hannah and her sisters and how family life gives some sense of stability to life in a fractured world. The part played by Woody Allen in the movie is that of a man constantly afraid that he will get some terrible disease. He is a hypochondriac. As he comes into the movie, we see him on his way to the doctor. The doctor assures him that nothing seems to be terribly wrong, though some additional tests need to be made. Woody cannot calm himself over these additional tests. He is sure they will find something terrible. “What are you afraid of,” one of his friends asks him, “cancer?” “Don’t say that,” Woody responds with a look of terror. More tests are performed. A CAT scan is prescribed for his head. He is sure they will find a brain tumor. But his fears are unfounded. The doctor announces to him that all is well. In the next scene we see Woody coming out of the hospital, kicking up his heels, and running joyfully down the street. He is celebrating. But suddenly he stops. We know instinctively why he stops. He tells us in the next scene. “All this means,” he says, “is that I am all right this time. Next time it will probably be serious.” — Our lives are lived in constant danger. Woody Allen’s character overplays the danger. But the danger is there. There are all kinds of realities that imperil our lives nearly every day. Accidents happen. Natural disasters strike. Oppressive structures of life weigh us down. Disease stalks us and death awaits. That is the way life is. We live our lives in constant peril. Woody Allen may have exaggerated a bit, but he is right. Human life is an endangered species. Death calls a halt to every human life. But there is a cure for fear: “I am the Good Shepherd,” Jesus says. “The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

16) The Bismarck: In the beginning of World War II, the Nazis commissioned a massive battleship named the Bismarck. It was the biggest fighting vessel the world had seen up to that time. With the Bismarck, the Germans had the opportunity to dominate the seas. Very soon after it was commissioned, the Bismarck sank tons of Allied shipping and allied aircraft. Its massive armor plating resulted in the boast that the Bismarck was unsinkable. But the Bismarck was sunk. And it was sunk due to one lone torpedo which hit and demolished its rudder. As a result, the battleship zig-zagged through the sea, unable to reach harbor. It was only a short while before the British navy was able to overtake and destroy it. — No matter how large the battleship may be, it is doomed without a rudder to direct it. Floundering on the waters of chaos without a rudder, the Bismarck is a modern-day image of a world without the direction of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Without the Lord, the world is headed toward chaos. But with the Lord there is guidance, direction and purpose in life. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

17) Alexander, the shepherd of soldiers. When Emperor Alexander the Great was crossing the Makran Desert on his way to Persia, his army ran out of water. The soldiers were dying of thirst as they advanced under the burning sun. A couple of Alexander’s lieutenants managed to capture some water from a passing caravan. They brought some to him in a helmet. He asked, “Is there enough for both me and my men?” “Only you, sir,” they replied. Alexander then lifted up the helmet as the soldiers watched. — Instead of drinking, he tipped it over and poured the water on the ground. The men let up a great shout of admiration. They knew their general would not allow them to suffer anything he was unwilling to suffer himself. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

18) “It will kill you if you move.” A soldier dying on a Korean battlefield asked for a priest. The Medic could not find one. A wounded man lying nearby heard the request and said, “I am a priest.” The Medic turned to the speaker and saw his condition, which was as bad as that of the other. “It will kill you if you move,” he warned. But the wounded chaplain replied. “The life of a man’s soul is worth more than a few hours of my life.” He then crawled to the dying soldier, heard his confession, gave him absolution and the two died hand in hand. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

19) The TV is my shepherd I shall not want,
It makes me to lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the Faith,
It destroys my soul.
It leads me to the path of sex and violence for the advertiser’s sake.
Even though I walk in the shadow of Christian responsibilities,
There will be no interruption, for the TV is with me.
Its cable and remote control, they comfort me
It prepares a commercial for me in the midst of my worldliness
And anoints my head with secular humanism and consumerism.
My covetousness runs over;
Surely ignorance and laziness shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of wretchedness watching TV forever.

(I heard this parody on Psalm 23 in a homily broadcast on EWTN on March 18 2002, Fr. Tommy Lane) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

20) Follow My Voice: On September 11, 2001, the Pentagon was slammed by a hijacked airliner. People were trapped in the flaming building. A police officer ran inside and kept repeating in the darkness, ”Follow my voice.” Six people did. They owe their lives to that voice. We know the popular child’s game called, “Follow the Leader.” Do you remember when we were children and used to play “Simon says”? Whatever “Simon says” we do, because, Simon is the leader of that game. — At some point in our lives, we all pick out leaders to follow, some good, some bad. Depending on whom we choose, we are led well or astray. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice.” But hearing Jesus’ voice is very difficult in the current environment of our lives. Each day hundreds of other “shepherds” are calling our names for our attention. They offer formulas for health, wealth and happiness. They offer formulas for solving problems, getting along in relationships, raising children, avoiding [trouble], becoming popular and getting ahead. (John Pichappily in The Table of the Word; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

21) “I am the gate”: In his book The Holy Land, John Kellman describes a field pen. It consists of a circular stone wall about four feet high with an opening in it. Kellman says that one day a Holy land tourist saw a field pen near Hebron. He asked a shepherd sitting nearby, “Where’s the gate for your pen?” The shepherd said, “I am the gate.” The shepherd then told the tourist how he herded his flock into the pen each night and then lay down across the entrance. No sheep could leave the pen and no wild animal could enter it, without stepping over his body and awakening him. (John Kellman, The Holy Land; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

22) “She thinks I’m real!” There is a story of a grandmother, a mother, and a little boy, three generations, who went into a restaurant, and sat down to order. The waitress took the grandmother’s order, the mother’s order, and then turned to the little boy and said “What would you like?” The mother immediately said “Oh, I’ll order for him.” The waitress without being overly rude ignored the mother and again said to the little boy “What would you like?” Glancing over at his mother to see how she was reacting to this, the little boy said “Uh, uh, I’d like a hamburger.” “How would you like your hamburger? With mustard and pickles and the works?” asked the waitress. With his mouth dropping open in amazement now, he said “The works, the works.” The waitress went over to the hatch, and called out the grandmother’s order and the mother’s order. Then in a very loud voice she said, “And a hamburger with the works” The little boy turned to his mother in utter amazement and said “Mommy, mommy, she thinks I’m real!” — God treats each one of us as real people. He takes our needs and requests seriously! (Jack McArdle; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

23) Watching over You: Cheryl Cassiday was a Registered Nurse. One afternoon, she arrived at the Arts Center to pick her daughter Rachel from her dance lesson. She usually used to run another errand, getting the milk, before picking up her daughter. On that day as she turned that corner, she changed her mind and did not go to the milk booth. This decision saved her daughter’s life and eight other lives as well. Instead of waiting in the car as she usually did, that day, Mrs. Cassiday went into the dance studio. There she found her daughter along with eight others overcome by carbon-monoxide poisoning. With the help of the family across the street, she was able to pull out each one from the building and revive them. Later referring to the watchfulness of God, Cheryl very finely concluded: “Somebody was watching over these girls besides me!” — It was Jesus our Good Shepherd. (John Rose in John’s Sunday Homilies; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

24) “I Am the Door”: George Adam Smith, the 19th century biblical scholar, tells of traveling one day in the Holy Land and coming across a shepherd and his sheep. He fell into conversation with him and the man showed him the fold into which the sheep were led at night. It consisted of four walls, with a way in. Smith asked him, “This is where they go at night?” “Yes,” said the shepherd, “and when they are in there, they are perfectly safe.” “But there is no door,” said Smith. “I am the door,” said the shepherd. He was not a Christian man and wasn’t speaking in the language of the New Testament. He was speaking from an Arab shepherd’s viewpoint. Smith looked and him and asked, “What do you mean you are the door?” — “When the light has gone,” said the shepherd, “and all the sheep are inside, I lie in that open space, and no sheep ever goes out but across my body, and no wolf comes in unless he crosses my body; I am the door.” (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

25) Effective Leadership of a good shepherd: There is a funny story about an ecumenical crusade that was being held in a large city. Every imaginable denomination was in attendance for this unprecedented event. One afternoon the gathering was in session when, all of a sudden, a secretary rushed in shouting, “The building’s on fire! The building’s on fire!” Confusion reigned as each Church group came together and did what came naturally: The Methodists gathered in the corner to pray. The Baptists cried, “Where’s the water?” The Quakers quietly praised God for the blessings that fire brings. The Lutherans posted a notice on the door declaring that the fire was evil. The Roman Catholics passed a plate to cover the damages. The Unitarians reasoned that the fire would burn itself out if just given the chance. The Congregationalists shouted, “Every man for himself.” The Fundamentalists proclaimed, “It’s the vengeance of God.” The Episcopalians formed a procession and marched out. The Christian Scientists concluded that there was no real fire. The Presbyterians appointed a chairperson to appoint a committee to look into the matter and make a written report. And the Church secretary grabbed a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. (Tom Lacey, Unleashing the Lord in Your Life. Reflection by: Sister Patricia Wormann, OP) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

26) Amazing Grace given to a lost sheep:
John Newton was the son of an English Sea captain. When he was only ten his mother died and he went to sea with his father. At 17 he rebelled against his father, left his ship and began living a wildlife. Eventually John took a job on a cargo ship that carried slaves from Africa to America. He was promoted rapidly and soon became captain of the ship. Newton never worried about whether slave trade was right or wrong. One night a violent storm blew up at sea and the waves grew to the size of mountains. They picked up Newton’s ship and threw it around like a toy. Everyone on board was filled with panic. Then Newton did something he had never done since leaving his father’s ship. He prayed. Shouting at the top of his voice he said, “God, if you will only save us, I promise to be your slave forever.” God heard his prayer and the ship survived. When Newton reached land, he kept his promise and quit the slave trade. Later he studied in the seminary and was ordained pastor of a small church in Olney, England. There he won fame as a preacher and composer of hymns. — One of the most moving hymns Newton wrote is the one that praised God for his conversion. He called it “Amazing Grace.” The hymn begins “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, / that saved a wretch like me! // I once was lost, but now am found,/ was blind, but now I see….” (Adapted from Al Rogers’ story of John Newton; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

27) Pregnant giraffe from New York State: I have been obsessed for the past month or so with April, the giraffe from New York State. Her pregnancy has been followed by thousands of people around the world on a webcam on Facebook. (http://www.newyorkupstate.com/central-ny/2017/04/april_the_giraffe_has_a_baby_-.html) By the calf’s birth on Holy Saturday, I knew much more about giraffes then I could ever have imagined. I think what touched me most was the loving relationship that April had with her caretaker, Alyssa. When Alyssa came in, it was obvious that she was special to April and April to Alyssa. Alyssa would pet her, kiss her belly and have her favorite treats. The giraffe would quickly approach and nuzzle near Alyssa as soon as she arrived. It reminded me too, of my 16+ years relationship with my cat, Theo. I know him very well and he knows me. We eat, sleep and spend time together. He actually models for me what it means to be contemplative. — I give these examples because we might not be as familiar with sheep as were the people of Jesus’ day, but we do understand the image that Jesus invites us to see. Jesus invites us to intimacy with him and with those whom we encounter on our journey. (Sister Patricia Wormann, OP) http://caldwellop.org/preaching-the-word-3/preaching-the-word/ (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

28) GKC parable: When you touch someone, unless that person actively rejects your love and forgiveness, he or she is relating to the Body of Christ. And this is true even beyond death: if someone close to you dies in a state which, externally at least, has him or her at odds with the visible Church, your love and forgiveness will continue to bind that person to the Body of Christ and will continue to offer forgiveness to that individual, even after death. — GK Chesterton once expressed this in a parable: “A man who was entirely careless of spiritual affairs died and went to hell. And he was much missed on earth by his old friends. His business agent went down to the gates of hell to see if there was any chance of bringing him back. But though he pleaded for the gates to be opened, the iron bars never yielded. His priest also went and argued: ‘He was not really a bad fellow; given time he would have matured. Let him out, please!’ The gate remained stubbornly shut against all their voices. Finally, his mother came; she did not beg for his release. Quietly, and with a strange catch in her voice, she said to Satan: ‘Let me in.’ Immediately the great doors swung open upon their hinges. For Love goes down through the gates of hell and there redeems the dead.” (Fr. Ron Rolheiser). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).L/26

“Scriptural Homilies” Cycle A (No. 29) by Fr. Tony: akadavil@gmail.com

You may visit my website by clicking on http://frtonyshomilies.com/ for missed or previous Cycle A homilies, 141 Year of Faith “Adult Faith Formation Lessons” (useful for RCIA classes too) & 197 “Question of the Week.” Kindly visit https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies under CBCI or Fr. Tony for my website version. (Special thanks to Vatican official website http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church.html -which completed uploading my Cycle A, B and C homilies in May 2020) My post-retirement contact postal address is Fr. Anthony Kadavil, C/o Fr. M. C. Joseph, Pastor St. Agatha Catholic Parish 1001 Hand Ave, Bay Minette, AL 36507 36507. Contact me by email only at akadavil@gmail.com. I am back at my home in my home country since June 2023.

Papal message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 26, 2026): (For the full text, Copy following the link or URL on Google Search & click on it) https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/vocations/documents/20260316-messaggio-vocazioni.html Summery version=Pope Leo has released his message titled “The Interior Discovery of God’s Gift”. He highlights vocational journeys as a “path of beauty” and a “dynamic process of maturation,” inviting the Church to focus on interiority, prayer, and the image of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd”

April 20-25 weekday homilies

April 18, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

April 20-25 April 20 Monday: Jn 6:22-29: 22 On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 However, boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”)

The context: Today’s Gospel introduces Jesus’ famous discourse on the Holy Eucharist which emerged within a dialogue between Jesus and the Jews who had gone around the Lake and come to Capernaum searching for him. In answer to their question about his arrival, Jesus challenged them, saying that they were looking for him so they could get another free meal and that such meals would not satisfy them. He also instructed them to labor for food that would give them Eternal Life.

Naturally, the Jews asked Jesus what they should do to get such a food. Since the Jews believed that the Torah was the “bread of life,” many may have thought that Jesus was instructing them to keep the Torah to attain Eternal Life. So, Jesus clarified that they had to do the work of God to attain eternal life; he told them that the “work of God” was not to work miracles for their own sake but to believe in Him as the Son of God, sent to give Eternal Life to those who believed in him. While regular food helps us to stay alive in this world, spiritual food sustains and develops our supernatural life, which will last forever in Heaven. This food, which only God can give us, consists mainly in the gift of Faith in Jesus and in the grace God gives us to live according to Jesus’ teaching. Through God’s infinite love, we are given in the Blessed Eucharist the very Author of these gifts, Jesus Christ, as nourishment for our souls.

 Life message: 1) Most of the time, we work for food which only nourishes the body. Jesus teaches that he is the Heavenly food, who nourishes the soul and gives us eternal life in union with God in Heaven. Hence, let us receive this Life-giving food both in the Holy Eucharist and in the Holy Scripture with proper preparation and reverence while repenting of our sins. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 21 Tuesday: St. Anselem, Bishop, Doctor of the Church:Jn 6:30-35: 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”

The context: In reply to Jesus’ implied claim that he was the Messiah and his declaration that He had been sent from Heaven to give Eternal Life to those who believed in him, the Jews demanded a sign from Heaven. Moses, they said, gave a Heavenly sign to their ancestors in the form of manna, rained down on them from Heaven. The Jewish rabbis taught that the promised Messiah would repeat the miracle of the manna as a Messianic sign, and that the prophet Jeremiah would reappear and show the Jews the Ark of the Covenant where the original manna had been kept. Jesus explained to the Jews that it was not Moses but God, his Heavenly Father, Who had given them manna from Heaven. He then claimed that he was more than a provider of bread like Moses because he was himself the bread that the Father was providing. In other words, Jesus is the Heavenly manna whom the Father has sent to the world as the Bread of Life. Thus, Jesus clarifies that the manna given to Moses and the people was not the real bread from Heaven, but only a foreshadowing of the Bread to come. Jesus also demands from them an absolute Faith in himself as the Son of God and the Bread of Life if they do not want to hunger and thirst again. Jesus uses the metaphor of food and drink to show that He is the One Who really meets all man’s essential needs and noblest aspirations.

Life message: 1) Jesus kept his promise, and he continues to feed us with his Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. So, let us nourish our souls with this Heavenly manna. Let us also remember that our duty is to carry this Jesus to our homes and workplaces, radiating his love, mercy and compassion all around us. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 22 Wednesday: Jn 6:35-40:: 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; 39 and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The context: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus repeats his claim that he is “the Bread of Life.” He means that, just as God sent manna from heaven to sustain the physical life of his people in the desert, so He has sent His Son Jesus to sustain the spiritual lives of His people. Spiritual life is actually Sanctifying Grace, our living relationship with God the Father, through His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus makes three claims: 1) He claims to be our spiritual Food and offers himself in order to produce God’s life within us. 2) He promises to those who believe in him unbroken friendship with God. 3) Jesus also promises to those who believe in him a share in his own Resurrection at the end of this world and share of Eternal Life with him in Heaven.

Life messages: 1) We need to live dynamic spiritual lives, sharing in God’s Life, Sanctifying Grace, through the Holy Eucharist. 2) We can keep the friendship of Jesus only by leading holy lives free from sin. 3) We can enjoy and share the joy of Jesus’ Resurrection only by realizing and appreciating his presence within us and all around us. 4) Only God can satisfy our deepest needs. Fr. Tony: (https://frtonyshomilies.com/)L-26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 23 Thursday: St. George, Martyr; St Adalbert, Bishop & Martyr:Jn 6:44-51: 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

The context: Today’s Gospel passage is the continuation of Jesus’ teaching on the Bread of Life. Jesus declares that he has seen God his Father because he has come from Heaven. Jesus also states that we hear God the Father’s Voice through him and through the Holy Spirit because the Father draws us to Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus reminds the Jews that they cannot be his disciples unless God his Father draws them to him and teaches them. The Magisterium of the Church has repeated this teaching in Vatican II: “Before this Faith can be exercised, man must have the grace of God to move and assist him; he must have the interior help of the Holy Spirit, Who moves the heart and converts it to God, Who opens the eyes of the mind and makes it easy for all to accept and believe the truth” (Vatican II, Dei Verbum, 5). Once they become his disciples, Jesus will feed their souls with the Bread from Heaven, and this Heavenly Bread is his own Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Eternal Life is reserved for such disciples. This Eternal Life is a Life of love, fellowship, communion, and union with God.

Life message: 1) Holy Communion is the wonderful banquet at which Christ gives himself to us: “The Bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My Flesh.)” Hence, let us receive the glorified Body and Blood of the Risen Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist with a repentant heart, proper preparation, reverential fear, and grateful joy. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 24 Friday: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest, Martyr: Jn 6:52-59: 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.

The context: The Jewish audience for Jesus’ teaching on the Bread of Life were scandalized at his statement that he was going to give them his Flesh to eat, for it suggested to them cannibalism, forbidden in the Jewish Scriptures. Hence, they wanted to know how Jesus could give his Flesh to eat as a means to gain Eternal Life. Jesus asserted that it was a must for them to eat his Body and drink his Blood if they were to receive Divine Life, Eternal Life, and resurrection from the dead. There is no way to interpret Jesus’ words as “simply symbolic,” which would mean that receiving Communion is only a metaphor, and not really eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus stresses very forcefully that it is necessary for us to receive him in the Blessed Eucharist in order to share in Divine Life and to develop the life of grace we have received in Baptism. “We receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion to nourish our souls and to give us an increase of grace and the gift of eternal life” (St. Pius X Catechism, # 289). “Really sharing in the body of the Lord in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread, we are taken up into communion with him and with one another.” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 7). Jesus adds that eating his Body and drinking his Blood are essential for abiding in him, which is, on this earth, the beginning of the Eternal Life of Heaven. Communion with Jesus enables us to start enjoying Eternal Life with God here on earth, while resurrection gives us eternal life with God forever. St. Thomas Aquinas gives this explanation: “The Word gives life to our souls, but the Word made Flesh nourishes our souls.” (“Commentary on St. John, in loc.”).

Life message: 1) We need to receive Holy Communion with the full awareness that we are abiding in Jesus, carrying him wherever we go. Hence, we are expected to radiate to all around us the love, the mercy, the spirit of service, and the forgiveness of Jesus. Fr. Tony; (L-26)

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 25 Saturday: St. Mark, Evangelist:Mk 16:15-20: 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

Biography of St. Mark: Most of what we know about Mark comes directly from the New Testament. He is usually identified with the Mark of Acts 12:12. (When Peter escaped from prison, he went to the home of Mark’s mother). Paul and Barnabas took him along on the first missionary journey, but for some reason Mark returned alone to Jerusalem. It is evident from Paul’s refusal to let Mark accompany him on the second journey, despite Barnabas’s insistence, that Mark had displeased Paul. Later, Paul asks Mark to visit him in prison, so we may assume the trouble did not last long.

The oldest and the shortest of the four Gospels, the Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus’ rejection by humanity though he is God’s

Son and triumphant envoy. Probably written for Gentile converts in Rome—after the deaths of Peter and Paul sometime between A.D. 60 and 70—Mark’s Gospel is the gradual manifestation of a “scandal”: a crucified Messiah. Evidently a friend of Mark (Peter called him “my son”), Peter is only one of the Gospel sources, others being the Church in Jerusalem (Jewish roots) and the Church at Antioch (largely Gentile).

Life messages: 1) We need to be proclaimers and evangelizers: In today’s Gospel Jesus gives his mission to all believers: “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” This mission is not given to a select few but to all believers. To be a Christian is to be a proclaimer and an evangelizer. There is a difference between preaching and proclaiming. “We preach with words, but we proclaim with our lives.” No one is excluded, and all are welcome. 2) We are also reminded that while the Lord gives the mission to all, Jesus does not expect us to rely only on our own resources to fulfill that mission. The mission is accompanied by the Divine power that is given to all those called upon to fulfill that mission, whatever form it may take in our lives. Fr. Tony (https://frtonyshomilies.com/ )L/26

For additional reflections: Click on https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

EASTER III (A) APRIL 19th SUNDAY, 2026

April 11, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

Easter III [A] (April 19) 8-minute homily in one page (L/26)

Introduction: Our Scripture lessons for today have one common, encouraging theme: No matter what happens in our lives, the risen Jesus is always with us. God is always near to those who seek Him and desire to live in His presence, doing His will.

Scripture lessons summarized: The first reading, from Acts, taken from the beginning of Peter’s first public proclamation about Jesus, tells us how God raised Jesus from death, thus fulfilling the Messianic prophecies about the promised descendant of David. The Refrain for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 16), has us singing, “Lord, You will show us the path of Life.” In the second reading, Peter exhorts the early Christians to place their Faith and Hope in God Who has saved them through the precious Blood of His Son and Who has raised Jesus from the dead. The Emmaus incident described in today’s Gospel shows us a God who will not abandon us when we are hurt or disappointed. The message of today’s Scripture readings is that the followers of Jesus are to maintain contact with their Risen Lord through prayer, the Eucharist, and the Bible. The readings also remind us that our belief in Jesus’ Real Presence in the consecrated Bread and Wine should help us to understand better his presence in the Bible and in the believing and worshipping community. Putting the two appearances (to the Emmaus disciples and to Peter), together, it is clear that the risen Jesus wanted Peter to act as spokesman for him, and that the faithful who seek to follow Jesus should seek his company in prayer, the Eucharist, and the Bible under the direction of Peter and his successors.

Life messages: 1) Jesus meets us on our Emmaus Road. The risen Lord meets us on the road to our Emmaus, both in the ordinary experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. We, too, have hopes and dreams about better health, healing, financial security, and family relationships. These often shatter. The story promises us, however, that Jesus will come to us in unfamiliar guises to support and strengthen us when we least expect the risen Lord. Emmaus moments come to us when we meet the risen Christ on our life’s journey through rough times.

2) We meet Jesus on a daily basis in our life’s journey. The Church instructs us to hear Jesus on a daily basis through prayer, through the faithful reading of, and meditation on, the Bible, through our experience of Jesus as we participate in the Eucharistic celebration in which the risen Lord gives us Himself as our spiritual Food and Drink, through our personal and family prayers, and through our family meals. When we meet Jesus in the Eucharist and, through the Word of God, we commune with him in prayer, we renew our part in our relationship of mutual loving service. These meetings enable us to encounter the risen Jesus living in all the people we meet and, in them, to offer our Lord humble, loving, selfless service.

3) Do our hearts burn when we listen to the risen Lord in the Bible? Christ comes to us most clearly in the Word. Vatican II (Dei Verbum 21) tells us that Jesus is to be equally venerated in the Eucharist and in the Bible. Therefore, we need to study the Bible, learn the Bible, pray with the Bible, memorize the Bible, meditate on the word of God with burning zeal, and practice what the Bible teaches.

EASTER III [A] (April 19) Acts 2:14, 22-33 1 Pt 1:17-21, Lk 24:13-35

Homily starter anecdotes: #1: “I give him a shave every morning.” Len Sweet (https://timeforthought.co.uk/tag/karl-barth/) tells this story about Karl Barth, the famous Swiss theologian. It may be a true story or an evangelized version. Karl Barth was riding a streetcar in his home city of Basel, Switzerland. He took a seat next to a tourist, and the two men started chatting with one another. “Are you new to the city?” Barth inquired. “Yes,” said the tourist. “Is there anything you would particularly like to see in the city?” asked Barth. “Yes,” replied the tourist, “I would like to meet the famous Swiss theologian, Karl Barth; do you know him?” Barth answered, “As a matter of fact, I do know him. I give him a shave every morning!“ The tourist got off the streetcar at the next stop, quite delighted with himself. He went back to his hotel and told everyone, “I met Karl Barth’s barber today!” — Len Sweet tells the story to make the point that we, like the disciples who were on the way to Emmaus, often fail to recognize Jesus when he is among us. It’s about recognition (or the lack of it). We meet people who know him, who love him and revel in his grace. We read their books and listen to their podcasts. Sometimes we even get to meet them. We are content to say, “I met your Evangelical Superhero here today!” The crazy irony is that we miss the opportunity for meeting Jesus living who is already dwelling with us and within us. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 2: Bad news and good news: “I’ve got some good news and some bad news to tell you. Which would you like to hear first?” the farmer asked. “Why don’t you tell me the bad news first?” the banker replied. “Okay,” said the farmer, “With the bad drought and inflation and all, I won’t be able to pay anything on my mortgage this year, either on the principal or the interest.” “Well, that is pretty bad,” said the banker. “It gets worse,” said the farmer. “I also won’t be able to pay anything on the loan for all that machinery I bought, not on the principal or interest.” “Wow, is that ever bad!” the banker admitted. “It’s worse than that,” the farmer continued. “You remember I also borrowed to buy seed and fertilizer and other supplies. Well, I can’t pay anything on that, either principal or interest.” “That’s awful,” said the banker, “and that’s enough! What’s the good news?” “The good news,” replied the farmer with a smile, “is that I intend to keep on doing business with you.” [John C. Maxwell, “Developing the Leaders Around You” (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers), p. 71.] — I don’t know if that was good news for the banker or not. Two of the disciples of Jesus were on the road that leads to Emmaus. They were as low as that farmer because their Master had been crucified like a common thief. But now they have heard reports that their Master was not dead at all. Reliable sources had told them that He had appeared to some of their most trusted friends. Was he really alive? The disciples were troubled and afraid. Should they believe the good news or the bad? — And that’s our dilemma, isn’t it? DO WE BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS OR THE BAD? The Good News is that Christ is alive. The bad news is how little impact that event is having in the world today, and, perhaps, in our own hearts and lives. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 3) Broken dreams: Dr. J. Wallace Hamilton, in his book Horns and Halos in Human Nature, tells of one of the weirdest auctions in history. It was held in the city of Washington, D.C. It was an auction of designs, actually patent models of old inventions that did not make it in the marketplace. These 150,000 old inventions were declared obsolete and placed on the auction block for public auction. Prospective buyers and on-lookers chuckled as item after item was put up for bid, such as a bed-bug buster or an illuminated cat that was designed to scare away mice. Then there was a device to prevent snoring. It consisted of a trumpet that reached from the mouth to the ear and was designed to awaken the snorer and not the neighbors. One person designed a tube to reach from his mouth to his feet so that his breath would keep his feet warm as he slept. There was an adjustable pulpit which could be raised or lowered. You could hit a button and make the pulpit descend or ascend to illustrate a point dramatically. Obviously, at one time somebody had high hopes for each of those designs which did not make it. Some died in poverty, having spent all of their money trying to sell their dream. Each one represented a mountain of disappointments. One hundred fifty thousand broken dreams! Is there anything sadder? — Today’s Gospel describes the shattered dreams of two of Jesus’ disciples at the tragic and unexpected death of their Master whom they had hoped was as their promised Messiah. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

Introduction: Our Scripture lessons for today have one common, encouraging theme: No matter what happens in our lives, the risen Jesus is always with us. God is near to those who seek Him and who want to live in His presence, doing His will. The Emmaus incident is the story of a God who will not abandon us when we are hurt and disappointed. As Francis Thompson put it, He is “The Hound of Heaven” Who relentlessly follows us when we try to escape from His love. The message of today’s Scripture readings is that the followers of Jesus are to maintain contact with their risen Lord through prayer, the Eucharist, and the Bible. The readings also remind us that our belief in Jesus’ presence in the consecrated Bread and Wine should help us to understand better his presence in the Bible and in the believing and worshipping community. Putting the two appearances (to the Emmaus disciples and to Peter), together, it is clear that the risen Jesus wants Peter to act as spokesman for him, and that the faithful who seek to follow Jesus should seek his company in the Eucharist, in prayer, in the praying community, and in the Bible under the direction of Peter and his successors. The first reading (Acts 2:14, 22-33) explained: Today we hear the beginning of Peter’s first public proclamation of the Good News about Jesus, telling the gathered people that God raised Jesus from death, thus fulfilling the Messianic prophecies about the promised descendant of David. The reading is taken from the first and the longest of Peter’s five discourses preserved in the Acts of the Apostles. During his speech, Peter refers to Israel’s beloved King David, quoting Psalm 16 (ascribed to David), and asserting that David, “foresaw and spoke of the Resurrection of the Christ.” Today’s reading tries to describe a time before the earliest Christians realized that God was calling them to embrace all people. At this stage, they were the first few Jews to have caught on to the Messianic identity of Jesus, and their goal was to convince other Jews of what they had realized.

The second reading (1 Peter 1:17-21) explained: Peter exhorts the early Church, made up of Hebrew and pagan converts, to place their Faith and Hope in God Who has saved them through the precious Blood of His Son, and Who has raised Jesus from the dead. Peter repeats the assertion made in Acts, that Jesus’ death and Resurrection was part of God’s plan from all eternity. Hence, Jesus’ sufferings and subsequent glorification by God should serve to center the Christian’s Faith and Hope in God Who has accepted those sufferings as an act of Redemption for all mankind. From this reassuring truth, Christians should sense God’s Providence, both in their own current situations and in the whole of their lives, and they should understand the place of their present struggles in a wider context. The root of our Faith must be the Resurrection of Jesus, and Peter argues that it is essential for everyone in the Christian community to experience the risen Jesus, alive and present in everyday life.

Gospel exegesis: Luke’s Emmaus Gospel is a beautiful, theological dramatization of one of the encounters of the disciples with their risen Lord during those wonder-filled days after the discovery of the empty tomb (Mk 16:12-13). It is the story of how, on Easter Sunday evening, two disciples of Jesus, discouraged and devastated, set out on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus — a distance of about seven miles — and were overtaken by a stranger going along the same road. They began to speak to him about all that had occurred in the Holy City during the previous week. Most probably, Cleopas and his companion were husband and wife, residents of Emmaus and disciples of Jesus who had witnessed His crucifixion and burial.

Cleophas and companion: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.”(John 19:25). From the Gospels we also learn that this wife of Clophas/Cleophas was also the mother of James the Less and Joses, and that she had been a follower, as well as a helper, of Jesus and his immediate disciples (Mark 15:40, 41: cf. Mark 16:1 and Luke 24:10). Mark 16:1 tells us that “Mary the mother of James brought spices to prepare the body of Jesus.” Then, in Luke 24:10 “The women [who went to the tomb, and to whom Jesus appeared] were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James.” This may explain why, after his appearance to Mary Magdalene in the garden early in the morning (and not counting an otherwise unrecorded appearance to Peter), Jesus was next seen by Cleopas and his wife, Mary (and this was before he appeared had appeared to any of the “regular” disciples!), who had chosen to leave Jerusalem on the afternoon of the third day after the death of Jesus – the very day they had received news that the tomb was empty. They were “prevented” from recognizing the Stranger, Jesus, perhaps partly by their preoccupation with their own disappointment and problems. As they journeyed on with him, Jesus showed them how the Scriptures had foretold all that he had done and suffered, including his death and its purpose. His coming to them and walking alongside of them illustrates the truth that the road to Emmaus is a road of companionship with Jesus who desires to walk with each of us: “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20). The incident illustrates that Jesus is with us, even when we do not recognize him.

Encounters with God: The Old Testament describes how the Chosen People encountered God in unexpected ways. Gn 18:1-15 describes how Abraham, at Mamre, entertained three “angels” (interpreted as a first hint that God is TriUne) unaware. Running from his troubles, Jacob laid his head on a stone while he slept and saw a stairway to Heaven. He is presented as wrestling all night with a manifestation of God in the flesh. Moses turned aside from his flock of sheep to see why a bush would burn and not be consumed and heard the Voice of God speaking from that bush. Isaiah reports, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a Throne, high, and lifted up, and His train filled the Temple,” being adored by Seraphin chanting, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His Glory” (Is 6:1-6), a prelude to his own cleansing and consecration as a Prophet of the Lord God. Saul of Tarsus met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and Jesus got Saul’s attention by knocking him to the ground and striking him blind in the blaze of light accompanying the vision. God’s Self-disclosure to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus was unexpected, but in a radically different way from the encounters mentioned above.

Invitation accepted: The Jewish custom required that Cleopas and his companion invite Jesus to dinner. Hence, they invited Jesus for a night’s rest in their house – and Jesus accepted the invitation. During the meal, when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to them, the disciples realized that this stranger was Jesus, the risen Christ, and Jesus immediately vanished. Later they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us when he opened up the Scriptures to us?” Since they could not keep the Good News to themselves, the Emmaus disciples immediately got up and walked back seven miles to Jerusalem to share their story with the other disciples. The Fathers of the Church note how well the details of this Emmaus episode match our process of coming to Faith in Jesus Christ. First, there are questions and a search for answers. Then comes a moment of discovery when our eyes are opened and our hearts within begin to burn with longing. Finally, there is the desire to tell the story to all who will listen.

Liturgical setting: Luke’s Gospel, written toward the end of the first century, was mainly meant for Christians who had not witnessed Christ in the flesh. Luke tells us that we can meet and experience the risen Lord through the reading and interpretation of Scripture (v. 27), and the “Breaking of the Bread,” as the Lord’s Supper (vv. 30-31) was known then. The story of the encounter on the Emmaus Road is presented in a liturgical fashion using liturgical language such as the commentary: “…he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them” (v 30); “the Lord has risen indeed” (v. 34). Thus, the risen Christ is revealed through the telling of the story, the interpretation of Scripture, and the
“Breaking of the Bread.” Jesus began revealing himself through the Scriptures (vv. 25-27) and completed the revelation through the Eucharist (vv. 30-31). This means that Christ still reveals himself to us through Word and Sacrament. The word “companion” derives from two Latin words, “cum” meaning “together with,” and “panis” which means “bread,” implying that companionship is the result especially of eating together, breaking bread together, something which is at the heart of the Eucharist.

Lessons from Emmaus: Luke’s Emmaus story teaches us that (1) Jesus’ death and Resurrection fit God’s purpose as revealed in the Scriptures; (2) the risen Jesus is present in the Word of God, and especially in the Breaking of the Bread; 3) suffering was necessary for the Messiah “to enter into his glory”; and 4) we have a risen Savior, One Who personally walks with us on our daily paths, talks with us through His Word, and with Whom we can talk through prayer. He is the One Who opens our minds to understand and respond to His Word. (The bishops at the Second Vatican Council recorded these compelling words which are still deeply relevant to the Church today: “The Church has always venerated the Divine Scriptures just as it venerates the Body of the Lord, since from the table both of the Word of God and of the Body of Christ it unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the Bread of Life. It has always regarded the Scriptures, together with sacred tradition, as the supreme rule of Faith and will ever do so” (Dei Verbum 21). Jesus is with us, is concerned about us, and provides for us regardless of what life may bring. Further, the Father, at Jesus’ request, has given us the Holy Spirit so that we may teach others about Him. Let us, therefore, with the perception of His presence, walk with Jesus, talk with Him, depend on Him, worship Him, and tell others about Him.

Life messages: 1) Jesus meets us on our Emmaus Road. The risen Lord meets us on the road to our Emmaus, both in the ordinary experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. We, too, have hopes and dreams of better health, healing, financial security and family relationships. These hopes and dreams often shatter. The story promises us, however, that Jesus will come to us in unfamiliar guises to support and strengthen us when we least expect to encounter our risen Lord. Emmaus moments come to us when we meet the risen Christ on our life’s journey through rough times.

2) The road to Emmaus is a road of companionship. Jesus, now freed from the space-time limits of his earthly life, is present in our midst and wants to be our Friend. The risen Lord desires that we walk with Him and with one another: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Is 43:2-3). He wants to join us in our travels of life: “I am a Companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts” (Ps 119:63). “Where two or three are gathered in My Name, I am there among them” (Mt 18:20). 3) We meet Jesus daily on our life’s journey. The Church instructs us to hear Jesus on a daily basis through our faithful reading of, and meditation on, the Bible; through our participation in the Eucharistic celebration at which we receive Jesus as our spiritual Food and Drink; through our personal and family prayers; and through our family meals. When we meet our risen Lord through the Word of God, we commune with him. We renew our relationship with Jesus through prayer. All these meetings prepare and enable us to encounter the risen Jesus living in all the people we meet, and do Him humble, loving, selfless service in each of them. 4) Do our hearts burn when we listen to the Risen Lord? Sacred Tradition teaches us that the reading of the Scriptures, the study of the Scriptures and the proclamation of the message of the Scriptures are the primary ways in which we meet God. Vatican II (Dei Verbum 21) tells us that Jesus is to be equally venerated in the Eucharist and in the Bible. Therefore, we need to study the Bible, learn the Bible, memorize the Bible, and meditate on the word of God. We know that Christ lives in the Bible, and so we need to spend time in the Bible to have a deep, intimate, loving, caring, long-term relationship with Jesus Christ. We know we are to brush our teeth every day. Likewise, we are to read the Bible every day, making it habitual, because people either read the Bible daily or almost never. When we read the Scriptures daily, we meet and converse with Jesus Christ! Abraham Lincoln, whom many consider the best President of the United States, said: “The greatest gift that God gave to human beings is the Bible.” Another President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, said that it was a principle of his to read the Bible through each and every year. Yet another great President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, said, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” Goethe, the great German philosopher, said that the beauty of the Bible grows as we grow in our understanding of it.

5) We need to find Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread. In the Gospel story for today, we learn that we find Christ is in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. When we approach the altar to receive the Sacrament, we see and receive Christ. In John 6:51, Jesus says, “Whoever eats My Body and drinks My Blood shall live with me eternally.” The Eucharist is true “soul food,” the Bread of life for eternity. It feeds us and fulfills our spiritual needs. It is a pity that, often, we don’t realize what is happening during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the sacred banquet of all believers. In this meal, we are in communion, not only with Jesus, but also with our family and friends who have preceded us in death. The Eucharist is not simply Bread and Wine for today – it is a banquet for all eternity.

Jokes of the week

1) Risen Lord in the train. On her first train trip, a little girl was put into an upper berth by her mother. The mother then assured her that Jesus would watch over her during the night. As the lights were switched off the girl became alarmed and called out softly: “Mom, are you there?” “Yes dear,” her mother replied. A little later the child called in a louder voice: “Daddy, are you there too?” “Yes”, was the reply. After this had been repeated several times, one of the passengers lost patience and shouted: “We’re all here. Your father, your mother, your brothers and sisters and cousins, your uncles and aunts – all are here. Now go to sleep!” There was silence for a while. Then, in a hushed voice the child asked: “Mom, was that risen Jesus traveling with us?”

2) The Risen Lord is watching: Up at the head table in the cafeteria, one of the nuns had placed a big bowl of bright red, fresh, juicy apples. Beside the bowl, she placed a note which read, “Take only one. Remember, Jesus is watching.” At the other end of the table was a bowl full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven. Beside the bowl was a little note scrawled in a child’s handwriting which read, “Take all you want. Jesus is watching the apples!”

3) Where is God? A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their neighborhood, their sons were probably involved. The boys’ mother heard that a priest in the downtown parish had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The pastor agreed but asked to see them individually. So, the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning, and fixed the appointment of the older boy with the priest in the afternoon. The priest, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, “Where is God?” a basic Baltimore Catechism question. The boy’s mouth dropped open and he made no response. So, the priest repeated the question in an even sterner tone, “Where is God!!?” Again, the boy made no attempt to answer. So, the clergyman raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy’s face and bellowed, “WHERE IS GOD!?” The boy screamed, ran directly home, and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, “What happened?” The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, “We are in BIG trouble this time, Dave. God is missing – and they think WE did it!”

USEFUL WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

Nick’s collection of Sunday homilies from 65 priests & weekday homilies: https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies

Don’ collection of video homilies & blogs: https://sundayprep.org/featured-homilies/
Geoffrey Plant’s beautiful & scholarly video classes on Sunday gospel, Bible & RCIA topics: https://sundayhomilies.au/homilies/

Brant Pitre’s commentary on Cycle A Sunday Scripture for Bible Class: https://catholicproductions.com/blogs/mass-readings-explained-year-Biblical basis of Catholic doctrines: http://scripturecatholic.com/
Agape Catholic Bible Lessons: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/

6)Catholic directory & resources: http://www.catholicweb.com/directory.cfm

^{7) It’s Catholic:}^{http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/html/article654.html}^,

^{8) Catholic online:}^{http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1586}

10) Bible project videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject/

The beginner’s guide to life of faith: http://www.beginningcatholic.com/
Catholic Community Forum: News, reflections, homilies, patron saints (http://www.catholic-forum.com/)

13) Focus On the Family: http://www.family.org/

9)The Catholic Internet Directory: One of the most complete sources of Catholic information available on the Internet. A must visit! http://www.catholic-church.org/cid/

Videos & movie

1) https://youtu.be/8YlzWPPiH4A – Jesus at Emmaus video-1

2) https://youtu.be/dmmTWQn95xQ – Jesus at Emmaus video-2

3) https://youtu.be/NARNL7VEUNs – Road to Emmaus Movie and Story Full HD

26- Additional anecdotes:

# 1: The risen Lord with the most beautiful smile. A young boy was walking home through the park after attending a Sunday school class. Somehow, he couldn’t stop thinking about the lesson for that day about Jesus’ teaching on the Last Judgment. What impressed him most was what the teacher said, “When you give something to another person, you’re really giving it to Jesus, and you will find the risen Jesus in everyone you meet.” As he continued through the park, he noticed an old woman sitting on a bench. She looked lonely and hungry. So he sat down next to her, took a chocolate bar he had saved and offered some to her. She accepted it with a beautiful smile, and he watched her smiles as she chewed the chocolate. Then they sat together in silence, just smiling at each other. Finally, the boy got up to leave. As he began to walk away, he turned, ran back to the bench, and gave the woman a big hug. When he arrived home, his mother saw a big smile on his face and asked, “What made you so happy today?” He said, “I shared my chocolate bar with Jesus.” Before his mother could ask more questions, he added, “You know, she has the most beautiful smile in the world!” Meanwhile, the old woman returned to her little apartment where she lived with her sister. “You’re all smiles,” said her sister. “What made you so happy today?” She replied, “I was sitting in the park, eating a chocolate bar with Jesus. And, you know, he looks a lot younger than I expected!.” — Today’s Gospel tells us that we will meet and experience the risen Jesus in unexpected places and persons. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 2: Euryclea’s moment of recognition: In Homer’s 8th century B.C. Greek epic poem, The Odyssey, we read the tale of Odysseus, the ruler of the Island country, Ithaca. Odysseus was the valiant warrior who fought bravely in the Trojan War. But according to legend, his homeward journey after that war was interrupted for many years as Poseidon, (the god of the sea, angered by Odysseus’ blinding of Poseidon’s son, Polyphemos, the one-eyed Cyclops), and Helios, (god of the sun, enraged by the slaughter of his cattle by Odysseus’ men), worked against the best efforts of Odysseus’ patron, Athena (the goddess of wisdom), and Zeus (Father of the Gods), to bring Odysseus home at the end of the time prescribed by his destiny. Odysseus’ journeys carried him far and wide as he encountered mythic beasts, powers and lands, many of which have passed into common parlance: the Cyclops, the Procrustean bed, Scylla and Charybdis, and the Sirens’ voices. Meanwhile back at his home, Odysseus’ wife Penelope and family feared him dead. Finally, however, the day came when the gods released Odysseus and he arrived home at last. In his 20-year absence, as Athena had told him, his young son had grown up, and Penelope, his faithful wife had been, for the past three years, besieged by suitors. Athena had commanded Odysseus to destroy these men, restore his kingdom and rule there in peace with his son Telemachus to succeed him. Then Odysseus, disguised by Athena as a poor stranger in need of temporary lodging, made his way to the faithful keeper of the pigs and thence to the housekeeper, Euryclea. She welcomed the apparent traveler and washed his feet as was usual for a guest, telling him about her long-lost master, Odysseus, whom she had served as a nurse when he was young, remarking that the child had been gored by a wild boar, and had a nasty scar on his leg from the tusk. As Euryclea finished washing the stranger’s feet, her hand brushed against that old scar. Instantly her eyes were opened and she recognized, with great joy, her beloved friend and master! — Today’s Gospel describes how the Emmaus travelers recognized their fellow traveler’s identity as the risen Lord at “the breaking of the bread.” (Scott Hoeze). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 3: “I met some guy in here last week who looks just like you!” A man wrote to Reader’s Digest to tell about his father-in-law, whose name is Eugene. Eugene was in a restaurant with some business associates when a distinguished-looking gentleman rushed up to his table. Hardly able to contain his enthusiasm, the man began to pump Eugene’s hand vigorously, all the while addressing him as Joe, fondly recalling the great times they had together in the Army. Eugene, who had served in the Merchant Marines, gently told the man that he was mistaken, and had evidently confused him with someone else. The stranger, obviously embarrassed, apologized profusely and left. A week later, while leaving the same restaurant, Eugene bumped into the stranger again. This time, the stranger hugged him, and repeated to all within earshot the poignant story of two Army buddies who had not seen each other in years. Finally, before Eugene could speak a word, he said, “You know, you’re never going to believe this, but I met some guy in here last week who looks just like you!” — We could understand that happening. He hadn’t seen his old Army buddy in many years. We can even understand about the man in the hospital thinking another woman was his wife. But how do you explain Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb not recognizing the Risen Christ? And how do you explain the two disciples on the road to Emmaus walking and talking with Christ for seven miles that same day, and they, too, did not recognize him? Today’s Gospel tells that story! (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 4: “Are you Jesus?“ Several years ago, a group of computer salesmen from Milwaukee went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in time for dinner. But the meeting ran overtime, and the men had to race to the railway station, tickets in hand. As they barged through the terminal, one man inadvertently kicked over a table supporting a basket of apples. Without stopping, all the men reached the train and boarded it with sighs of relief. But one of them paused, feeling a twinge of compunction for the boy whose apple stand had been overturned. He waved goodbye to his companions and returned to the boy. He was glad he had because the ten-year-old boy was blind. The salesman gathered up the apples and noticed that several of them were bruised. He reached into his wallet and said to the boy, “Here, please take this ten-dollar bill for the damage we did. I hope it won’t spoil your day.” As he started to walk away, the bewildered boy called after him, “Are you Jesus?” — Jesus comes to us in various disguises. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 5: The story of “Wrong Way Riegels“ is a familiar one, but it bears repeating. On New Year’s Day, l929, Georgia Tech played UCLA in the Rose Bowl. In that game a young man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for UCLA. Picking up the loose ball, he lost his sense of direction and ran sixty-five yards toward the wrong goal line. One of his teammates, Benny Lom, ran him down and tackled him just before he reached the end zone. The Bruins were forced to punt. Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety, demoralizing the UCLA team. The strange play came in the first half. At halftime the UCLA players filed off the field and into the dressing room. They sat around on benches and the floor. But Riegels put a blanket around his shoulders, sat down in a corner, and put his face in his hands. A football coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during halftime. That day Coach Price was quiet. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riegels. When the timekeeper came in and announced that there were three minutes before playing time, Coach Price looked at the team and said, “Men, the same team that played the first half will start the second.” The players got up and started out, all but Riegels. He didn’t budge. The coach looked back and called to him. Riegels didn’t move. Coach Price went over to where Riegels sat and said, “Roy, didn’t you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second.” Roy Riegels looked up, his cheeks wet with tears. “Coach,” he said, “I can’t do it. I’ve ruined you. I’ve ruined the university’s reputation. I’ve ruined myself. I can’t face that crowd out there.” Coach Price reached out, put his hands on Riegels’ shoulder, and said, “Roy, get up and go on back. The game is only half over.” [“To Illustrate,” Leadership (Spring 1992), p. 49.] — No appearance of Christ after the Resurrection is more vivid or beautiful than the episode that takes place on the Road to Emmaus because it is a story of singular grace and charm. The two disciples, like Roy Riegels, were traveling in the wrong direction. They had “fumbled” and were running away from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They thought the game of life was over. Imagine their surprise when Jesus told them that the same team of disciples who had fled from the cross was going to start the second half of the game. He was telling them there would be a tomorrow. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 6: Jesus on a Maple tree? There is an 80-foot tall maple tree in Milford, Connecticut that hasn’t changed much over the years. There are new leaves every spring, of course, and the leaves fall off every autumn. And there is the spot where a limb came off when Hurricane Gloria blew through in 1985.The spot where the limb was blown off caused quite a stir in the neighborhood sometime back. One of the residents, Claudia Voight, looked at the tree one day and saw what looked like the face of Jesus. “It took my breath away,” she recalls. “I told my friend to come over and pretty soon we had the entire neighborhood here looking.” Word spread quickly throughout the area and before anyone realized it the maple tree became a popular attraction as car after car drove by to see the face of Christ on the tree. Drivers slowed down as they passed by, while others parked and walked through yards to see firsthand this strange apparition. Eve Mizera, another Hawley Avenue neighbor, brought her 17-year-old son over to touch the tree in the hope it would cure him of the seizures that he suffers. “You never know,” Eve says. Another resident, Cathy Cornwall, says she brought her three children over to see the tree. “We have a lot of single mothers in the neighborhood,” she explains, “and teenagers who have to make tough decisions in these times.” Cathy also sees the face in the tree as a message of hope. She says it’s “like a message to have faith in ourselves and to have hope for the world.” [“Face of Jesus seen in a maple tree,” The Morning Call (Allentown, PA, July 25, 1992), p. B-25.] — This brings us to our question for the day. Where in the world do we find Jesus? Today’s Gospel gives us the answer that Jesus meets us on our life’s Emmaus Road. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 7: It takes the signal nine hours to get to earth. In 1972, NASA launched an exploratory space probe called Pioneer 10. The mission of Pioneer 10 was to fly to Jupiter, take pictures of the planet and moons and send back data about the atmosphere, magnetic field, and radiation belts. Many scientists did not think this would be possible, because they feared that the probe would be destroyed in the asteroid belt, and up to this point, no probe had made it past Mars. But, Pioneer 10 completed its mission in November of 1973, and continued to travel into space. By 1997, the probe had traveled six billion miles from the sun. In spite of the great distance, scientists are still able to pick up radio signals from the probe that they can decipher. What is more remarkable is that these signals are sent by an 8‑watt transmitter, which is only as powerful as a night light, and it takes the signal nine hours to get to earth. (Rev. Matt Sapp, http://www.ccountry.net/~svchurch/svcc/sermons/mark10d.htm) –It is always amazing to me that a generation that takes for granted the wonders of science is so quick to dismiss the power and the purpose of the Creator who set it all in motion in the first place. God is alive. God is personal. God cares about us and God desires to reveal Himself to us just as Christ revealed himself to those two disciples on the road to Emmaus. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 8: “But I’ve got this problem, I can’t sleep at night.” Dr. Tony Campolo, in his film series, You Can Make a Difference, tells the story of a Christian colleague with a PhD. in English Literature who quit his job and became a mailman because Christ opened up a new tomorrow in his life. Tony went to the man’s apartment to try to persuade him to change his mind. Here is how Tony describes that encounter: Tony says, “I couldn’t change his mind, so I came back with the old Protestant work ethic thing. I said, ‘Charlie, if you’re gonna be a mailman, be the best mailman you can be.’ He looked at me with a silly grin and said, ‘I’m a lousy mailman.’ I asked, ‘What do you mean, you’re a lousy mailman?’ He answered, ‘Everybody else gets the mail delivered by one o’clock; I never get back until about five thirty or six.’ ‘What takes so long?’ I wanted to know. He said, ‘I visit! That’s why it takes so long. You wouldn’t believe how many people on my route never got visited until I became the mailman. But I’ve got this problem, I can’t sleep at night.’ I asked, ‘Why can’t you sleep?’ He said, ‘Who can sleep after drinking twenty cups of coffee?’ I began to get the image of this mailman on the job. He was no ordinary mailman. I could picture him going from door to door and at each home giving more than the mail. I could see him visiting solitary widows, counseling troubled teenagers, joking with lonely old men. I could see him delivering the mail in a way that was extra-ordinary for the people on his route. He’s the only mailman I know that on his birthday the people on his route get together, hire out a gym, and throw a party for him. They love him because he’s a mailman who expresses the love of Jesus everywhere, he goes. In his own subtle way, my friend Charles is changing his world, changing the lives of people, touching them where they are, making a difference in their lives. It may not sound like much, but that man who is delivering mail like Jesus would deliver mail, is an agent of God who is changing the world.” [Tony Campolo, You Can Make a Difference, (Word, Inc., l984), pp. 54-55.] — We can return to our “Jerusalem” and wait for the energizing power of the Holy Spirit to help us to travel like the PhD mailman, in a new direction doing the work that we feel Christ has called us to do. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 9: “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugar water or do you want a chance to change the world?” On March 20, 1983, John Sculley, President of Pepsi Cola and one of America’s fastest rising corporate stars, stepped off the elevator and into the penthouse suite of the San Remo apartment building in New York. He was there to give Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer, an answer to his offer. For months, Jobs and his staff, badly in need of a brilliant leader to manage their rapid growth, had been trying to lure Sculley away from Pepsi. Sculley had discouraged their efforts. He had no interest in leaving Pepsi and he knew almost nothing about computers. Besides, he was slotted for the top spot at Pepsi and his salary, stock options and perks were beyond anything Jobs could hope to match. Still, Jobs persisted. Their conversation unfolded like this, according to Sculley: “We were on the balcony’s west side, facing the Hudson River and he finally asked me directly: ‘Are you going to come to Apple?’ ‘Steve,’ I said, ‘I really love what you’re doing. I’m excited by it. How could anyone not be captivated? But it doesn’t make sense. I’d love to be an advisor to you, to help you in any way. Anytime you’re in New York, I’d love to spend time with you. But I don’t think I can come to Apple.’ Steve’s head dropped as he stared at the pavement. After a weighty, uncomfortable pause, he issued a challenge that would haunt me for days: ‘Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugar water or do you want a chance to change the world?'” (Youth Worker, Spring, 1993.) — When the two disciples recognized it was the Lord Jesus who shared dinner with them even though they had failed and forsaken him, they never felt more loved. Their hearts burned with His love. Jesus declared to them that the game of life was only half over. They were to turn around and get back to Jerusalem and await further instructions and a new assignment. The schedule would go on as planned. Jesus was giving them a chance to change the world. That brings us to a question that we should often ask ourselves as we travel on our own Emmaus Road. Are we affecting the world–or is the world infecting us? (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 10: “What exciting thing is going to happen today?” In A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, Pooh and Piglet take an evening walk. For a long time, they walk in silence, the silence only best friends can share. Finally, Piglet breaks the silence and asks, “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh, what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” answers Pooh, and then asks, “And what do you say, Piglet?” Piglet says, “I say, ‘I wonder what exciting thing is going to happen today!’”[Robert D. Dale, To Dream Again, (Broadman Press, Nashville, 1981).] — You and I can’t really plan to meet the risen Christ because we never really know when or where He’s going to show up. But you can be sure of this: He will show up. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 11: “And the light in his eyes does not go out…”: Alexander I. Solzhenitsyn demonstrated the power of the Word of God in his book, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, a book based on his own prison experiences. Ivan notices that one of his fellow prisoners in the Gulag Archipelago is not broken, and the light in his eyes does not go out, as it seems to in all the other convicts. This is because each night in his bunk before the glimmering bulb is turned off, this man reverently unfolds some wrinkled pieces of paper that have somehow escaped the censor. On them are copied passages from the Gospels. The Book of Life was the secret of this man’s strength and endurance deep in the darkest corner behind the Iron Curtain. [Earl C. Davis in Sermons and Services for Special Days, Jack Galledge, ed. (Nashville Convention Press, 1979).] — That is one way we encounter the risen Christ – in the “Breaking of the Bread of Life” which is the Word. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 12: For Helen Keller it was a gigantic breakthrough: Young Helen Keller was imprisoned by her circumstances. She could neither see nor hear. She could feel with her hands, but without sight or hearing, how could she know what it was she was feeling? One day her teacher Ann Sullivan took Helen down a familiar path to the well house to refill a pitcher of water Helen had upset. And drew the water and, as she poured it into the pitcher, she let the water run over one of Helen’s hands and in sign language spelled into the other, WATER. Suddenly something happened within Helen — something dramatic, something life changing. It was only a five-letter word, but for Helen Keller it was a gigantic breakthrough. She now had a name for a familiar part of her life, water. If this substance had a name, other familiar objects and sensations must have names as well. It was as if she had suddenly burst forth from a closely guarded prison. Now she could be a whole person, experiencing the world as a real human being in spite of her handicaps. — Such a breakthrough is always exciting. Such a breakthrough came to two of the disciples of Jesus on their Emmaus journey described in today’s Gospel. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 13: “Don’t worry, Miss, I’ve got you.” Our tendency is to look for Christ in the extraordinary, the spectacular, the breathtaking. Remember in Superman: The Movie when Superman first reveals his superpowers to the world? Lois Lane is dangling from a cable, high atop the Daily Planet building, screaming at the top of her lungs. Just as she begins her long fall to earth, Superman changes into his flashy red, yellow, and blue outfit and swoops up to catch her in midair. “Don’t worry, Miss,” he assures her, “I’ve got you.” “You’ve got me!” she exclaims. “Who’s got you?” Just then the helicopter that has been perched on the edge of the building begins to fall straight toward them and the crowd below. But Superman merely grabs it with his one free arm and gently sets both it and Lois safely back on the landing pad. When he turns to leave, an astonished Lois stammers out the words, “Who ARE you?” “A friend,” Superman replies warmly, and as he flies straight up into the air with a sort of half twist, Lois faints in a heap. [Jack Kuhatschek, The Superman Syndrome (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995), p. 133.] — That’s the way we would like to have Christ to come to us. And that is why we miss Him. Christ reveals Himself as He has always revealed Himself, “through the Word and through the Sacraments,” that is, through the study of Scripture and the Breaking of the Bread. That is why, when we need encouragement, we go to our Bibles or we go to our Church because there Christ is revealed in all his glory. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 14: “We pursue him in order to show him the way.” There is a gripping story of a traveler who was walking along the road one day when a man on horseback rushed by. There was an evil look in his eyes and blood on his hands. Minutes later a crowd of riders drew up and wanted to know if the traveler had seen someone with blood on his hands go by. They were in hot pursuit of him. “Who is he?” the traveler asked. “An evil-doer,” said the leader of the crowd. “And you pursue him in order to bring him to justice?” asked the traveler. “No,” said the leader, “we pursue him in order to show him the way.” [Fr. Anthony de Mello, Taking Flight (New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc., 1990), p. 65.] — The picture we have in the New Testament is of a God who pursues us so that He may show us the way. Christ comes to the two disciples. They do not recognize him, but it is Jesus who takes the initiative. He walks with them and interprets Scripture for them. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 15: The next morning the soldier was back in the trenches. There is a story of a British soldier in the First World War who lost heart for the battle and deserted. Trying to reach the coast for a boat to England that night, he ended up wandering in the pitch-black night, hopelessly lost. In the darkness, he came across what he thought was a signpost. It was so dark that he began to climb the post so that he could read it. As he reached the top of the pole, he struck a match to see and found himself looking squarely into the face of Jesus Christ. He realized that, rather than running into a signpost, he had climbed a roadside crucifix. Then he remembered the One who had died for him . . . who had endured . . . who had never turned back. The next morning the soldier was back in the trenches. [“To Illustrate,” Preaching Magazine, (Jan-Feb 1989).] — Maybe that’s what you and I need to do in the moments of our distress and darkness – strike a match in the darkness and look on the face of Jesus Christ. For Christ is here. He comes to us just as he came to those two disciples on the road to Emmaus, even though we may not recognize him. He takes the initiative. He knocks on the door. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 16: Healing of the grandfather: The grandfather of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber was lame. Once day they asked him to tell a story about his teacher, and he related how his master used to hop and dance while he prayed. The old man rose as he spoke and was so swept away by his story that he himself began to hop and dance to show how his master did it. From that moment he was cured of his lameness. — When we tell the story of Christ, we achieve two things. We enable others to experience Him, and we ourselves experience his power even more. We can see that happening in today’s Gospel.

17) “We are winning!” A young boy was playing left field in a Little League game when a man yelled over the fence, “Hey son, who’s winning?” The little boy replied, “We are!” “What’s the score?” “They have 23 — We have 0.” “They have you 23 to 0?” The man was confused. “I thought you said you were winning.” “Oh, we are,” explained the little boy. “You see, we ain’t come to bat yet!” — It was easy for the disciples to quit. The One in Whom they had placed their hopes was dead. It was 23-0 their life that Easter morning. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

18) Karl Barth’s barber: Karl Barth, one of the twentieth century’s most famous Protestant theologians, was on a streetcar one day in Basel, Switzerland where he lived and lectured. A tourist to the city climbed on the streetcar and sat down next to Barth. The two men started chatting with each other. “Are you new to the city?” Barth inquired. “Yes,” said the tourist. “Is there anything you would particularly like to see in this city?” asked Barth. “Yes,” he said, “I’d love to meet the famous theologian Karl Barth. Do you know him?” Barth replied, “Well as a matter of fact, I do. I give him a shave every morning.” The tourist got off the streetcar quite delighted. He went back to his hotel saying to himself, “I met Karl Barth’s barber today.” — That amuses me. That tourist was in the presence of the very person he most wanted to meet, but even with the most obvious clue, he never realized that the man with whom he was talking was the great man himself. It reminds me of Mary’s reaction on Easter morning. In her grief, she thinks the man she is speaking to is the gardener. It is not, of course, but it is not until he calls her by name, that she realizes that she is already speaking with the risen Christ. And, of course, it reminds me of that scene on the road to Emmaus, when later that same Easter day, two of the disciples walk for a while with the resurrected Jesus, and they, too, have no idea with whom they are conversing. (Rev. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com. Quoted by Fr. Tony Kayala) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

19) “…all the dark shadows of doubt vanished away” (from the Confessions of St. Augustine). Augustine made a life in Rome and Milan between the 4th and 5th centuries, and, after his conversion to Christianity, he returned to Hippo, in Africa as its Bishop. After Rome fell and faded into dust, Augustine’s writings were what largely kept Christianity alive and made it the most influential movement the world has ever known. It is remarkable that between the 8th and 12th centuries Augustine’s writings were more widely read than any other. And that was 400 to 700 years after his death. But he was not always a saint. Before he was converted at age 29, he lived to fulfill every lust and desire for pleasure. But Augustine had one great asset that saved his pitiful life — a praying mother! She never gave up on him, and then one day he stopped long enough to listen to the voices around him. Augustine had just heard a sermon by Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. We are told in public speaking and preaching classes not to read long quotes but I’m going to do it anyway and read something that Augustine wrote. Here’s the quote: “One day, under deep conviction: I cast myself down I know not how, under a certain fig-tree, giving full vent to my tears; and the floods of mine eyes gushed out…So was I weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighboring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting and oft repeating, “Take up and read; Take up and read.” Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words; nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So, checking the torrent of my tears, I arose; interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book, and read the first chapter I should find… Eagerly then I returned to the place where Alypius (his friend) was sitting; for there had I laid the volume of the Apostle. I seized, opened, and in silence read that section on which my eyes first fell: ‘Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh...‘ No further would I read; nor did I need to, for instantly at the end of this sentence, as if before a peaceful light streaming into my heart, all the dark shadows of doubt vanished away. — These two paragraphs have shaped the hearts and minds of hundreds of thousands of people throughout history. Augustine is looking back on his conversion to Christianity and the convictions of his heart. [Adapted from John K. Ryan, trans., The Confessions of St. Augustine, Book 8, Chapter 12, Section 29 (New York: Doubleday Image, 1960), p. 202; quoted by Fr. Kayala.] (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

20) Schindler’s List: In the 1993 Academy Award winning movie, Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler, a selfish businessman, halfway through World War II turned his profitable factory into a very unprofitable cover operation to save Jews from the gas chambers, At the climax of the movie, as the war ends, Schindler is standing with the people he has saved. He looks around at their faces and then he starts to break down. He holds up his watch and says that if he had sold that he could have saved another five people. He does the same with his cuff links. Then he starts to list all the ways he could have saved more people if he had been a little less lazy and a little less self-centered a little bit sooner. He had discovered his mission, but he regretted that he hadn’t discovered it sooner. — We too have a mission. We are on a meaningful journey, a pilgrimage, our Emmaus journey. Christ doesn’t want us to have any regrets, and so he reminds us of this again today. (E-Priest). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

21) Pulling Carts and Building Cathedrals: Centuries ago, when our fellow Christians were building the astonishing Gothic Cathedrals of Europe, the whole town or city would contribute to the work. Sometimes they would do so directly. They would quarry the stone from somewhere outside the city, and every townsperson would put their own stones onto carts. Some of the carts and wagons became so heavy that they would require hundreds of people to pull them to the building site. Yes, the people themselves would pull those carts. They would harness themselves to the carts with ropes, or just grab onto ropes attached to the carts full of stone for the rising cathedral. And all together they would pull the cart along. Sometimes they would sing hymns as they pulled. Most of the time they would pull in silence, each one praying to the Lord in the quiet of his heart, thinking about how much Christ had sacrificed himself on the cross to be able to offer them salvation, and offering him prayers and their own sacrifice in thanksgiving, and in penance for their sins. They had no iPods to listen to as they worked, and no pay–check to look forward to. — What gave them the strength to carry on that backbreaking work, week after week, month after month, decade after decade? It was prayer. They pulled those carts loaded with stone, and while they pulled, they prayed. — We too are pulling our carts through life, loaded with the stones of suffering, frustration, and hardship. And if we become men and women of prayer, we will not only find the strength to keep on pulling, but the Holy Spirit, the master architect, will even build those stones of suffering into beautiful cathedrals, glorifying God and filling hearts with joy for all eternity. That should be our aim while we are on our life’s journey to Emmaus. (E-priest). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

22) “You are my sunshine!”: Like all good parents, when Karen and her husband found that another baby was on the way, they did what they could to help their three-year old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. When they found the baby was going to be a girl, they would gather Michael in their arms and he would sing to his sister in Mummy’s tummy the only song he knows, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.” The pregnancy progressed normally, then the labor pains, but complications arise during delivery. Finally, Michael’s sister was born, but she was in a dangerous condition. The days inched by but the little girl got worse. The pediatric specialist told the parents, “There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.” Michael kept begging to see his sister. “I want to sing to her,” he pleaded But children were not allowed in the ICU. Finally, Karen made up her mind. She would take Michael to the hospital whether they liked it or not, figuring that if he didn’t see his sister now, he might never see her alive. She dressed him and marched him to the ICU, but the head nurse bellowed, “Get that kid out of here now!” Karen glared into the nurse’s face, her lips a firm line and declared, “He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!” Michael gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live, and began to sing in the pure hearted voice of a three-year-old: “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are grey…” Instantly, the baby responded. Her pulse rate becomes calm and steady. Michael kept on singing, “You never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.” The baby’s ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten’s purr. Michael’s little sister relaxed, at rest. Healing rest seemed to sweep over her. Keep on singing Michael! Tears flooded the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. Funeral plans were scrapped. The next day — the very next day- the little girl was well enough to go home! — In an article about the incident, Woman’s Day magazine called it “the miracle of a brother’s song.” Karen called it a miracle of God’s love. The medical staff simply called it a miracle. We call it the Lazarus story all over again. Love is stronger than death. The awareness of the real presence of the risen Lord works such miracles in our lives too. (William Bausch in The Word In and Out of Season; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

23) “The Church of the Second Chance.” In the book titled Saint Maybe, the main character has done something horrible. As he is aimlessly walking around, he happens to see a Church named “The Church of the Second Chance.” He wanders in and sits down. During the service his mind is opened to the possibility of making amends for his sin, a ”do-over.“ — Today’s Gospel is a good example of the truth that God does not expect us to be perfect by our own efforts alone. But He wants us to recognize His presence with us and seek His help. St. Luke, the evangelist and writer of Acts, seems almost to get a kick out of the clueless and sad couple Cleopas and his wife, finally recognizing the Risen Lord, “the God of second chances,” at the “Breaking of the Bread.” Here as they are running away from the Lord of the Second Chance, He welcomes them, and they run back seven miles to Jerusalem to convey the Good News of the Lord’s resurrection to the fellow apostles. (Fr. Steve Humphrey). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

24) The Dismissal is most important: A teacher was once speaking to her students about the Eucharist. She asked the students which was, in their opinion, the most important part of the Mass. Without batting an eyelid, one student replied, “The Dismissal- Go, the Mass is ended!” Initially the teacher thought the student was joking, but he was absolutely serious and meant just what he said. So the teacher asked him to explain, and this is his answer: “The whole purpose of the Mass is to nourish us spiritually -first, with God’s Word in the Liturgy of the Word, and second, with God’s Life in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, culminating in the Holy Communion. And God nourishes us so that we can go forth and bear witness to Him by our lives, our words and our actions.” The teacher was impressed and urged the student to continue. And so he added, “The Eucharist does not end with the Dismissal Rite. On the contrary, it begins there. Like the two disciples at Emmaus, we must go forth and tell others what the Lord Jesus means to us.” (James Valladares in Your Words, O Lord, Are Spirit, and They Are Life; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

25) Valmiki and St. Francis Xavier:. Meeting Jesus was a life-changing experience for the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. In history, we see many people whose lives have been changed by unexpected events. The Uttara Khanda (the seventh and last book of what we call the Valmiki Ramayana) tells the story of Valmiki’s early life as a highway robber named Valya Koli, who used to rob people after killing them. Once, the robber tried to rob the divine sage Narada for the benefit of his family. Narada asked him if his family would share the sin he was incurring due to the robbery. The robber replied positively, but Narada told him to confirm this with his family. The robber asked his family, but none agreed to bear the burden of sin. Dejected, the robber finally understood the truth of life and asked for Nerada’s forgiveness, and meditated for many years, so much so that ant-hills grew around his body. Finally, a divine voice declared his penance successful, bestowing on him the name “Valmiki“: “one born out of ant-hills.” According to the legend, one unexpected question shook his life, and transformed a robber into a sage. The ambitious dreams of Francis Xavier to shine the world over as one of its most intellectual luminaries were thwarted by the famous words of Jesus, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul?” St. Ignatius de Loyola dinned this reminder into Xavier’s ears, and it proved a life-changing experience, for Francis Xavier who, representing the Jesuits, landed in Goa, and spent his days nursing the sick and teaching them Christian doctrine. — “Build a Man a Fire, and He’ll Be Warm for a Day. Set a Man on Fire, and He’ll Be Warm for the Rest of His Life,” says the proverb. That is what Ignatius de Loyola did for Francis Xavier. That is what Jesus did for the disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. (Fr. Bobby Jose). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

26) “Go to Mass every Sunday… work in a soup kitchen!” Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milwaukee said in an interview in the magazine The Critic: “If younger people are having an identity problem as Catholics, I tell them to do two things: Go to Mass every Sunday, and work in a soup kitchen. If one does those two things over a period of time, then something will happen to give one a truly Catholic identity. The altar and the marketplace-these two must be related to each other; when they are, one works better, and prays better.” (Quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/). L/26

“Scriptural Homilies” Cycle A (No. 28) by Fr. Tony: akadavil@gmail.com

Visit my website by clicking on https://frtonyshomilies.com/ for missed or previous Cycle A homilies, 141 Year of Faith “Adult Faith Formation Lessons” (useful for RCIA classes too) & 197 “Question of the Week.” Contact me only at akadavil@gmail.com.Visit https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies of Fr. Nick’s collection of homilies or Resources in the CBCI website: https://www.cbci.in. (Special thanks to Vatican Radio website http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church.html -which completed uploading my Cycle A, B and C homilies in May 2020) My post-retirement contact address is Fr. Anthony Kadavil, C/o Fr. M. C. Joseph, Pastor St. Agatha Church, 1001 Hand Avenue, Bay Minette, Al 36507

April 13-18 Weekday homilies

April 11, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

April 13-18: April 13 Monday: St. Martin I, Pope and Martyr: John 3:1-8: 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.’ 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The context: Today’s Gospel describes the night visit Nicodemus made to Jesus. Nicodemus was a rich Jewish rabbi and one of the seventy members of Sanhedrin. Later in his Gospel, John shows us how Nicodemus argued for a fair trial for Jesus (7:51) and how he cooperated with Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus (19:38). Nicodemus came to Jesus convinced that obeying the Mosaic Law and offering the prescribed sacrifices were enough for one’s eternal salvation.

Hence, Jesus plainly tells him that in order to be saved he has to be born again of water and the Holy Spirit (through Baptism). Jesus further explains that his disciples have two lives, namely natural and supernatural, and two births, namely a physical birth from one’s mother as her son or daughter, and a supernatural birth from God through Baptism as God’s child, a member of His family in the Church and an heir of Heaven. The supernatural birth is possible only when one is baptized into Christ and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Life message: 1) We need to remember that rebirth by water and the Holy Spirit is a continuous process for Christians. For that process of rebirth to take place, we need, every day, to repent of our sins, try, with His grace, to renew our lives through prayer and our sacramental life, do meditative reading of the Bible, accompanied by corporal and spiritual works of mercy and ask for God’s guidance. Fr. Tony(https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 14 Tuesday: Jn 3: 7-15: 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.’ 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

The context: Today’s Gospel is the continuation of the night visit of Nicodemus with Jesus. Nicodemus was a rich Jewish rabbi and one of the seventy members of Sanhedrin. He wanted to clarify whether the obeying of the Mosaic Law and the offering of prescribed sacrifices were enough for one’s eternal salvation. But Jesus used the occasion as a teachable moment, showing Nicodemus the necessity for a spiritual rebirth through the action of the Holy Spirit by means of the water of Baptism as an essential condition for one’s salvation.

Jesus showed Nicodemus the effects the Holy Spirit produces in the souls of the baptized. We know the presence, force, and direction of wind by its effects. It is so with the Holy Spirit, the Divine “Breath” (pneuma), given us in Baptism. In Hebrew and Aramaic, the scholars tell us, the same word, pneuma, means “spirit,” “breath,” and “wind.” We do not know how the Holy Spirit comes to penetrate one’s heart. But He makes His presence felt by the change in the conduct of one who receives Him. Jesus further explains that he himself comes from Heaven, and, hence, his teaching is credible. Then, by comparing how God saved the snake-bitten Israelites through the symbol of the bronze serpent, Jesus tells Nicodemus that “the Son of Man” is going to save mankind by his death on the cross.

Life message: We need to adjust our ways of living, recognizing and making full use of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives: 1) We need to begin every day by asking for His Divine strength and guidance and end every day by asking His pardon and forgiveness for our sins. 2) We need, as well, to pray for His daily anointing and for His gifts, fruits, and charisms so that we may live as children of God. 3) We also need to throw open the shutters and let the Spirit enter the narrow caves in which we bury ourselves. Fr. Tony((https://frtonyshomilies.com/)L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 15 Wednesday: John 3: 16-21: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

The context: Jesus explained God’s plan of salvation to Nicodemus by declaring that the story of Moses and the brazen serpent was a sign pointing to the Good News that God would show His love for mankind by subjecting His own Son to suffering and death in order to save them all: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). This is the summary of the Gospel message of salvation through Christ Jesus. This is the Good News in the Gospels.

Today’s Gospel passage teaches us that our salvation is the free gift of a merciful God, given to us through Jesus, His Son. It explains that Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God, became the agent of God’s salvation, not just for one sinful nation, but for the sins of the whole world from the beginning through the end. Through Jn 3:16, the Gospel teaches us that God has expressed His love, mercy, and compassion for us by giving His only Son for our Salvation. This tells us that the initiative in all Salvation is God’s love for man. St. Augustine of Hippo describes a dream message received by his mother, Monica, who prayed and wept unceasingly, fearing Augustine would be damned because of the life he was leading. This message convinced her that she had to live with him, not cut him off as she had been doing, for God still loved him even in his present condition. Augustine’s example also explains to us the universality of the love of God. God’s motive is Love and God’s objective is Salvation. Those who actually receive eternal life must believe in the Son and express that love in deeds.

Life message: 1) We need to respond to God’s love for us by loving and serving Him in others in whom He dwells. God’s love for us is unconditional, universal, forgiving, and merciful. Let us make an earnest attempt to include these qualities in sharing our love with others during this Easter season. “In the evening of life you will be examined on love,” said St. John of the Cross [Dichos, 64, note 595, CCC 1022; Sayings of Light
and Love, #57 in The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross,
trans. Kieran Kavanaugh OCD and Otilio Rodrigues, OCD Institute of Carmelite
Studies, (Washington, DC: ICS Publications, 1979, p,672).] — What St. John of the Cross means by “love” is love expressed in deeds. Fr. Tony((https://frtonyshomilies.com/)L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 16 Thursday; Jn 3:31-36: 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; 33 he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; 35 the Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him

The context: In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus explains his Divinity to Nicodemus and his relationship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. It is Jesus’ Divinity which gives authority and veracity to his teachings and credibility to his promise of eternal life for his followers.

Jesus’ claims: 1) Jesus claims that, as Son of God, he “comes from Heaven.” Hence, he can speak of God and Heaven from his own experience and reliably about his town. 2) While the Jews believed that prophets were given only a small share in God’s Spirit, Jesus, as God’s only Son, shares the fullness of God’s Spirit and, hence, all his teachings and promises are always reliable. 3) Further, Jesus gives eternal life to his followers: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him” (Jn 3:36).

Life messages: 1) We need to seek the daily guidance and strengthening of the Holy Spirit living within us because it is He Who reveals Divine truths to us and Who gives us a better and clearer understanding of Scriptural truths taught by the Church.

2) Since our destiny depends on our own free daily choices, we need to choose Christ and his teachings and stand for Christ’s ideas and ideals.

3) We need to choose Jesus in order to choose Life. Before his death, Moses challenged Israel: “See I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil…. Therefore, choose life that you may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice, and cleaving to him” (Dt 30:15-20).Joshua repeated the challenge in Jos 24:14-15. We face that challenge every day. Fr. Tony (L-26)

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 17 Friday: John 6:1-15:1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 …15:

The context:Today’s Gospel describes one occasion when Jesus tried in vain to withdraw from the crowds at Capernaum. He went by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to a remote village called Bethsaida Julius, where there was a small grassy plain. But when Jesus stepped ashore, He was faced with a large crowd of people. This was the scene of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand as described in today’s Gospel. This is the only miracle, other than the Resurrection, that is told in all four Gospels, a fact that speaks of its importance to the early Church.Today’s Gospel passage invites us to become humble instruments in God’s hands by sharing our blessings with our brothers and sisters. We may regard the incident in which Jesus multiplied loaves and fish in order to feed his hungry listeners, both as a miracle of Divine Providence and as a Messianic sign. The lesson for every Christian is that, no matter how impossible one’s assignment may seem, with Divine help it can be done: “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Lk 1:37). Jesus used as his starting point for the miraculous meal a young boy’s generous gift of all the food he had, perhaps to remind us that love is the prime requirement for salvation, and selfishness blocks the life-giving action of the grace of God in us. The early Christian community especially cherished this story because they saw this event as anticipating the Eucharist.

Life message: 1) As Christians we need to commit ourselves to share all we have and are, and to work with God in communicating His compassion to all. God is a caring Father, but He wants our co-operation. That’s what the early Christians did, generously sharing what they had with the needy.

2) We, and others in our time, need to ask for the courage to share, even when we think we have nothing to offer. Whatever we offer through Jesus will have a life-giving effect in those who receive it.

3) We are shown two attitudes in the Gospel story: that of Philip and that of Andrew (Jn 6:7-9). Philip said, in effect: “The situation is hopeless; nothing can be done.” But Andrew’s attitude was: “I’ll see what I can do; and I will trust Jesus to do the rest.” We need to have Andrew’s attitude. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 18 Saturday: Jn 6:16-21 : 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, 20 but he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

The context: The event presented by today’s Gospel is the scene immediately following Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand with five small loaves of bread and two fish. Sensing the danger of having the people seize him and make him leader of a revolt, Jesus promptly instructed the apostles to leave the place by boat and, after dispersing the crowd, went by himself to the mountain to pray.

A double miracle in the sea: When the apostles in the boat were three to four miles away from the shore, they faced an unexpected storm, caused by the hot wind of the desert rushing into the Sea of Galilee through the gaps in the Golan Heights. Recognizing the danger, Jesus went to the boat, walking on the stormy sea. Jesus calmed the frightened disciples as he approached the boat, and as soon as he got into the boat it “reached land they were heading for.”

Life messages: 1) We need to approach Jesus with strong Faith in his ability and availability to calm the storms in our lives and in the life of the Church. Church history shows us how Jesus saved his Church from the storms of persecution in the first three centuries, from the storms of heresies in the 5th and 6th centuries, from the storms of moral degradation and the Protestant reformation movement in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and the storms of ongoing Clerical sex abuse scandals, particularly those beginning in the twentieth century.

2) We need to ask Jesus to protect us when we face storms of strong temptations, storms of doubts about our religious beliefs, and storms of fear, anxiety, and worries in our personal lives.

3) Experiencing Jesus’ presence in our lives, we need to confess our Faith in him and call out for his help and protection. (L-26)

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 6-11 Weekday Homilies

April 4, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

April 6-11: April 6 Monday: Mt 28:8-15: 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

The context: Today’s Gospel describes how the two Marys who had been at the foot of the cross – Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” (sister or cousin of Jesus’ mother) – went to the tomb of Jesus early on Sunday morning. They were shocked at seeing an open tomb without Jesus’ body in it. As they ran back with fear and joy to report the news to the apostles, the risen Jesus greeted them and told them to inform the apostles that he would meet them in Galilee. The guards, too, went to the chief priests to report the Resurrection of Jesus. But they were promptly silenced by the Temple authorities who bribed them to spread the false news that Jesus’ body had been stolen by his disciples.

Life messages: 1) The Resurrection of Christ is the most sublime and foundational truth of our Faith. It is the presence of the risen Lord everywhere that gives meaning to our worship and prayers, because Jesus is present everywhere to hear our prayers and grant our petitions. 2) The Risen Lord is present in the Holy Eucharist, in the Bible, in the praying assembly, and in believing Christians, so we need never be out of contact with him. 3) Let us renew this fundamental belief of our Faith every day, and let us recognize and serve the risen Christ in everyone around us, thus becoming the Marys, “apostles to the apostles”. (Fr. Tony) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 7 Tuesday: Jn 20:11-18: 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

The context: Today’s Gospel presents the great recognition scene in the New Testament in which Mary Magdalene, at the tomb early in the morning, was not able to recognize the Risen Jesus until Jesus called her by name. Gradual recognition, or misunderstanding, as a stage on the path to belief and understanding, frequently occurs in the narratives of John’s Gospel. [See, for example, the conversations Jesus had with Nicodemus (ch. 3), and the Samaritan woman (ch. 4).] In today’s passage, we find it once again: Mary thought at first that Jesus was the gardener.

Mary Magdalene failed to recognize Jesus because of her false assumption that his body had been stolen. Her attention was concentrated on the empty tomb. Her tears of intense grief could also have blurred her vision. Once Mary had recognized Jesus, he gave her a message to be conveyed to his Apostles about His plan to leave them and ascend to his Father. She was the first to see the Risen Christ and the first to tell the apostles about the Lord’s resurrection. Mary’s message to Jesus’ disciples, “I have seen the Lord” (Jn 20:18), became the basis and essence of later preaching and the witness-bearing of Christians. St Thomas Aquinas said that one old lady (una vetera), might have more Faith than a host of learned theologians.

Life messages: 1) Just like Mary Magdalene, we, too, may fail to recognize the presence of the risen Lord in our neighbor because of our preoccupations, spiritual blindness, or evil habits. But we can be open to experience the presence of the Risen Lord in our lives through our prayer, our Sacramental life, and our meditative reading of the Bible. These all enable us to bear witness to the Risen Lord in our daily lives. 2) It is our powerful conviction of the Real Presence of the Risen Lord, both in the Eucharist and in our lives, which gives us the strength to fight temptations and to serve our brothers and sisters in corporal and spiritual works of mercy. (Fr. Tony) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 8 Wednesday: Luke 24:13-35 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29 but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The context: The Emmaus episode, which is found only in Luke’s Gospel, describes how Jesus shared the sorrow and frustration of the disciples at the sad, shameful death of their Master. Their hopes for Jesus’ conquest of the Romans and establishment of the glorious Davidic kingdom with his Divine power had been shattered. The risen Lord, unrecognized, joined them as they walked along. He explained the Scriptures and reminded them of the prophecies about the Messiah’s death and Resurrection in order to show them how the events that had happened were the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies. But it was only at supper, when Jesus blessed and broke the bread and gave it to them, that they recognized Jesus, who promptly vanished from their sight. The phrase, “the Breaking of the Bread”, is used repeatedly in the Acts of the Apostles (also written by Luke), to refer to the ritual meal of the Christian community, the Eucharist (Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7; 27:35). Disciples in every century have continued to recognize Jesus in “the Breaking of the Bread.”

Life messages: 1) The risen Lord is with us in both the joyful and the sad moments of our lives. Too often, we have our hopes and dreams shattered by the untimely deaths of our dear ones, by a split in family relationships, by the worsening of our illnesses, or by the loss of jobs. On such occasions, we have to learn to experience the risen Lord’s consoling and supporting presence in our lives. 2) As the disciples met the risen Lord on their way to Emmaus, we too must recognize and appreciate his presence in the Holy Eucharist, in the Word of God, in the praying community, at home, and in our Churches. 3) Jesus is still beside his followers. Often, he is only dimly recognized and only by few. “You were with me,” wrote St. Augustine some centuries later, “but I was not with You” (Confessions, X, 27). Let us learn to talk to Jesus whenever we are alone and listen to him when we read the Bible, hear it preached, or have it explained to us. (Fr. Tony) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 9 Thursday: Lk 24:35-48: 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. 37 But they were startled and frightened and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.”

The context: Today’s Gospel passage describes the first post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus to the apostles, which occurred while they were listening to the first-hand account of his appearance by the two disciples who had met Jesus on their way down to Emmaus. This apparition is reported by both Luke and John.

The apostles could not believe that their Risen Lord was before them. Hence, Jesus had to show them the marks of the wounds in his hands and feet in proof. He also asked for a piece of broiled fish and ate it before them. Thus, Jesus confirmed his apostles’ Faith in his Resurrection by inviting them to touch Him, and by giving them these two proofs. Then Jesus explained to them that all that had happened during the past week had been done to fulfill the Messianic prophecies given in the Torah, by the Prophets, and in the Psalms. His suffering, death, and Resurrection took place exactly as they had been prophesied. (Throughout his account, St. Matthew cites the Old Testament prophecies that have been fulfilled in Christ, because the Evangelist’s immediate readers were Jews, who needed and would accept these fulfillments as proofs that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah). The next unfolding of Jesus’ mission was to be the preaching of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. That would be begun by the apostles; it would be carried on (and will finally be brought to completion), by the Church at Jesus’ Second Coming and Final Judgment of the living and the dead.

Life messages: 1) We, too, are called to bear witness for all around us to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, just as the first apostles were commissioned by Jesus to bring the Good News of salvation to all the nations. 2) What is essential for the success of our preaching and witnessing mission is our firm, lively awareness of the presence and support of the Risen Lord in our lives. (Fr. Tony) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 10 Friday: Jn 21:1-14: 1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tieberias; and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

The context: Today’s Gospel story is about our risen Lord’s persistent search for the apostles, even when they had gone back to their fishing profession, either because food suppies were getting low or, perhaps, trying to forget the disastrous events leading to the crucifixion of their Master. John presents this incident as the third of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances. The incident proves that Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances were not mere hallucinations. In the first part of today’s Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to the apostles and gives them a symbol of their mission in a miraculous catch of fish, followed by a grilled-fish breakfast which Jesus had prepared for them. The second part is a dialogue between Jesus and Simon where Simon is asked three times whether he loves Jesus and answers that he does, as if in reparation for his triple denial of Jesus. As his primary mission, Peter is given the care of the vulnerable lambs and sheep, and he is told that fidelity to this mission will lead him to martyrdom.

Life messages: We need to open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts wide to see, hear, and experience the risen Lord coming into our lives in various forms, circumstances and events. These include: 1) The risen Lord blesses us with success and achievements: We often fail to acknowledge the presence of the risen Lord behind our unexpected successes, great achievements, promotions at work, miraculous healings, and success in relationships. But the risen Lord is right there at our parties, celebrations, and occasions of rejoicing. 2) The risen Lord is present in our pains and suffering: Acts 9:1-13 shows us how the risen Lord transformed the life of Saul with His Light and Presence that flattening him on the Damascus Road and rendered blind for three days, so that he would come to see, believe that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God, and, in prayer ask God to realign Saul’s entire understanding of how God wished Saul to serve Him. The same Jesus often visits us in the form of accidents, illnesses, the loss of dear ones, the loss of employment or housing, , problems in relationships and so on down the list of disasters that brintg us pain and suffering .3) The risen Lord visits us through our friends and well-wishers: He is present in those who visit and encourage us in our sad and/or desperate moments. The risen Lord visits us in our dire needs in the form of unexpected help from the least expected persons. 4) The risen Lord is present in our Christian worship: Jesus is present on our altars during the Holy Mass to share his Divine life with us, in the words of the Holy Scripture, in the Sacraments, especially in the Mass and in Adoration of the Eucharist, in the Sacrament of Reconcilation, and wherever two or three are gathered in Jesus’ Name (Mt 18:20). (Fr. Tony) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

April 11 Saturday: Mk 16:9-15: 9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation

The context: Today’s Gospel summarizes three appearances of the risen Lord and Jesus’ entrusting to the apostles their mission to preach his Good News: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mk 16:15). According to Mark (in the longer ending), Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene. But Jesus’ apostles did not believe her. Later, he appeared to two disciples during their trip to Emmaus. When they had returned to Jerusalem and while they were explaining their experience, Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles gathered there. After gently chiding them for their unbelief and hard-heartedness, Jesus gave them his preaching mission or the “universal Apostolic mandate.”

Life messages: 1) The preaching and witnessing mission of Jesus applies especially to the successors of the Twelve Apostles, namely, the Bishops in communion with Peter’s successor, the Pope. 2) However, Vatican II declared in the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicum Actuositatem), that the whole “Church was founded to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all men partakers in Redemption and Salvation” (AA, 2). “On all Christians, accordingly, rests the noble obligation of working to bring all men throughout the whole world to hear and accept the Divine message of salvation” (AA, 3). (Fr. Tony) (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/26

Additional reflections: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

Easter II (A) Divine Mercy Sunday : April 12, 2026

April 4, 2026HomiliesWebmaster

EASTER II [A] (April 12) Divine Mercy Sunday (1-page summary of an 8-minutes homily) L/26

Introduction: The readings for this Sunday show us our need for God’s Divine Mercy, offered to us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of our sins, and through each celebration of the Sacraments (all instituted to sanctify us), when we receive them in trusting Faith.

The opening prayer addresses the Father as “God of everlasting Mercy.” In first section of the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 118), we repeat three times, “His mercy endures forever!” God revealed His mercy, first and foremost, by sending His only begotten Son to become our Savior and Lord by His suffering, death and Resurrection.

Scripture lessons summarized: The first reading (Acts 2:42-47) tells us how the early Church grew every day because of the acts of mercy — sharing, sacrificial agápe love — practiced by the early Christians. In the second reading (1 Pt 1:3-9), St. Peter glorifies God, the Father of Jesus Christ, for showing us His mercy by granting to His Incarnate, Only-begotten Son, Jesus, the gifts of Resurrection from the dead and a glorious Ascension into Heaven, thus giving us the assurance of our own resurrection. Today’s Gospel vividly reminds us of how Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a sacrament of Divine Mercy. The risen Lord gave his Apostles the power to forgive sins with the words, “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain, they are retained” (Jn 20:19-23). Presenting the doubting Thomas’ famous profession of Faith, “My Lord and my God,” the Gospel illustrates how Jesus showed his Divine Mercy to the doubting apostle and emphasizes the importance of Faith for everyone.

Life messages: 1) We need to accept God’s invitation to celebrate and practice mercy in our Christian lives: One way the Church celebrates God’s mercy throughout the year is through the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Finding time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is another good way to receive and give thanks for Divine Mercy. But it is mainly through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that we practice in our daily lives the Mercy we have received, and, so, become eligible ourselves for God’s merciful judgment.

2) Let us ask God for the Faith which culminates in the self-surrender to God that leads us to serve those we encounter with agápe love. Living Faith enables us to see the risen Lord in everyone, and it gives us the willingness to render to each other our loving service. The spiritual Fathers prescribe the following traditional means to grow in the living, dynamic Faith of St. Thomas the Apostle: a) First, we must come to know Jesus personally and intimately by our daily, meditative reading of the Bible. b) Next, we must strengthen our Faith through our personal and communal prayer. c) Third, we must share in the Divine Life of Jesus by frequenting the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) presents it this way: “If we pray, we will believe; if we believe, we will love; if we love, we will serve. Only then we put our love of God into action.”

EASTER II [A] (April 12) (Full text) Acts 2:42-47, I Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31

Homily starter anecdotes #1: St. Faustina Kowalska and the Image of Divine Mercy: St. Faustina of Poland is the well-known apostle of Divine Mercy. On the 30^th of April, 2000, at 10:00 AM on the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday, the Feast requested by Jesus in His communications with St. Faustina), His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II celebrated the Eucharist in Saint Peter’s Square and proceeded to the canonization of Blessed Sister Faustina Kowalska. [John Paul himself would be canonized on this same Feast Day – April 27 in 2014 – by Pope Francis.] Saint Faustina invites us by the witness of her life to keep our Faith and Hope fixed on God the Father, rich in mercy, Who saved us by the precious Blood of His Son, Jesus. The Lord Jesus assigned to St. Faustina during her short lifethree basic tasks: 1. to pray for souls, entrusting them to God’s incomprehensible Mercy; 2. to tell the world about God’s generous Mercy; 3. to start a new movement in the Church focusing on God’s Mercy. At the canonization of St. Faustina, Pope St. John Paul II said: “The cross, even after the Resurrection of the Son of God, speaks, and never ceases to speak, of God the Father, Who is absolutely faithful to His eternal love for man. … Believing in this love means believing in mercy.” “The Lord of Divine Mercy,” a drawing of Jesus based on the vision given to St. Faustina Kowalska, shows Jesus raising his right hand in a gesture of blessing, with His left hand on his heart from which gush forth two rays, one red and one white. The picture contains the message, “Jesus, I trust in You!” (Jezu ufam Tobie). The rays streaming out have symbolic meanings: the red for the Blood of Jesus, which is the life of our souls, and the white for the water of Baptism which justifies souls. The whole image is symbolic of the mercy, forgiveness and love of God. Video: https://youtu.be/A4dSlRvv_RI

# 2: Divine Mercy in action: A TIME magazine issue in 1984 presented a startling cover. It pictured a prison cell where two men sat on metal folding chairs. The young man wore a blue turtleneck sweater, blue jeans and white running shoes. The older man was dressed in a white robe and had a white skullcap on his head. They sat facing one another, up-close and personal. They spoke quietly so as to keep others from hearing the conversation. The young man was Mehmet Ali Agca, the pope’s would-be assassin (he shot and wounded the Pope on May 13, 1981); the other man was Pope St. John Paul II, the intended victim. The Pope held the hand that had held the gun whose bullet had torn into the Pope’s body. This was a living icon of mercy. John Paul’s forgiveness was deeply Christian. His deed with Ali Agca spoke a thousand words. He embraced his enemy and pardoned him. At the end of their 20-minute meeting, Ali Agca raised the Pope’s hand to his forehead as a sign of respect. John Paul shook Ali Agca’s hand tenderly. When the Pope left the cell he said, “What we talked about must remain a secret between us. I spoke to him as a brother whom I have pardoned, and who has my complete trust.” — This is an example of God’s Divine Mercy, the same Divine Mercy whose message St. Faustina witnessed. (http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0308.asp); video: https://youtu.be/RdKGVI4IQx4

#3: Mercy during tragedy: The news is filled with illustrations of mercy—or the need for mercy—in our world. One of the most moving stories came to us on October 6, 2006, when an armed man entered an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. He chased out the little boys and lined up the 10 little girls in front of the blackboard. He shot all of them and then killed himself. Five of the girls died. After the medics and police left, the families of the fallen came and carried their slain children home. They removed their bloody clothes and washed the bodies. They sat for a time and mourned their beloved children. After a while they walked to the home of the man who killed their children. They told his widow they forgave her husband for what he had done, and they consoled her for the loss of her spouse. They buried their anger before they buried their children. — Amish Christians teach us that forgiveness is central. They believe in a real sense that God’s forgiveness of themselves depends on their extending forgiveness to other people. That’s what the mercy of God is all about. That mercy is why we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. (Rev. Alfred McBride, O.Praem: Catholic Update – March 2008). https://youtu.be/uptsIngNxCY

4) Skeptic Thomas, “Put Your Hand into My Side…”: The London Times of November 27, 1982, announced that on that very day the noted British journalist and television personality, Malcolm Muggeridge, and his wife, Kitty, were to be received into the Catholic Church. The Times followed its announcement with an article in which this 79-year-old former editor of Punch explained why he and his wife were finally taking the step. Muggeridge’s lower middle-class family were of Christian nondenominational background. His father, a member of the Labor party, liked to play the agnostic. So, religion in the Muggeridge home was pretty much secularized. Malcolm took this secular view with him to Cambridge University, and then into the journalistic profession. Although Punch was a humorous magazine, it was based, under his editorship, on a serious outlook on life. It often featured articles on all sorts of religious manifestations, Christian and non-Christian. Editor Muggeridge was critical of many aspects of Christianity, and he felt he could view religion more objectively if he himself were affiliated to no religious organization. Still, he always felt that, as the human race was becoming increasingly secularized and absurd, God was pursuing him, like the “Hound of Heaven. “After his retirement from Punch several years ago, Malcolm became increasingly interested in the Catholic Church. In a decade when thousands of people, including many Catholics, were deploring Pope Paul VI’s reasserted condemnation of contraception in Humanae Vitae, this non-Catholic “skeptic” praised it as the only reasonable view. Then Muggeridge met Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and saw her at work among Calcutta’s “poorest of the poor.” “Frankly, it was her example,” he said, that had brought him into the Catholic Church: “She has given me a whole new vision of what being a Christian means; of the amazing power of love.” St. Thomas the Apostle was an earlier skeptic who “came around.” It was the sight and touching of these signs of Jesus’ love – the wounds in His hands, feet and side – that moved Thomas to cry out with conviction, “MY LORD AND MY GOD!” (Father Robert F. McNamara). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

# 5: Edith Zierer the Jewish holocaust survivor: “The Pope saved me from death:” Edith Zierer, a Holocaust survivor now living in Israel, recalls how Karol Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II, carried her to safety after she fled a Nazi concentration camp when she was 13 years old. Polish-born Zierer was 13 when she escaped the Nazi camp at Czestochowa in Poland after the Soviet army liberated it in January 1945, five months before World War II ended in Europe. She was heading towards her hometown in Poland to find her parents, who, she would later learn, had died in the Holocaust. Exhausted, she reached a train station and sat there for two days without food or water while people ignored her. “Suddenly, there he was,” Zierer said, referring to Wojtyla, the seminarian, in his priestly robe. “He brought me some tea and two pieces of bread with cheese and then carried me to a train carriage. He sat with me and put his cloak on me because it was freezing. We came to Krakow and then I ran away because people started to ask why a priest was walking with a Jewish girl.” After spending, a few years in orphanages in Poland and France, Zierer emigrated from Europe to British-mandated Palestine, where she later married and bore a son and daughter in what became Israel. She now has five grandchildren. She wrote to Wojtyla after he became Pope in 1979, saying she was the little girl he had saved at the train station in Poland decades ago. After a correspondence ensued, the Pontiff invited her to the Vatican in 1998. She last met him in 2000, when he visited Israel on a millennium pilgrimage and met several survivors at the Vad Vashem Holocaust Museum. She said that she and the Pope kept up their correspondence, writing mostly during Christmas and before birthdays. “I received a letter from him last year and I knew it was the last,” she said. “He included a picture from his private collection and his handwriting was very shaky. I wrote to thank him for the memory that never left.” Edith Zierer, 84, mourned the death of her former savior, and remembered the warm look in the seminarian Karol Wojtyla’s eyes in the railway station years ago and God’s mercy expressed in his actions. “He was a kindred spirit in the greatest sense — a man who could save a girl in such a state, freezing, starving, and full of lice, and carry her to safety,” she told Reuters. “I would not have survived had it not been for him.” (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3067156,00.html). — Pope John Paul made mercy the core of his priesthood. He saw mercy as a light against darkness. And has the world known darker times than when the Nazis and Communists oppressed millions of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Pope John XXIII, were officially recognized as Saints. It is no accident that Pope St. John Paul II who was instrumental in spreading the observance of Divine Mercy Sunday was canonized on that Feast.

Introduction: The readings for this Sunday concern God’s Divine Mercy, the necessity for trusting Faith, and our need for God’s forgiveness of sins. The opening prayer addresses the Father as “God of Mercy.” The Response for today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 118), is “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His Love [mercy] is everlasting!” In the first section of that Psalm, we repeat three times, “His mercy endures forever.” God revealed His mercy to the world, first and foremost, by sending His Only-begotten Son to become our Savior and Lord by His suffering, death, and Resurrection. Divine Mercy is offered to us in the Holy Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the celebration of each of the Sacraments. The first reading (Acts 2:42-47), shows us how the early Church grew every day because of the acts of mercy and sharing, sacrificial agápe love, practiced by the early Christians. They expressed their love and mercy by sharing what they had with everyone in need. In the second reading (1 Pt 1:3-9), St. Peter glorifies God, the Father of Jesus Christ, for showing us His mercy by granting Resurrection from the dead to His Son, Jesus, followed forty days later by a glorious Ascension into Heaven, thus offering us the assurance of our own resurrection, entry into Heaven, and “imperishable and unfading” Heavenly bliss. In today’s Gospel, as we recall Jesus’ appearance to the Apostles on that first Easter evening, we are vividly reminded of the Sacrament of Reconciliation – the power to forgive sins which Our Lord gave to His Apostles, saying, “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain, they are retained” (Jn 20:23). Today’s Gospel also emphasizes the importance of Faith in the all-pervading presence of the risen Lord of Mercy. To “believe without having seen” is every later Christian’s experience. We are invited to receive liberation from doubts and hesitation by surrendering our lives to the risen Lord of Mercy. Let us ask God our Father to open our hearts so that we may receive His Mercy in the form of the Holy SpiritWho abides in us from the moment of our Batism. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/).

The first reading (Acts 2:42-47) explained: Here we see how the early Church grew every day because of the acts of mercy — sharing, sacrificial, agápe love — practiced by the early Christians. They expressed their love and mercy by sharing what they had with everyone in need. Some of them even sold their property and entrusted the money to the Church so that the poor might be helped and supported. We are told that they got the inspiration and good will for the practice of love and mercy because of their sense of being one believing community, living a common life in Jesus. They were strengthened by their punctual and active participation in the “Breaking of the Bread”– the Eucharistic Liturgy. They became single-minded and merciful because of what they learned from the apostles and because of their fellowship and shared prayer life.

The second reading (1 Peter 1:3-9) explained: St. Peter glorifies God, the Father of Jesus Christ, for showing us His mercy by granting His Son, Jesus Resurrection from the dead and a glorious Ascension into Heaven. Jesus’ Resurrection, in turn, offers us a guarantee for our own resurrection, entry into Heaven, and “imperishable and unfading” Heavenly bliss. St. Peter encourages the early Christians by assuring them that their sufferings under the Roman emperor, the Jewish authorities, and their own pagan family members will be amply compensated by the Heavenly reward waiting for them.

Gospel exegesis: The first part of today’s Gospel (verses 19-23), describes how Jesus entrusted to his apostles his mission of preaching the “Good News” of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. This portion of the reading teaches us that Jesus uses the Church as the earthly means of continuing His mission. It also teaches us that the Church needs Jesus as its source of power and authority, and that it becomes Christ’s true messenger only when it perfectly loves and obeys Him. The Risen Lord gives the apostles the authority to forgive sins in His Name. He gives the apostles the power of imparting God’s mercy to the sinner, the gift of forgiving sins from God’s treasury of mercy, in both the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In the liturgy, the Church has proclaimed the mercy of God for centuries through the Word of God and the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Gospel text also reminds us that the clearest way of expressing our belief in the presence of the Risen Jesus among us is through our own forgiveness of others. We can’t form a lasting Christian community without such forgiveness. Unless we forgive others, our celebration of the Eucharist is just an exercise in liturgical rubrics.

The second part of the Gospel (verses 19-20, 24-29), presents the fearless apostle St. Thomas in his uncompromising honesty demanding a personal vision of, and physical contact with, the risen Jesus as a condition for his belief — in fact the same gift Jesus had offered to the other Ten because of their unbelief! Thomas had not been with the Apostles when Jesus first appeared to them. “…the doors being shut where the disciples were, locked doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you! [“Shalom!”] When he said this to them, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord: (Jn 19:19-20) Since he had not been with the Eleven, being out and about to scout for trouble, perhaps, Thomas, who had missed the visit of Jesus, refused to believe them, may have thought the other Ten were unhinged by all they had gone through together, and by their fear of being captured and killed because they were Jesus’ closest disciples. This should serve as a warning to us. It is difficult for us to continue in belief and action, when we do not draw strength from our active sharing in the warm fellowship of other believers, embraced as one in the Love God IS.

The story of Thomas highlights the importance of signs (as we have seen all along in John), but also their limitations in terms of bringing people to Faith. But Jesus did not leave Thomas in agony and darkness. “Eight days later, his disciples were again in the Cenacle, and Thomas was with them. Th edoors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said “Peace be with you!” Then, [Jesus, extending pierced hand-to-wrists] said to Thomas, “Put your finger HERE…” [indicating each wound in turn] “… and SEE My hands.” [Though not mentioned in the text, one can easily believe that the shocked Thomas obeyed Jesus’ command at once! [And pointing to the gaping wound in his right side that the Centurian’s spear had left, Jesus continued], “Put out your hand and PLACE IT IN MY SIDE; [and then warmly urged Thomas], “…do not be faithless, but believing” [and smiled.] This physical encounter with the risen Lord did for Thomas what the same experience had done for the other Ten the week before. Ironically, it was Thomas who, his Faith restored, “…answered [Jesus, crying out], “My Lord and my God!” This proclamation was Thomas’s complete surrender of his whole being to Jesus as both his Master and as his God in grateful love, something none of the others had yet done. “Jesus said to him, ‘You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe.” Christians, who are no longer able to “see” Jesus with their eyes [or their hands], must believe what they hear. That is why Paul reminds us, “Faith comes from hearing” (Rom 10:17).

(a)“This Gospel shows us that Faith comes in different ways to different people. The beloved disciple [John the Evangelist] believes upon seeing the empty tomb (v. 8). Mary [Magdalen] believes when the Lord calls her name (v. 16). the disciples must see the risen Lord (v. 20). Thomas says that he must touch the wounds (v. 25)—although that need evaporates once he sees the risen Christ (v. 28). People find various routes to faith.” (www.lectionary.org).

(b) Thomas uses the mind God has given him and says that he must have some proof before he can believe this incredible claim. Christian Faith is not just a mindless assent to certain beliefs without thinking—it has a solid basis in rationality, and this effort to explain and understand such claims is the basis of theological exploration, and of Christian philosophy.” (Dr. Murray).

The unique profession of Faith: Thomas, the “doubting” apostle, makes the great profession of faith, “My Lord and my God” (Jn 20:28). Thomas confesses Jesus in the very words (“My Lord and my God”) used by the Psalmist for Yahweh. According to Raymond Brown, Thomas’ profession of Faith is the ultimate Christological proclamation of the fourth gospel. “My Lord (Kyrios) and my God (Theos)” revealed the late first century Church’s realization that Jesus was equal to, and One with, the Eternal Creator of the universe and of all humankind. Here, the most outrageous doubter of the Resurrection of Jesus utters the greatest confession of belief in the Lord Who rose from the dead. This declaration by the “doubting” Thomas in today’s Gospel is very significant for two reasons. 1) It is the foundation of our Christian Faith which is based on the Divinity of Jesus as proved by His miracles, especially by the supreme miracle of His Resurrection from the dead. Thomas’ profession of Faith is the strongest evidence we have of the Resurrection of Jesus. 2) Thomas’ Faith culminated in his self-surrender to Jesus, which gave rise to his heroic missionary expedition to India in A.D. 52, his fearless preaching, and the powerful testimony given by his martyrdom in A.D. 72. When the Portuguese landed in India in the early 1600s, they found a group of Christians there—the Mar Thoma Church, established through Thomas’ preaching a millennium and a half before.

Bishop Robert E. Barron on today’s Gospel: “Our magnificent Gospel today declares that there is no greater manifestation of the Divine mercy than the forgiveness of sins. The risen Lord appears to his disciples and greet them with “Shalom,” peace. And then the extraordinary commission: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jesus’ mercy is communicated to his disciples, who in turn are sent to communicate it to the world. This is the foundation for the Sacrament of Penance, which has existed in the Church from that moment to the present day as the privileged vehicle of the Divine mercy.” Today’s Gospel also emphasizes the importance of Faith in the all-pervading Presence of the Risen Lord of Mercy. To believe without having seen is every later Christian’s experience. We are invited to receive liberation from doubts and hesitation by surrendering our lives to the Risen Lord of Mercy. Let us ask God our Father to open our hearts so that we may receive His Mercy in the form of the Holy Spirit. [The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC: A – Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world. B – Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us. C – Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that our reception of the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive. From http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/]

Life messages: 1) We need to accept God’s invitation to celebrate and practice mercy. One way the Church celebrates God’s mercy throughout the year is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Finding time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is another good way to receive Divine Mercy. The Gospel command, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36), demands that we show mercy to our fellow human beings always and everywhere. We radiate God’s mercy to others by our actions, our words, and our prayers. It is mainly through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that we practice mercy in our daily lives and become eligible for God’s merciful judgment.

2) We need to ask God for the Faith that culminates in self-surrender to God and leads us to serve those we encounter with love. Living Faith enables us to see the Risen Lord in everyone and gives us the willingness to render to each one our loving service (“Faith without good works is dead” Jas 2:17). It was this Faith in the Lord and obedience to His missionary command that prompted St. Thomas to travel to India to preach the Gospel among the Hindus, to establish seven Christian communities (known later as “St. Thomas Christians”), and eventually to suffer martyrdom. The Fathers of the Church prescribe the following traditional means to grow in the living and dynamic Faith of St. Thomas the Apostle. a) We must come to know Jesus personally and intimately by our daily, meditative reading of the Bible. b) We must strengthen our Faith by the power of the Holy Spirit through our personal and community prayer. c) We must share in the Divine life of Jesus by frequenting the Sacraments of Reconciliation and receiving the Holy Eucharist. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) presents it this way: “If we pray, we will believe; if we believe, we will love; if we love, we will serve. Only then we put our love of God into action.”

3) We need to meet the challenge for a transparent Christian life — “Unless I see … I will not believe.” (Jn 20:25). This “seeing” is what others demand of us. They ask that we reflect Jesus, the Risen Lord, in our lives by our selfless love, unconditional forgiveness, and humble service. The integrity of our lives bears a fundamental witness to others who want to see the Risen Lord alive and active, working in us. Christ’s mercy shines forth from us whenever we reach out to the poor, the needy and the marginalized, as St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) did. C.S. Lewis, the author, once wrote that next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses for in your neighbor, Christ’s glory, Himself, is truly hidden. His mercy shines forth as we remain open to those who struggle in Faith, as did the Apostle Thomas in today’s Gospel. We should be able to appreciate the presence of Jesus, crucified and raised, in our own suffering and in our suffering brothers and sisters, thus recognizing the glorified wounds of the Risen Lord in the suffering of others.

4) Like St. Thomas, let us use our skepticism to help us grow in Faith. It is our genuine doubts about the doctrines of our religion that encourage us to study these doctrines more closely and, thus, to grow in our Faith. This will naturally lead us to a personal encounter with Jesus through our prayer, study of the Word of God, and frequenting of the Sacraments. However, we must never forget the fact that our Faith is not our own doing but is a gift from God. Hence, we need to augment our Faith every day by prayer so that we may join St. Thomas in his proclamation: “My Lord and my God” (Jn 20:28).

5) Let us have the courage of our Christian convictions to share our Faith as St. Thomas did. We are not to keep the gift of Faith locked in our hearts, but to share it with our children, our families and our neighbors, always remembering the words of Pope St. John XXIII: “Every believer in this world must become a spark of Christ’s light.”

6)We need to allow Jesus to transform all our doubts into true belief. We must invite him into our lives and ask him to “increase our faith.” The desire itself is the first step to being open to receive the gift of faith. The next step is to make that “leap” of trust, giving up our habit of trying to control the way things happen and simply depending on Jesus alone. Faith is an adventure which unfolds before us for the rest of our life – but now a life in his name!

JOKES OF THE WEEK: 1) Traffic cop’s mercy: A priest was forced by a police officer to pull over for speeding. As the officer was about to write the ticket, the priest said to him, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7). The police officer handed the priest the ticket, and said, “Go, and sin no more” (Jn 8:11).

2) Photographer’s mercy: The story is told of a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a picture, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the man’s studio and screamed at him: “This picture does not do me justice!” The photographer replied, “Sir, with a face like yours, what you need is mercy, not justice!”

3) Mercy of Sisters of Mercy: There is a joke about the payment of a bill at the Sisters of Mercy Hospital. A man was brought to Mercy Hospital for surgery. The operation went well. The Sister waiting by his bed said to the man, “You’re going to be just fine,” and asked him, “We want to know how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?” He whispered, “No, I’m not.” The sister asked, “Can you pay in cash?” He replied, “I’m afraid I can’t, Sister.” She continued, “Do you have any close relatives, then?” The patient replied, “Just my sister in New Mexico, but she’s a spinster nun.” The sister said, “Nuns are not spinsters, Mr. Smith. They are married to Jesus.” The man said with a smile, “Okay, then send the bill to Jesus, my brother-in-law.”

Divine Mercy Official websites:

1) http://divinemercysunday.com/

2) http://www.divinemercyministries.org/

3) http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=2453

4) http://www.divinemercysunday.com/homily_starter.htm

USEFUL WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

Nick’s collection of Sunday homilies from 65 priests & weekday homilies: https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies

Don’ collection of video homilies & blogs: https://sundayprep.org/featured-homilies/ (Copy it on the Address bar and press the Enter button)

Geoffrey Plant’s beautiful & scholarly video classes on Sunday gospel, Bible & RCIA topics: https://sundayhomilies.au/homilies/

Agape Catholic Bible Lessons: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/

6)Catholic directory & resources: http://www.catholicweb.com/directory.cfm

^{7) It’s Catholic:}^{http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/html/article654.html}^,

^{8) Catholic online:}^{http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1586}

10) Bible project videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject/

25 Additional anecdotes:

1) Sister Faustina Kowalska was an ordinary nun who did the duties of a cook, doorkeeper, and gardener. Born in Glogowiec, Poland, in 1905, she had only three years of formal education. As a teenager, she worked as a domestic servant for a few years. Then in 1925, she joined the religious congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. Sister Faustina lived only 13 years as a nun. She died of tuberculosis on October 5, 1938, at the age of 33. However, she soon began to be known all over the world, as she had been chosen by the Lord Jesus to spread the message of Divine Mercy. According to her Diary, Jesus appeared to her several times between 1930 to 1938. During these apparitions, Jesus asked her to remind the world about the merciful love of God toward everyone. Jesus also gave her a chaplet to be said every day. At night on Sunday, February 22, 1931, Jesus appeared wearing a white garment with red and pale rays emanating from his heart. During that time, Jesus said to her, “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You (in Polish: Jezu, ufam Tobie). I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel and then throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.” Accordingly, she arranged for the painting this image by an artist under her direction. Sister Faustina also heard the Lord telling her to dedicate a feast day to the Divine Mercy. It was in the context of this request of the Lord that the Church, through a decree of Pope St. John Paul II dated May 23, 2000, instituted the Feast of Divine Mercy to be celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter Pope John Paul II had beatified Venerable Sister Faustina on April 18, 1993. On the following day, he said during a general audience, “God has spoken to us through the spiritual wealth of Blessed Sister Faustina Kowalska. She left to the world the great message of Divine Mercy and an incentive to complete self-sacrifice to the Creator.” Pope St. John Paul II canonized Blessed Faustina on April 30, 2000, the second Sunday of Easter. According to the Diary of St. Faustina, Jesus said the following regarding the Feast of Divine Mercy: “Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” — As we celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy this weekend, let us approach the Lord and ask him for the forgiveness of all our sins. May the Lord bless all of us. (Fr. Jose CMI).

2): “Law vs Mercy” In Reader’s Digest, Jim Williams of Montana, writes: “I was driving too fast late one night when I saw the flashing lights of a police car in my rearview mirror. As I pulled over and rolled down my window of my station wagon, I tried to dream up an excuse for my haste. But when the patrolman reached the car, he said nothing. Instead, he merely shined his flashlight in my face, then on my seven-month-old in his car seat, then on our three other children, who were asleep, and lastly on the two dogs in the very back of the car. Returning the beam of light to my face, he then uttered the only words of the encounter. “’Son,’ he said, ‘you can’t afford a ticket. Slow down.’” And with that, he returned to his car and drove away.” — Sometimes mercy triumphs over law. So it is for sinners who call out to Jesus.” (Sent by Fr. pgolden@richmondcathedral.org on March 1, 2013)

3) Divine Mercy experience of Rev. Fr. James Alberione. The founder of the religious congregation to which I belong is Rev. Father James Alberione. A holy man with a prophetic vision, he harnessed the pastoral potentiality of the modern means of communication at the service of evangelization. The Holy Father, Pope St. John Paul II will beatify him today — April 27, 2003 – in Rome. Father Alberione founded five Religious congregations, four aggregated Institutes, and the Association of Pauline Cooperators, all of which comprise the “Pauline Family.” In 1923, he was struck down with a serious illness that led him into a kind of crisis about the future of the religious family launched just a few years earlier. He needed some kind of assurance in the midst of uncertainties. He looked for confirmation in the most difficult moment of his life. The Divine Master kindheartedly obliged by appearing to him in a dream, assuring him of His Divine assistance and presence. Here is Father Alberione’s personal account of that awesome experience. In a particularly difficult moment, reexamining all his ways of doing things to see if there might perhaps be impediments to the action of grace on his part, it seems that the Divine Master may have wanted to reassure the Institute that had only gotten underway a few years before. In a subsequent dream, he had what seemed to him to be a reply. Jesus, the Master, in fact, said to him: “Fear not. I am with you. From here I will enlighten. Have a contrite heart.” The “from here” came forth from the tabernacle; and with power, such as to make one understand that from Him, the Master, must one receive all enlightenment. Father Alberione spoke of this with his spiritual director, noting in what light the figure of the Master had been enveloped. “His reply to me was: “Be at peace; dream or otherwise, what was said is holy; make it a practical program of life and of light for yourself and for all members.” From that point on, Father Alberione became more and more oriented to and received all from the tabernacle. (Cf. Abundantes Divitiae, n. 151-155). — Indeed, the experience of Blessed James Alberione, a “true missionary of the Church” and a modern apostle for our times, is similar to that of the apostle Thomas, who experienced the compassion of the saving and merciful Lord as predilection.

4) Iranian mother saves son’s killer from hanging, with a slap of mercy and forgiveness: Tehran: An Iranian mother spared the life of her son’s convicted murderer with an emotional slap in the face as he awaited execution with the noose around his neck, a newspaper reported on Thursday. The dramatic climax followed a rare public campaign to save the life of Balal, who at 19 killed another young man, Abdollah Hosseinzadeh, in a street fight with a knife in 2007. The newspaper Shargh said police officers led Balal to a public execution site in the northern city of Nowshahr as a large crowd gathered on Tuesday morning. Samereh Alinejad, mother of the victim, who had lost another son in a motorbike accident four years ago, asked the onlookers whether they knew “how difficult it is to live in an empty house.” Advertisement

Balal, black-hooded and standing on a chair before makeshift gallows, had the noose around his neck when Ms Alinejad approached. She slapped him in the face and removed the rope from his neck, assisted by her husband, Abdolghani Hosseinzadeh, a former professional footballer. “I am a believer. I had a dream in which my son told me that he was at peace and in a good place … After that, all my relatives, even my mother, put pressure on me to pardon the killer,” Ms Alinejad told Shargh. “The murderer was crying, asking for forgiveness. I slapped him in the face. That slap helped to calm me down. Now that I’ve forgiven him, I feel relieved.” Balal said the “slap was the space between revenge and forgiveness”. “I’ve asked my friends not to carry knives … I wish someone had slapped me in the face when I wanted to carry one,” he said. A high-profile campaign was launched by public figures – including popular football commentator and TV show host Adel Ferdosipour and former international footballer Ali Daei – appealing for the victim’s family to forgive the killer. See the video commentary below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cwh17osBCNI
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/iranian-mother-saves-sons-killer-from-hanging-with-a-slap-20140418-zqw3f.html#ixzz300Il5O32

5) “Well, then, I will have mercy.” The emperor Napoleon was moved by a mother’s plea for pardon for her soldier son. However, the Emperor said that since it was the man’s second major offense, justice demanded death. “I do not ask for justice,” implored the mother, “I plead for mercy.” “But,” said the emperor, “he does not deserve mercy.” “Sir,” cried the mother, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.” The compassion and clarity of the mother’s logic prompted Napoleon to respond, “Well, then, I will have mercy.” — The Second Sunday of the Easter season invites us to reflect on God’s infinite love and mercy for His people, as detailed in the Bible and as lived and taught by Jesus, and to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

6) Divine Mercy and Zacharias Moussaoui. Zacharias Moussaoui was sentenced for a role in the devastating 9/11 tragedy. The Frederick News Post (Apr 14: Good Friday) reported it with the headline: “Suspect wishes pain for victims.” Wow. “‘So you would be happy to see 9/11 again,’ the prosecutor asked. Moussaoui said: ‘Every day until we get you.’ He told jurors that he has ‘no regret, no remorse,’ and was disgusted by the heart-rending testimony of victims and relatives and only wished they have suffered more.” — Have you read any more tragic thoughts and wishes? When this Chaplain describes the words and actions as objectively “evil,” he means that, objectively, wanting to murder people, and to plague them with more harm and rub it into their lives is an evil thing. Subjectively, perhaps Zacharias Moussaoui is mentally deranged and not totally culpable for his words and actions. We don’t and can’t know this as a literal matter of fact. The question was raised by both defense and prosecution in his sentencing. Point: Mercy is just for such people – the free offer of God, to even the harshest of offenders, like Zacharias Moussaoui, of forgiveness and reconciliation if he chooses to accept it. We need to pray for Moussaoui that he may ask for and receive God’s pardon and love. This man and his sentiments are just one more reason why Jesus came to Earth-to save souls, even the most overtly plagued ones. (Fr. John J. Lombardi) http://www.emmitsburg.net/grotto/father_jack/2006/mercy_sunday.htm

7) Mayor’s mercy: One night in 1935, Fiorello H. La Guardia, Mayor of New York City, showed up at Night Court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. One case involved an elderly woman who was caught stealing bread to feed her grandchildren. La Guardia said, “I’ve got to punish you. Ten dollars or ten days in jail.” As he spoke, he threw $10 into his hat. He then fined everyone in the courtroom 50 cents for living in a city “where an old woman had to steal bread so that her grandchildren should not starve.” — The hat was passed around, and the woman left the courtroom with her fine paid and an additional $47.50.

8) Mary Duray, Connecticut: Mary and her husband suffered the tragic loss of their son, and it was her understanding of Divine Mercy that helped her and her family forgive those that took his life during a robbery. Mary tells us how her attendance at a Mother of Mercy Messengers (MOMM) Divine Mercy Program helped her overcome great obstacles and allowed her to forgive and even to pray for them. Knowing that as long as there is life, there is hope, the family did not seek the death penalty for his murderers. — How differently does the person filled with God’s mercy see and react to the world! (http://mercyimages.com/video_MaryDuray.php )

9) “What I don’t know is where I am going.” The story is told about Albert Einstein, the brilliant physicist of Princeton University in the early 20th century. Einstein was traveling from Princeton on a train, and when the conductor came down the aisle to punch the passengers’ tickets, Einstein couldn’t find his. He looked in his vest pocket, he looked in his pants pocket, he looked in his briefcase, but there was no ticket. The conductor was gracious; “Not to worry, Dr. Einstein, I know who you are, we all know who you are, and I’m sure you bought a ticket.” As the conductor moved down the aisle, he looked back and noticed Einstein on his hands and knees, searching under the seat for his ticket. The conductor returned to Einstein; “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. You don’t need a ticket, I’m sure you bought one.” Einstein arose and said, “Young man, I, too, know who I am; what I don’t know is where I am going.” — And that is the Good News of Easter; that we know where we are going. We have been told by the Savior that His life and death has promised us life eternal. (Steven Molin, Elated….Deflated. Quoted by Fr. Kyala)

10) Ask for Mercy: In order to receive mercy we must ask for it and be ready to accept it. If we do not accept it sincerely we will not change our attitude towards our past life. We read in history that in 1829 George Wilson was condemned to death for robbing the mail and killing the policeman who was on the way to arrest him. President Andrew Jackson granted him a pardon but George Wilson refused to accept it. The judge said, ”A pardon is a pardon only when one accepts it. George must die.” Mercy is mercy when we accept it. We read in the life of Voltaire that he wanted to live six weeks to repent for his sins. The doctor told him he would not live six days. He died unrepentant. — Having mercy at his door he refused to accept it. (Elias Dias in Divine Stories for Families; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

11) “The miracle over Hudson River:” A banker on a business trip in New York City, Fred Berretta had just checked into his hotel room. He had about 20 minutes downtime before he had to meet his colleagues. For some reason he decided to clean out his briefcase, something he hadn’t done in a long time. As he emptied it out, he came across a booklet he had stuffed into a pocket years ago on praying the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy. He recalls having prayed it a few times years ago. Only two weeks prior, Fred had made a New Year’s resolution to try to get into better spiritual shape. Here in this hotel room was an opportunity to fulfill it. So, he followed along in the booklet and prayed the chaplet, a prayer our Lord gave to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s, during a series of revelations that has sparked the modern Divine Mercy movement. He would be among the 155 people to board a jet airliner at LaGuardia Airport bound for Charlotte, N.C., his hometown. It was January 15, 2009. Ninety seconds after takeoff, the jet would apparently hit a flock of geese, the engines would explode, and the plane would lose power at 3,200 feet. The aircraft would be out of reach from any airfield. It would lose thrust and altitude. Everything would become eerily quiet. Fred would cinch his seatbelt. His left hand would clutch the armrest, his heart would race, his face would be flushed. “Prepare for impact,” the pilot would say over the PA system. As the ground surged into view, Fred would look at his watch. It would be 3:30, the Hour of Great Mercy! “I prayed with every fiber of emotion and sincerity I could muster, ‘God, please be merciful to us,’” Fred would recall two weeks later. — You’ve probably heard about the crash landing of Flight 1549 in the Hudson River on Jan. 15. No one was seriously injured. Then, there were the news images of a US Airways Airbus floating gently down the frigid Hudson, like some sort of breaching, people-friendly, aquatic creature. The passengers stood on its wings, calmly awaiting rescue. (Read also: http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=3493). https://youtu.be/OhhqSCCE9Oo

12) “Sir, THAT is what I am afraid of.” There is a story about a soldier brought before General Robert E. Lee. Accused of misconduct, the soldier was trembling. The general said to him, “Do not be afraid, son. Here you will receive justice.” The soldier looked at the general and said, “Sir, that is what I am afraid of.” — Like that soldier, Peter would have reason to tremble. Peter had boasted about his bravery, how he would always stand by Jesus. Yet when Jesus needed him most, he nodded off. Perhaps one could forgive him for falling asleep, but later – when he was wide-awake – he denied Jesus, three times, with forms of, “I do not know the man.” Some rock! In strict justice, Peter should have been punished – at the very least, removed as head of the Church. In Christ’s passion, however, a deeper justice is at work. That is what we will discover this Divine Mercy Sunday. God’s justice has a name – it is called the Divine Mercy. I invite you to return on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. These are the great days of grace – of Divine Mercy.

13) Macbeth never had peace in his life: One of the famous tragedies of William Shakespeare is Macbeth. When Macbeth was returning after a victory, he was met by three witches. The first witch greeted him, “Thane of Glamis.” The second witch greeted him, “Thane of Cawdor,” and the third witch greeted him, “King hereafter.” (Macbeth Act 1, Scene 3, Verses 38-50). As they disappeared messengers reached with the good news that he was appointed as the Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth went home and shared this strange experience with his wife. She enkindled his hopes, and persuaded him to murder Duncan, the King, who came to his house as his guest. As Macbeth thrust the dagger into the heart of Duncan he heard a voice, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep…” (Act II, Scene 2, verses 35-36). Thereafter Macbeth never had peace in his life. His life became miserable. In his frantic attempt to get peace he committed murder again and againWhen Macbeth sinned against the King he lost his peace. — Jesus was aware that sins destroy the peace of man. So Jesus both wished the Apostles “Peace” and granted them the power to destroy sin. and so make that Peace available to all of us. To destroy a powerful enemy, we need a powerful weapon. Jesus put this weapon in the hands of the Church by communicating to the Apostles God’s power to forgive sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus said to the apostles: “Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. Those whose sins you retain, they are retained”(Jn 20-22-23). (Fr. Bobby Jose).

14) Uplifting One Another: Have you ever watched geese fly in V-formation? While a thing of beauty to watch, the formation is essential to the geese for survival. If you listen, you can hear the beat of their wings whistling through the air in unison. And that is the secret of their strength: the lead goose cuts a swath through the air resistance, which creates a helping uplift for the birds behind it. In turn their flapping makes it easier for the birds behind them, and so on. Each bird takes its turn at being leader. The tired ones fan out to the edges of the V for a breather, and the rested ones surge towards the point of the V to drive the flock onward. If a goose becomes too exhausted or ill and has to drop out of the flock, it is never abandoned. A stronger member of the flock will follow the failing, weak one to its resting place and wait till the bird is well enough to fly again. — Together, cooperating as a flock, geese can fly at 71% longer range, with up to 60% less work. (Phillip Yancy in Benedict Arnold Seagull; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

15) Cure for Sorrow: There is an old Chinese tale about a woman whose only son died. In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, “What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?” Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, “Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life.” The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed. She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, “I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this such a place? It is very important to me.” They told her, “You’ve certainly come to the wrong place,” and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them. The woman said to herself, “Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people than I, who have had misfortune of my own?” She stayed to comfort them, then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune. — She became so involved in ministering to other people’s grief that ultimately, she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life.

(Brian Cavanaugh in The Sower’s Seeds; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

16) Hope for the Flowers: A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then, it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could. So, the man decided to help, he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. — What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. We could never fly! So God in His mercy, challenges us, giving obstacles in life. (Anonymous; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

17) “Don’t be crying! It’s OK! He is alive!” I remember one occasion when I led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. One of the young men in the group was mentally quite limited, although his grasp of God, of Jesus, and the events of the Gospel were uncanny. We arrived at the tomb of the basilica, and we joined the long line, waiting our turn to enter. One lady came out of the tomb and was obviously deeply touched by the experience of her visit to such a sacred spot. She sat down outside the entrance, took out a tissue, and began wiping her tears. My friend, who was back in the line, spotted what was happening, and responded instantly. He ran straight up to her, put his hand on her shoulder and said, “Don’t be crying, it’s OK! He’s alive; don’t you know that?” The whole thing was so spontaneous and genuine that the woman stood up and gave him a warm hug. The simple fact was that he could not understand how anybody could be crying at this tomb, of all the tombs in the world. — Jesus thanked the Father for giving a message that was so simple and straightforward that the intellectual and the worldly-wise would fail to grasp it, and yet it could be fully accepted by someone with the mind of a child. “Happy are they who have not seen yet believe” (Jn 20:29) (Jack McArdle in And That’s the Gospel Truth; quoted by Fr. Botelho).

18) President’s mercy: Years after the death of President Calvin Coolidge, this story came to light. In the early days of his presidency, Coolidge awoke one morning in his hotel room to find a cat burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm he wanted to keep. Coolidge then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and discovered he was a college student who had no money to pay his hotel bill or buy a ticket back to campus. Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet — which he had also persuaded the dazed young man to give back! — declared it to be a loan and advised the young man to leave the way he had come so as to avoid the Secret Service! (Yes, the loan was paid back.) [Today in the Word (October 8, 1992); quoted by Fr. Kayala.]

19) The story of Oshea Israel and Mary Johnson: One of the stories of the “Forgiveness Project” that caught my attention was the story of Oshea Israel and Mary Johnson. Oshea had shot and killed Mary’s son – a boy Oshea didn’t even know. There was no way Oshea could pay Mary back for what he had taken from her. And Mary owed him nothing. It’s not an easy story. As Mary said, “I hated everyone for a while.” But over time Mary came to forgive Oshea. She visited him in prison. She helped him when he was released. In the process they both changed. Mary gave Oshea the one gift he needed to begin his healing: total forgiveness. — Mercy doesn’t undercut justice but surprises it! It is the lynchpinnthat supports forgiveness and compassion. Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope. We might think of mercy as the grace for conversion. (Stories Seldom Heard; quoted by Sr. Patricia).

20) Everything was held in common (First reading): The earliest Christians, says the Acts of the Apostles, were “of one heart and one mind.” They shared their possessions with each other, so that none would be in need. Some even sold their belongings and set up a fund to provide for all. This great spirit of Easter charity did not last very long, but in later years those who founded religious orders revived common ownership as a part of their religious rules. Thus, when St. Benedict of Nursia wrote a rule for his monks in the sixth century, he ordered, “Let all things be common to all.” Human beings are naturally possessive. Not all of Abbot Benedict’s monks lived up to the ideal of personal poverty. Once a monk of his monastery gave a spiritual talk at a nearby convent of nuns. To express their thanks, the nuns gave him a few handkerchiefs. Although the rule said that no monk should use anything he had not received through the Abbot, this monk decided he would keep the little gift as his own without mentioning it to his superior. He simply tucked the handkerchiefs in his habit. He did not get away with it. When he returned to the monastery, Benedict scolded him: “How is it that evil has found its way into your heart?” The monk was puzzled, for he had already forgotten the handkerchiefs. But the misdeed had been revealed to Benedict. “Was I not present,” he said, “when you accepted those handkerchiefs?” The wayward monk at once knelt before the saint, begged his forgiveness, and handed over the compromising gift. — Holy Communion as practiced in the earliest Church and in the religious orders was not something commanded by God; it was something embraced by loving choice. Is there indeed a better way of showing love for neighbor? Or of showing total trust that God our Father will provide? “…The community of believers were of one…. Today’s first reading. Father Robert F. McNamara.

21) St. Thomas’ way of experiencing God: Fr. Mark Link, SJ in Illustrated Sunday Homilies Year B, offers a scenario: “You are called up to the lectern and blindfolded and a bucket full of water is placed in front of you; then, you are asked if the bucket is empty or full.” Then he asks a question: “What are the ways you can learn the answer such inquiry without removing the blindfold?” Fr. Link said that there are three ways we can learn to answer such question: One way is to reach into the bucket and feel if there is water in it. In other words, you can experience first-hand if the bucket is full or empty. This way of learning is called experiencing; it is knowledge that our senses give us. The second way of learning if the bucket has water or has none is to drop an object like a coin, into it. If the object hits the bottom of the bucket with a loud or ringing sound, you know the bucket is empty. On the other hand, if the object hits with a slurp or a splash, you know the bucket contains water. This way of acquiring knowledge is called reasoning. A third way to learn if the bucket contains water is to ask someone you trust. The person could look into the bucket and tell you if it has water in it. This way of learning is called believing. It’s knowledge that we acquire by Faith. But of the three ways of acquiring knowledge, that is, by experiencing, reasoning, and believing, by which way do we obtain most of our knowledge? Is it by experiencing, by reasoning or by believing? If we said believing, then you and I are correct, according to some experts, who estimate that we acquire as much as 80 percent of our knowledge in this way. For example, Fr. Link continued, ”…few of us have travelled around the world. The only way we know about most countries is by what others tells us. We are told in today’s words; we trust the people who have been there. If they tell us there is a country called China and that its people do this or do that, we believe them. — Today’s Gospel describes how St. Thomas the apostle chose the way of experiencing the Risen Lord by touching him.

22) Was the early Church a “Potemkin village?” During the reign of Empress Catherine II in Russia, Gregory Aleksandrovich Potemkin was the Commander-in-Chief and Governor General of “New Russia” (the southern Ukraine). After he had successfully defended Russia’s southern borders against the Turks and colonized the Ukrainian steppes, Potemkin conducted the Empress on a grand victory tour. His policy of disguising all the weak points in his administration and camouflaging his failures gave rise to the apocryphal tale that he had erected artificial villages to be seen by the empress in passing. Hence the term “Potemkin village” came to denote any pretentious façade designed to cover up a shabby or undesirable condition. — But Luke’s portrait of the early Church’s harmony, agape love and sharing was a reality, the effect of the believers’ trusting in the Divine Mercy, as promised in Moses’ discourse, reported in Deuteronomy: “When the Lord God blesses you in your land, there will be no needy person among you” (Dt 15:4). (Adapted from Sanchez Files).

23) Be bridge-builders! Serve as messengers of God’s Divine Mercy and forgiving love.

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding, and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One morning there was a knock-on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days’ work,” he said. said the “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?” “Yes,” older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor; in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence –an 8-foot fence — so I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.” The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.” The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge – a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all — and the neighbor, his younger brother was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. “You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.” The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother. “I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but I have many more bridges to build.” — Jesus is also the bridge-builder, who reconciles mankind to God by bestowing God’s Mercy upon us and forgiving our sins calling us to do the same – to become bridge-builders by serving as messengers of Divine Mercy and forgiving love.

24) The test of Faith is not words but deeds. The story is told about a huge inter-ocean liner that was traveling from New York to Spain when a tragedy happened. The ship hit a huge iceberg which caused it to tilt as water rapidly collected in its gaping hole. To rescue the passengers, lifeboats were launched, but each lifeboat could only take 20 passengers without sinking. Unfortunately, in one lifeboat there were 23 passengers, so three extra. Now, if three passengers would not volunteer to jump out from the lifeboat, everybody would sink and die. After a moment of suspense, one aged American raised his hands and shouted: “Long live America!” He jumped into the water and was eaten by the sharks. After some moments, a Spaniard stood up, raised his right arm and proudly shouted: “Viva Espana!” he too dived into the water and was also feasted on by the sharks A Filipino also stood up, proudly professing that he was a devout Catholic coming from the only Christian country in Asia. He too raised his right arm and shouted: “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” Then, he pushed a Singaporean into the water! — Pious language is cheap. The test of Faith is not words but deeds. Without Faith, we cannot love either God or other people. Without love, life is not worth living. (Fr. Benitez).

25) Mercy: Nobility’s true badge: An episode from World War II, December 20, 1943: Lt. Charles Lester Brown (1922-2008) was a 21-year-old American bomber pilot with a mission to bomb a Focke-Wulf 190 German fighter aircraft factory in Bremen, Germany. It was his first mission as an aircraft commander in a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a heavy aircraft bomber. Brown and his crew of four took off from England, joining other fighter aircraft. The American aircraft succeeded in dropping bombs over Bremen, cruising at an altitude of 27,300 feet above sea level. However, the German anti-aircraft guns (Flak) were effective, and they hit several bombers, including Brown’s B-17 Flying Fortress. The hits shattered the nose of Brown’s plane and damaged three of its four engines. Hence, he was unable to stay with the other aircraft in formation. As a straggler, Brown’s plane was attacked by more than a dozen German fighter planes. Brown’s tail gunner was killed in the gunfight, and others, including Brown, were wounded. Nonetheless, he went on the offensive using his firepower. While fighting tooth and nail to save himself and his crew from the onslaught of the enemies, he lost consciousness as he lacked oxygen, and the plane took a nosedive. However, while he was at 1,000 feet above sea level, he miraculously regained consciousness and took control of the aircraft. He then began to fly back to England to save himself and his injured crew. Immediately, he noticed a German Bf-109 fighter plane flying next to him. As Brown was trying to figure out what was happening, the German pilot waved at him and escorted him up to the North Sea. Then he saluted Brown and flew back to his unit. “Why did he not shoot me down?” Brown asked himself as he flew back and landed safely at Seething airbase near the English coast. Brown reported this incident to the authorities, but they classified it as “secret.” Nothing was said about it anymore. After his combat tour in Europe, Brown returned to the United States, graduated from college, and served in the Air Force and the State Department until he retired. “Why did he not shoot me down?” Brown continued to ask this question to himself over the years. Then, in 1986, he decided to find out the identity of the German pilot who magnanimously had given him and his crew a chance to live. At last, in 1990, he found out it was Franz Stigler (1915-2008) who had done this favor. At that time, Stigler was living in Canada, and they met and became close friends. While Brown was flying back to England after regaining consciousness, Stigler could very well have shot him down. He had already downed two aircraft and needed only one more to qualify for the prestigious Knight’s Cross. However, he refused to do it. Why? “I could see the wounded aboard, and I could not kill these half-dead people,” Stigler said while answering the question. — Stigler was a fighter pilot who was fighting for Nazi Germany. However, he had a heart of gold. Hence, even at the battlefront, he showed mercy and generosity. Austrian author and filmmaker Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann once said that the crown of love is mercy. Yes, only those who have love in their hearts can show compassion, especially when others are not worthy. Did Brown deserve any mercy from Stigler? No way, because Brown himself was trying to destroy his German enemies, including Stigler. However, Stigler showed mercy and let Brown and his crew escape. According to William Shakespeare, “sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge” (Titus Andronicus, Act 1, Scene 2) He again writes, “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes” (The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1.) Stigler had nobility ingrained in him. When he showed mercy, it not only blessed Brown but also blessed Stigler. This is also what happens when we show mercy to others: while we bless others with mercy, we too are blessed. Jesus Christ said, “Be merciful like your heavenly Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). God, our Father, is merciful. Like him, we should also become merciful, making it the true badge of our nobility.

Scriptural Homilies” Cycle A (No. 28) by Fr. Tony: akadavil@gmail.com

You may visit my website by clicking on http://frtonyshomilies.com/ for missed or previous Cycle A homilies, 141 Year of Faith “Adult Faith Formation Lessons” (useful for RCIA classes too) & 197 “Question of the Week.” Contact me by email only at akadavil@gmail.com. Kindly visit https://www.catholicsermons.com/homilies/sunday_homilies under CBCI or Fr. Tony for my website version. (Special thanks to Vatican official website http://www.vaticannews.va/en/church.html -which completed uploading my Cycle A, B and C homilies in May 2020) My post-retirement contact postal address is Fr. Anthony Kadavil, C/o Fr. M. C. Joseph, Pastor St. Agatha Catholic Parish 1001 Hand Ave, Bay Minette, AL 36507 36507.

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