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15-Apr-2007
Dear Friend,
Human beings can act out of fear or out of love. If we were to honestly
examine the motive of many of our actions, we would have to admit that we acted
out of fear. All kinds of fears govern our lives. We can even believe out of
fear. But we are called to live and act out of love, for that alone satisfies.
Only when we are touched deeply by love can we love in return. What's our
response to Jesus' question: "Do you love me?" Have a blessed weekend
celebrating His love. Fr. Jude
Sunday Reflections: Third Sunday of Easter Do you love me? 22-Apr-07
Readings : Acts 5: 27-32, 40-41; Apocalypse 5: 11-14;
John 21:1-19;
In today's first reading from the Acts on the one hand we have the temple
authorities trying to cover up the evidence of the resurrection by forbidding
the apostles from preaching in the name of Jesus, and on the other, the bold
stand taken by the apostles to give witness to the risen Lord, unmindful of the
consequences. They even openly confront the authorities and accuse them of
putting to death the innocent one, Jesus Christ. By their fearless words and
bold deeds they witness to the fact that Jesus is alive in them through his
spirit.
The Sun has risen
.
The editor of one of the leading religious newspapers was walking along some
cliffs near Eastbourne, England, one Easter morning. In his walk he met an old
fisherman, and during their conversation together, the editor was struck by the
simple faith of the old fisherman in his risen Saviour. "How do you know that
Jesus has risen?" he asked. "Sir," came the reply, "do you see those cottages
near the cliffs? Well, sir, sometimes when I am far out at sea I know that the
sun has risen by the light that reflected by yon cottage windows. How do I know
that Christ has risen? Why, sir, do I not see his light reflected from the
faces of some of my fellows every day, and do I not feel the light of his glory
in my own life? As soon tell me that the sun has not risen when I see his
reflected glory, as tell me that my Lord is not risen."
Anthony Castle in ''More Quotes and Anecdotes'
In the second reading from the apocalypse, we are invited to gaze upon the
Risen Lord and give glory and praise unto him. John sees in a vision the
heavenly hosts worshipping the Lamb in adoration and he invites all of creation
to join in the song of praise. To be a believer is to be a constant witness of
the risen Lord, acclaiming all that He has done for us. Praise is the perfect
form of worship and prayer.
After the resurrection Jesus appeared several times to his apostles and
disciples to confirm them in their faith. He appeared to them individually and
collectively. He appeared to them when they were in the house, as well as when
they were on the road. He joined them in their journeys as well as in their
work. Yet they did not seem to believe that He had risen. He was patient with
their disbelief and gave them time and again proof that He was alive and that
he would be with them. Why did they doubt? In today's episode we hear that they
were ready to forget all the wonderful things that had happened, all the
appearances of the Risen Lord, and they were ready to get back to their old
routine, their regular jobs- fishing. Why have they given up? What was lacking
in their following of Jesus Christ? Even in their regular jobs they experience
failure they catch nothing! It is then that Jesus once again comes to their
rescue and calls them to join him at breakfast. He nourishes
them with what he can provide and asks them to share what they themselves
have. After breakfast he asks Peter the all important question: "Simon, son of
John, do you love me?" He asks the question three times in order to give Simon
the opportunity to affirm his love three times, to perhaps wipe away his
earlier triple denial.
"In some way the apostles' love for Jesus must have been shaky, and immature.
It was not sufficient, even after all his healings and miracles and
resurrection to inspire them to plunge into the risky task of proclaiming
redemption to the world. Perhaps this is what we learn from the gospel this
Sunday. Without love, the Spirit does not come. Before all gifts, before all
miracles, before all signs and wonders, comes love. Without it, as Paul
observed, we are nothing at all. After the assurance of their love for him by
Peter, Jesus can conclude the gospel story this Sunday with a phrase that he
had used before but now can say with far more certain meaning: "Come follow
me." This time they followed him to death because they understood the meaning
of love." Eugene Lauer
"Like the apostles who went back to their fishing nets after the tragic
episode of the passion, we too are sometimes tempted to lose hope. Our
temptation maybe to get back to our everyday bread-and-butter tasks, so
reliable and reassuring in their ordinariness; or to set up a religious ghetto
of our own, cut off from those who might threaten our convictions, to dream of
times gone by when faith was taken for granted and the Church ruled supreme.
No, this is not the way to be. Someone is there standing on the shore, someone
who is more impelling and more personal than ever, and he is calling me and
asking me to put out my net. I am not always able to recognize him straight off
but it's him all right: there at the centre of human and professional contacts,
our life of faith however limp or unsatisfactory, present in the undertakings
of all who search for truth, who love and forgive, and who struggle for a
better and more equitable world. He is there above all in this meal
which we share in memory of him and which prepares us for our necessary return
to the world of everyday. So have we the daring to jump into the water? "
Glenstal Bible Missal
Love Breakthrough
There is a marvelous New Yorker cartoon which depicts a moment of challenge in
the life of one man. He is well on in his middle years, his hair is in retreat,
and thick round spectacles sit on his nose. Dressed in pyjamas and dressing
gown he stands inside his door staring at something on the floor. The door is
heavily reinforced with steel brackets and a variety of bolts and locks and
chains. It is a picture of security gone mad. There is no letter box to receive
mail, but there is a peeping hole to see out. Clearly no one could penetrate
this place without approval. But something has got through this array of
defenses. A white envelope with a large red heart impressed on the back is
lying on the floor. A valentine card has been slipped under the door. Our
middle-aged hero stares in wonder. Is this a joke? Is it a flat letter bomb?
Should he claim it or push it back across the threshold? We'll never know! -It
is particularly difficult for people who live in fear to show
their love. After the resurrection the apostles still lived in fear so Jesus
asks Peter the question: "Do you love me?" Insisting on love is something of a
mark of Jesus. Loving the Lord is always a charge to care for others. The
question of Jesus stays with us hoping for an answer. This Jesus is worth
letting through our defenses and locked doors. He's not a security risk. After
all, his Valentine has already been slipped under the door.
Dennis McBride in 'Seasons of the Word
No wings to fly
..
Jesus' resurrection shows that only through suffering and death we can
achieve triumph. A little girl upon finding a butterfly cocoon brought it home.
She waited with eager expectation until the day for the butterfly to come out
finally arrived. A tiny head appeared, munching its way through the grey,
paper-thin wall. She viewed the little creature with love, but was not prepared
for how long it would take and how difficult a time the butterfly would have.
With a small stick, ever so carefully, she decided to help the butterfly.
Within moments instead of hours the butterfly was free. Then it tried to fly,
but when it stretched its wings, it fell and died. "What happened?" the little
girl pleaded, teary-eyed, to her father. "I even helped." "The butterfly needed
that struggle" her father answered, "Without that, it was never able to
strengthen its wings enough to fly."
Harold Buetow in "God still Speaks: Listen!"
May we not act out of fear but love!
Fr. Jude Botelho
www.netforlife.net
PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been
collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and
from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever
possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in
these reflections. These reflections are also available on my web site
www.netforlife.net Thank you.
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