Morena/Good morning,
Good afternoon,
The readings this Sunday have us continuing on our journey to Pentecost. We journey as a community who is trying to understand the call of Jesus and the demands that he places on us to bring others to his ways.
It is encouraging to see Jesus calling the disciples to ‘Peace’- a way of calming them to the reality that he is with them and there is no need for fear. The call to love and service is at the very heart of this meeting Jesus. It calls us to be brother and sister to one another as well as inviting and leading others home. Home – the place where we are accepted and loved for who we are – there is nothing to prove just being open to the presence of God through others and within ourselves.
Lat week was supposed to be Letter No 91 but I made a mistake as you know (not the first time and won’t be the last). Linda Darbyshire picked it up so today’s is No 92.
Have a good week – blessings on each of you and those struggling.
Nga Mihi
Paul.
Scripture reflections: Third Sunday of Easter Year B, 14 April 2024.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord
May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of Resurrection.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
Responsorial psalm: Ps 4:2, 4, 7, 9
Second reading: 1 John 2:1-5
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
Link to readings – click here
Commentary
One of the attractive features of St Luke’s presentation of God’s saving action is that people get a ‘second chance.’ An initial rejection of the message need not be final. This is made clear in the early chapters of Acts where, after Pentecost, the Apostles appeal to the Jewish leadership that had actually brought about the death of Jesus by handing him over to Pilate.
The language in which we hear this appeal in the First Reading, from Acts 3:13-15, 17-19, is uncompromising and, readers sensitive, as all should be, to Jewish-Christian relations, will perhaps flinch at the bluntness with which it recalls the story. Peter makes the point, though, that the leadership acted in ‘ignorance,’ not knowing what was really at stake. More significantly still, a correct reading of the Scriptures shows that their very act of rejection was already foreseen by God and destined to be woven into a wider pattern of salvation.
Pattern of Salvation
Few Jews then and even fewer in subsequent generations have seen things this way. We should not read the text as an appeal to them now. But we can perhaps draw comfort from it in regard to our own failures and sinfulness and all that we regret about our lives. So often it is only much later that we realise the full consequences of wrongdoing on our part. Nothing, however, is too great a challenge for God’s power to draw such things into a wider pattern of salvation far outstripping our own understanding.
The Second Reading, 1 John 2.1-5, again confronts us with the somewhat roundabout logic of this letter from the Johannine community. Much of its concern revolves around the claim to ‘know God.’ Some people – those of a Gnostic disposition – were obviously claiming to have a saving knowledge of God without that knowledge being reflected in the conduct of their lives. The writer insists that keeping the commandments, above all that of love (John 14:15, 21; 15:10), is the only sure test of real intimacy with God. The last sentence is very attractive: ‘When anyone does obey … God’s love has come to perfection in (that person).’ The statement reflects a clear sense of the divine initiative: the love of God has reached out to that person and enveloped their whole being. It has ‘come to perfection’ in the sense of going on to activate their own capacity to love – in regard to both God and fellow members of the community.
Meet the Risen Lord
The Gospel, Luke 24:35-48, takes us to the penultimate scene of Luke’s account of Jesus’ risen life (just before his departure from the earth at Bethany). It is Easter Sunday evening. The two disciples who have encountered the risen Lord on their journey to Emmaus have returned and shared their marvellous story. Now the disciples who have remained in Jerusalem are to meet the risen Lord themselves.
In the way typical of the resurrection appearances across all four Gospels, the risen Lord meets the disciples exactly where they are emotionally: fearful, agitated, slow to believe, thinking that what they are seeing is a ghost. Jesus takes considerable pains to overcome their disbelief by making clear the full physical reality of his presence. He urges them to see and touch him, and eats a piece of fish before their eyes (vv. 38-42). Luke dramatises here – perhaps in an overly realistic way – what Paul also insists upon, writing to the Corinthians (1 Cor 15:35-49): you cannot believe in the resurrection without believing that it involved – both for Jesus and for believers after him – full bodily existence.
Brendan Byrne, SJ, FAHA, taught New Testament at Jesuit Theological College, Parkville, Vic., for almost forty years. He is now Emeritus Professor at the University of Divinity (Melbourne). His commentaries on the Gospels can be found at Pauline Books and Media
Formation-Reflection and moving forward:
What a speech by Pope Francis yesterday! April 9th
Worth a read regardless of your faith 
*You can have flaws, be anxious, and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you.
Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments.
To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity.
Being happy is not a fatality of destiny, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny’s author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life.
Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It’s to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a “no”. It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified. It is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us.
To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple.
It is to have maturity to be able to say: “I made mistakes”.
It is to have the courage to say “I am sorry”.
It is to have the sensitivity to say, “I need you”.
It is to have the ability to say “I love you”.
May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness …
That in spring may it be a lover of joy. In winter a lover of wisdom.
And when you make a mistake, start all over again.
For only then will you be in love with life. You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life. But use the tears to irrigate tolerance.
Use your losses to train patience.
Use your mistakes to sculptor serenity.
Use pain to plaster pleasure.
Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence.
Never give up …. Never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness, for life is an incredible show.* (Pope Francis).
Robyn Burns (Hill) pictured below with her youngest daughter Lydia. Robyn, had an accident on April 6 fell from her horse while hunting and the horse slipped and fell on her – she luckily has no spinal or head injuries but many broken ribs back and front, a broken pelvis and nerve damage on one of her legs. Lucky that it’s or was not worse. She was in ICU but came out and moved to a ward on Tuesday night. I spoke with her daughter Lydia who said she is improving and was looking better and chatting.
Keep in mind and prayer Andrew her husband who has been fantastic support as have her three daughetrs.
Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show and give example to children
Pease remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please keep Paul and Linda Darbyshire in your thoughts and prayer amid new challenges they face. They are in need of prayerful support.
- Please keep Robyn Burns (Hill) Lynn and Robs eldest who is recovering from an accident involving a horse. She has a long recovery time.
- Please keep in your prayer Tim Bartell’s son, Sam who is currently in hospital. Prayerful support for Sue and Tom and mum Sue.
- Please keep Jocelyn Bryant who is undergoing Chemotherapy along with her husband Kevin and family in your thoughts and prayer
- Please keep Christine Geoghegan and family in your thoughts and prayer.
- Please keep in your prayer Leanne Hintz (Claire & Ray Hague’s daughter. She is very unwell.
- Please keep Wayne and Mary Dorn in your prayers
- Please keep Richard Gibbs in your prayer he continues to slowly improve. Remember his wife Sue who has just been a pillar over the past 3 years.
- Please keep Robert van de Pas in your prayers – he continues to struggle with pain etc from Chronic Pancreatitis. Also Adriana his mother who is supporting him.
- Please keep Preston Epplett in your prayer and his family. Preston is recovering.
- Please remember Preston and Jenny Epplett’s daughter she has just completed her course of chemotherapy
- Please keep Debbi Davidson’s husband Bryan in your prayer after Debbi died on 1st November. Also, please keep the children and grandchildren and friends in your thoughts and prayer. Grief is a tough journey.
- Please keep Charlie and Maggi in your thoughts and prayer as they support their daughter and her partner
- Please keep Anja van de Wettering in your prayers as she has shared she is expecting her second child.
- Please keep David, Victoria and baby in your prayers. There has been some positive progress and it now looks as if this baby will make it to full term.
- Please keep a friend in mind who is in very early stages of pregnancy but has had a few miscarriages so, things are touch and go.
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health.
- Please keep in mind a son of a friend of mine who has just been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Please remember Martin van der Wetering in your prayers as his health still is causing him grief and discomfort.
- Please remember Phil Drew a former Passionist along with his wife Anne and family
- Please keep in your prayers those who continue to deal with the after effects of droughts on the horn of Africa. Also weather effects on other countries across the planet
- Please keep Bob Buckley in your prayers-
- Keep in prayer the people of Ukraine
- Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer – these acts from both sides have had a horrible effect on the innocent as always.
- Please pray for Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) – their son-in-law Mark married to Dot’s daughter Anita has been diagnosed with aggressive brain tumour, Please keep in mind their daughter Bailey and son Taylor.
- Remember Pat and Rod Carson
- Aidan son of Josie and Phil McIntyre –his parents are his caregivers.
- Your own intentions
Humour:
- One Easter, a father was teaching his son to drive when out of nowhere a rabbit jumped on the road. Slamming on the brakes, the son said, “I nearly ruined Easter! I almost ran over the Easter Bunny.” His father replied, “It’s okay son—you missed it by a hare.”
- Where does Valentine’s Day come after Easter? A. In the dictionary
- How do you make Easter easier? A. Replace the “t” with an “i”
- Therapist: What’s been up lately? Chocolate bunny: I don’t know Doc, I just feel so hollow inside.
- 364 days of the year: Do NOT eat anything you find on the ground. A. Easter: Go and search in the dirt for candy a strange giant bunny left for you, kids!
- What is the Easter Bunny’s favourite kind of music? A. Hip Hop
- How does the Easter Bunny keep his fur in place? A. With hare spray
- What do the Easter Bunny and Michael Jordan have in common? A. They’re both famous for stuffing baskets
- Why did the Easter Bunny have on a hat? A. Because he was having a bad hare day.
- What happened to the Easter Bunny when he misbehaved at school? A. He was eggspelled!
- What kind of jewelry does the Easter Bunny wear? A.14 Carrot Gold
- A parishioner was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed the parishioner by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said to him, “You need to join the Army of the Lord!” The parishioner replied, “I’m already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor.” Pastor questioned, “How come I don’t see you except at Christmas and Easter?” He whispered back, “I’m in the secret service.”