THE FATHER WILL GIVE YOU THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

VI EASTER SUNDAY - John 14:15-21

The disciples were worried about the future. What would happen to them after Jesus’ departure? Jesus reassures them saying: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you.” Here, Jesus is not referring to his second coming at the end of times, but to a continuous presence among his disciples. How is it going to happen? He is going to send the “Paraclete” (παράκλητος), that is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who will be with us forever. He will work within us and within the Church, being a “Counsellor", "Helper", “Advocate”, or “Comforter”. He will guide, protect and defend the Church so that she is a faithful witness to Jesus Christ and carries out the mission entrusted to her. It is not surprising then that, after the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, we find continuous references to the presence and the action of the Holy Spirit. The big decisions, like the opening of the Church to the gentiles (Acts 10), the mission of Paul and Barnabas (Act 13) and the council of Jerusalem (Act 15) were taken under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who makes the community possible. The first reading (Act 8:5-8,14-17) indicates that. After the persecution in Jerusalem, the deacon Philip went to Samaria, preaching the gospel there. Many people believed and were baptised. In Jerusalem, the Apostles heard about it and sent Peter and John to confirm them in the faith. “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Act 8:17). The receiving of the Holy Spirit made them one community with the Church in Jerusalem, united under the same leadership. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no Church. He is the one who takes us to Christ, leading us to recognise Jesus as the Son of God who came to save us. He is the one who transforms us from within so that the image of Christ becomes more and more visible and present in us. He is the Spirit of love, who kindles our hearts with the fire of his love, thus cementing the communion which makes us the body of Christ. He is the one who gives us the courage, the strength and the wisdom to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ.

In his first letter (1 Peter 3:15-18), Peter advises us to “always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have.” That is only possible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us what to say.

Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the great feast of the Pentecost, preparing our hearts to welcome the Holy Spirit.

SET YOURSELVES CLOSE TO CHRIST

V EASTER SUNDAY - Acts 6:1-7

Since the very beginning, the Christian community was faced with crisis after crisis. In a normal situation, that would have caused the end of the Church. However, guided by the Spirit of the Risen Lord, the Church found in every crisis a new opportunity. The first big crisis was the result of division and discrimination in the community, between the Hebrews and the Hellenists. There were many Hebrews who had adopted Greek culture even in Jerusalem. And there were many living in the big cities outside Palestine (for instance, Alexandria, Antioch, Ephesus and Corinth), who spoke only Greek. There was a big tension between these two groups, and that manifested itself in discrimination, which led to present a complaint before the Apostles: “in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked” (Act 6:1). The Apostles listened to the grievances presented to them and called “a full meeting of the disciples” in order to find a solution. This crisis created the opportunity to organise the community, sharing and distributing the different tasks (ministries) within the community.

In his first letter, Peter speaks of a “spiritual house”, which has Jesus Christ as its foundation and then is built with the “living stones”, leaving it clear that we are those living stones, forming with Christ one body. We must remain “close to him” so that we become as “the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices” to God, in union with the only sacrifice that is “acceptable to God” (1 Pet 2:5), the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

The Church, although made of people, is very different from any other groups made of people. The Church is built upon Christ, who is the only point of reference, and so it belongs to Christ. Without Christ, the Church is meaningless. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is in him that we find peace and meaning. It is in him that we find the Way to the Father, to hour home in heaven, built by God himself. So, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.” (Jn 14:1).

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

IV EASTER SUNDAY - John 10:1-10

We are going through difficult times, surrounded by very dark clouds and with an uncertain future ahead. The coronavirus pandemic took the world by surprise and, so far, the most affected countries are the rich ones. We took good life for granted and we behaved as if we were at the top of the world. The pandemic has shown that life is the most precious gift; however, it is a very fragile gift, which must be taken good care of. Life has to be nurtured, protected and defended. This pandemic has shown to us in uncertain terms that our life depends on the life of the others. I cannot have a meaningful life alone, excluding the others or putting their lives in danger.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus makes clear the purpose of his coming: “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” We came so that we find meaning and purpose for our lives. In communion with him, our lives are worthy of living. and we can be at peace with ourselves since we are at peace with the others and with God. In order to explain his role in our lives, Jesus resorts to the old prophetic language of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where they refer to the people of Israel as God’s flock and to their political and religious leaders as the shepherds. Jesus speaks as well of the sheep, the sheepfold and the shepherd. The sheep (the true people of God - his disciples) recognise his voice and listen to him. Jesus presents himself both as the gate and as the shepherd. He is the gate since only through him we can find life to the full. He is the only way to God. He is the only Saviour. Only through this gate can we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If we try other gates, we are out of the way, we got lost and will not find true life and salvation. Jesus presents himself as well as the Good Shepherd, the one cares for the sheep and gives his life for them, so that they may find a place of rest. And all shepherds - that is all kinds of leaders - must look to Jesus as their role model, putting themselves totally at the service of the others. The attitude of service is the only attitude that makes peace possible. When we walk along that path, we can find life to the full, because we will share in the resurrection fo Christ.

THEY TOLD THE STORY OF WHAT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD

III EASTER SUNDAY - Luke 24:13-35

Whenever we read a passage from the gospels, beyond the narrative of Jesus’ words and actions, we must hear the echoes of the Christian Communities for whom they were written. And listening to the passage as being addressed to us, we must allow ourselves to be touched and questioned by the situation described and the words pronounced.

It was on a Sunday - the first day of the week, which would become known as the Day of the Lord, when completed the Passover celebration, two disciples went back to the village, Emmaus, not far from Jerusalem. As they walked, they talked about Jesus who had shown himself to be a “great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people”, but “our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified”. As they walked, their hearts were heavy with disappointment, since all their hope had been dashed and all dreams a future full of life and salvation were no more than a delusion. It was in such a situation that Jesus started walking with them, even though they did not recognise him.

The journey of those two disciples represents our own journey of faith and the journey of our Christian community. When we go through hard times, we feel at a loss and, unable to look to the future with hope, we try to find refuge in things that have lost their usefulness. And we are going through such a time. The coronavirus pandemic seems to have turned the world upside down and suddenly that many of things we took for granted are not important. We are seized by fear since the future of our lives and our societies seems to be in peril. We may fill lonely and distressed and ask ourselves. where is God? Does He care? However, Jesus is walking by our side, even if we don’t recognise him. And he reassures us as he did to those two disciples.

Walking with them in their life situation, Jesus goes through the Scriptures and with them he gives meaning to what happened. The use of the Scriptures has always been an essential part both of the proclamation of the Gospel and catechesis and then of the liturgical celebration. The word of God challenges us and illumines the darkness of our lives so that we are strengthened in hope and find meaning and purpose for our difficult situations. As they listen to the word of God brought to them by Jesus, the two disciples began to understand and their hearts found peace and joy.

Being at peace with themselves and the situation they found themselves in, they were able to invite Jesus into their house and could sit at the table of the Lord and receive from him the bread of life.

In the journey of those two disciples, we find the journey of the Church. This journey is made meaningful by the word of God, which is proclaimed every Sunday (first day of the week). By that word, we find new hope, so that we may be able to reach the goal of our journey in life. And the word prepares us to receive the bread of life, which the Lord puts on the table for us.

In the journey to Emmaus, we can find the main parts of the mass: a first part dedicated to the word of God and second to the supper of the Lord. It is the proclamation of the word of God in the first part of the mass, that makes possible and meaningful the second part, the breaking of the bread. The first part leads to the second. The word of God prepares us to approach the table of the Lord and to receive him as the Risen Lord who gives us life.

After recognising the Risen Christ, the two disciples could not stay; they had to go and share this good news: indeed, the Lord has risen. The celebration of the Eucharist leads us to the mission. After experiencing the presence of the Lord, we must go to be witnesses and to announce that Jesus is alive and in Him, we can find life and salvation.

THE FAITHFUL ALL LIVED TOGETHER

II EASTER SUNDAY - Acts 2:42-47 and John 20:19-31

Even though it may seem absurd, this time of isolation, due to coronavirus, is helping everyone to discover how much we need each other to have a meaningful life. Human beings are social and they need a community to thrive. We are not supposed to live in isolation, side by side, but in communion cooperating with each other. We are interdependent and, therefore, we either fall together or rise and survive together. Pope Francis said that all of us are sailing in the same boat.

Since the very beginning, the Christians realised that their faith in Jesus Christ has to be lived in relationship with other believers. All the baptised in Christ form with him one body, in such a way that “we are members one of another” (Eph 4:25). 

The Acts of the Apostles stresses the importance of the community and, in a summary, presents the main features of the early Christian community in Jerusalem.

The first Christians, in Jerusalem, kept the Temple as a point of reference, going there every day, but they went as a group, to affirm their identity. And, since the beginning, they were celebrating the Eucharist in their homes. They lived together and put everything in common. According to the Acts of the Apostles, they remained faithful to what they deemed essential: 

1. the teaching of the apostles (catechesis), 
2. the fellowship (brotherhood), which implied solidarity and sharing, 
3. the Eucharistic celebration (“the breaking of bread”) 
4. and prayer. 

And these remain essential for us as well. From the beginning, the Eucharist became the centre of the community and the eucharistic celebration implies the other aspects (pillars) of Christian life: the word of God, communion (fellowship, solidarity and sharing) and prayer. If one of these pillars is missing, the community easily goes astray.

The Gospel makes it very clear that Jesus Christ is the foundation, the cornerstone, upon which the Church is built. The Risen Lord is the source of our hope. However, it was very difficult for the disciples to accept the resurrection of Jesus. The attitude of Thomas is an example. Then, believing that Jesus rose from the dead could lead the disciples to forget his passion and death on the cross. Jesus was aware of this danger and he confronted the disciples with his wounds, for them to understand that the Risen Christ is the one who was crucified. His wounds were like his identification card to the disciples. It is through his death on the cross that we are reconciled with God. As we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, we must remember as well his passion and death. That’s why the Eucharist is a memorial: we do it in remembrance of Jesus Christ. We cannot separate the Risen One from the Crucified One, for it is through his wounds that we are saved.

Outside the community (outside the Church), it is difficult to experience the risen Christ. This is what happened to Thomas. He was absent from the community meeting and rejected the testimony of those who had met Christ. He wanted an experience tailored to his needs. To make sure it was the same Jesus, he wanted to see, touch and feel. He wanted a physical, tangible experience. Without it, he doesn't believe. Many of us are like Thomas: staying away from community assembly, we do not hear the Word of God being proclaimed and we do not share the bread of life that the Lord gives. Returning to the community, and participating in the Sunday Assembly, Thomas was ready to recognise the Risen Jesus.

In many countries of the world, during this pandemic of coronavirus, the churches are closed for the public celebration of the Eucharist. It is a kind of fasting forced on us to avoid the danger of being infected or of infecting others. Certainly, we are missing our brothers and sisters who come together to give thanks and praise to the Lord. And feel starving for the bread of life that gives strength and hope. Living by faith, we need to hear the word being proclaimed, we need to pray together and to share with others the love that God has given us. As we pray in our domestic churches at home, remember that we are united in Jesus forming with him and in him one body.

CELEBRATING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

EASTER SUNDAY - THE PASSOVER FROM DEATH TO LIFE

Christ in the Seminary Church of Boa Nova, Valadares

It is the risen Christ,

Who, free from the Cross, goes up

As High Priest and King,

With open arms to welcome us,

Indicating the path that leads 

to our heavenly home.

Day by day,

the numbers increase

and the wave spreads,

a dark and overwhelming wave

and with a fearful heart,

we shut ourselves up at home,

made refuge from the storm

that silences our voices.

It was a Friday,

and lifted on a cross,

that good and just man

experienced the darkness,

from twelve to fifteen it covered the land,

as if in mourning,

ashamed of the evil

that has polluted us.

All of humanity was with Him,

bent under the weight of pain

and under the bondage of sin

so disfigured

that lost all human appearance.

“And yet ours were the sufferings he bore,

ours the sorrows he carried.”

“On him lies a punishment that brings us peace,

and through his wounds we are healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep,

each taking his own way,

and the Lord burdened him

with the sins of all of us.” (Is 53:4-6)

Therefore, contemplating the Crucified,

we feel attracted and touched;

and in Him we find peace.

In Him, the curse becomes a blessing

and we find hope again.

In the face of the Crucified,

we discover the face of God

stained by our pain and anguish.

Sharing our fate,

He becomes a source of hope and life.

Offering “His life in atonement,

he shall see his heirs, 

he shall have a long life

and through him 

what the Lord wishes will be done.” (Is 53:10)

In the silence of this prolonged Sabbath

that we're all going through,

let us approach the buried Lord,

certain that He will rise from the dead,

so that we may sing with Him the hymn of victory.

It's time for us to die for everything

that sows the seeds of evil in us,

greed, envy, hatred, violence,

exploitation and oppression,

to resurrect to a new humanity,

built on love, justice, freedom and peace.

We will rise with Him,

passing from death to life.

So, united and solidary,

in harmony and communion,

we will sing hymns of glory,

as well-beloved children

singing without ceasing 

with the multitudes of angels:

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah.

May the Risen Lord bless you,
give you new strength and hope
and renew you with His Spirit.

I KNOW I SHALL NOT BE SHAMED

PALM SUNDAY - Matthew 26:14-27:66

Palm Sunday is the beginning of the Holy Week, a week set apart for us to be touched by the passion of the Lord Jesus and by the suffering of the world. 

With most of the countries of the world under the threat of the coronavirus, we are forced to face our fragility and mortality. Humanity is going through rough seas and we are all in the same boat and facing the same danger. Before this pandemic, we have to humble ourselves. Indeed, there is nothing to boast about. This pandemic is a call for all of us to become aware of the perilous path we go through. We have forgotten that, leading a life full of selfishness and total disregard for the well-being of the others and of the earth, which sustain us. 

In many parts of the world, there will not be a public celebration of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. It is as if all of us are in the tomb, like Jesus in the Saturday that followed his death. We are not going to walk on the streets, but at home, with the family, we are going to celebrate knowing that we are in communion with thousands of thousands of families, forming a big community, the living Church, which is the body of Christ.

FIRST READING - Isaiah 50, 4-7 - The Messiah presents himself as a faithful disciple, who listens to the word of God and takes it “to those who are “wearied”, giving them encouragement and comfort. Because of his faithfulness, the Messiah will suffer rejection, but he “made no resistance”, nor did he “turn away”: “I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.” He put his trust in God, knowing that he will not be disappointed.

SECOND READING - Philippians 2, 6-11 - In the letter to the Philippians, Paul gives us a poem about the mystery of Christ's passion and death. Being of divine condition, he became a servant, similar to us. He did not use his divine condition to impose himself and show himself to be superior to men. On the contrary, he lowered himself and became a human being like all of us, weak and fragile, experiencing suffering and death. He showed his fidelity and his obedience until his death on the Cross. And that is why God exalted him. He “emptied himself” in order to share our human condition enslaved by sin, and God glorified and exalted him. For this reason, his name is above all names, “so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus, to the glory of God the Father.” It is in Him that we find salvation and life.

GOSPEL - Matthew 26, 14 - 27, 66 - In Matthew's gospel, the passion narrative begins with Judas' betrayal. What could have caused this man to be so disillusioned with Jesus as to betray him? Or was it simply a matter of money? Then, Matthew presents the Passover celebration, in which Jesus takes the place of the lamb, offering himself as a paschal sacrifice, in which his blood is "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." After supper, Jesus went with the apostles to spend the night on a property called Gethsemane. There he was arrested. During the night he was tried by the Sanhedrin; condemned as a false prophet, he was tortured. At dawn, they took him to Pilate, accusing him of pretending to be king of the Jews. Pilate realised the falsity of the accusation but eventually sentenced him to death for high treason. Realising his exhaustion, the soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry his cross. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Jesus prayed with Psalm 22 saying: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" And Jesus, “crying out in a loud voice, yielded up his spirit."