born of the Spirit

April 20, 2020 4:00 am

“Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (JN 3: 7-8)

Who “is born of the Spirit” recognizes “the wind,” recognize where to go, or – as we have right now – why to stay and what to do instead. We had plans; we had scheduled activities. Our Lord doesn’t want our stagnation, leaving in “a pause.” Rather, He wants us to put all our energy into following “the Spirit”: “the wind blows where it wills.” Our role is to recognize where and what and … how fast we need to do it. 🙂

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Although the doors were locked

April 19, 2020 4:00 am

“Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” (JN 20: 26)

In our houses, we are locked down. We cannot go to churches or chapels. We cannot receive Holy Communion. But the Gospel reminds us—“Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” He comes to our houses and brings peace with Him.

“You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!” (Gospel Acclamation)

He appeared first to Mary Magdalene

April 18, 2020 4:00 am

“When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.” (MK 16: 9)

Why “He appeared first to Mary Magdalene?” Maybe she was in greater need; maybe it was because of her past closeness to Our Lord, Who came to look for those who are not healthy but needed special care? He showed us that our past, our sins, and our bad reputation were not stopping Him to express His love and respect. He loves us unconditionally.

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Come, have breakfast.

April 17, 2020 4:00 am

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come, have breakfast.’ And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.” (JN 21: 12-13)

The same apostles, the same daily ritual—breakfast, the same-not the same Jesus. After death, and after the Resurrection, Our Lord came to see them and to be with them, and takes care of them and protects them. He wants to express, that whatever happens in the future His love and presence will be always with them; and with us.

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

While they were still speaking about this

April 16, 2020 4:00 am

“While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (LK 24: 36)

Our Lord knows about our hunger for His presence in our hearts, and “while they were still speaking about this,” He immediately “stood in their midst and said to them “Peace be with you.” And this is the amazing gift He is bringing today to our houses—“Peace be with you.” There are no “closed doors,” no obstacles stopping Him.

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

the breaking of the bread

April 15, 2020 4:00 am

“Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (LK 24: 35)

So many of us are missing so much the Eucharist, the Holy Communion, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We participate only in the spiritual way, which we understand why, but we are missing the moment of our Communion during the Mass. We can keep this hunger and let it grow, because we will be back one day, and on that day we will utter all our longing accumulated in our hearts during this time.

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Jesus said to her, Mary!

April 14, 2020 4:00 am

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni,’ which means Teacher.” (JN 20: 16)

We are called by names, we are known to Our Lord and He wants to be with us always connected. He has also plans for us, He knows where we should go, and what to do; because He loves us and wants for us all the best. We need only to be close to Him, and connected with Him.

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Ran to announce the news to his disciples

April 13, 2020 4:00 am

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples.” (MT 28: 8)

The Good News needs to be spread, needs to be shared. We can’t keep it only for ourselves. This is when couple becomes pregnant—they want to inform all their relatives and friends about their good news. And we participate in their joy. Today we can’t share with our relatives the Good News because we are stuck in our houses. We can only call to each other and share with them the joy. It is good, because we can appreciate the beauty of our family meetings and miss the importance of small gestures of love we were able to share.

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

He saw and believed

April 12, 2020 4:00 am

“Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” (JN 20: 8-9)

Even for Apostles it took time to “see and believe.” They also had a time when “they did not yet understand the Scripture.” Faith is always a relationship, and relationship needs time to learn, to understand, to contemplate.

“Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Go tell my brothers

April 11, 2020 4:00 am

“And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’” (MT 28: 9-10)

Apostles, disciples, friends and now: “my brothers”; Our Lord is closer to us then we can imagine. He wants not only to be our Master and Redeemer, but He also wants to be our Brother. We are so loved.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’” (Gospel Acclamation)