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Feast of Pentecost

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  SERMON FOR PENTECOST [A] Imagine yourself as Hercules. You’re a superstar, but you’re not immortal. You associate with those who do have a claim on immortality. You make your case, and soon you find yourself being presented with an ultimatum: accomplish these twelve assigned labors, and your wish will be granted. It’s agreed upon, and so you get right to work. You’re breezing along, at least initially. If the task involves strength or fighting ability, you’re more than up for the challenge. However, your fifth labor will require a domestic touch: the stables belonging to Augeus are due for a thorough cleaning. It’s explained to you that three thousand oversized oxen are housed within these stables. And it’s been thirty years since any sanitation efforts have been carried out.  The impulse is to refuse. It’s out of the question!! I can’t be seen doing that!! I’m on my way to becoming immortal!! As far as you are concerned, this is too much to ask. It’s too tedious, too humil...
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Feast of the Ascension

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  THE ASCENSION OF JESUS [A] It was 1987. That’s when we began our search for “ Waldo .”  The illustrator, Martin Handford, had introduced a new book series, challenging us to answer the question: “Where’s Waldo?”  Our task, as readers? The objective is to search carefully through a series of highly detailed prints; see if you can locate the distinctive character dressed in red and white. He’s in there somewhere.  After reviewing the readings for this weekend, you might find yourself wondering: Where’s Jesus? According to Acts 1:11, Jesus is in Heaven. More particularly, he is seated at the right hand of the Father—that’s what we hear in Ephesians 1:20. And yet, St. Matthew records a promise made by Jesus, just prior to his glorious Ascension: Behold, I am with you always, through the end of the age (Matt. 28:20). So where is he? Is he up there with the Father? Or is he down here with us? Let’s consider the possibility that this is not an either/or proposition; rat...
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Sixth Sunday of Easter [A]

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  SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [A] Imagine an egg that has been laid. The egg, at least initially, belongs to a mother eagle. We say “initially” because the egg ends up being separated from the nest, as the result of a major storm event. After the storm subsides, a prairie chicken takes custody of the egg—and subsequently, the hatchling to be produced from it. From a genetic standpoint, the hatchling can be categorized as an eagle. And yet, it will be reared as a prairie chicken. It grows up, believing itself to be an authentic, certifiable prairie chicken.  Of course, it’s just a matter of time. Eventually, the pseudo-prairie chicken will look up into the sky and see an eagle that’s “ being ” a genuine eagle.  Nevertheless, when the day does arrive, it feels nothing more than a sense of admiration. Technically, it’s an eagle. But it’s an eagle that will never reach its full potential. For all practical purposes, it might as well be classified as an actual prairie chicken. It r...
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Fifth Sunday of Easter [A]

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  FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [A] Once upon a time there were three “baby” trees, growing at the top of a high mountain. They would pass the time by dreaming about the future; the kind of contribution that each of them would someday make. The first tree foresaw a day when it would be fashioned into a treasure chest. Valuable coins could be stored within it, along with precious gemstones and exquisite jewelry. The second tree envisioned itself as being part of a great sailing ship. It would carry expensive cargo and visit exotic locations. As for the third tree, it had no wish to ever be harvested. It wanted to remain on the high mountain, extending itself higher and higher, pointing everyone upward, toward the kingdom of heaven.  What about these dreams? Will they be realized? Actually, it looks for all the world as if these dreams are destined to be squashed, rather than fulfilled. Yes, the first tree will find itself being harvested—but not so that it can be formed into a treasur...
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Fourth Sunday of Easter [A]

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  FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [A] We will begin by noting that the word “follow” appears twice within this set of readings. It shows up in this passage from the First Letter of Peter (2:21), and it also turns up in this selection from the Gospel of John (10:4). Who is it that we are supposed to be following? The answer, of course, is Jesus. Why should we follow him? What do we know about him? We know, at least in part, that he has been identified as our Shepherd (Ps. 23:1; John 10:11). We also know that he has been revealed to us as The Suffering Servant (see Isaiah 52-53).  So if you follow Jesus, what will it mean for you? It means, first of all, green pastures. You will be allowed to settle in green pastures. After all, he’s your Shepherd (see Ps. 23:1,2). Additionally, in the course of following Jesus, you can likewise expect some measure of adversity. After all, he is The Suffering Servant, along with being our Shepherd (see 1st Peter 2:21-25). Therefore, appreciate that th...
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Third Sunday of Easter [A]

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  THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER [A] Do you remember a band called Katrina & the Waves ?  They were a band that sort of  “came and went.”  The mid-1980s would represent their peak; that’s when they scored with a hit song titled “Walking On Sunshine.”  The 1985 song climbed its way into the top ten and remained there for a period of several weeks. It is worth mentioning the song because we hear something about the subject of walking in this weekend’s Gospel selection. Jesus joins up with a pair of travelers as they walk along a road that’s taking them to the village of Emmaus. They are heading to Emmaus and, as a consequence, they are heading away from the city of Jerusalem.  Curiously, they fail to recognize Jesus for who he is. This perhaps has to do with the fact that he is in his newly resurrected form. Mary Magdalene struggles in a very similar way when she has her encounter with the resurrected Jesus (see John 20:11-18). In any case, Jesus will reveal ...
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2nd Sunday of Easter [A]

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  SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER [A] Christianity represents something new within the Roman Empire. It’s new and it’s also growing very rapidly (see Acts 2:47). When you join a movement like this, it means that you are being born anew (see 1st Peter 1:3). But what about the period that follows? Is it going to be all glory, all the time? Will the momentum be completely positive? Or will the positive, at some point, switch to negative? Actually, it depends. Do you have good people around you? Do you spend time engaged in the practice of prayer? If so, then your momentum will be primarily positive. Still, it’s always possible that you might drift into a pattern of isolation. You’re isolating yourself and you’re no longer dedicating time to the discipline of prayer.  One wonders: could this have been the root problem for Thomas? Typically, we focus upon the issue of doubt. The problem with Thomas is that he is such a doubter!  Be careful, however, not to overlook what is being descr...
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