At the Gate Called “Beautiful” – What the Miracle by Peter and John Teaches us about our Spiritual Journey
At the daily masses of the Easter Octave, we have been reading about, among other things, the story of a paralyzed man whom Peter and John encounter just outside the Temple at the Gate called “Beautiful.” This paralyzed man’s story is our story and as we read it we learn something of our own spiritual […]
The Journey of Mary Magdalene to Resurrection Faith
All of the resurrection stories depict the Apostles and other disciples on a journey of sorts to understand the resurrection. A completely new reality was breaking into their world and challenging their understanding. Far from depicting the disciples as credulous, the texts describe them as shocked, troubled, and even quite dubious. These were not men […]
“And in the Morning Watch the Lord … Cast a Glance …” A Meditation on the Look of the Lord
There is an astonishing verse in the Exodus account, which was read at the Easter Vigil. The Lord has parted the waters of the Red Sea by a strong eastern wind and the Israelites have just made the crossing and the Egyptians pursued them. The verse says: And in the morning watch the Lord in […]
What Does Jesus Mean When He Says, “I Am Ascending”?
Even as Easter moves swiftly on, it is valuable to ponder some of the puzzling aspects of the resurrection. In this, St. Thomas Aquinas remains our teacher, along with the Fathers of the Church whom he references. Let’s explore the enigmatic statement of our Lord Jesus to Mary Magdalene: Do not cling to me, for […]
Why Was the Resurrection Such a Hidden Event?
There is something of a hidden quality to the resurrection appearances that has always puzzled me. St. Peter gives voice to this when he says to Cornelius, God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God […]
Jesus is Real: A Homily for Easter Sunday
One of the possible Gospel readings for Easter is from John (I have written about that account here.) This year I present a reflection on Matthew’s account (28:1-10) of Easter morning, which is another option for the Easter liturgy. Nearly all of the resurrection accounts in the Gospels present the apostles and disciples on a […]
Where Is Jesus Between His Death and Resurrection?
Where is Christ after He dies on Friday afternoon and before He rises on Easter Sunday? Both Scripture and Tradition answer this question. Consider the following excerpt from a second century sermon as well as this meditation from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday (ca. 2nd century A.D.): Today a […]
Passiontide Chronology: Good Friday
Jesus was arrested late Thursday evening. The Scriptures recount, They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together (Mark 14:53). According to Mark’s chronology there was a sham of a trial, based on false evidence and distortions of Jesus’ teachings. Now the […]
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