In an ideal world we would have clarity before we make decisions. But we do not live in an ideal world. Still we have to make minor and major decisions daily. To do this, God has gifted us with discernment and fidelity. We may not have clarity but we can have peace, trusting in God's guidance and love in the process. If after reflection and prayer we have peace about a particular decision, not absolute clarity then we can  move forward in this decision, while at the same time entrusting it to the Lord for final approval or disapproval. In making this discerned decision, we surrender it to God to open or close the door. The clarity of a right or wrong decision comes after prayer, discernment and action.

There are many mysteries in life that remain such. There are many questions that continue to plaque us. There are many concerns that frustrate us. What is the common thread in all these? Is it not the failure to accept our limitations as a creature? We are not all-knowing, only God is. And yet underlying the quest to understand mysteries beyond us, to be able to answer all questions, to be free of all concerns is the trap that caused the first sin. It is the pride seeking to be other than we are, to be like God, knowing all mysteries, having the answer to all questions, free from all concerns. Like Job we must know and accept the truth that we are not God and it is okay. It is hard enough to be fully ourselves, let alone to be someone else. There is only one God, and we are not God. The mysteries we need to know, God will reveal; the answers to any question that we need, he will give or lead us to; all concerns are his. There is a freedom in this truth.

“With the love of a father, God tells us: ‘My son, treat yourself well... Do not deprive yourself of a happy day’ (Sir 14:11.14). He wants us to be positive, grateful and uncomplicated: ‘In the day of prosperity, be joyful’ (Eccl 7:14). Whatever the case, we should remain resilient and imitate Saint Paul: ‘I have learned to be content with what I have’ (Phil 4:11). Saint Francis of Assisi lived by this; he could be overwhelmed with gratitude before a piece of hard bread, or joyfully praise God simply for the breeze that caressed his face.” (Pope Francis) What if we sought to have the same attitude? What if we lived our life in this manner? We have allowed the culture around us to complicate and devalue our life as sons and daughters of God. Can we reverse this? Yes. Begin by choosing to be joyful and grateful for the little blessings of each day. Like yeast this attitude of joy will permeate our whole day.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER GOSPEL B

Jesus said: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. 
· The OT frequently uses the imagery of the vine for the Chosen People in their relationship with Yahweh, who is the vine grower. Here Jesus identifies himself as the true vine in contrast to Israel who did not open its heart to the Messiah. Those committed to Jesus as part of the vine.
· In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses the "I am" metaphor on a number of occasions: "I am the bread of life" (6:35); "I am the living bread that came down from heaven" (6:51); "I am the light of the world" (8:12); "I am the gate for the sheep" (10:7); "I am the good shepherd" (10:11); "I am the resurrection and the life" (11:25); "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (14:6).
· The Father does two things: removes dead branches; prunes fruitful branches so as to bear more fruit. The analogy is that those who are dead in sin are cut off and those who are in union but not bearing full fruit are pruned.
· What is God doing in your life? What purification is God calling forth so that you can live in his life more fruitfully?

Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
· Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine; Paul in 1 Cor will use the metaphor of the Body to reflect the same mystery of union with Jesus.
· Using this passage spend some time in prayer reflecting on your relationship with Jesus. What is the fruit of your relationship with Jesus?

“I appeal to you by the mercy of God. This appeal is made by Paul, or rather, it is made by God through Paul, because of God’s desire to be loved rather than feared, to be a father rather than a Lord. God appeals to us in his mercy to avoid having to punish us in his severity. Listen to the Lord’s appeal: In me, I want you to see your own body, your members, your heart, your bones, your blood. You may fear what is divine, but why not love what is human? You may run away from me as the Lord, but why not run to me as your father? Perhaps you are filled with shame for causing my bitter passion. Do not be afraid. This cross inflicts a mortal injury, not on me, but on death. These nails no longer pain me, but only deepen your love for me. I do not cry out because of these wounds, but through them I draw you into my heart. My body was stretched on the cross as a symbol, not of how much I suffered, but of my all-embracing love. I count it no less to shed my blood: it is the price I have paid for your ransom. Come, then, return to me and learn to know me as your father, who repays good for evil, love for injury, and boundless charity for piercing wounds.” (St. John Chrysologus) We are the adoptive sons and daughters of God. At times we live and act as strangers and runaway slaves. The Father wants to love us but because of the wounds and vulnerabilities of our past we put up a wall between us. We want to be loved but we don't trust love. Thanks be to God, he never gives up on us, waiting for a crack to open up.

"Christian joy is usually accompanied by a sense of humor. We see this clearly, for example, in St. Thomas More, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Philip Neri.  Ill humor is no sign of holiness. "Remove vexation from your mind" (Eccl 11:10). We receive so much from the Lord 'for our enjoyment' (1 Tim 6:17) that sadness can be a sign of ingratitude. We can get so caught up in ourselves that we are unable to recognize God's gifts." (Pope Francis) We can choose to be joyful or choose to be downcast. In either case our day will be determined by this choice. We can't determine the many circumstances of our day, but we can decide our attitude towards them. When we are joyful in whatever circumstances  we find ourselves in, we are choosing to be open to the grace of God in the present moment. When we are depressed by the circumstances, we can't appreciate the beauty around us, since we are caught up with only the negative. "Rejoice in the Lord always."

“Hard times may come, when the cross casts its shadow, yet nothing can destroy the supernatural joy that ‘adapts and changes, but always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved.’ That joy brings deep security, serene hope and a spiritual fulfillment that the world cannot understand or appreciate.” (Pope Francis) Yes, my true, inner and lasting joy comes from the faith conviction that God loves me unconditionally. That is what sustained Jesus on the cross, the personal love of the Father. What else have we to hold to in our personal struggles of life, except this conviction? I am loved by God. Many of the martyrs reflected this joy as they were dying. Listen to the account of St. Paul Miki and his companions. “Then he looked at his comrades and began to encourage them in their final struggle. Joy glowed in all their faces, and in Louis’ most of all. When a Christian in the crowd cried out to him that he would soon be in heaven, his hands, his whole body strained upward with such joy that every eye was fixed on him.” Lord, I pray for this joy throughout my life, but especially at the end!

“Far from being timid, morose, acerbic or melancholy, or putting on a dreary face, the saints are joyful and full of good humor Though completely realistic, they radiate a positive and hopeful spirit. The Christian life is ‘joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Rom 14:17), for “‘the necessary result of the love of charity is joy; since every lover rejoices at being united to the beloved… the effect of charity is joy’. Having received the beautiful gift of God’s word, we embrace it ‘in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit’ (1 Thess 1:6). If we allow the Lord to draw us out of our shell and change our lives, then we can do as Saint Paul tells us: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; I say it again, rejoice!’” (Phil 4:4). (Pope Francis) How joyful are we throughout the day? I am referring to both an inner and an outer joy, the source of which is the Lord. This joy separates the positive person from the negative one. This attitude of joy enables one in the midst of adversity to say and believe with an inner smile, that this too will pass. It does not take away the pain of the moment but allows us to see, in hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. Allow the joy of the Lord to transform you into the Saint God envisions when he sees you.

Fourth Sunday of Easter Gospel  B

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd.
· The prophet Ezekiel prepared the way for Jesus’ teaching. Because of the unfaithfulness of the leaders, God said: “I myself will pasture my sheep.” (Ez 34:15) and then he said: “I will appoint one shepherd over them to pasture them, my servant David; he shall pasture them and be their shepherd.” (Ez 34:23) Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy.

A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
· Reflect on your present relationship with Jesus, first from Jesus’ perspective and then from yours. Is there a difference? What is it? How key is Jesus’ decision to lay down his life for you? Is this our stumbling block in the relationship?

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 
· This is the basis for all ecumenical outreach in the Church: the desire and commitment of Jesus for unity.
This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father." 
· Why do you think Jesus returns to the point of the Father’s love for him and his decision to lay down his life and to take it up again? Do you think it has anything to do with his suffering, death and resurrection? Reflect on this.
· As you read this passage what new understanding of your relationship with Jesus do you have? What response is Jesus calling from you at this time of your life?

“Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self. To depend on God sets us free from every form of enslavement and leads us to recognize our great dignity.” (Pope Francis) Why do we resist holiness? Is it a fear of failure? God doesn't set the bar for us. We do. Is a fear of losing out of worldly pleasures? These come and go. What truly lasts is eternal. Is it a fear of suffering? Suffering is part of human existence. It can destroy us or transform us. Is it a fear of surrendering to God, of losing control of our life? At the end will we have control of our life? In truth, we are who we are in the eyes of God, nothing more, nothing less. We belong to God by virtue of creation, redemption and grace. Become holy to become fully yourself.

“Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path of holiness, for ‘this is the will of God, your sanctification’” (1 Thess 4:4) (Pope Francis) Do we believe this? Our purpose in life is not to be financially successful but spiritually successful, not to be admired by others for our physical achievements, but for our holiness. Leon Bloy, a French writer came to this conclusion at the end of his life. “The saddest thing at the end of one’s life is not to die a Saint.” For then we have failed the most important test of our life. In the words of Jesus: “What good is it to gain the whole world but lose your soul and eternal life?” Have we bought into the lie of Satan rather into the truth of Jesus?

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“When Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyên van Thuân was imprisoned, he refused to waste time waiting for the day he would be set free. Instead, he chose ‘to live the present moment, filling it to the brim with love’. He decided: ‘I will seize the occasions that present themselves every day; I will accomplish ordinary actions in an extraordinary way’” (Pope Francis) This is the simple path to holiness, doing the ordinary things of life, the routine and mundane things of life in love. This was the little way of St. Theresa of Lisieux. The means to holiness are the daily situations of each of our lives. Of themselves they are ordinary, but done in love and for love transforms them into extraordinary moments of eternal consequences. This is the key to understand why Jesus insisted on the centrality of love for his disciples. It is the narrow road that leads to life with him.

“We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by laboring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.” (Pope Francis) Every state of life and in the different situations of each state of life are the seed beds of holiness. They become means to holiness “by living our lives in love.” They also become teachable moments when through them we witness God’s grace and love to others. We are transformed into holiness and others are potentially encouraged to follow the same path.

“Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church.” (Pope
Francis) One of the four marks of the Church, founded by Jesus is
holiness. The Church is not a physical building but the people
who form the Body of Christ and who are journeying together to
God. It is the holiness of this people that has drawn others to
believe and to become part of the Church. What is holiness?
Love! We are called to be holy as God is holy. God is love. When
we live and act in love we are reflecting the holiness of God. True,
authentic love attracts others. Why are people attracted to the
Saints, both living and dead? Is it not their holiness of life; the way
they reflected love? It is God’s will that we be holy. It is God’s will
that we love as he loves.

Third Sunday of Easter: Gospel Reflections Year B

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. 
· The two disciples are recounting the Emmaus apparition of Jesus to them.
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
· Do you think your reaction would be any different if Jesus appeared to you? How do you think you would react if Jesus would appear to you now?

Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 
· What questions do you imagine were going through the disciples’ minds? Were they anticipating Jesus to condemn them for their abandoning him? Was it shame or guilt that they felt? Where they wondering why they didn’t believe the women and didn’t believe the two disciples on their way to Eammaus?

While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them. 
· They had seen Jesus raise someone from the dead. But the countenance of Jesus was not that of one having been dead and coming back to life. He was resurrected and glorified and yet still had the normal human qualities. His eating of food is meant to confirm this in their minds, so that their witness may be credible. The resurrected body is different in many ways.

He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
· Recall that Jesus also broke open the scriptures to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. How often do we read and reflect on the Word of God as a guide to our life? The full understanding of Jesus needs the revealed Word of God to lead us to the truth.
 You are witnesses of these things.
· They were witnesses of the resurrected Jesus; now they were being sent to proclaim their witness to others.  Do we see ourselves as witnesses for Jesus? When was the last time we actually shared our witness?
· How strong is my awareness of Jesus in my life today? Does the witness of my life reflect this?

“I hold this against you, though: you have turned aside from your early love. Keep firmly in mind the heights from which you have fallen. Repent, and return to your former.” These words are taken from the Book of Revelations. They are a call to return to the basics in our spiritual journey and perhaps in our marital life. Love is the foundation of our interpersonal relationships. Sometimes without realizing or without deliberately intending it, our relationship with another becomes different, not as vibrant and rich. What is missing? Our love for the other has waned. We love but not the way we did when we began this journey of love. The other is not front and center of our heart, but one among many vying for our attention. What must we do? Fall in love once more, by returning to those actions that spoke our love in the beginning and never stray from them again. If we do, fall in love again. We can never love the other enough. The more we love the more we are fulfilled.

“He took the nature of a servant without stain of sin, enlarging our humanity without diminishing his divinity. He emptied himself; though invisible he made himself visible, though Creator and Lord of all things he chose to be one of us mortal men. Yet this was the condescension of compassion, not the loss of omnipotence. So he who in the nature of God had created man, became in the nature of a servant, man himself. “He was born in a new condition, for, invisible in his own nature, he became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, he chose to come within our grasp. Existing before time began, he began to exist at a moment in time. Lord of the universe, he hid his infinite glory and took the nature of a servant. Incapable of suffering as God, he did not refuse to be a man, capable of suffering. Immortal, he chose to be subject to the laws of death.” (Pope Leo the Great) As we reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming Man—we witness the marvelous plan of God out of love for us. Jesus becomes less without being less as God. The key to this mystery, which is received in faith, is the gratuitous love of God for us. Our only response can be love and thanksgiving in return.

“The faith of Christians,” says St. Augustine, “is the resurrection of Christ. It is no great thing to believe that Jesus died; even the pagans believe this, everyone believes it. The truly great thing is to believe that he is risen.” The disciples were witnesses, not of the resurrection itself, but of the Risen Christ. But Jesus said there is a greater faith. “You have seen me, Thomas, so you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) To believe on the testimony of another takes a greater faith. This is the grace of faith we have received and have acted on centuries later. Our faith is no less real than the disciples.

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“The resurrection of Jesus was a hidden event. Jesus didn’t rise from the grave to baffle his opponents, to make a victory statement, or to prove to those who crucified him that he was right after all. Jesus rose as a sign to those who had loved him and followed him that God’s divine love is stronger than death. To the women and men who had committed themselves to him, he revealed that his mission had been fulfilled. To those who shared in his ministry, he gave the sacred task to call all people into the new life with him. The world didn’t take notice. Only those whom he called by name, with whom he broke bread, and to whom he spoke words of peace were aware of what happened. Still, it was this hidden event that freed humanity from the shackles of death.” (Henri Nouwen) His resurrection has the same effect today, separating believers from nonbelievers, even though both are impacted. The question for us who believe is are we sharing with others this great news of salvation, as the first witnesses did? How can they come to believe if we do not authentically witness?

"O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages." (St. John Chrysostom, Easter Homily) What does Christ’s resurrection mean to you? The forgiveness of sin and a new beginning? A share in God’s own divine life as sons and daughters? The conviction that death is a moment, a bling of an eye between this temporal life and eternal life? The anticipation of my own body being resurrected and renewed like Jesus’ on the last day? That Alleluia is not just a word but a way of life? Thank you, Jesus, for you resurrection!!

Second Sunday of Easter Gospel:  Year B John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."  
How often are we paralyzed by fear and lack of trust in the word of God?
The women have already announced to them that he is risen, but they still do not believe and are locked in their fear.
Notice that Jesus= resurrected body is different yet the same: different, it is not limited by a closed door; the same, it is the person of Jesus.

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."  
· His appearance in resurrected glory confirmed the message of the women.
What is it that Jesus was sent to do by the Father that the disciples and we are equally sent to do?

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
. In John's theology we can't separate the death and resurrection of Jesus from the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Together the two events make up the Paschal Mystery of God=s plan.  In Luke the two events are separated by fifty days.
Just as Jesus received the anointing of the Spirit after his baptism, empowering him to do the work of the Father, so the disciples and we are given the gift of the Spirit for the same purpose. How have we responded?
This mandate to forgive sins is one of the scriptural foundations for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Do we take advantage of this gift of reconciliation from Jesus?

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." 
Following what Jesus told them to do, the first person the disciples witnessed to was to Thomas.

But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 
Have we found ourselves at times in the same place as Thomas was, struggling with doubts, in spite of what others tell us about Jesus and what he has done?
. Have we at times put conditions to Jesus to fulfill before we acted in faith?

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." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."   Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"  
·       Why do you think Jesus waited for a whole week before revealing himself to them again?
Jesus does not chastise or condemn Thomas for his unbelief. He reaches out in compassion and love.
Of all the confessions of faith in Jesus found in John=s Gospel this is the highest.


Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." 

To believe without seeing is a greater sign of faith than seeing and then believing.
Is our faith in Jesus based more on signs or his person, who he is?

 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. 
The closing verses are addressed to us today.  How has our faith in Jesus impacted our lives?
Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon you to enable you to do what Jesus has sent you to do in his name.
Other reflections?

“The Cross had asked the questions; the Resurrection had answered them...The Cross had asked: ‘Why does God permit evil and sin to nail Justice to a tree?"’ The Resurrection answered: ‘That sin, having done its worst, might exhaust itself and this be overcome by Love that is stronger than either sin or death.’” (Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Lent and Easter Wisdom, 110) St. Paul stated it thus: “Do not allow evil to prevail, instead prevail over evil by means of goodness.” (Roms 12:21) Evil may have its time, but love, goodness and truth will be ultimately victorious. That is the revealed mystery of the cross and resurrection. Again listen to St Paul: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?….But thanks be to God, who has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Cor 15:55,57) As long as sin is committed, evil will exist. But sin and evil do not have the last word. Love does and will. That is the definitive sign of the cross and resurrection.

“The Gospel of Easter is very clear: we need to go back there, to see Jesus risen, and to become witnesses of his Resurrection. This is not to go back in time; it is not a kind of nostalgia. It is returning to our first love, in order to receive the fire which Jesus has kindled in the world and to bring that fire to all people, to the very ends of the earth." (Pope Francis) Like the first disciples we need to return to when we first fell in love with Jesus to appreciate the gift of the resurrection. It was in that realization of love that we experienced his mercy and forgiveness, his unconditional acceptance. It was his love that brought us into new live with him. It was the manifestation of that great love that Jesus proclaimed thru his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. Like the first witnesses of the Risen Christ, we too are to bear witness of his love for us to others. He is risen, alleluia!