Easter Sunday

Reflection

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: We are so glib in professing our belief in it as we recite in the Creed, "On the third day he rose again from the dead." It is all very matter of fact.

However, in both options for the Gospel this morning-from Matthew 28:1-10 and John 20:1-9, we see that this belief did not come readily for Jesus' friends who had known him during his life on earth. John's account tells us of John and Peter, "They did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead."

John tells us that it was Mary Magdalene who had come to the tomb alone in pre-dawn darkness. Why take that risk in those dangerous days? Because she loved Jesus and just could not let him go.

She would stay at the tomb alone again when the others left. Then, when Jesus had appeared to her and spoken with her, it was her report about their encounter that confirmed the good news for the other disciples, "I have seen the Lord." The Gospel according to Mary Magdalene? And so, we call her "the Apostle to the Apostles," the very first evangelist. 

Prayer

Lord, help me to know you better by becoming closer to you, and then to be able to make your living presence known to the world. Amen.

David Cray, S.S.E. '68
Superior General, Society of Saint Edmund

Scripture

First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Gospel: John 20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-20 or Luke 24:13-35

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)

Reflection

I think of Easter Vigil as an annual review of faith and a sacramental celebration of God’s loving and everlasting covenant with His children. From creation to the glorious resurrection of Jesus, we are blessed in this service with reminders of God’s loving care. We are called to choose and live the life God made for us.

On Ash Wednesday we were reminded of our limits on our own from dust to dust. We have walked the weeks of Lent alongside our servant Savior, finally facing his death on a cross for the sake of all of us. He died to sin once and for all. Christ raised from the dead dies no more. And Saint Paul tells us that we too have died to sin in our faith in Christ and now live for God in our faith in the risen Christ Jesus. It is our earthly choice day after day in this life we have been given.

So, on this morning of the first day of the week, let us hurry to the tomb to with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to anoint and mourn our Jesus. May we feel the trembling ground and our fear as we turn toward the light and an angel tells us, “Do not be afraid…He has been raised just as he said…Go quickly to Galilee, there you will see him.” May we run as Mary Magdalene and Mary did, to tell the others. May we be greeted by Him and do Him homage all along our way to Galilee.

Prayer

Dearest Lord and Savior, in gratitude and praise we ask for your loving help in doing God’s Loving will. Help us love one another as You have shown us.

Stephanie Noakes, ’80, M’09, P’05
Admission Receptionist

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a

Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 or Psalm 33:4-7, 12-13, 20, 22
Second Reading: Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Psalm 16:5, 8-11
Third Reading: Exodus 14:15—15:1
(Psalm) Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18
Fourth Reading: Isaiah 54:5-14
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Fifth Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
(Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6
Sixth Reading: Baruch 3:9-15, 32—4:4
Psalm 19:8-11
Seventh Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Psalm 42:3, 5; 43:3-4
Eighth Reading: Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Good Friday

Reflection

Jesus accepted the Cross. He could have dodged it. Avoided the confrontations with the authorities who monopolized the Temple; his interrogation before Caesar’s brutal, cynical agent; the agony of crucifixion. Standing there were “his mother and the disciple whom he loved.” Only John’s gospel tells us this, and not just for information. John puts us in the scene, too. Every Good Friday is a time for us, hearing the Passion proclaimed, to stand with Jesus in the faith that his Cross is not the defeat of Truth but its victory. This is a challenging scene we must not sentimentalize. 

The Son fulfills his last filial duty by committing Mary his mother to the care of a beloved disciple who is never named in the text itself. That anonymity challenges the readers not to supply the missing name but ourselves to accept the commission: both to be and to foster Jesus’ legacy, Jesus’ community.

Prayer

Verses from the hymn Stabat Mater (“At the cross her station keeping”)-- “O my Mother, fount of love/ touch my spirit from above…Make me feel as you have felt…with the love of Christ my Lord.”

Fr. Richard Berube, S.S.E. ’66
Emeritus Professor Religious Studies, Saint Michael’s College Trustee Emeritus

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel: John 18:1—19:42

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website

 

Holy Thursday

Reflection

WOW, what an evening meal with friends and betrayer! -- The institution of the Eucharist – the example/message of serving others – and a new covenant! The image created of Jesus’ last supper is most often depicted with all gathered at a long table and Jesus in the middle. – Is that a true picture of the life of Jesus we know? Does the image of Jesus seated at a round table with friends and foes depict a more accurate picture? Where there are no places of honor, where all can see and feel Jesus’ messages and instructions, and he can look at and speak to all equally.

1 Corinthians
“This is my body that is for you.” Jesus’ humiliating and peaceful suffering and dying was for you—for us – for all! “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.” God’s new Covenant and promise of everlasting life was made through Jesus’ life, teachings and living amongst us, daily, and dying so we may have everlasting life.

Gospel: John 13: 1-15 -- Washing of the feet
“I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done, you should also do.” Now is the model the washing of the feet, or is it all the examples and parables Jesus gave us throughout his life? For example: speaking to women, walking amongst and acknowledging all peoples of faith and cultures, eating with tax col-lectors and those thought to be sinners, allowing himself to be touched, and to touch the lives and hearts of all people. For seeing and accepting! Are these not the modeling Jesus left us? Is that what we should do?

Psalm Response (1 Corinthians 10:16)
“Our Blessing – cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.” The blood of Christ is our blessing!

Prayer

May we be nourished by the blessings of Jesus’ body and blood, to walk in Jesus’ ways all the days of our lives. Seeing, loving and peacefully accepting all God’s people, and reaching out to help wherever and whenever needed. Amen.

Sister Laura Della Santa, RSM M’84

Scripture

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel: John 13:1-15

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website 

Wednesday of Holy Week

Reflection

“What will you give me?” Judas asked. How often do we approach the Lord with that same attitude? It is easy at times to fall into the trap of making our prayers Transactional – that is “God if you do this for me – I’ll go back to Church, or I’ll do that for you”.

Jesus has given us the structure of all prayer – 1st we acknowledge God as Father and Creator – 2nd then we are called to surrender or life and our will to the care of God; trusting that God’s Will for us is far better than anything we can desire for ourselves – 3rd we ask for our daily needs, again trusting that God will provide for our needs, not necessarily for our “wants”. Far too often we mistakenly “feel” that when God’s Will does not align with our will that God is not listening to us. When do not get what we “want” we sometime are not able to recognize the gifts that are given. God provides for are many needs – let us acknowledge with grateful hearts God’s Gifts which sometimes come to us in quiet and small ways.

As we enter into this Holy Week we remember God’s greatest gift – Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died on the Cross that we might live with Him in Glory.

Prayer

We adore you O Christ and we Bless you because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the World!

Thomas F. X. Hoar, S.S.E., Ph.D.
President and CEO of St. Edmunds Retreat

Scripture

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34
Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website