Easter Season

Now that Easter has come and gone (so quickly), and our lenten fasting is over, this time in the Church calendar is filled with rejoicing. It's no coincidence that this season coincides with spring. The regeneration of life. It's as if the earth itself is rejoicing in the Lord's accomplishments.

Our daily readings now turn from the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament Apostles performing the work that Christ left them to do. Peter healing a man who was lame. His boldness in the temple before his own people, chastising them for crucifying the living God. It's amazing to hear these stories. As the trees begin to blossom, so did the Church begin to grow amidst the suffering and trials of the seasons.

So the Church too is growing. More and more of the faithful who veered away are coming back. It's very encouraging. When we were being persecuted and the inevitable harm that came out of the sex abuse scandal, we couldn't see an end to the daily rhetoric in the newspapers that pointed fingers at the very foundation of our faith. For so long, we were downcast and hung our heads in disbelief at the horrible tales we heard.

But now we are reminded of the work of Christ's redemptive healing. How even through the worst of times He can break through the hardest of hearts and bring them back to himself. He calls all of his children to himself. The Lamb of God slain for us shepherd's His people through the ministry that was given to the Apostles and handed down through generations.

Give praise to the living God! Sing Alleluia!

Holy Week

It's hard to believe, but Holy Week is here already! Lent is almost over and Easter is upon us! It's almost time to rejoice and soon we will hear those familiar hymns that we haven't heard before Ash Wednesday.

The readings from the prophets pointing to the coming of the Messiah will be fulfilled in the Triduum this week. I'm amazed and disheartened to hear the stories from the new testament involving the Pharisees and the Saducees. Today's reading from John talks about how they were plotting to kill Lazarus because when Jesus raised him from the dead, they lost many of their brethren to his cause. It's most unsettling to know that even Caiphas himself, the high priest at the time, did not even hear Jesus' preaching or witness any of His miracles, but got all of his facts from witnesses.

When he asks Jesus if he is who he claims to be, the Messiah, the Son of God, and Jesus replies, 'I am,' the reaction is justified, it seems, but begs no further questioning. Although Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus were for Jesus' cause, when he spoke these words, they had no defense left in them. The 'blasphemy' was spoken. But what else could Jesus have done or said? It appears that nothing would move the Sanhedrin towards the realization that Jesus was in fact the savior. As it was prophesied, so it was.

O happy fault, that the fall of Adam brought about God sending his only son that we should be saved. Will we be able to recognize Christ in his second coming? Or will we be blind and inflexible towards him? God, open our hearts and minds to the divine witness of your son Jesus Christ. Grant us the grace to understand the true meaning of his supreme sacrifice.

Amen.

Long Lines at Confession

I can't remember the last time I had to wait in line for confession. But this past weekend at St. Joseph's Shrine in Lowell, there was a good number of people waiting for confession. Perhaps with all of the Catholic events going on recently, including the Boston Catholic Men's Conference, Catholics are getting back to basics? What are your thoughts?