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Cherry Tree

2nd Week of Easter

From the USCCB Liturgical Calendar for Dioceses of the United States of America for 2024 Miscellaneous Notes: 6c. Since March 25 is the Monday of Holy Week, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is transferred to Monday, April 8. In the first reading, Ahaz, a late eighth century B.C. king of the southern Israelite kingdom of Judah receives a historically ambiguous message from Isaiah which would only become clear to Christians eight centuries later. The second reading from Hebrews reminds it’s 2nd Century readers that repetitious animal sacrifices in the Temple could not free the people from sin, but only the once and for all time sacrifice of Christ could make that atonement: ‘…taking away the first,’ the Old Covenant, and establishing ‘…the second’, the New Covenant. The Gospel fulfills the event prophesized in the first reading. That prophecy was delivered in the Temple precincts in Jerusalem, center of the political and spiritual universe for the Jews. The prophecy is then realized in Nazareth in Galilee, the least of all places, never mentioned in the Old Testament: ‘…can anything good come from Nazareth?’ (Jn 1:46) The angelic greeting ‘Hail, full of grace…,’ from the Latin Vulgate, ave gratia plena, translated by St. Jerome from the original Greek: kecharitomene, implies Mary has been and is now filled with the divine life, and from which the theology of the Immaculate Conception would grow. A phrase from Psalm 40: ‘I come to do your will’ is repeated twice for emphasis in the second reading. Sin entered humanity through our violation of God’s commandment and an act of free will. The vessel through which the salvation of mankind would enter the world to free us from captivity to sin also required an act of human free will, Mary’s fiat, ‘let it be done’, according to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, ‘when the angels held their breath.’. The angel will describe to Mary who her son shall be and how He will come and, unlike King Ahaz, Mary submits herself; ‘I am the handmaid (servant or slave) of the Lord.’

April 8

FOCUS: Nothing will be impossible for God.

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How often do we try make the “new” fit into our old ways? We probably do this more often than we realize. Change is not easy. For example, when our family expands and our child or a niece or nephew marries, we want all our family traditions to remain the same. We forget to take into consideration the new members of the family and their experiences and expectations. On this journey to heaven, there will be constant opportunities for growth and change in both our physical and spiritual life. In our Gospel today, we meet Nicodemus, a religious leader, a Pharisee. He was a powerful member of the Jewish council who was attracted to Jesus’ character and miracles. Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the night, afraid of being discovered. He needs to learn more about this new teacher. Jesus says to Nicodemus, “You must be born from above...born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus is confused. He knew the scriptures. He heard all the prophecies of the coming Messiah and yet he did not understand. He could not let go of his religious status, his place in society, the traditions he lived by. Jesus patiently reveals God’s plan for salvation through the Son of Man. He encourages Nicodemus and invites him to this new way of life. Only those who believe in the One who is lifted up, will have eternal life. Nicodemus left that encounter a changed man. He gained a new understanding of God and himself. However, he doesn’t give up his way of life and follow Jesus. His conversion is gradual. Nicodemus appears two more times in scripture. First, at the Jewish Council meeting as the group discussed ways to eliminate Jesus. Nicodemus raised the question of justice. He spoke up, his conversion was underway. We meet Nicodemus again as he and Joseph of Arimathea ask Pilot for Jesus’ body to provide a proper burial. Nicodemus took a risk; he made a bold move this time in the daylight. His faith in Christ continued to grow. On Sunday, we celebrated the Divine Mercy of God. We cannot comprehend the abounding mercy and love of God. But we can see God’s mercy in action through many stories in scripture and the world around us. God understands our resistance to change, our desire to make new opportunities fit into our old ways. And God never gives up on us. Today, I will ask the Holy Spirit to reveal “old ways” that keep me from embracing all the new opportunities Jesus offers.

April 9

FOCUS: Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

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Today’s Gospel is the same Gospel we heard in Lent on Laetare Sunday. In Lent this Gospel is a message of hope. Today, after the resurrection, this Gospel is a message of joy. The now famous verse, John 3:16, summarizes the gospel message of our salvation in and through Jesus Christ. At the root of that message is the Father’s love for us. “God so loved…” Can we fully comprehend the love God has for us? Do we fully understand what it means to be “..so loved…”? Our very existence is a product of God’s love. We are “so loved” by our God that He gave us dominion over all the other creatures on the earth. We are “so loved” that our God gives us the freedom to choose to love Him and love others. Even after the Original Sin of Adam and Eve, God “so loved” us He sent His Son to save us from our sin, show us how to live, and by believing in Him, to have eternal life. Today’s Gospel also reveals the two possible responses to Jesus. Some prefer darkness and hate the light of Christ. But there are also those who live in the truth and in the light of Christ. They do good works. They know that everything they do is seen by God. We are called by faith as beloved children of God to bring the Light of Christ into the world. Are we living in the light? These two responses to Christ are on display in the first reading. The high priest and the Sadducees refuse to accept the light. They fall into the sin of religious envy. The Sadducees are envious of the great following the Apostles are gathering because of the signs and wonders they do in the name of Jesus Christ. The Apostles, unlike the Sadducees, trust in the Lord and live in the truth. They seek the Lord, and he delivers them. The angel of the Lord commands them to continue preaching in the temple about the new life they have received through Jesus Christ. This new life is the beginning of eternal life and is lived in the light of Christ. We turn from envy through grace and the desire for God as our supreme good. We are satisfied, not by material possessions or natural talents, but by God. How could the Apostles live without fear of the persecution they faced? They knew in a very personal way that they were “so loved.” If we fully embrace the gospel message, believing that we are “so loved” and worthy of the sanctifying sacrificial love of Jesus, we too can respond like the Apostles and live for eternity, beginning today, in the light of Christ. Don’t let the world convince you that you need money, power, or honor to be happy. Believe in the love of Christ and you can live joyfully as a child of the light. Today’s Questions for Prayer and Reflection Do you love God above all else? Does he take first place in your life, in your thoughts, affections, and actions?

April 10

FOCUS: Let us rejoice in this season of redemption.

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Acts 5:27-33 Psalm 34 John 3:31-36 Strong words in our gospel today - we are just not certain who actually said the words. The discourse comes in John’s gospel immediately after John the Baptist has stated “He must increase and I must decrease.” so they could be the words of St. John the Baptist. They could also be the words written by John the author of the gospel; or maybe they were spoken by Jesus. In any case, the words point us directly to the confidence we should have in Jesus. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” These words ring so very true as we look at the saint we celebrate today – St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr. St. Stanislaus lived from 1030 AD to 1079 AD in Poland. He drove the Church in Poland back to the morals dictated by God through the Church. In particular, he took on King Boleslaw II – a man whose lifestyle was far from morally correct. While King Boleslaw helped St. Stanislaus build monasteries in Poland, King Boleslaw refused to correct his lifestyle. St. Stanislaus would not budge on his fraternal correction of the King, and the King eventually killed St. Stanislaus himself. There is good reason Jesus calls us to follow Him. There is good reason the Church calls us to live a life worthy of saying we are followers of Jesus. There is good reason St. Stanislaus would not back down in his desire to correct the King’s behavior. And that reason is simpler than we may really think – it is because God wants us to be happy. God knows what will lead us to true happiness, and the life to which He calls us leads us exactly there. How do we know the way? Mother Church shows us the way through her teachings on faith and morals. Go smile at God today! He wants you to be happy!

April 11

FOCUS: We witness as community to Christ, our loving Savior.

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Isn’t it interesting that chapter six of John’s Gospel begins with the multiplication of loaves and fishes. This chapter is famous for Jesus’ “Bread of Life” discourse. How appropriate that Jesus provides an abundance of food out of five barley loaves and two fish for the large crowd. Jesus' feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle that is repeated in all four Gospel accounts. What is the significance of this miracle? The miraculous feeding of such a great multitude pointed to God's provision of manna in the wilderness for the people of Israel under Moses' leadership. This daily provision of food in the barren wilderness foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would offer his followers. More importantly, the sign of the multiplication of the loaves when the Lord says the blessing, breaks, and distributes through his disciples prefigures the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist. When we receive from the Lord's table we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood. The supernatural food is healing for both body and soul and strength for our journey heavenward. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist at the Lord's Table is an intimate union with Jesus Christ, our Divine Healer and Savior. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments to creatures and to be more firmly rooted in the love of Christ. Both the feeding of the five thousand and the Eucharist shows the remarkable generosity of God and His endless love for us. When God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves so that we may have something to share with others, especially those who lack what they need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for the good of others. With God’s grace our eyes are opened to the true abundance we have in Him. Recognizing God’s personal love and provision for our lives, we more easily answer the call to share His abundance with others. Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection Do you trust in God's provision for you, and do you share freely with others, especially those who are in need?

April 12

FOCUS: Jesus revealed the Father and his love for us – a love that is eternal.

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Today is Saturday, April 13th. The Gospel passage today from John is one that is familiar to many of us. There is a tendency to focus on the strong winds, the rough waters, the fear of the disciples and, eventually, the presence of Jesus walking on the water. However, in this reflection, I would like to focus on two things that may not be readily apparent. The first is that the disciples set-off, alone, without Jesus AND they chose to do it at night! So where was Jesus before they left the shoreline? If you read the beginning of John Chapter 6 you will see this trip across the “lake” occurs immediately after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. The people are amazed by this sign and want to make Jesus their king. John 6:15 tells us, “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” I find that interesting. Notice, Jesus DOES NOT tell the disciples to head to Capernaum without him. They make that choice on their own. The “lake” they are traversing is no lake – it is the Sea of Galilee. It was known for its squalls. It was difficult to make that crossing at night. So, what were the disciples thinking? I wonder if they were impatient and did not want to wait for Jesus. I wonder if they were self-confident, maybe even arrogant. After all, they were fisherman, what help would a carpenter and preacher be in helping them make that trek. They likely felt there was no need for Jesus in the moment. My how we can be like the disciples! Life brings darkness and stormy seas. Yet we head out without Jesus, who is light itself. How often we grow impatient and try to make it on our own or don’t see the value of inviting Jesus into our boat. Often, we find ourselves thinking – how important can Jesus be to me on my journey? The second thing that I want to point out is the ending of the Gospel passage – “… and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” Friends, Jesus will get us there. How does he get us safely threw the wind-blown, stormy stages of life? He does it through Scripture, the Sacraments, His Presence in the Eucharist, and through His Church. I would encourage you to load those provisions in your boat as you journey. I am humbled to be a deacon in the Catholic Church and so, with great fondness, I draw your attention to the first reading. This is the founding of what today is known as the diaconate. I know I can speak with confidence on behalf of Fr. Scott and Fr. Lee, who are ordained deacons as well as priests, and on behalf of Deacons John, Gerard, Lu and Tom that we are here to serve you as you journey through the seasons of life.

April 13

FOCUS: When we are in darkness, Jesus guides us where we need to go.

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