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3rd Sunday of Easter

17th Sunday of the Year

The Word
Source: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19
(Some short time after the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John went to the temple, as was their custom, to pray. While there, they cured a man who was crippled – raising him up in the name of Jesus. A great commotion followed, a crowd gathered and this is the story.)

3rd-Sunday-2021picture 3rd Sunday of Easter
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13 [Peter spoke out:]
The God of Abraham, [the God] of Isaac, and [the God] of Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him.

14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.

16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you.

17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.

18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.

19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.

A REFLECTION

The Acts of the Apostles is quite a vivid presentation of what happened in the early days of the Church. The timid and fearful fishermen of Galilee are now strong and speak out. The gift of the Holy Spirit gave them knowledge and wisdom and courage. In the first chapters of the Acts, we see all that happened, what all the apostles went through – first to bring the good news to the Jewish people, the people of the Covenant. Sadly, they fail. Then, inspired by the Holy Spirit, they will move on, and bring God’s good news of love and forgiveness and redemption to those who are not of the Jewish faith.

Peter and Paul will be the point persons designated by the Lord Jesus himself. Peter having received his commission from the Lord during the years of training and preparation and at the Last Supper and at the great commission given at the end of the Gospels. Paul, in a very different way, would also receive his commission from the Lord Jesus in a very unique moment of blindness on the road to Damascus. Paul did not know the Jesus of the apostles; he only knew the Risen One from that personal experience and from the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in his life.

I think is very important to read the Acts of the Apostles. How the early Church progressed to the preaching of those entrusted with the knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. Peter and Paul are the first among these.

We are those who are being taught – we are the Gentiles, not inheritors of the old testament. We are the new people of God. We truly thank Peter and Paul and so many after them, even to this very day, who brought to us and continue to bring to us the Good News of Jesus the Christ.

ALLELUIA!

MY PRAYER

Look at the picture again – Peter’s style is so simple –
Would you listen to him? Would you pay attention to him?

Recall the events of just two or so weeks ago –
Recall the reading on Good Friday – what did the people cry out?
If you have been there and the place of Pilate – what would you have cried out?

Consider this carefully – Where do I stand – what do I say?
Where am I standing now – what am I saying?
Where do I want to stand – what do I want to say?

Jesus – your Cross is my salvation – I believe, I repent, I desire to you live your life for others –
I ask, dear Jesus, that you will help carry my cross I ask that you give me joy and fullness of life –  Thank you, Jesus, Thank You!

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2ND Sunday of Easter

17th Sunday of the Year

April 11, 2021

THE WORD, Source: John 29.24-29 (excerpt from today’s Gospel)

The Risen Jesus and the Unbelieving Thomas
(Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. John 20.19-23)

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Jesus-hands 2ND Sunday of Easter
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26 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”.

27 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.”

28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

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

A REFLECTION

(Today is Divine Mercy Sunday – for some a moment of special prayer and novena. Our emphasis will be on faith in Jesus Christ.)

For the early church – the church of the lifetime of the apostles – the core preaching was about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ relying on his death and resurrection. There would have been many stories about what Jesus said and did, and these would later be put together in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

There developed, too, inspired by the Holy Spirit that the gift of faith was not just for the Jewish people, but for anyone who would believe in Jesus Christ. There would have been many stories shared about Jesus Christ; what he said and what he did. But it would only be a later time that these will be written up as the Gospels we know today from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These were written beyond the lifetime of the apostles.

The role of faith is well emphasized in today’s Gospel reading.
Thomas lacking trust and faith says: “Unless I see, I will not believe.”

Jesus accedes to this demand, going so far as inviting Thomas to touch his wounds. And Thomas is struck by this gesture of Jesus.

We still believe, 2000 years later. We are given a great blessing by Jesus –
“Blessed are they who have not seen but have believed.”

It may be good today to remember those who transmitted the gift of faith to us – parents, parishes, schools, communities. The testimony of Peter and Paul are still part of our lives today. We believe – because they believed and shared that belief, that faith in Jesus Christ.

MY PRAYER

As always – try to be comfortable and quiet
Recall God’s presence before you and you before him
What grace or blessing would you ask for at this moment.

Perhaps I think of the many who have passed the faith onto me, the knowledge and love of Jesus
⦁ Lord, bless those who have blessed me with the gift of faith –

I consider how faith in Jesus changes my life – how I live with others –
my family, household helps coworkers, those who approach me for help – for whatever –

  • Forgive me, Jesus, for the many moments I have been unfaithful to your example –

like Thomas, I come and kneel before you –

  • Strengthen me in my life of faith – I want to believe –
  • Jesus, I kiss your hands – I love you – thank you for your life and death and resurrection –

My Lord and My God!

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Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ

Jesuit priest, lawyer, educator, writer, Dean, Provincial Superior, University President, Rector

JesuitAid invites you to donate to the following advocacies to keep his memory and legacy alive:

Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, Endowed Fund-Law School Development Fund

  • This Fund provides support for scholarships, professorial chairs, faculty development, and other various projects and needs of the Ateneo Law School.

Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, Fund for Elderly and Infirm Jesuits

  • This Fund will support the medical needs of the Jesuit priests and brothers in the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center and other ailing Jesuit priests under the Philippine Province.

HOW TO DONATE

Philippine Peso donations may be made to Philippine Jesuit Aid Association, Inc. (PJAA):

  • Online bank transfers to:
    • BPI Family Bank C/A 6861-0026-14
    • BDO S/A 0086-5001-6141
    • BPI Bills Payment to “PJAA” or “Phil Jesuit Aid Association.” In place of a reference number, input your full name.
  • Visa or Mastercard https://www.phjesuits.org/donate/give.php
  • Gcash
JesuitAid-GCash-QR-Code Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ

Important: Please send a copy of your transaction by email to aid@phjesuits.org, or by viber to (0908) 866-1067, and indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.

US Dollar donations may be made to Philippine Jesuit Foundation (PJF):

  • Send a check to Philippine Jesuit Foundation, PO Box 312, New York, NY 10028. On the memo line, indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.
  • Credit Card https://www.phjesuits.org/pjf/share.php In the comments box, indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.
  • By Zell. Please use pjf@phjesuits.org. Include your email address, and indicate your preferred advocacy in the name of Fr. Bernas.

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Easter Sunday 2021

17th Sunday of the Year

The Empty Tomb — Peter and John

1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 

2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

4 They both ran,but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;

5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.

6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths* there,

7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths
but rolled up in a separate placed

8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

A REFLECTION

The Resurrection stories in the Gospels are all wonderful! Read and reread them this week. Here are two of my favorites – and a most beautiful Philippine tradition – read all the stories.

Easter-2021-pic1 Easter Sunday 2021
Risen Jesus with Mary at the tomb. John 20. 10 – 18
Easter-2021-pic2 Easter Sunday 2021
Risen Jesus joins two followers on the road to Emmaus and eat with them
Luke 24. 13 – 35
Easter-2021-pic3 Easter Sunday 2021
Risen Jesus appears to his Mother Mary
Salubong – Traditional Philippine celebration as the two statues carried in procession meet in the front of the church very early Easter morning.

(The first meditation for the Fourth Week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius)

MY PRAYER

A time to be there at the tomb with the others – up to this point no one has experienced the risen Lord – they just see the empty tomb –
it was only later, after all had gone, as Mary Magdalene sat sobbing the Jesus showed himself to her. She was overjoyed – she grabbed him! I wonder what he felt, what she felt? GREAT JOY!

And now, my time to be with the Risen Jesus –
There are many Easter stories – today’s Gospel and two of my favorites above –

  • as much as possible, put yourself in a quiet disposition a quiet and comfortable place
  • know that God is with you and you wi
  • we ask for the grace of the Fourth Week of the Spiritual Exercises –

Father, give to us the joy and the peace that your Risen Son gave to his followers –

  • Imagine yourself there with the group discussing what happened to the body of Jesus
  • What would you hear? What would you say?
  • And if you stay behind with Mary –

Jesus, please give me a portion of that happiness that you gave to Mary

  • Imagine yourself at that table with Jesus and the two followers in Emmaus
  • It was their invitation “Stay with us . . . “ that brought Jesus to the table

Jesus, stay with me, stay with me

Lastly, consider how I can bring joy and peace – and blessings – to others

How do I accomplish this? By what I think, by what I say, and by what I do –

  • Jesus, by my faith that you are raised from the dead –
  • Give to me the grace to bring joy and peace and blessings to others –

Our mantra

Alleluia! Jesus is risen from the dead –
He is our life and resurrection! Alleluia!

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The Word And A Reflection and Prayer

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, [even] the king of Israel.”

PALM  SUNDAY  2021

The  Word, John 12.12-16

Jesus’ Enters Jerusalem for the Passover

12 On the next day [Sunday], when the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,[even] the king of Israel.”

14 Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written:

15 “Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt.”

16 His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.

A  Reflection

The story of Jesus’ life for us rushes to its end. The great Passover feast of the Jews commemorating their freedom from slavery in Egypt is a highlight celebration even to this very day. But this Holy Week will be the story of the new freedom from sin one for us by Jesus.

Jerusalem is crowded – everyone wants to be there for the festival. People are delighted to see friends and visitors. Our gospel reading today is the reading used at the blessing of the palms before the Holy Mass. At the Mass itself we will hear one of the Passion narratives.

A simple note: Mondays Gospel will tell us of what happened that Saturday evening before the Palm Sunday event. Jesus was enjoying a “Thank You” dinner with Lazarus and Martha and Mary.

My  Prayer

  • Make yourself quiet and comfortable
  • Look at the picture again – perhaps imagine yourself there
  • Read the story again – maybe a number of times – want to be there –

 Pray with the joyful children – HOSANNA! HOSANNA!

 Pray with the adults – Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Read again the Gospel – Recall that in a few days the cry will be “Crucify him!”      

Hosanna in the Highest – Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible                  

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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer

5th Sunday of Lent, March 21, 2021

The  Word, John  12.20-33

The Hour of Jesus’ Glory  (excerpts)

23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

A REFLECTION

Our gospel story today is a jump almost three years from our story of last week when Jesus and Nicodemus spoke in the evening. Since that time Jesus and his disciples had spent much effort preaching and healing and forgiving throughout Galilee and Judea.

The background of today’s story is that Jesus went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. But before going there as we will hear at the end of the week, he joined Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, for a special dinner. It was at that time that Mary would anoint the feet of Jesus.

After Jesus’ joyful entrance into Jerusalem, he spent much time in the temple precincts talking with the leaders of the Jews and others about his Father and the role that he himself would play that all might be saved. Sadly, his words were not accepted and in fact, rejected and ended with his death in Jerusalem just a few days later.

A Reminder

Prayer time need not be long . Setting aside short but dedicated prayer time -even just 10 minutes each day is already a good practice.

MY  PRAYER

  • Put yourself in a comfortable quiet position
  • Recall God’s presence with you and your presence before God
  • Read the passage again – even more than once if so desired
  • What grace do you ask for – desire – need – for yourself at this moment
  • Feel yourself present – intently listening to Jesus

The Lord’s glory is seen in his death that brings life like the seed that dies (vv. 23 – 24) Lord, help me to understand this in my own life

  • A father or mother who gives up their life for the sake of the children (vv. 25-26)
  • The soldier who fights the enemy to preserve his home country
  • The office mate who gives a personal time to visit or to call s sick friend
    • Lord, help me to understand what it means to give of myself even a part of myself for others –
    • Help me understand what it means to give myself- for my family and especially those in need     

Jesus lifted up – draws all to himself – for new life  (vv. 32-33)

Lord Jesus – help me to know and accept the Cross.

Lord Jesus – draw me to yourself !

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies                                                                   

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A nation at the crossroads

Myanmar, a nation at the Crossroads.
MYANMAR-A-nation-at-the-crossroads

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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer

4th Sunday of Lent, March 14, 2021

The Word, John 3.14 – 21

Jesus talked with Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews in Jerusalem

14 [Jesus said:}   Just as Moses lifted up- the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted  up,

15 So that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn  the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.

20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.

21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

A REFLECTION

Our Gospel reading this Sunday is from John’s third chapter. This chapter follows the gospel of last week when Jesus went to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover, the great feast of the Jewish people recalling their liberation from slavery in Egypt. We heard that Jesus first went to the temple and there drove out those who are selling animals for sacrifice and overturned the tables of the money changers. The event we hear today possibly happened during that week.

The meeting of Jesus with Nicodemus takes place one evenings while Jesus was there in Jerusalem. Nicodemus is one of the high officials of the temple and therefore of Jewish life in those times. He was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, the high place of religious decision-making in Jerusalem and well respected by all.

The first part of this Chapter Three (which we do not hear today) is the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus about what it means to be born again. Jesus had to emphasize it means to be born again by the Spirit, not a human rebirth.

Our reading today contains three themes —

  • the Son of Man to be raised up (on the cross)
  • God’s love for us
  • the Light in the world

Each of these will be themes for our prayer –

MY  PRAYER

To start: Sit quietly for a minute or so:

  • Recall that you are in God’s presence and that the Lord God is with you
  • Read again the gospel passage – note it’s three themes
  • Pray to listen intently – as Nicodemus did
  • Repeat the prayer below as often as it touches your heart
  • Jesus – You will be raised up for my eternal life – I believe – help me to believe intensely
  • Father – Thank you for your mercy – for not condemning us –Thank you for sending Jesus your Son to redeem us
  • Jesus – I desire to walk in your Light – you, the Light of the World –Take me from the darkness of self-centeredness –Take me from thoughts that destroy, words that hurt, actions that are selfish –

     I want to walk in your light – I want to walk in your light –

Jesus, Light of the World, help me to walk in your Brightness!

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies                                                           

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AMRSP SOLIDARITY STATEMENT

PHIL-VIOLENCE-AMRSP

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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer

Cleansing of the Temple.

3rd  LENT  SUNDAY, March 7, 2021

THE WORD, Source:  John 2.13-25

Cleansing of the Temple.

13 Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14 He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.

15 He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables

16 and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

17 His disciples recalled the words of scripture,i “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”

19 Jesus answered and said to them,“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”

21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

22 Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

23 While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.

24 But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,

25 and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

A REFLECTION

The first reading at Holy Mass today brings to us the 10 Commandments as given to Moses. These represent the human part of a mutual covenant of God and human beings –  He is our God and we are His People.

The Holy Gospel at our Mass, the cleansing of the temple – my Father’s House –can be seen as an allegory – the cleansing we need as we are God’s People. (At a later time, Jesus will be even more gracious – God is our Father and we are His Children)

We cleanse ourselves on three levels –

  • the Ten Commandments – focusing on self and family and community “which is greatest  commandment?”; love God and love neighbor as oneself –
  • “I give you a New Commandment ” Even at the Last Supper, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  – to love as Jesus has loved us – compassion, mercy, forgiveness –

   St. Ignatius pointed out: Love is shown in deeds, not words.

MY  PRAYER

As you can imagine  –  it is time to cleanse your temple – an important Lenten activity

  • I sit quietly, in expectation –
  • I recall the Lord God is present with me as Jesus promised
  • I ask for the grace of the moment – to be cleansed –
  • How will I conform myself to the Ten Commandments; My conduct – my life – within my family and among others – I review the Commandments one by one –
  • How do I stand — loving God above all? How do I accomplish this? — loving others as myself –how do I fix my relationship with others?
  • Can I love as Jesus loves – compassionate, merciful,  forgiving – I desire this – I pray for this grace –

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me – from Psalm 51

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ Loyola House of Studies Scripture from the New American Bible