Word for Word 4/11/18

For your meditation:
Acts 4:32-35
I John 5:1-6
John 20:19-31

These scriptures are all echoes of the Good Friday catastrophe and the East Triumph.

The gospel, even though it is a post-resurrection event, is still in the mood and feeling of Good Friday because the apostles and particularly  Thomas, Doubting Thomas, still have not accepted the fact that Jesus has really, really risen from the dead.

The first reading, on the other hand, is definately in the upbeat mood and feeling of Easter. “The community of believers were of one heart and one mind.” “With power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great respect was paid to them all.”

Quite a change, eh, from the Eleven hiding out in the Upper Room. “Where they were for fear of the Jews.”

I think it demonstrates two levels of faith. The gospel account is faith under trial; it is the faith of an adolescent and this faith is being challenged.

The account from the book of Acts is faith that has weathered the trial; it is the faith of an adult and this faith has successfully grown beyond mere consent, through trial, to be a faith that is active and real; it is accomplishing something. It is proclaiming to the world that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the World. The second reading from the Epistle of John is a really nice development. Maybe a commentary, even, on the reading from Acts.

Consider, if you will, what is the level of your faith? Is it the faith of an adolescent? A faith being challenged and tried. Or is it the faith of an adult? A faith rich and solid because it faced challenges and trial, struggles through them and is now tried and true, now real and active.

When doubts come, when religion seems dull and boring, or tiresome and burdensome, this is the time for each of us to face the challenge and rourish our faith so that it can grow. It is not the time to give up. “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Alleluia!

Scott Peck of The Road Less Traveled fame says, “Doubt is often the beginning of wisdom.”

Irish Mothers Chat: Two Irish mothers, Kate and Lorna, were talking about their sons. Kate says, “My Patrick is such a saint. He works hard, doesn’t smoke, goes to church every Sunday and he hasn’t so much as looked at a woman in over two years.” Lorna responds, “Well, my Francis is a saint himself. Not only has he not looked at a woman in over five years, but he hasn’t touched a drop of liquor in all that time.” “My word.” says Kate, “You must be so proud.” “I am.” announces Lorna, “And when he’s paroled next month, I’m going to throw him a big party.”

Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg
Lansing