SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Shalom: peace be with you!  This greeting appears three times in today’s Gospel.  When Jesus offered his peace to his frightened disciples, he was not just offering a pleasantry; he was offering his mercy.  You will recall that the English word “mercy” derives from the Latin word “misericordia.”  The second half of that word – “cordia” sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  Our English word – “cardiac” – comes from that word, speaking of things pertaining to the heart.  But, when we think of heart, besides that vital organ, […]

Alleluia!  Do you know what that word means?  We have purposely avoided using it throughout Lent and now we proclaim it over and over again.  As you will read in my Parish Bulletin article, it’s a combination of two Hebrew words: “hallelu” – the plural imperative of “hallel” – which means “praise” and “yah” the first half of the Hebrew word for God: “Yahweh.”  So, it literally means, “Everyone, praise God!”  And, indeed, we praise God in a special way today as we gather on this Easter Sunday to celebrate […]

After the journey of Lent, after walking with Christ through this Holy Week, tonight we gather, enveloped in light and music, to celebrate that we do not have to be afraid. He has been raised just as he said – Alleluia!

Our Scripture readings tonight are a journey through salvation history. In every reading, we hear more details, we gain more insight into this God of might who created all things and who looked at us and found us very good. We are reminded of God’s power as he frees […]

Last night, all observant Jews around the world began their annual Passover celebration.  For us, however, tonight begins the Passover of the Lord.  Holy Thursday is act one in the three-part drama that is the Paschal Mystery, the central mystery of our faith.  The Passover is a central theme in the readings for this evening’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper.  In our first reading, we heard the instructions that God gave to Moses and Aaron regarding the first Passover meal, which included the slaughter of a spotless lamb for each […]