Lenten Issue / April / 2011 Easter

The Gospel of Matthew

e-Good News

Celebrating the Resurrection and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost

Welcome to our Easter e-Good News. Forty days of Lent has ended. We now commence a celebration of fifty days celebrating the Resurrection and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. Beginning with the Easter Vigil and ending at Pentecost we now enter into a period of intense joy. Easter is a season which helps us to deepen the faith of new and mature Christians. In Lent the key emphasis was on conversion and change. During the Easter season the focus is on deepening an understanding of the mysteries of faith. St. Augustine once said, We are an Easter people and alleluia is our song. Our prayer during Easter helps us to recall that we are people of the resurrection, risen people who have been raised from the dead with the Risen Lord. As we read the Gospels of Easter we notice that most of them are from St. John. He reminds us that Jesus revealed his glory and his disciples believed in him. During Easter let us become disciples of the Risen Lord and open our eyes to glimpse that glory. As some of the texts are quite long, you are asked to use your own Bible or Sunday Missal.

Sunday 24th April - Easter Sunday

John 20:1-18
The Easter appearance narratives vary greatly in each Gospel. For example, they all contain the proclamation of the empty tomb. The other three do have such narratives, but they all differ from each other. There is a historical core: Sunday, early, women, an epiphany of some kind; the words overlap a bit. However, issues at the time of writing greatly influenced these very theological texts. The writers dispense with historical accuracy to privilege theological truth. Luke and John, in particular, attempt to map the spiritual journey to Easter faith. Finally, there is no genuine Easter encounter which does not lead to mission.
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Do not keep touching me (implied: as you knew me); peculiar that the resurrection is incomplete because of the lifting up theme; cf. I go to prepare a place; the distinction is only apparentit is the one God, the gift is through Jesus going to his God; lit. gone upcf. 1:51 (with angels); 3:13; 6:62. She is still the first to proclaim; cf. 20:25 and 1 Corinthians 9:1; she bears witness unlike Peter (ask those who heard me; they know what I said!). Cf. the Samaritan woman.

POINTERS FOR PRAYER

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Sunday Reflection
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The first day of creation (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17); dark; lack of motive; Mary is alone at this time because this Gospel prefers one-to-one encounters. Contrary to Mark; the Beloved Disciple only in this Gospel may be the original inspiration of the tradition. In the text the Beloved Disciple functions as a model disciple. First-to suggest eagerness and also to make plain the deference to Peter. Initial description of details to be taken up later. The detail is highly significant; the outcome from this burial is contrasted with that of Lazarus (11:44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, Unbind him, and let him go.). Notice the importance of choreography: both saw the same empirical residue, only the one who loved made the leap of faith; seeing is a verb for faith in this Gospel. This comment may seem strange; but full resurrection faith comes by means of an encounter with the risen Jesus (cf. next scene) and by confirmation in Scripture; not yet understanding is a theme right from the start of the Fourth Gospel. To do what? The writer clears the stage for the one-to-one encounter to come. Seemingly no contact with Beloved Disciple and Peter; significantly, she copies their action. Angels = transcendence; white = resurrection; head = veil; feet = anointing in John 12. Woman: Cana (mother), Jacobs well (journey of faith); Cross (mother), Resurrection (journey of faith); she repeats her earthly understanding. Standard technique for an epiphany; standard for resurrection appearance stories that Jesus is not recognised. Jesus repeats the words of the angels; intense irony at this point (gardener, sir, if, take him away); at this point Mary is still outside the mystery; no reason to weep; Jesus second question takes us back to the first words he speaks in this Gospel: what are you looking for (1:38), except what has become whom. Interpersonal address (cf. John 11-12); the good shepherd knows his sheep by name (10:3); she turns againphysically or interiorly? Cf. Isaiah 43:1.

Marys quest mirrors the stories at the start of the Gospel. Perhaps my own journey has also mirrored the move from what are you looking for? to whom are you looking for? The beloved disciple sees and believes. What is the spring of my own faith? What role has the word of God played in it? The one-to-one encounter and the calling by name: when have I heard deeply the words, But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1 NRSV) Mary went, announced and told: there is no authentic faith which does not imply invitation and mission to others. What is my experience today as a proclaimer of this good news? What is the role of women today?

Prayer
GOD OF UNDYING LIFE, by your mighty hand you raised up Jesus from the grave and appointed him judge of the living and the dead. Bestow on those baptized into his death the power flowing from his resurrection, that we may proclaim near and far the pardon and peace you give us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, first-born from the dead, who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Second Sunday of Easter, 1st May

John 20: 19-31

Sunday Reflection
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Sunday, the day of creation. The Jews of the Fourth Gospel are really the antagonists of the Johannine community at the end of the first century. The self-presentation of Jesus illustrated the sovereign selfpresentation of the Risen Lord. His gift of peace takes up a theme of this Gospel: John 14:27; 16:33. A key teaching of Christianity is that the crucified Jesus and the risen Lord are the one person. The crucified Jesus helps us because he risen. The risen one can help us because he has made the journey into fragility and vulnerability on the cross. Finally, joy is characterized by the faith of the Johannine community (John 3:29; 4:36; 8:56; 11:15; 14:28; 15:11; 16:2022, 24; 17:13; 19:3; 20:20). Peace, on the lips of the risen Lord, includes freedom from death. The just as movement means that the mission of Jesus continues directly in the mission of the disciples. This is a direct echo of Genesis 2 (above). The Spirit is a powerful theme of this Gospel (John 1:3233; 3:56, 8, 34; 4:2324; 6:63; 7:39; 11:33; 13:21; 14:17, 26; 15:26; 16:13; 19:30; 20:22). This text in its historical context takes us back to the communitys right to expel members. It was later read to point to priestly absolution but the early Christian context is found elsewhere in the New Testament: If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:1518) Thomas is mentioned elsewhere in this Gospel (John 11:16; 14:5). If the story were a simply historical report, it would have been sufficient to say unless I see the Lord. But Thomas enunciates the theology of Johns Gospel that the crucified and risen Lord are one. Believing is a huge theme in this Gospel (John 1:7, 12, 50; 2:11, 2224; 3:12, 1516, 18, 36; 4:21, 39, 4142, 48, 50, 53; 5:24, 38, 44, 4647; 6:2930, 3536, 40, 47, 64, 69; 7:5, 31, 3839, 48; 8:24, 3031, 4546; 9:18, 3536, 38; 10:2526, 3738, 42; 11:15, 2527, 40, 42, 45, 48; 12:3, 11, 3639, 42, 44, 46; 13:19; 14:1, 1012, 29; 16:9, 27, 3031; 17:8, 2021; 19:35; 20:8, 25, 27, 29, 31). A week later-hence the choice of reading for this Sunday. The scene repeats with the addition of Thomas. The risen Jesus counters the disbelief by inviting a recognition not simply that he is risen but that he is the same as the crucified one. This is the highest christological affirmation of the Fourth Gospel. It is also quite political. Suetonius, in his Lives of the Emperors, wrote of Domitian: Just as arrogantly he began a letter, which his agents were to circulate, with the words: Our Lord and God instructs you to do this! and Lord and God became his regular title both in writing and conversation. No false modesty, in any case! A great beatitude which serves to reassure a later generation that they did not see Jesus there is nothing lacking in their experience of faith. The writer of this Gospel selected only a few scenes and themes, developing them into large symbolic tableau. He is clearly aware that

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not everything has been included but that the essential has been communicated. A second conclusion has been appended at 21:25, which echoes this one. Finally, the reason for writing the Gospel! The key words of the Gospel are repeated: believe, Messiah, Son of God, life (John 1:4; 3:1516, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:21, 24, 26, 29, 3940; 6:27, 33, 35, 40, 4748, 51, 5354, 63, 68; 8:12; 10:1011, 15, 17, 28; 11:25; 12:25, 50; 13:3738; 14:6; 15:13; 17:23; 20:31), name (John 1:6, 12; 2:23; 3:18; 5:43; 10:3, 25; 12:13, 28; 14:1314, 26; 15:16, 21; 16:2324, 26; 17:6, 1112, 26; 18:10; 20:31).

POINTERS FOR PRAYER

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Peace-shalom-is the desire of us all. What is it that brings me to true peace of mind? The peace of Christ-which the world does not give-is a deep peace, giving freedom from death and even fear of death. Have I sometimes had a glimpse of this in my life? The reading communicates the sense of a totally new beginning. When have I experienced such a fresh start in my life? When have I felt the life-giving breath of God in my life? Perhaps we do not always link Easter faith and forgiveness. It may be worth recalling that forgiveness is the mirror of love, and just as Christ died and rose for love of us, that very gift of love includes forgiveness. Does my personal faith in the resurrected Lord include the gift of love and forgiveness? Doubt is part of all our experience of faith. What has been my own journey towards faith? Recall the moments of deep doubt. What is it that brought you forward and even enriched your faith experience? Sometimes, we think other peoples faith is somehow richer or even deeper. We may even think it was easier for earlier generation. The words of Jesus in this Gospel speak otherwise: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.

Prayer
GOD of life, source of all faith, through the waters of baptism you have raised us up in Jesus and given us life that endures. Day by day refine our faith, that we who have not seen the Christ may truly confess him as our Lord and God, and share the blessedness of those who believe. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

Third Sunday of Easter, 8th May

Luke 24:13-35

Sunday Reflection
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POINTERS FOR PRAYER

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This sets up the story, the characters and the situation. The reader knows it is Jesus and becomes an observer of the birth of faith. He makes them stop. Highly ironic that they should tell him, of all people, the story of his own death and resurrection! Luke makes Jesus do what the early Christians did: look to the scriptures to understand their astounding experiences. They make him stop. The scene does echo the Eucharist, but that is not the chief point: the Risen Lord comes into us to stay with us when we desire it (cf. they urged him strongly). Mutual confirmation of faith stories

Jesus joined them and listened to them. We had hoped.... They poured out to Jesus their disappointments. When you have been upset or disappointed who has joined you along the road? To whom have you been able to pour out your heart? Who was a Jesus person to you, listening to you in respectful silence? To whom have you been a Jesus person? Jesus then helps them to see things in another light by opening the scriptures to them. Have you had the experience of new hopes being formed after disappointment? When has your heart been burning within you? What helped you form new hope in the light of the new reality? Who was with you in this? The disciples invite Jesus to join them at table - there follows a recognition of who he is. We meet many people on the road of life. Usually we meet and pass on. Occasionally we meet someone who we invite into our homes, into our hearts, in a deeper way, and in a way that leads us to know people and to be known by them in a way we had not done before. With whom has this happened for you? Where in these relationships have you experienced the presence of God or of Jesus? Jesus vanished but first he had given them life and they took up life in a new way. Can you name those moments of disclosure that enabled you to return to daily life renewed in spirit?

Prayer
O GOD of mystery, out of death you delivered Christ Jesus, and he walked in hidden glory with his disciples. Stir up our faith, that our hearts may burn within us at the sound of his word, and our eyes be opened to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the first-born from the dead, who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Easter, 15th May

John 10:1-10
The Good Shepherd discourse or meditation is found only in John 10:1-21. It is the nearest thing to parable in this Gospel. Today we hear the first part of this speech, which portrays Jesus as the point of entry, the shepherd and the door. In the first presentation, it is offered in the third person, while in the second, the writer uses the first person. This is Vocations Sunday.
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POINTERS FOR PRAYER

Care seems the fundamental image here. It invites a reflection on our own experience of being cared for, in all sorts of ways. It opens us to the experience of being cared for by God in Jesus. Guidance is part of the metaphor. In what ways have I found myself lost in the labyrinth of life and in need of direction? Where did I find guidance? Does the word of God guide me today? In looking for meaning, when did I realise the Gospel is really not a teaching but a person? We all want to live and be alive, to have life in abundance. How am I at this point in my life? Where does faith in the Jesus come in?

Sunday Reflection
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Very truly = Amen, Amen. The warning here is against false leaders, who dont come in by the gate, the authentic point of entry, i.e. through faith in Jesus. The authentic shepherd does not enter by other means. These are images of trust-he is recognised by the gatekeeper and by the sheep. Cf. Numbers 27:17. Cf. Pilate asked him, So you are a king? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. (John 18:37) The believers will not entrust themselves to unknown leaders. But cf. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. (John 1:11) Cf. also, I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, (John 10:14); Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1) Not for the first time in this Gospel, Jesus is not understood. In reality, the writer makes use of such misunderstanding to emphasise and deepen his teaching. The metaphorical language has taken an unexpected twist. The identification of Jesus as the point of entry in his person is entirely in harmony with this Gospel. Perhaps there is an allusion to nationalist leaders (bandits to the Romans) who sometimes used the language of messiah to lend authority to their revolts. The pastoral imagery is most fully developed here. Tremendous contrast, leading to one of the great sentences of this Gospel. Life is an omnipresent theme: John 1:4; 3:15-17, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:21-29, 39-40; 6:27, 33, 35, 40, 47-48, 51, 53-54, 63, 68; 8:12; 10:10-11, 15, 17, 28; 11:25-26; 12:25, 50; 13:37-38; 14:6; 15:13; 17:23; 20:31.

Prayer
O GOD, you never cease to call even those far away, for it is your will that all be drawn into one fold. Attune our ears to the voice of the Good Shepherd, who leads us always to you, that we may find under your tender protection life in all its fullness. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Fifth Sunday of Easter, 22nd May

John 14: 1-12

Sunday Reflection
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The preceding conversation (13:36-38) is very disturbing and the present excerpt is a kind of response or consolation in the light of that. V.1a is a version of Do not be afraid, the experience of consolation in the encounter with God (John 6:20; 12:15-see also the first words of the risen Lord). V.1b resumes many passages in this Gospel, for example: Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. (John 6:29) This well-known verse echoes another: The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. (John 8:35) Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour. (John 12:26) Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered, Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward. (John 13:36). In this Gospel, the present reality of salvation is so strong that future hope and longing seems less significant; however, this verse corrects this perceived lack. This verse continues the theme of misunderstanding, even among the closest followers of Jesus. This observation triggers the next conversation. Thomas has a higher profile in this Gospel (John 11:16; 14:5; 20:24, 26-28; 21:2) than in the other Gospels. He does make seemingly uncomprehending remarks, but in itself, the question at this point seems quite reasonable. It also provides the vocabulary of the way, so important here. As we have seen before, the I AM sentences of the Fourth Gospel echo the name of God in Ex 3:14, I AM WHO I AM. Calling a person the way, the truth and the life strikingly reflects the teaching of this Gospel that the Good News is the person of Jesus. Way: John 1:23; 14:4-6. Truth: John 1:14, 17; 3:21; 4:23-24; 5:33; 8:32, 40, 44-46; 14:6, 17; 15:26; 16:7, 13; 17:17, 19; 18:37-38. Life: John 1:4; 3:15-16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 26, 29, 39-40; 6:27, 33, 35, 40, 47-48, 51, 53-54, 63, 68; 8:12; 10:10, 28; 11:25; 12:25, 50; 14:6; 17:2-3; 20:31. This verse captures a core teaching of the Fourth Gospel that to know who God really is, is to know the Son and that to know who the Son really is is to know the Father. A clear expression of this is found in 1 John 5:1 (the NRSV version fails here): Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him (1John 5:1); Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and whoever loves the father loves the son. (1John 5:1). Philip has an unusual importance in this Gospel (John 1:43-46, 48; 6:5, 7; 12:21-22; 14:8-9). This may be because in Asia Minor (western Turkey), where this Gospel most likely was written, there were traditions about Philip. The desire to see the Father, even in the context of misunderstanding, serves the purpose of the Gospel. The intimacy of the Father and the Son is a theme not only of chapters 14-17 but of this whole Gospel. The one who sent me is practically a name or title for God in this Gospel, expression of the communion of the Father and the Son. The works of Jesus and the Father in this Gospel symbolise the great work of the lifting up and glorification in the hour of the cross/ resurrection (John 3:19-21; 4:34; 5:20, 36; 6:28-29; 7:3, 7, 21; 8:39, 41; 9:3-4; 10:25, 32-33, 37-38; 14:10-12; 15:24; 17:4). Doing greater works than Jesus himself is a bit of a surprise. It needs to be read in the light of the chronology of this Gospel. The death/lifting up

of the Messiah is a new creation, taken in a very strong sense. There is, therefore, a before and an after. We see this again in the hyperbole regarding the gift of the Spirit: Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:39 NRSV). The last line is obvious not true and at the same time astonishingly true. The believer can live in the light of the resurrection in a way not possible before it took place. Jesus going to the Father is the context of the Farewell Discourse.

POINTERS FOR PRAYER

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Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. Trust in another person can help us in difficult times. Remember and give thanks for the people you were able to trust in difficult moments. Remember also when your faith in God helped you through anxious moments. Thomas struggled with the desire, which is in all of us, to know exactly the destination before we set out. Jesus invites us to make an act of faith and to take one step at a time. Can you recall times when it helped you to take that trusting attitude to life? Jesus proposed himself to Thomas as the way, the truth and the life. In what ways has Jesus been the way, the truth and the life for you on your faith journey? Philip wanted Jesus to give him a glimpse of God and got the surprising answer Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Jesus put a human face on the love of God. He gives us a glimpse of the divine. We are Jesus in the world today, called to follow Jesus and to put a human face on the love of God for those who meet us. Who are the people whose love has helped you to believe in the love of God? To whom have you given an occasional glimpse of the divine?

Prayer
WE HAVE BEHELD your glory, O God in the face of Christ Jesus, your Son. Enliven our faith that through Christ we may put our trust in you. Deepen our faith that in Christ we may serve you. Complete our faith that one day we may live with you in that place which Christ prepares for us, where he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, 29th May

John 14: 15-21
This mysteriously inviting passage is the fruit of prayer, contemplation and discernment. As such, it eludes analysis; rather it invites a comparison with our own experience and stirs our own desire.
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POINTERS FOR PRAYER

The identity of Jesus is revealed as the Messiah and the Son of God, not with a display of human power, but as one who was prepared to suffer unto death to show us how our God loves us. How does the Passion story speak to you as a revelation of how God loves you? If you love me you will keep my commandments, and specifically the commandment to love one another (John 13.34). How have you experienced the link between love of God and love of those around you? Jesus is preparing his disciples for his imminent departure and for a future in which he would be with them in a different way. He would not leave them orphans but send an Advocate to be with (them) for ever. How have you experienced the presence of God with you in your life? Perhaps you have also experienced the challenge of preparing another (a child, a friend) for a time when you would no longer be physically together. Recall how you gave the message of your ongoing support. How have you experienced the presence and support of a loved one (parent, spouse, friend) when circumstances have separated you from them? The proof of the ongoing presence of Jesus with his disciples is that I live and you will live. Discipleship is about much more than rules and regulations. It is about being alive. How has discipleship helped you to be more fully alive?

Sunday Reflection
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The best commentary is really other verses in the Gospel and first letter. There is only one commandment, to love. As elsewhere in the New Testament, this is offered as a summary, as the heart of Christian ethics. John 14:21, 23; 15:10; 1Jn 2:5; 5:3. The word translated as advocate-paraclete-had an originally legal meaning but is really more general: one who appears in anothers behalf, mediator, intercessor, helper. The Advocate in the Gospel is the Spirit; in the first letter, it is Jesus. John 7:39; 1 John 2:1. The Spirit of truth means the Spirit of Jesus (the way, the truth and life) who brings the life of Risen Lord, into our hearts. The gift of the Spirit echoes the in-breathing of life in Genesis 2. In Christ, there is a new creation. John 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 4:6; 5:6. The pattern here is presence-absence-presence in a wholly new mode. John 14:3; 20:19, 26; 7:33. Being orphaned is a theme of Last Testament discourses and deals with how the followers will cope after the absence of the teacher. Life is one of the great themes of the Fourth Gospel, featuring in many of the stories, such as the Woman and the Well. The gift of life is correspondingly significant in this Gospel. The second part of this tremendous verse calls for deep faith. John 6:57. The mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son is extended to the believer. This is a truly mystical teaching which can hardly be understood but rather affirmed in the experience of the believer. The day in this Gospel would seem to be the now of salvation. John 16:23, 26. Very challenging for contemporary faith: the practice of love opens the believer to the love of God and the revelation of the Son. In other words, the links between ethics, life and faith is the person of Jesus. Jn 14:23, 27; 17:23.

Prayer
FAITHFUL GOD who loves us in Christ Jesus, send your Spirit of truth to dwell within us, that we may always reject what is false, live by the commands of Christ, and be true to the love you have shown us. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

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