St. Francis of Assisi Weekly Reflections

He is Risen, Alleluia!

03-27-2016Weekly Reflection

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia! Easter is always, but especially in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, the victory of God's gentle but invincible mercy raising up Jesus, "faithful witness, the first-born of the dead" (Rev 1:5), "first-born among many bothers [and sisters]" (Rom 8:29), conquering death in all its forms, in all of us in the human family. In Luke's Vigil Gospel, heavenly messengers send the women forth: "Remember what [Jesus] said to you" (Lk 24:6). In John's Gospel, the empty tomb likewise "sends forth" Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple, who believe though they do not fully understand. Finally, Luke's evening "Emmaus" Gospel send us forth, as "missionaries of mercy," assuring us that we will encounter the Risen Lord, today and every day, in "the stranger" we meet along life's journey, in "the Word that makes our hears burn within us," and "in the breaking of bread" (see Lk 24:32, 35).

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co, Inc.

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Today you will be with Me in Paradise

03-20-2016Weekly Reflection

Luke's Gospel presents Jesus as the prophet of God's compassion. This passion is evident even during his passion. It begins at the Last Supper after he predicts that Simon will betray him, but then encourages him: "Once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:32). Later, in the garden, when they come to arrest him, one of the disciples cuts off the right ear of the high priest's servant, but Jesus touches the servant, healing him. On the way to Calvary, he stops to comfort women weeping for him, aware of what they and their children will face. Most of all, on the cross Jesus embodies compassion in his prayer to God, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (23:24). And then, in a most tender scene, he responds to the thief on his right, who has asked Jesus to remember him, promising "Today you will be with me in Paradise" (23:43). We take up the palm today to greet Jesus as our Savior and Son of God.

How does Jesus' compassion call you to compassion?

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Go and Sin No More

03-13-2016Weekly Reflection

A stone may not feel heavy when you pick it up. But a stone is not a pebble. Many stones can do damage, especially when hurled in self-righteous anger. Perhaps the accusers justified it as an act of the faithful community, standing up together for the Law of Moses, bringing down God's wrath upon an adulteress. Then they took her to Jesus. They had been looking for a way to trap him. He just looked at them, saying nothing. Then he dropped down. You couldn't tell whether he was writing, drawing, or stalling for time to think of something to say. Later, some said Jesus had tricked them. Others were silent. A few thought Jesus was praying. Where else could his words have come from, redirecting their gaze from the woman to themselves, causing hands to drop stones and feet to move off. His words continue to address us, when we are about to cast stones of condemnation at another: "Let the one among you who is without sin…" (John 8:7). But do not forget Jesus' final words to the woman, also meant for us: Go and sin no more.

Where do you find yourself in this story?

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Transform into a 'NEW CREATION' with God

03-06-2016Weekly Reflection

When Israel fled to Egypt, God's chosen people began a journey into being a new creation—changing from a nation of free people, from being under the heel of Pharaoh to being in an intimate covenant with God, from eating manna in the desert to feasting on the fruits of the promised land. This journey took forty years and wasn't easy. When the Prodigal Son finally "came to his senses," he realized he would be better off back home as a hired worker than stealing slop from the pigs. A journey began from being lost to being found, from being "dead" to being a new creation. It did not take forty years, but how do you measure in time a journey that transforms the heart? The path to being a new creation can take forty years, forty days, forty minutes, or forty seconds. Sometimes it is an outer journey; it is always and inner one. Only with God's help is it possible. Jesus walks with us. Eventually we arrive at the celebration where our heavenly Father embraces us, welcoming us home.

What does it mean to you to be a "new creation"?

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