Weekly Reflections
GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE
WEEKLY READINGS AND OBSERVANCES - ENGAGE PARISHIONERS IN DAILY MASS AND PRAYER
Readings for the week of April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday
Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 (24)/Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8/
Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12
Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11/Mt 28:8-15
Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41/Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22/Jn 20:11-18
Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9/Lk 24:13-35
Thursday: Acts 3:11-26/Ps 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9/Lk 24:35-48
Friday: Acts 4:1-12/Ps 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a/Jn 21:1-14
Saturday: Acts 4:13-21/Ps 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21/Mk 16:9-15
Next Sunday: Acts 5:12-16/Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (1)/Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19/Jn 20:19-31
Observances for the week of April 20, 2025
Sunday: Easter Sunday
Monday: Monday within the Octave of Easter
Tuesday: Tuesday within the Octave of Easter; Earth Day
Wednesday: Wednesday within the Octave of Easter; Administrative Professionals’ Day
Thursday: Thursday within the Octave of Easter
Friday: Friday within the Octave of Easter; Arbor Day
Saturday: Saturday within the Octave of Easter
Next Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)
GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE
April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday
John 20: 1-9
When I was a young boy, my parents told me about their wedding. Then a few years later, they showed me my mother’s wedding dress and my dad’s suit. It was astonishing to see and touch garments that connected me to the event that led to my existence. Of course, I already believed they were married based on their word. But these holy garments made the event real and tangible for me.
Something like this is at play when St. John reports encountering in Jesus’ tomb, “the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place” (John 20:7). Those two separate cloths, for his head and for his body respectively, meant a great deal to St. John and to the early Christians. Some years after the resurrection, there surfaced reports of two cloths with unusual characteristics, one bearing the image of a crucified man’s body, another smaller one with the image of a wounded man’s face. Some call them the Shroud of Turin and the Veil of Manoppello; they both can be seen today.
These two cloths have a long and complicated history, and scholars debate aspects of them. If you’re curious, I encourage you to read about them. To be clear, I believe in the resurrection of Jesus because of the testimony of eyewitnesses and the gift of faith in the Church. Nevertheless, seeing these two mysterious cloths have made the life-giving event of Jesus’ resurrection more real and tangible for me. Maybe they will for you, too.
(PRACTICING) CATHOLIC - RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS
April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday
What Would Mary Do?
This Easter morning, I am thinking of Mary Magdalene.
I want to know her state of mind as she approached the tomb in the darkness. Was she afraid? Was she thinking clearly? Was she tired? Had grief and trauma robbed her of her sleep the last two nights? What did she intend to do? Anoint Christ’s body, yes — but what else? Kiss his hands, trace the markings where the lash had fallen upon his skin? Say goodbye? Weep? Despair?
What were the words she planned to whisper into the cold, empty darkness that morning, as she wept over God’s body?
I don’t know anything about her state of mind that Easter morning, except that I know she wanted to be with Christ. Perhaps that was all she knew, too. Perhaps she had no other thought, no other desire, than nearness to him. She didn’t need to understand everything, and she didn’t expect answers — she didn’t dare hope for that.
But everything and everyone had fallen apart around her, and in Jesus’ presence she knew her heart would be able to rest.
If you have ever been in the midst of a crisis in your life and found yourself pacing the floors of your house when no one else is awake, muttering the words to a prayer you know by heart, you know what Mary Magdalene felt. In those moments, we do not always feel God’s presence. Sometimes, when we look for Him, we only see an empty tomb.
When these dark moments come, I pray you will remember the faithfulness of this great saint. Be like Mary Magdalene. Look for Jesus, always. You may not always find him, but he will always find you.
“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.’” — John 20:2
Easter Sunday
AN EASTER PROCLAMATION
The hosts of heaven exult and sing aloud in mighty triumph!
Let the earth be glad as glory alights and night reigns no more.
Let the Church rejoice at the victory of her Lord and Master,
Who paid the debt of Adam,
Who frees those doomed to die,
Who heals the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds,
Who forgives the sinner and raises up the lowly,
Who destroys death forever,
Whose Kingdom shall have no end.
God our Father, eternal is your love for us!
Christ the Son, in victory you reign!
Holy Spirit, set the Easter fire ablaze in our hearts.
Together you live and reign and ransom your people,
one God forever and ever.
Amen
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS
April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday
At Easter, we celebrate that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, conquered death, rose from the dead, and remains very much alive. To the world of non-believers: what!? It is quite a big reality to swallow. But for the believer, it is a reality that inspires us to the point where we find ourselves constantly sharing the Gospel with everyone we meet! Right?
So what does Easter mean to you? The question is not what do you believe. The question is what impact does Easter have on you? How do your actions demonstrate the power of Easter? What does it mean we you hear that we, the Church, are an Easter people?
You may be saying right now that you have no intention of becoming an evangelist, passing out Bibles to all you meet. But I would like to suggest that you actually have a more powerful way of evangelizing others: everyday stewardship. Actions speak louder than words and the way you live your life can be a great testimony to all those you encounter. By acknowledging the gifts you have been given, cultivating those so they grow to an increase, and then sharing them fully with God and with others in God's name will give testimony to your belief that Jesus is alive and seeking a relationship with each of his people.
If more of us won't live our lives in this manner, then non-believers and non-intentional disciples will ask the question, "What difference does Easter make anyway?" Jesus died and rose for you and me. To be sure, it DOES make a difference.
A Happy Ending Isn’t the Whole Story
“Is there a happy ending?”
When my kids were young, we never made it past the first whiff of any narrative tension before I got this question. As soon as whatever princess or furry woodland animal who was the hero of the story got into any small scrape, they wanted that reassurance, “Is there a happy ending?”
I can’t say I blame them. Don’t we all feel that way sometimes? We enter into a relationship with someone or some situation, and we just want to protect ourselves. We want to know it’s not going to go badly — or, if it does, that we will be able to come back from it. It’s a human instinct, a reflex. Our inclination to protect ourselves makes it so that we sometimes want to press fast-forward on the bad stuff and skip straight ahead to the happily-ever-after.
Easter is the ultimate happy ending. It’s the day of miracles. The day when all the stones roll away and all the sins are forgiven. It’s the day that puts everything right.
But if we learned anything from this week — from the Passion and death of the Lord — it’s that we can’t press fast-forward on the hardships of life. That tension, that loss, that fear — it’s crucial, isn’t it? As Catholics, we are who we are because of Easter. But Easter doesn’t happen without Good Friday.
So, does the story of salvation have a happy ending? We know it does. But we also remember that the ending isn’t all that matters.
All Over the World
This Easter, in churches all over the world, people will be fully initiated in the Catholic Church. Those who have come from another Christian denomination have already begun their journey with Jesus Christ. But for those who are baptized at the Easter Vigil, a new reality has come to pass. Each newly baptized man, woman, and child have become new creations in Jesus Christ. They have died and risen with the one who rose on the third day and whose empty tomb we celebrate every Easter. Easter Sunday morning, they awake after many months of RCIA and all have the same question before them: "Now what?"
When one finds themselves having journeyed through various thresholds of conversion and now they bear the name of Christian, the time comes to chart the course of life as a disciple. Stewardship is that course of life. How one lives out their life from now on is the life of stewardship. The less one understands true stewardship and the value of their gifts and talents to the Body of Christ, the harder the journey.
Those of us who were baptized many years ago can easily fall into a false sense of comfort. We forget that sense of excitement those coming into the Church experience at the Easter Vigil. However, the story of that empty tomb reminds us of the power behind our baptism. Today, we, too, are called to discipleship and a stewardship way of life. Jesus continues to provide the answer to our, "Now what?"
Come to Christ
Life is perhaps God’s greatest gift to each of us. Without life, we would be unable to experience all the wonder of this world, the love of family and friends, and the joy that comes from using our talents and skills. Life itself is more profound a gift than we can even truly contemplate.
On Easter, we celebrate life. For on this day, Jesus Christ conquered death and gave to us the chance for a life eternal. The wonder, love, and joy of this world does not have to end. Through a life in Jesus Christ, these emotions are heightened, and we find even greater fulfillment in this world.
Maybe this Easter you are finding yourself open to taking a next step in your relationship with Jesus. This could be the moment you decide to follow Him more closely and take seriously all that he has given you. If so, welcome to the journey, where there are many other disciples on that same path who can help show you the way and share their stories. If not, hopefully it doesn’t take a whole year for this possibility to be considered again. Jesus is alive and waiting to get closer to you. May this Easter season find you and Our Lord getting to know one another in a whole new way. Happy Easter!
Why Do We Do That?
Catholic Life Explained.
EASTER SUNDAY
Question:
Why does the date of Easter change every year, while most other celebrations are celebrated on the same day?
Answer:
Every feast is celebrated at a certain time for a reason. Saints feast days are commonly the day of their death. While we don’t know Jesus’ exact birthday, we celebrate the “light of the world” around the time of winter solstice, as dark, wintery days begin to lengthen again. We have a historical clue, however, to when the Easter events occurred. We know that Jesus was crucified the day before Passover. The Jews calculated the date for Passover based on both the solar and lunar calendars. It corresponds to the first full moon after the spring equinox. The early Christians maintained this connection in their celebrations of Easter on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon.
We don’t re-calculate the full moon every year. As astronomy developed, so too did the forecasts of when Easter would occur in future years. The Church has created a table of calculated dates, projecting the date of Easter decades in advance. The date of Easter also determines the date of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent, as well as the feast days following in the Easter season, including Pentecost. So these feasts move, too! This tradition may seem complicated, but it connects our Christian faith now to what has come before — our Jewish roots and the real, historical reality of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
Question:
Why is the Easter season so long? And should we be doing something special for it?
Answer:
You’ve probably noticed the priest continuing to wear white vestments at the Sunday liturgy. While we celebrated Christ’s resurrection several weeks ago, the Easter season extends fifty days — just over seven weeks — from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. For most of that time — about six weeks — Jesus is still with the disciples, teaching and encouraging them. The Easter season isn’t just a celebration of when Jesus is with us. At the Last Supper, Jesus promised to send an “advocate” or “counselor” when he left. At the Ascension, he directs the disciples to await “power from on high” — the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Ascension completes the Paschal Mystery, beginning with Jesus’ suffering and death and continuing in the resurrection. But the Holy Spirit ushers in a new era for the Church.
After spending weeks in prayer, fasting, and service during Lent, it may seem odd that we don’t widely have similar practices for Easter. That doesn’t mean you can’t embrace the season! Commit to taking moments of little joy throughout the weeks, like random acts of kindness towards others. Consider reading the Acts of the Apostles to learn more about the early Church or picking up an Easter devotional to pray with. He is still risen indeed!
Humor
The Man Who Orders Three Beers
An Irishman moved into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walked into the pub, and ordered three beers. The bartender raised his eyebrows a wee bit, but (with reservation) served the man the three beers, which he took to a nearby table and quietly drank them all by himself.
The next evening the man came to the pub and again ordered three beers and carried them to table by himself and proceeded to drink the three beers all by himself. For weeks, this man came into the pub regularly and when he did, he ordered three beers and took them to a table and drank the three beers all by himself. Soon the entire little hamlet of County Kerry was whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.
Finally, after many weeks, the bartender broached the subject on behalf of the village. “I don’t mean to be prying but folks around here are wonderin’ why you always order three beers and drink them alone?”
“’Tis a wee bit odd, I would be supposin,’” the man replied. “You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order two extra beers, whenever we would partake, as a way of keeping up the family bond.”
The bartender and the entire hamlet of County Kerry were pleased with his answer and with the reverence for family and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became somewhat of a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet.
Then one evening the man came in and ordered only two beers. The bartender served them with a heavy heart. The Irishman took them to the table and drank the two beers all by himself. On the next visit to the pub, the Man Who Orders Three Beers only ordered two beers. Word spread around the hamlet quickly. Prayers were offered for the soul of one of the brothers. The next day, the bartender said to the man, “Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer our condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know, the two beers and all...”
The man pondered for a moment then replied, “You’ll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well. It’s just that I, myself, have decided to give up beer for Lent.”
Easter Prayer of Thanksgiving
Good and gracious heavenly Father, we come before you on this Easter Sunday with full and grateful hearts for the gift of
the Paschal Mystery that you showed us in the life, death, and resurrection of your Son, our brother by adoption, Jesus Christ.
Bless us and all those who profess belief in your saving love. Bless also those who have yet to profess belief in you. You are God for all. We ask all this in Christ's name.
Amen.
Humor
The Man Who Orders Three Beers
An Irishman moved into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walked into the pub, and ordered three beers. The bartender raised his eyebrows a wee bit, but (with reservation) served the man the three beers, which he took to a nearby table and quietly drank them all by himself.
The next evening the man came to the pub and again ordered three beers and carried them to table by himself and proceeded to drink the three beers all by himself. For weeks, this man came into the pub regularly and when he did, he ordered three beers and took them to a table and drank the three beers all by himself. Soon the entire little hamlet of County Kerry was whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.
Finally, after many weeks, the bartender broached the subject on behalf of the village. “I don’t mean to be prying but folks around here are wonderin’ why you always order three beers and drink them alone?”
“’Tis a wee bit odd, I would be supposin,’” the man replied. “You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order two extra beers, whenever we would partake, as a way of keeping up the family bond.”
The bartender and the entire hamlet of County Kerry were pleased with his answer and with the reverence for family and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became somewhat of a local celebrity and source of pride to the hamlet.
Then one evening the man came in and ordered only two beers. The bartender served them with a heavy heart. The Irishman took them to the table and drank the two beers all by himself. On the next visit to the pub, the Man Who Orders Three Beers only ordered two beers. Word spread around the hamlet quickly. Prayers were offered for the soul of one of the brothers. The next day, the bartender said to the man, “Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer our condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know, the two beers and all...”
The man pondered for a moment then replied, “You’ll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well. It’s just that I, myself, have decided to give up beer for Lent.”
Growing the Gospel For Our Children
Tap the button below the poster to print the games and puzzle's
(each game uses 2 sheets of paper)
CATHOLIC TRIVIA – JUST FOR FUN
(Click the down arrow for the answer!)
Question: What does the word “deacon” mean?
Question: What does the word “deacon” mean?
Answer: Servant, minister, and/or messenger.
Question: How many items does the Vatican Secret Library supposedly hold?
Question: How many items does the Vatican Secret Library supposedly hold?
Answer: 150,000
Question: What is the generic name for the hymn sung at the end of Mass?
Question: What is the generic name for the hymn sung at the end of Mass?
Answer: Recessional hymn
Question: What is the name of the commemorative, prayerful “walk” that Catholics take part in to retrace Christ’s journey to Calvary?
Question: What is the name of the commemorative, prayerful “walk” that Catholics take part in to retrace Christ’s journey to Calvary?
Answer: The Stations of the Cross.