Wednesday in the Octave of Easter (Acts: 3:1-10) “Jesus is Risen in Us”

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter (Acts: 3:1-10) “Jesus is Risen in Us”

Throughout the Easter Season the first reading at Mass is taken from the Acts of the Apostles.  This is the story of the early Church.  What is the point of this book?  The point of Acts is to proclaim clearly that Jesus is risen.

Yet, we have few stories about the risen Jesus in the Acts of the Apostles other than at the very beginning of the narrative when we hear of the Ascension of Jesus.  How is the Acts of the Apostles a proof of the resurrection of Jesus?

We have an example of how it is a proof of the resurrected Jesus in the story that is shared in the Eucharistic celebration today.  Peter and James have an encounter with paralytic at the entrance of the temple.  He asks them for help.  Peter tells him to stand up and walk.  Miraculously, the man is healed. He can walk for the first time in his life.

The story is so reminiscent of miracles Jesus performed before his death.  The implication is clear. Jesus’s work continues because his apostles can do the exact same things he did; preach powerfully, heal the sick, forgive the sinner, feed the hungry, counsel the doubtful, baptize, celebrate Eucharist.  The list is long.  The apostles were able to all the things that Jesus did.

Sometimes we feel like all the wonderful works of Jesus came to an end when our savior ascended to heaven.  We kind of feel impotent.  How can we ever do what Jesus did?

But the message of the Acts of the Apostles is that we should be able to do what Jesus did because we are the Body of Christ right here right now.  Maybe what we lack is the confidence in the power of the resurrected Lord acting through us.  We pray for that trust as we look at the snow on the ground today and as we contemplate the sunshine.

Dear Parishioners,

          I pray that you are continuing to maintain your health during these difficult days.  I am waiting, as all of you are, for new developments in the quarantine we are now under

          We continue to have Mass each morning at 8 a.m. Today we had adoration and benediction as well.  On the weekend, we will be having a Saturday night Mass at 4 p.m. and a Sunday Mass at 8 a.m.  Father Matthew and I will each have one of the Masses.

          We have lost one of our long-time parishioners, Genevieve Vrombaut.  Please pray for the repose of her soul and for her family.  Her burial will be on Friday morning.

          I would remind everyone that we are not allowed to have Funeral Masses right now nor are we to have public services at the funeral home.  We will celebrate memorial Masses later if the family would like this.  This is not a great situation, but I am reminded that there used to be a period of mourning after a death that would last for weeks and months.  Only in recent times have we compressed the time of mourning into a few days.  It would seem, that old system was a healthier way to grieve.  We modern people want to do everything in a hurry.  Maybe we can learn from our present experience to slow down and acknowledge our grief. That would be a great grace.

          May the Blessed Mother and all the angels and saints protect all of us today.

                                                                             Fr. Mark