Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

John 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, your words are difficult. How am I to understand this passage? I am made of flesh and my thoughts are fleshly, and I feel incapable of being spiritual. I beseech you, send forth your Holy Spirit! Things shall be created and you will renew the face of the earth!

Encountering Christ:

1. “How Can This Happen?”: It’s all very well to speak of being born again, or born from above, or born of the Spirit. It sounds wonderful, in fact, this notion of transcending daily troubles and petty difficulties. But Nicodemus asked the same question I would have asked: But how can this happen? How? The wind blows where it wills, and the action of the Spirit is invisible; how can I perceive him? We are supposed to be teachers of Israel, and still we don’t understand your words, Jesus. How can this happen? We’ve tried to be holy, to follow your commands, and it doesn’t seem to work. We want to go up to heaven, but no one makes it up to heaven; only you have gone up to heaven because you came down from heaven. How can sanctity happen? How can we receive the Spirit? How?

    

2. “He Came Down From Heaven”: The Son of Man “has come down from heaven.” We recite it every Sunday in the Creed, and it is the answer to all our yearnings for God. We are too weak to rise up and search God out in his heavens. Therefore, he has had mercy on us; he has come down from heaven. This is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions; God became man. “For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven.” Such is the absurdity of his love for us, that he would leave heaven to live with us. Such is the divine wisdom of the Incarnation. The Fathers saw this mystery prefigured in the Old Testament: “Thus she [wisdom] has appeared on earth, is at home with mortals” (Bar 3:38).

    

3. The Serpent in the Desert: The reference to Moses lifting up the serpent in the desert comes from Numbers 21:4-9, which is read on Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent. The people complained against God and Moses because of the poor food and lack of water in the desert. As a result, they were plagued by fiery serpents who killed many of them. But God ordered Moses to craft a serpent and raise it up as a standard, and anyone who looked at it was healed. God always provides a way of repentance and salvation for his people. The Son of Man was also lifted up on the Cross, so that everyone who believes in Jesus crucified and risen has eternal life. This is why he came down from heaven. This is the “how” of our salvation.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have taught me that I need your Holy Spirit. It is your Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Jesus—who enables me to know and love and confess you. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3).

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will invoke the Holy Spirit before any important activities.

For Further Reflection: Try reading the extended Christmas story (Lk 1-2), reflecting on Christ’s descent and ascent. In other words, in what ways are both Christ’s suffering and his exaltation prefigured in the account of his Incarnation?

Fr Erik Burckel, LC was ordained to the priesthood in 2022. He writes articles and short stories for diverse purposes and publications, and can be reached at eburckel@legionaries.org.

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

John 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I come before you today with Easter joy in my heart. I thank you for your marvelous work, the Resurrection. Help me, with your grace, to “put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Eph 4:24).

Encountering Christ:

1. The Pharisee Nicodemus: Who was Nicodemus? He was a Pharisee, a spiritual leader of the Jewish people. The Jewish leaders had so much authority that Nicodemus was called “a ruler of the Jews.” He was evidently an honest man, clear-sighted and sincere. We know this because he was able to recognize that “no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” In addition, he came to Jesus genuinely searching for answers, and not just to win an argument. He was a man of faith, acknowledging God’s action in a mere carpenter’s son. And yet, Nicodemus had doubts, as we do. He did not understand the spirit; the Law seemed more trustworthy in its literalness. He came to Jesus at night, fearful of what others might think. Though his faith was growing, he was still flesh born of flesh.

    

2. The Rabbi Jesus: In this passage, Jesus seems not to belong to this world of clay and dust. He worked signs in the name of God. He spoke of God’s invisible Kingdom as if he could see it. When asked about earthly birth, he responded with the signs of water and rebirth When Nicodemus spoke of flesh, he spoke of Spirit. And yet Jesus’ feet were always planted firmly on the ground, aware of human limitations; he was quite aware that Nicodemus was “amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’” Today, he invites us to faith, to contemplate heavenly things, to lift up our hearts. As St. Paul says, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8).

    

3. Born of the Spirit: “The term ‘Spirit’ is translated from the Hebrew word ruah, which, in its primary sense, means breath, air, wind. Jesus indeed uses the sensory image of the wind to suggest to Nicodemus the transcendent newness of him who is personally God’s breath, the divine Spirit” (CCC 691). “The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit’s action in Baptism, since after the invocation of the Holy Spirit it becomes the efficacious sacramental sign of new birth: just as the gestation of our birth took place in water, so the water of Baptism truly signifies that our birth into the divine life is given to us in the Holy Spirit” (CCC 694).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I recall the words of the Mass: “Lift up your hearts; we lift them up to the Lord!” With the grace of Baptism as my springboard, I ask you to increase my faith and lift my eyes and heart towards heaven.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will renew my baptismal promises, trusting in the Holy Spirit to help me fulfill them.

Fr Erik Burckel, LC was ordained to the priesthood in 2022. He writes articles and short stories for diverse purposes and publications, and can be reached at eburckel@legionaries.org.

Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday

John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I praise you for your Resurrection masterpiece. You died, destroying death; now you have risen, restoring life. Thank you for every Sunday Mass, in which we remember Christ’s victory. Alleluia!

Encountering Christ:

1. “Peace Be With You”: Many elements in this Gospel passage can help us to reflect more deeply on the celebration of the Eucharist. For example, Christ said three times, “Peace be with you.” These can be likened to the triple invocations of the “Kyrie Eleison” or the “Lamb of God.” The number three is the number of completeness and perfection. God himself is three persons in one God, and each person is very present in this passage: Jesus mentioned the Father (“the Father has sent me”) and the Holy Spirit (“Receive the Holy Spirit”), while Thomas mentioned the Son (“My Lord…”) and his divine nature (“…and my God!”). And what do the Kyrie and the Lamb of God and Jesus and Thomas and the Mass all show us? That there is mercy, there is forgiveness of sin, there is peace.

    

2. Faith and the Eucharist: Devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots has been on the rise in recent years. Many Catholics are attracted to the Mother of God as an aid in untying the tangles of life. In an analogous way, today’s Gospel presents to us Jesus, Comer through Locked Doors (twice!). He came to the Apostles despite the obstacles they placed before him. His presence and his mercy pursue us—especially at Easter—until we allow him to come in and give us peace. And he made his Apostles protagonists in the giving of grace. We can therefore also ask for the intercession of the Apostles, Forgivers of Sin. But there is one more title to bestow in our list of devotions: We, the Blessed Unseers. Christ praised all those who have not seen and yet have believed—that is, all those who receive the Eucharist with faith. The bread we see is like a locked door that cannot prevent Jesus from coming at the consecration. And when he does, the priest echoes his words: “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.”

    

3. Bookwork: John tells us that Jesus did many other signs “not written in this book.” John probably could have written another book, even longer than his Gospel, describing Jesus in detail. He confesses, “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written” (Jn 21:25). Only in heaven, perhaps, will we learn more of John’s unwritten library. It would simply be too much for us here on earth. In fact, the library grows because Jesus works new wonders every day! Through the devout recitation of the liturgy of the hours by priests and lay people the world over, all of Jesus’ deeds recorded and unrecorded are praised continually to high heaven.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for searching me out when I lock myself in my own upper room. I want to take part in the liturgy with devotion, so that I can praise your glorious Resurrection and your Divine Mercy.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will go to Mass with a joyful heart.

For Further Reflection: St. Therese of Lisieux’s Story of a Soul exemplifies the three points of our meditation today. She tried to live with great peace and trust in God; she showed great faith and devotion to the Eucharist; and she tried to write down in her book how Jesus had worked in her life, similar to St. John’s account of the Gospel.

Fr Erik Burckel, LC was ordained to the priesthood in 2022. He writes articles and short stories for diverse purposes and publications, and can be reached at eburckel@legionaries.org.

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Mark 16:9-15

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that you are alive and close to me, especially through your sacramental presence. From here, you work tirelessly to extend your Kingdom. May I cling to your Church so that your love will continue to flow through me and sustain me in fulfilling the mission you have entrusted to me.

Encountering Christ:

1. Unbelief: Three times in the Gospel summaries of the Resurrection appearances, we learn that Jesus’ witnesses were “not believed.” Jesus reproached the disciples for their lack of faith, but he sent them to proclaim the Good News anyway. Mary Magdalene may not have seemed a likely candidate to witness to those who would not believe. Jesus wants us to see that our worthiness to witness to the Gospel as an announcer of his truth is not judged according to our perceptions, but rather according to his personal, loving call. If we are believers in the Resurrection events, why is it so difficult to believe in this same love at work transforming our hearts and the world around us? Our disbelief does not discourage the risen Lord! With a sincere heart say, “Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief!”

    

2. Alive and Seen: Faith in the risen Christ came slowly for the disciples, and Jesus had to convince them that he had indeed risen from death. Our faith journey has its fair share of ups and downs, but we cannot deny in times of darkness or desolation what we have seen in the light and experienced in a sure moment of grace. Even though our life of prayer goes through phases, at times filled with many words and at other moments in complete silence, Jesus wants us to learn to trust that he is always near even when it may not seem so. By loving Jesus in obscurity and darkness, our faith springs to life.

    

3. Go Into the Whole World: Jesus knows that, at times, we will struggle in our efforts to carry out our mission, just as it was challenging for the disciples to believe in the Resurrection. We can be outwardly confident yet harboring doubts, and in other moments hesitant to proclaim what seems certain. Jesus sees and understands our resistance and reluctance; however, he continues to send us out to “the whole world.” He never despairs of us, his beloved followers. After all, it is his work taking effect through our faithfulness. “The Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (1 Jn 4:19), and therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast” (Evangelii Gaudium, 24). Listen for where the Lord is inviting you to proclaim the Good News in the current circumstances of your life.

Conversing with Christ: I have experienced the presence of God in numerous ways, not the least of which is in the sacraments given to me through the Church. I have had so many moments of strength, consolation, and peace in prayer to the risen Lord who desires to draw near. May I grow deeper in my conviction and more courageous in my response to the commission to proclaim the Gospel in every aspect of my life.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will lean on your grace in the sacraments, either by participating in daily Mass or regular confession, to ask for a renewed confidence in my mission to show God’s love in the precise circumstances of my everyday life.

For Further Reflection: “Sent,” a video by Fr. John Bartunek, LC, on Mary Magdalene’s vocation as the Apostle to the Apostles.

Lucy Honner is a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi and the Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at University Catholic, a community of students in the Nashville area who are serious about their faith. Since 1998, she has exercised her apostolate as a speaker, spiritual director, integrated health coach, and retreat director throughout North America.