Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. Acts 5:14
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Psalm 118
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. John 20:29
Piety
Jesus, help me to accept your message of Peace.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Psalm 118
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. John 20:29
Piety
Jesus, help me to accept your message of Peace.
Help me to not to be afraid to spread that word in my world.
Help me to accept your Peace and spread that word through my work and actions.
Help me to accept your Peace and spread that word in my Church.
Help me to accept your Peace and spread that word in my family.
Help me to accept your Peace and spread that in my heart. Amen.
Study
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/041507.shtml
As our Easter celebration continues, to cement further belief in the community, Jesus continues to appear to more and more of the disciples. Today’s Gospel story is the familiar passage recounting “Doubting Thomas” – an encounter that helps to cement Thomas’ belief. What cemented your belief?
As Jesus appears, the first words that the disciples hear before they are commissioned to go forth to the world directly connect this appearance to the Last Supper discourses of Jesus. That night, they were told, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”(John 14:27) Now, Jesus appears and greets them with “Peace be with you.”
Thus, what Jesus says to the disciples today is a continuation of those final comments – encouraging the disciples – and by connection all of us – not to be afraid with the work ahead. Today’s encounter is a fulfillment of the promises Jesus made on Holy Thursday to send an Advocate who would always be with the disciples. (“I will not leave you orphans.”) Jesus breathes on the disciples, giving them a new spiritual life as missionaries to go forth and spread the Good News.
Thomas’ experience is the link used by Jesus and John in order to give us evidence we might react to that will cement our faith experience. While Thomas has the encounter in the Upper Room, we have John’s Gospel which was set forth in order that we might believe sight unseen. “These are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” John 20:31
While Thomas believes because he has had a direct encounter with Jesus, we believe because we have indirect encounters – we meet Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, the saints and our sisters and brothers in faith.
Although Thomas seemed at first to reject the cornerstone, with the direct experience, Thomas does not reject the Resurrected Jesus. While the political and religious leaders of the time rejected Jesus, Thomas does not. He believes. We believe.
Action
“Peace be with you.” Jesus’s wish for us is “Peace.” In fact, Jesus is Peace. His peace is with us always. That peace is the cornerstone of our faith. This message of peace was Jesus’ last message before he was arrested, was violently executed by crucifixion and was buried. His message of peace stands in stark contrast to the violent end of His human life.
The religious and political leaders of Jesus’ time rejected this cornerstone. Through belief, we express our unity with Jesus. However, every day we reject the ways of peace and turn to violence. If we can not get our way over another, then we resort to violence to impose our will as individuals, organizations and as a nation. Violent words. Violent actions. Violent movies. Violent books. Violent foreign policy.
The Easter message was not just for the disciples. They were told to carry it forth to the world. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” This week, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Jesus' various appearances following His resurrection during the general audience at St. Peter’s Square. He reminded us that these appearances are “Also for us.” The Pope said, “They represent an invitation to enter more deeply into the Easter message...and to follow the spiritual itinerary of the people who met Christ and recognized Him in those first days.”
After the Resurrection, there is no turning back. We must forge a new relationship with Jesus making peace the cornerstone. How can you reject the culture of death surrounding us in all its ways? How can you adopt a consistent ethic of life in all aspects?
When you see something violent, why not send a Peace card to encourage people to accept Jesus the Cornerstone, the Peace. http://www.cafepress.com/lifecounts.68487583
As our Easter celebration continues, to cement further belief in the community, Jesus continues to appear to more and more of the disciples. Today’s Gospel story is the familiar passage recounting “Doubting Thomas” – an encounter that helps to cement Thomas’ belief. What cemented your belief?
As Jesus appears, the first words that the disciples hear before they are commissioned to go forth to the world directly connect this appearance to the Last Supper discourses of Jesus. That night, they were told, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”(John 14:27) Now, Jesus appears and greets them with “Peace be with you.”
Thus, what Jesus says to the disciples today is a continuation of those final comments – encouraging the disciples – and by connection all of us – not to be afraid with the work ahead. Today’s encounter is a fulfillment of the promises Jesus made on Holy Thursday to send an Advocate who would always be with the disciples. (“I will not leave you orphans.”) Jesus breathes on the disciples, giving them a new spiritual life as missionaries to go forth and spread the Good News.
Thomas’ experience is the link used by Jesus and John in order to give us evidence we might react to that will cement our faith experience. While Thomas has the encounter in the Upper Room, we have John’s Gospel which was set forth in order that we might believe sight unseen. “These are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” John 20:31
While Thomas believes because he has had a direct encounter with Jesus, we believe because we have indirect encounters – we meet Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, the saints and our sisters and brothers in faith.
Although Thomas seemed at first to reject the cornerstone, with the direct experience, Thomas does not reject the Resurrected Jesus. While the political and religious leaders of the time rejected Jesus, Thomas does not. He believes. We believe.
Action
“Peace be with you.” Jesus’s wish for us is “Peace.” In fact, Jesus is Peace. His peace is with us always. That peace is the cornerstone of our faith. This message of peace was Jesus’ last message before he was arrested, was violently executed by crucifixion and was buried. His message of peace stands in stark contrast to the violent end of His human life.
The religious and political leaders of Jesus’ time rejected this cornerstone. Through belief, we express our unity with Jesus. However, every day we reject the ways of peace and turn to violence. If we can not get our way over another, then we resort to violence to impose our will as individuals, organizations and as a nation. Violent words. Violent actions. Violent movies. Violent books. Violent foreign policy.
The Easter message was not just for the disciples. They were told to carry it forth to the world. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” This week, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Jesus' various appearances following His resurrection during the general audience at St. Peter’s Square. He reminded us that these appearances are “Also for us.” The Pope said, “They represent an invitation to enter more deeply into the Easter message...and to follow the spiritual itinerary of the people who met Christ and recognized Him in those first days.”
After the Resurrection, there is no turning back. We must forge a new relationship with Jesus making peace the cornerstone. How can you reject the culture of death surrounding us in all its ways? How can you adopt a consistent ethic of life in all aspects?
When you see something violent, why not send a Peace card to encourage people to accept Jesus the Cornerstone, the Peace. http://www.cafepress.com/lifecounts.68487583
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