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Gospel Reflections from the Monastery Well

April 6 - May 25, 2008

Sunday, April 6 {Luke 24: 13-35}                                                                         3^rd Sunday Easter

Unrecognized, Jesus joins two of His disciples walking to Emmaus. Sad because of what happened to Jesus, they’ve heard rumors of His rising. As they walk, Jesus explains the Scriptures. Going in as if to stay with them, He takes and blesses the bread. They recognize Him and say, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked to us?” Returning immediately to Jerusalem, they tell how they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.

Going home, two sad friends are joined by a stranger, and miracles happen. Sadness drops away, and God’s word begins to unfold. Who are the people--maybe family or friends, maybe strangers--who’ve entered our lives at just the right time? When we’re confused or sad, who helps us recognize God? When the bread of our lives is broken and shared, Jesus is present. Will those whom we meet today recognize Jesus in the breaking of our life’s bread?

Sunday, April 13 {John 10: 1-10}                                                                     4^th Sunday of Easter

Jesus reminds the Pharisees: whoever enters a sheepfold some way besides the gate is a thief. The shepherd is recognized by the sheep. They know his voice and follow when he calls. Jesus says, “I am the gate of the sheepfold. Whoever enters through me will be safe and find pasture. I have come so that my sheep will have life to the full.”

The Pharisees guarded the Law and Israel’s relationship with God. But their gate was misshapen by lives bent out of shape by rigidity. What about us? Do our beliefs ever keep us from hearing someone else’s pain or wisdom? Do we harshly criticize others? Is there anyone we refuse to forgive? Maybe it’s one of our family, someone at work, or even ourselves. Today Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid. Only do one thing. Listen--then love to the full.”

Sunday, April 20 {John 14: 1-12}                                                                     5^th Sunday of Easter

Jesus tells the Twelve not to worry but to trust that He is preparing a place for them. Thomas questions, and Jesus says, “I am the Way. I am Truth and Life.” Jesus tells them that it’s through Him that anyone comes to know the Father, and anyone who believes in Jesus will perform the same works as He has done.

The thought of Jesus someplace else made the apostles very nervous. How could He leave? How could they teach or heal like Him? But Jesus promised to show them how--and they trusted Him. Sometimes we’re weak, worried or doubting. But the Spirit of Jesus has come to us as well as the Twelve. Do we believe, healing with a smile, giving courage with a compliment, remembering that Jesus prepared this way for our life? That’s the truth!

Sunday, April 27 {John 14: 14-21}                                                                   6^th Sunday of Easter

Jesus tells the Eleven, “I’ll do anything you ask in my name, so that my Father may be glorified.” Jesus promises to ask the Father to send them the Spirit, to be their support forever. Jesus won’t leave them orphaned: even though the world won’t see Him, the disciples will know that Jesus lives. Whoever loves Jesus will be loved by Him and the Father, and they will dwell within that person.

A constant desire of Jesus was to glorify His Father, to show us God’s love and so draw us into God’s own life. That’s the work of a disciple--to show that Jesus lives. Who knows God more intimately because our words are spoken with kindness and compassion? Do we share time willingly--or grudgingly? Because of Jesus we aren’t orphans--we are children of God. Look in a mirror: see the family resemblance?

Sunday, May 4 {John 14: 14-21}                                                                   Feast of the Ascension

Jesus tells the Eleven, “I’ll do anything you ask in my name, so that my Father may be glorified.” Jesus promises to ask the Father to send them the Spirit, to be their support forever. Jesus won’t leave them orphaned: even though the world won’t see Him, the disciples will know that Jesus lives. Whoever loves Jesus will be loved by Him and the Father, and they will dwell within that person.

A constant desire of Jesus was to glorify His Father, to show us God’s love and so draw us into God’s own life. That’s the work of a disciple--to show that Jesus lives. Who knows God more intimately because our words are spoken with kindness and compassion? Do we share time willingly--or grudgingly? Because of Jesus we aren’t orphans--we are children of God. Look in a mirror: see the family resemblance?

Sunday, May 11 {John 20: 19-23}                                                                 Solemnity of Pentecost

The fearful disciples are behind closed doors on Easter evening. Suddenly Jesus is with them and says, “Peace be with you.” He shows them His hands and side and they’re full of joy. He says He will send them just as the Father sent Him. He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Any sins you forgive are forgiven; any you hold back are held back.”

Today we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. Hiding in fear, the disciples received from Jesus the peace of the Spirit. Freed from fear, they can recognize repentance and forgive sins as well as recognize the hard-hearted. Jesus empowers us to do the same. We, too, forgive or hold back sins. Whose sins will we forgive? Will our smile, handshake, or gracious presence encourage anyone to believe in Jesus? Into whom will we breathe life today?

Sunday, May 18 {John 3: 16-18}                                                       Feast of the Most Holy Trinity

Jesus tells Nicodemus that God loved the world so much as to send the Son. Those who believe in Him will have eternal life, because God sent the Son to save the world, not judge it. No one who believes in Jesus will be judged. But those who don’t believe have already been judged by their lack of faith.

How do we celebrate the “redeeming” loves in our lives? Whose friendship have we counted on forever? Who surprised us recently with a word of thanks, a cup of tea, or their parking space at CostCo? Today’s feast celebrates the community of love--the Holy Trinity. The Spirit moves in us and through us because Jesus said, “Yes” to the Father’s invitation. So what do we believe? Is Jesus at our center today, or will old griefs and grudges dwell in our words and heart? Ah--there’s the judgment!

Sunday, May 25 {John 6: 51-58}                                           Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

Jesus says, “I am the living bread from heaven; anyone who eats of me will live forever. I give my bread for the life of the world.” The Jews argue, asking “How?” Jesus says if they do not eat His flesh, they will not have life. Only those who eat Jesus-bread will live forever.

What’s more tempting than the smell of fresh bread? Whether at home or the grocery store, we savor its aroma and are unable to resist sampling. Bread nourishes both our bodies and our spirits. Each of us hungers for God, deep friendships, and integrity. When Jesus visited, healed, preached and fed, people knew they’d been nourished by real health food. Today will we share the bread of a long-overdue letter, a visit or phone call, or simply a nourishing smile? Today, how will we offer nourishment and life to our world?