Sunday, April 19

Second Sunday of Easter

A little doubt can do you good

If you ever are in a “Thomas state of mind”–doubting your faith, doubting God’s love, doubting our hope for redemption–consider all the great Christians who have gone before you who have experienced similar doubts: Mother Teresa, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Thomas Aquinas, to name but a few. Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith. In one of its forms, doubt is a recurring stage of faith. As we grow, change, and experience setbacks, our certainty may be shaken. Doubt sets in and forces us to review, update, and strengthen our core beliefs. Don’t be afraid to confront your doubts today.

Today’s readings: Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31

“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Monday, April 20 

Easter weekday

Are you born again?

Have you ever been asked if you are born-again by other Christians? Just what does that mean? The King James Version of the Bible, on which many fundamentalist Christians rely, uses the term “born again” to translate the phrase in the gospel passage for today. The old Catholic Douay-Rheims did, too. But the Greek word can also mean “born from above.” That’s why the character Nicodemus in today’s story misunderstands it. To be “born again” means to experience new life “from above,” a life free from the fear of sin and death, because in baptism we receive eternal life and the forgiveness of our sins. Remember that the next time you proclaim, “We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead.”

Today’s readings: Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8

“Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ ”

Tuesday, April 21 

Feast of Anselm, bishop, doctor of the church

Know what you believe and believe what you know

The centuries have witnessed the seesaw struggle between faith and reason. Some have been all for faith without the need to think too much, while others have seen knowledge to be enough on its own. One of those level heads who recognized that reason and faith can coexist and actually complement each other was Anselm, an archbishop of Canterbury who lived from 1033-1109. He famously described his way of doing theology as “faith seeking understanding.” How, this way of putting it asks, can you believe if you have nothing to believe? At the same time, how can you put what you know in some kind of faith perspective? Faith and the ability to think are gifts of God. Use them both for the glory of God and the good of others.

Today’s readings: Acts 4:32-37; John 3:7b-15

“If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”

Wednesday, April 22 

Easter weekday

Released for good behavior

Would you risk prison and possible death for the sake of your beliefs? The question was anything but abstract for early believers in the risen Christ. Even before they had to contend with Roman persecution, these early “Jewish Christians” had to face the wrath of the Sadducees, an aristocratic priestly group that did not believe in the possibility of resurrection. The Sadducees disappeared from the scene soon after the second Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., but nearly 2,000 years later the witness of the courageous early followers of Christ lives on.

Today’s readings: Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21

“Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

Thursday, April 23 

Feast of George, martyr

Stories as good as gold

The story of Saint George, soldier, dragon-slayer, and martyr, is one of many fantastic tales about the lives of saints recorded in an immensely popular 13th-century book called The Golden Legend. What was the appeal of such obviously fictional tales, and why have they persisted to this day? These stories offered medieval readers vivid portraits of human life. They provided a summary of world history and geography for folks who rarely traveled beyond their farm or village. The tales were full of strange adventures and wonderful miracles and were as exciting to read as any romantic novel of the time. They also offered wisdom and a model of life to inspire and guide–all reasons for us to enjoy these stories, too.

Today’s readings: Acts 5:27-33; John 3:31-36

“He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.”

Friday, April 24

Feast of Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest, martyr

The defense never rests in the trials of the poor

One of the principal reasons people often give for turning off to organized religion is the long history of doctrinal disputes within and between traditions that have led to misunderstandings, violence, even wars. Fidelis of Sigmaringen was martyred in 1622 in such a dispute between Catholics and Calvinists during the tumultuous years of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation in Switzerland. What we can admire most in Sigmaringen, however, is not the way he died but the way he lived. After studying law, his great concern for the poor earned him the surname of “counselor and advocate for the poor.” Bring a similar perspective to your own line of work or vocation.

Today’s readings: Acts 5:34-42; John 6:1-15

“As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”

Saturday, April 25 

Feast of Mark, evangelist

Gospel walking

According to tradition the Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, an early disciple who traveled with Peter, Paul, and Barnabas to help spread the Good News. Not the most eloquent writer, Mark wrote in simple “street” language yet with vivid action scenes, giving us a compelling portrait of Jesus actively taking hold of his role as the Messiah, the anointed one who has come to save the world. Mark shows us that, like us, the ordinary men and women who were early disciples didn’t always “get” Jesus or his mission. Yet they persevered and came to a deeper understanding of Jesus through his death and resurrection. Walk with Mark as he tells the story of Jesus and get to know the Messiah who is active in your life.

Today’s readings: 1 Peter 5:5b-14; Mark 16:15-20

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”