Today's Scriptural readings truly are "good news!" As my son, Paul, used to say: "Can you not believe it?"

Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Rev 1:9-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31

By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed. Acts 5:12-16

In the first reading, people believed that if they could get Peter's shadow to fall on the sick, they would be healed, "and they were all healed."

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Let Israel now say
    that his loving kindness endures forever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say
    that his loving kindness endures forever.
4 Now let those who fear [the Lord] say
    that his loving kindness endures forever.

You pushed me back hard, to make me fall,
    but [the Lord] helped me. 
[The Lord] is my strength and song.
14     He has become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous.
    “The right hand of [the Lord] does valiantly.

22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
23 This is [the Lord's] doing.
    It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that [the Lord] has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

The crowds sang this psalm as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Yet a week later they would put him to death. Why? Because the Jewish leaders did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They really underestimated Jesus. It turned out that Jesus was the very cornerstone of God's plan of salvation. Yet Jesus forgave them from the cross. He still forgives you and me today. Yes, God's mercy does endure forever. 

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I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet saying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter." Rev 1:9-13, 17-19

John is now a prisoner on the penal colony of Patmos. It's now 62 years after Jesus ascended into heaven. John was also with Peter and James at the Transfiguration when Jesus appeared in his glorified body with Moses and Elijah. He fainted then as well. Obviously seeing God in all his majesty and glory with our human eyes is too much to bear!

But what does Jesus do? He touches John and tells him to not be afraid. He is still alive. They may have killed his human body, but as God he is the alpha and the omega. He existed from the beginning and will live forever. He is the Lord of heaven, the earth and all things under the earth. He wants John to tell the churches that there is no reason to be afraid of death because he has defeated death once and for all. Jesus commands John to record the visions that the Holy Spirit will reveal to him, visions that will serve to strengthen the faith of his followers. John will record what he sees with his own eyes. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Their belief in him has saved them!

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When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31

John 20 is all about believing. Whose sins will be forgiven? Those who believe in Jesus. Whose sins will not be forgiven? Those who do not believe in Jesus.

Did Thomas finally believe that Christ was back from the dead? Of course, he now had physical proof. But what about those who have never seen him in the flesh? They will be blessed because their belief is based only on faith, not on physical evidence. God's house has many mansions. Will those who believed without proof get a bigger house? Maybe not, but those who believe in Jesus and seek to follow his precepts have hope of attaining Paradise where there is no death, suffering, illness, war, or persecution. Only peace. Amen!

Now go and serve our King!

John

Why does God permit evil? Do we really have free will?

We know from Scripture that God can not do anything evil; that he has a plan for all of us that was conceived before the creation of the world; that he is in control and that all of our choices eventually lead to the accomplishment of his plan.

God may not cause evil, but he certainly permits his creatures to commit evil acts. Scripture says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart after he allowed the Jews to depart Egypt. And that led to his pursuing them and the drowning of his army in the Red Sea. If we accept that God dispenses and withdraws his grace as he sees fit, then we can deduce that God withdrew his grace from Pharaoh and that "hardened his heart." But why would God want to destroy the Egyptian army? Was it to punish them for the way they mistreated his chosen people? Or was his reason more far reaching? Was it also necessary for the accomplishment of his plan of salvation for the world?

What about the extermination of the Jews in Hitler's concentration camps or the destruction of the Temple by the Romans and the Babylonians?  Was God punishing the Jews again? 

Do the innocent also suffer and die to accomplish God's will? Noah's flood killed all the people and animals on the planet except those in the ark. Surely, the animals were innocent! Was it because God wanted to make a fresh start? Was the flood a part of God's plan?

Obviously God is in control. He will not allow anyone or any demon to thwart his plan. Well, doesn't that negate free will? Did Judas really have to betray Jesus? And if he did, then he had no free will. Was it all preordained? It does appear that God preordains things to happen, but we can choose to participate. In other words, Jesus had to be betrayed, but if Judas had refused to do the deed, someone else would have taken his place. 

You might ask, "If God has that much control over affairs, doesn't that exempt us from sinning in the matter?" You are presuming that God does evil things. He cannot do evil because he is all holy. To ascribe evil to God would be to deny his holiness and that we can not do. No, we can choose not to commit evil acts. And if we sin, it is our own fault. But doesn't God set us up for failure? I would phrase the question differently: How does God bring good out of evil? Does God manipulate events so that his desired outcome is achieved? If his plan for salvation requires it, we must conclude that he does. Yet, we can choose if we want to participate. 

And what about the devil? We have no sympathy for him, but God is constantly turning the tables on him. After all, Judas' betrayal of Christ was an evil act, but it led to our redemption. Where did evil come from? Many believe that evil arose in the universe because of pride. Satan and his followers refused to serve. And after their fall from grace, they were determined to contaminate as much of the world as possible. We became the devil's prime target. But we know that good wins in the end. 

Why does God permit evil to thrive? Philosophers say that evil is the absence of good. They claim that without evil, we could not appreciate the glory of God. Perhaps God allows evil people (Nazis) and events (hurricanes) to move us to repentance and reliance on him. 

I do not claim to have the answers to such questions. Philosophers and saints have debated these questions through the centuries. We can never know the mind of God. Some mysteries will remain mysteries as long as we are in the flesh. Until we see God face to face, let us trust that he will always have our  best interests at heart. "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28

Now go and serve our King!

John

Happy Easter!

Imagine that someone you really love had died two days ago. Your heart is breaking. You grieve for your loss. How will your life go on without him or her. You will never again hear the sound of his voice. Her humorous stories are now just a memory. You will miss your walks together; the times he helped you heal and made the darkness disappear; the way she brought out the best in you and overlooked your many faults; and how he forgave you when you offended him. And now as you sit alone and think about all that he meant to you, your heart aches and you cry...

Now suppose that someone came and told you that she went to visit your loved one's tomb and it was empty! She must be mistaken! "Are you sure you went to the the right tomb?" "Did someone steal the body?" "That's impossible!" "That grave  was surely protected by some security system!" Now you are really upset. What kind of cruel joke is this? So you decide to see for yourself and discover that it is true. The body is missing.

Then your friend tells you that your loved one was seen nearby and has left a message for you. He's got a couple of things do first, but he will see you shortly. So you gather his friends together and wait for him to show up. And suddenly he is there standing beside you asking for something to eat! Words can not describe the joy and peace that fill your heart! 

Now imagine the sadness Jesus' mother, Mary, his disciples, friends, and followers felt at the loss of her child, their teacher, companion, and deliverer. They loved him. He was only 33 years old. They weep for this very Jesus who wept at the loss of his friend, Lazarus. Yes, Mary knew that Jesus' death was unavoidable, but she was his mother. And no mother should have to watch her child die like he did. But what were his followers thinking? "Did we get this all wrong?" "Are we next?"

Perhaps you now have some inkling of the joy and peace that flooded the minds, bodies and spirits of those in the upper room when Jesus appeared to them in his completely healed and glorified body! 

John 20:19-23

As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be to you." But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. He said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they still didn't believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. He took them, and ate in front of them.

Jesus was a gift from the Father to us. Let us thank him for the peace Jesus' resurrection brings to all the world. Death has lost its sting. The devil as been defeated. We will live again! Alleluia!

Now go and serve our risen Lord!

John

Today we remember and we grieve...

We Christians are shocked at the way things turned out for Jesus. Yet imagine how his mother Mary and his followers felt as the events of Good Friday took place in real time. What were the Jewish people so afraid of? Some were afraid the Romans would punish them if this Jesus threatened to undermine Roman rule. The Jewish leaders were afraid of losing their power and influence should Christianity take hold. What Jews and Romans were really afraid of was the truth. 

Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate and declared that he was the truth. And Pilate asked. "What is truth?" For Pilate, truth was Rome and all it stood for: power, might, control, pride, authority. Yet the Roman empire would fall to the pagan Goths. For the Jews, truth was contained in all of their laws. But God himself would replace the old covenant of ritual and regulation, which did not forgive sin, with a new covenant of forgiveness and reconciliation sealed in the bloody sacrifice of our Savior. It was his body and his blood that was given up for us so that all sins would be forgiven.

He tried to prepare his disciples for his passion. Did he not tell James and John that they would surely be called to make the ultimate sacrifice, to drink of his same cup? Jesus told them that the Son of Man would be tortured and killed. Yet they were shocked when it finally happened. He also showed Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration the glory that was to follow at the resurrection. But that was still two very long days away. And it would take a lot longer before the truth of what really took place on Calvary would be understood as necessary for our salvation. 

Jesus on the way to his crucifixion encountered some women who were crying bitterly at what they saw. He told them not to cry for him, but for themselves and for future generations who would refuse to believe in him. For if they treated the Son of Man so harshly when he walked among them, how would they treat his followers once he had ascended to the Father? It has been reported that almost 200 hundred million Christians are being persecuted today all over the world, even in America. Jesus knew the day would come when we would beg for a mountain to fall on top of us than rather then endure such horrible mistreatment. But this too shall pass.

In the meantime we remember and we grieve...

We remember Jesus' sacrifice, for without his death there would have been no resurrection. We remember how he healed the sick and the dying, the lame and the blind. He was really healing their souls. And he still heals our souls today. And we grieve because we miss his physical presence. Yet he is still with us in spirit. And he is coming back! 

Let us thank the Father today for sending his son to save us. And let us repent for all that we have done to hurt our Lord. For our sins were the nails that pierced his hands and feet. Our sins were the thorns that pierced his sacred head. Our sins were the spear that pierced his side. Today we remember and we grieve. So let us in deep gratitude nail our heart to the foot of his cross and pledge to never stray from him again. Amen.

Now go and serve our King!

John

Palm Sunday...

Today we will focus on Luke's depiction of Christ's arrival in Jerusalem at the start of passion week and St Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Luke 19:28-40

And having said these things, he went ahead, ascending to Jerusalem. And it happened that, when he had drawn near to Bethphage and Bethania, to the mount which is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, saying: “Go into the town which is opposite you. Upon entering it, you will find the colt of a donkey, tied, on which no man has ever sat. Untie it, and lead it here. And if anyone will ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this to him: ‘Because the Lord has requested its service.’”

And those who were sent went out, and they found the colt standing, just as he told them. Then, as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” -So they said, “Because the Lord has need of it.” And they led it to Jesus. And casting their garments on the colt, they helped Jesus onto it.

Then, as he was traveling, they were laying down their garments along the way. And when he was now drawing near to the descent of Mount Olivet, the entire crowd of his disciples began to praise God joyfully, with a loud voice, over all the powerful works which they had seen, saying: “Blessed is the king who has arrived in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory on high!”

And certain Pharisees within the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
And he said to them, “I tell you, that if these will keep silent, the stones themselves will cry out.”

Here we see Jesus arriving at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The people are excited that their savior has finally arrived. Yet, we can only ponder the sadness that Jesus must have experienced looking at the mountain where he would be praying so hard in a week to be delivered from his impending torture and death. His disciples are celebrating now, but next week they will be horrified to see their Master betrayed by Judas.

Notice that Jesus is not riding a war horse, but a humble donkey. The people are excited that the Messiah has finally arrive to defeat the Romans and restore the country to the Jewish people. However, his disciples know that Jesus' mission is one of peace and healing. They have seen so many miracles that they are bursting with joy that others are now recognizing the presence of the King of heaven and earth. 

Still, the Pharisees want Jesus to silence them. But even if Jesus had silenced his disciples, the earth would have rebelled. For the world is holding its breath. It knows what is about to happen and it can not restrain itself from expressing its joy at the King's arrival, any more than it will restrain itself from reacting when Jesus dies on the cross: the sun will go dark, the earth will quake, the Temple curtain will split in two, graves will burst, and the dead will walk among the people!


Phil 2:6-11

(Though) existing in the form of God, (Jesus) did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Here is one of the most powerful and vivid descriptions of the love of God for his creatures. We can not comprehend a love that prompts God the Son to take on human flesh. Can we even imagine the creator of the universe having to use the bathroom? Or that he would allow himself to be taken prisoner, tortured and murdered? Yet, that is how much he loves us. No wonder all those in heaven, on earth and even in hell (beneath the earth) kneel at the name of Jesus!

Let us take some time this week to meditate on Jesus' death and resurrection, to thank God for his wonderful gift of salvation, and to proclaim with all God's creation that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Now go and serve our King!

John

Today's readings are about forgiveness:

First reading:  Is 43:16-21

Thus says the Lord, who gave you a way through the sea and a path through the torrent of waters, who led out the chariot and the horse, the column of robust troops. They went to sleep together, and they will not arise. They have been crushed like flax, and they have been extinguished. You need not call to mind the past, nor consider the things of antiquity. Behold, I am accomplishing new things. And presently, they will spring forth. With certainty, you will know them. I will make a way in the desert, and rivers in an impassible place. The wild beasts of the field will glorify me, with the serpents and the ostriches. For I have brought waters to the desert, rivers to inaccessible places, in order to give drink to my people, to my elect. This is the people whom I have formed for myself. They will speak my praise. 

In the first reading, God tells us through Isaiah to forget the past for he is creating something brand new. The law of Moses was not enough to reconcile us to God. Sure he saved his people from the Egyptians, but the gates of heaven were still closed. However, God says all of that is about to change for the elect. Who are the elect? Keep reading!

Second reading: Ps 126:1-6

When the Lord turned back the captivity of Zion, we became like those who are consoled. Then our mouth was filled with gladness and our tongue with exultation. Then they will say among the nations: “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us. We have become joyful. Convert our captivity, O Lord, like a torrent in the south. Those who sow in tears shall reap in exultation. When departing, they went forth and wept, sowing their seeds. But when returning, they will arrive with exultation, carrying their sheaves. Ps 126:1-6

In the second reading, the psalmist reminds us again of how elated the Israelites were when they were freed from captivity. Yet right now he is doing great things for us! Sowers of seed are about to reap a great harvest. But who are these reapers? Keep reading!

Third reading: Ph 3:8-14

Yet truly, I consider everything to be a loss, because of the preeminent knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of everything, considering it all to be like dung, so that I may gain Christ, and so that you may be found in him, not having my justice, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ Jesus, the justice within faith, which is of God. So shall I know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his Passion, having been fashioned according to his death, if, by some means, I might attain to the resurrection which is from the dead. It is not as though I have already received this, or were already perfect. But rather I pursue, so that by some means I might attain, that in which I have already been attained by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider that I have already attained this. Instead, I do one thing: forgetting those things that are behind, and extending myself toward those things that are ahead, I pursue the destination, the prize of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.

In the third reading, St. Paul also advises us to forget the imperfect laws of the past. They could not save God's people. Our true salvation comes from our faith in Jesus who died and rose from the dead.

Fourth reading: John 8:1-11

But Jesus continued on to the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning, he went again to the temple; and all the people came to him. And sitting down, he taught them. Now the scribes and Pharisees brought forward a woman caught in adultery, and they stood her in front of them. And they said to him: “Teacher, this woman was just now caught in adultery. And in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a one. Therefore, what do you say?” But they were saying this to test him, so that they might be able to accuse him. Then Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the earth. And then, when they persevered in questioning him, he stood upright and said to them, “Let whoever is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” And bending down again, he wrote on the earth. But upon hearing this, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, with the woman standing in front of him. Then Jesus, raising himself up, said to her: “Woman, where are those who accused you? Has no one condemned you?” And she said, “No one, Lord.” Then Jesus said: “Neither will I condemn you. Go, and now do not choose to sin anymore.”

In John's gospel, we see that the Jewish elders are trying to trick Jesus into committing an offense against the law of Moses. But Jesus knows what they are up to and he starts to write their sins in the sand. He knew that they were just as guilty of sin as she was. So who was left to accuse the woman? Jesus. And was Jesus going to condemn her? He had every right since he was God and completely sinless. Yet he forgave her without hesitation. And although he told her to not sin any more, he knows how weak we are and that no one alive is capable of living a life without sin. 

So did Jesus expect her to sin again? Yes. And would he forgive her again. Yes, if she repented again. We have to keep repenting, again and again. How many times will Jesus forgive us for committing the same sins? 7 times 70 times? No, he will forgive us an unlimited number of times as long as we try to do what is right and beg forgiveness when we fail. That's what sin means: "to miss the mark." In other words, we have to at least aim at the target (live a righteous life). 

So what's the good news? We have been saved by the death and resurrection of Christ. Who are the elect? Those who place their faith in Christ. Who are the happy reapers? Those who have been released from the captivity of sin and realize that heaven is their reward if they repent and keep trying to do God's will. And who is in hell? Only those who refuse to repent! So let us keep fighting the good fight, trusting that Jesus will always forgive repentant sinners. For they shall see God!

Now go and serve our King!

John