Category: Daily Reflections

“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going out to fish.’ ” –John 21:3 Mass Readings: April 21 First: Acts 4:1-12; Resp: Psalm 118:1-2,4,22-27; Gospel: John 21:1-14 Listen to the Mass Readings St. Peter denied Christ three times. Most people think of these denials as Peter’s worst sins. However, when Peter tried to go back into the fishing business, he may have committed his worst sin. Peter acted as if he had never met Jesus. He went back to B.C., to business as usual, to a Christless existence. After Jesus got Peter’s attention, He went “back to square one.” He...

Jesus said: ” ‘Everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms had to be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures.” –Luke 24:44-45 Mass Readings: April 20 First: Acts 3:11-26; Resp: Psalm 8:2,5-9; Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 We recognize the risen Christ when: Jesus opens our “minds to the understanding of the Scriptures,” Jesus breaks bread with us (Lk 24:35), that is, gives Himself to us in Holy Communion, we receive the Holy Spirit in a new Pentecost, and we witness for Jesus (see Acts 1:8; Lk 24:48). The beginning...

“The Lord has been raised! It is true! He has appeared to Simon [Peter].” –Luke 24:34 Mass Readings: April 19 First: Acts 3:1-10; Resp: Psalm 105:1-4,6-9; Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 The Holy Spirit inspired the authors of Scripture to testify that the risen Jesus appeared especially to St. Peter (also known in the New Testament as Simon, Simon Peter, Cephas, and Kephas) before appearing to the entire group of apostles. St. Paul also makes a special reference “that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve” (1 Cor 15:5). These, and other references, give evidence to the primacy of Peter....

“His disciples came during the night and stole him while we were asleep.” –Matthew 28:13 Mass Readings: April 17 First: Acts 2:14,22-33; Resp: Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11;Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15 The soldiers guarding the tomb were the first witnesses to the Resurrection. As they guarded the tomb of Jesus, “there was a mighty earthquake, as the angel of the Lord descended from heaven…The guards grew paralyzed with fear of him and fell down like dead men” (Mt 28:2, 4). The chief priests instructed the soldiers to say that Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole him when they were asleep (Mt 28:13)....