Our Sunday Reflections

CLICK HERE for the Audio recording of the Readings of
April 26th, 2020.  Third Sunday of Easter. 

CLICK HERE for the Readings of April 26th, 2020.  Third Sunday of Easter. 

SELECT HERE for the Audio recording of Fr. Anthony's Reflection.

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Join Fr. Anthony as he reflects on his memories from his childhood days through his life's journey from Uganda to Lunenburg...

"This also gives you the impression of what Church and faith are to me, my family and the people from the area I grew up."  -Fr. Anthony   READ MORE

April 26th, 2020.  Third Sunday of Easter.  

SELECT HERE for the Audio recording of Fr. Anthony's Reflection.
 

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them..."Let this be known to you, and listen to my words...This man (Jesus the Nazarene) delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed…But God raised him up….of this we are witnesses."
Acts of the Apostles  2: 14, 23, 32

Uncovering 'the plan of God'

 
When was the last time you encountered a circumstance in your life that forced you to question what God’s plan is for you?  How does one discover the plan of God?  How does it unfold? 

I am sure in this pandemic, many have asked themselves these or similar questions.
In today’s First Reading, Peter uncovers for his listeners, the plan of God and the pattern of how it unfolds.  The plan of God is a paradox because for God –pain can lead to gain. 
Peter, totally of character (not the Peter we know) ‘stood up’ (he takes a Speaker’s posture, convinced and unafraid) and raises his voice.  He speaks with the raw gut of one who is a firsthand witness.  He says "This man Jesus , commended to you by God, you killed…but God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it."  Peter has discovered that with God, what seems a circumstance of test, pain, trial, and an obstacle, can lead to gain.  God indeed has the last word.

What sort of things are the disciples conversing and debating about as they journey to Emmaus?  They sound defeated and disappointed.  They too ask, where and what is the plan of God in the last events of Jesus’ life- his suffering, dying and rising?  They do not get it at all!   A stranger joins them on their journey and asks what they are debating about?  They frown on him; who does not know the talk of town- Jesus a prophet in might and deed, one who was hoped to be the new king of Israel; how he was handed over to the Jews to be killed, after his death and burial; women from their group had gone to the tomb after a few days, they had seen a vision of angels but him they did not see!  The disciples are pained by all this?  Where is he?  What is all this about? 
The stranger then replies: "Oh how foolish you are!  How slow to heart to believe all that the prophets spoke." He begins to interpret the scriptures and after they invite him at table.  As he breaks the bread, they recognize that it is Jesus, but he vanishes from their sight.

We like the disciples will be on the road to Emmaus often.  It is the road of Life’s journey.  Along this road, we have a lot of conversations, debates and questions.  It is a road of ups and downs, success and frustrations, advantage and disadvantage, hope and emptiness.  It can be a rocky and bumpy road.  Jesus, however, wants to be part of our journey, our road experience for a reason:  to interpret for us, its curves and bends, its hidden exits and dead ends.  By his word and spirt he will share with us with much clarity and foresightedness the plan of God.  It is up to us, however, to allow him to be part of our road journey.  If we put him out or refuse him a place in our midst, we are sure of how things will end.  Let nothing force you to mute God in your life.
Might we also have a challenge here- be and act like Christ to others on the road journey of life?  Reveal God’s presence by our actions and words.  Deeds that ‘step in’ and ‘lift up’, actions of self-denial and self-giving, totally detached from self-interest.  Erase fear and quieten doubt.  Be a hope-monger for God.  Our biggest hurdle, we will find, is seeking and finding those who are in times of trial, pain, difficulty, frustration etc... That we as Christians never be indifferent to their situations or journey. 

The more we are ‘in the midst’ of pain/emptiness of others and act like Christ, we will soon or later, see the plan of God unfold for us too. This is the pattern of God.
 
A Blessed week in the Lord,
Fr. Anthony



View the below video for another Reflection on the readings.