Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Recognize Jesus in daily life John 21:1-14  It would be nice if we connect the Resurrection experiences of the apostles with our daily life experiences.  These are the usual things that we do, like the usual things the apostles did like fishing.  We are also confronted with the daily challenges like the confrontation of the apostles with the reactive pharisees.   In the midst of these daily experiences let us strive to do the following: First, always give witness to Jesus - never lose sight of giving witness to Jesus in a world that tends to forget him; Second, offer every action to Jesus - whether this be fishing or office work, or school work, never lose sight of Jesus in daily life; Third, always recognize Jesus in the midst - the apostles recognized Jesus in the catch of fish; the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, defended the faith from those who wish its death. Let's strive always to give witness to Jesus even in the ordinariness of life.

The Church, a sign of the resurrection of Jesus Luke 24:35-48 The resurrection stories are marked by a movement from disbelief to belief, confusion to clarity, and sorrow to joy.  This is the message of Jesus.  But there are profound teachings underneath the miracle of the resurrection: First, that Jesus is the Christ foretold in the Old Testament We are called to challenge even the little faith we have in Jesus instead of the things of this world; nourish it and make it grow. Second, that Jesus makes possible the forgiveness of sins Jesus would not allow men and women to die in their sins.  This is the central message of the resurrection.  Death and sin have no power over him. Third, we are called to be witness to the resurrection of Jesus This marks the very mission of the Church; it is the very reason of its existence - to tell the story of the resurrection and cause the resurrection of people. In a world geared to gloom and despair, the Church...

Called to announce the Good News John 20:11-18 Fresh from the Easter experiences, like Mary Magdalene and Peter, we are called to be proclaimers of the resurrection of Jesus.  What particular aspect of the resurrection do we proclaim about? First, always proclaim the forgiveness of sins.  Sin leads to death; forgiveness leads to life.  We who are condemned to punishment are made clean through the forgiveness of Jesus.  Let us focus on forgiveness rather than condemning people to death.  We just don't have the right mind to do it. Second, always proclaim hope, life, and joy.  Proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection of Jesus.  The Holy Father and the entire Church and all its members transmit no other news except this one; St. Paul said, "If Christ didn't rise from the dead, our faith is useless."  Our existence as Church does not depend on human efforts but simply on the grace of Jesus resurrected.  That's why we practice our f...

The face of the resurrection Luke 8:1-3 The issue raised by St. Paul is about the resurrection of Jesus which is central to the faith, "If Christ had not been raised from the dead our faith is useless." In the gospel, there were women who assisted Jesus from their own resources.  If they hadn't believed in Jesus, why would they spend from their resources?  Would we also do the same for Jesus? We need to reflect if all our actions result from Christ's resurrection.  If an action is selfish, there is no resurrection. An action inspired by the resurrection is overwhelmingly generous; it seeks the life of another and it is worth spending every time, talent, and treasure for the sake of the conversion of others. Second, a resurrection-inspired action is marked by hope that there will be change and new life. Third, a resurrection-inspired action reveals the face of heaven even in our smallest action.  Be it in the secular world, if in our actions and decision...

The fruitfulness of the Resurrection John 21:1-14 The Easter experience has produced 5,000 converts.  It also caused Peter to gain wisdom and with the gift of the Holy Spirit, proclaim the Good News of salvation.  Also, the Easter experience enabled the disciples to have a continuing direct encounter with Jesus even after his death. What can Easter make of us? Our adherence to the Eucharist enables us to have a direct experience of the Resurrection of Jesus that no other religious activity can supply.  This is the sacrament of Jesus' direct presence in the world as he commanded, "Do this in memory of me." Second, the power of the Eucharist enables us to proclaim a message of hope for the hopeless and a conversion experience that will have an eternal effect in all people, including us. Finally, the Resurrection of Jesus can enable us to experience Him even after 2,000 years.  Jesus is here and now; we just need to continue opening our eyes to His presence ...

A resurrected life Luke 7:36-50 How do we reflect the resurrected Lord in our lives? 1. learn his stories 2. teach his stories 3. form communities of the resurrection 4. Let our every action give life to others at all costs