6^th SUNDAY OF EASTER-C

I Reading: Acts 15:1-2.22-29: It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials.

II Reading: Apocalypse 21:10-14.22-23: He showed me the holy city coming down out of heaven.

Gospel: John 14:23-29: The Holy Spirit will remind you of all I have said to you.

The Holy Spirit: Who He is, 14:15-26

There are three great Scriptures that deal with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit at length.

1. The Identity of the Holy Spirit or who He is (Jn 14:15-26)

2. The work of the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:7-15)

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:1-17)

The greatest help the believers are to receive is the very presence of God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit. It is this that Jesus now reveals. He reveals the Holy Spirit, His identity, who He is (Jn 16:7-15 where Jesus reveals the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit in Rom 8:1-17).

1. Fact: If a person loves Jesus, he will keep His commandments (v.15)

2. He is the Counselor, the Comforter, the other Helper (v.16)

3. He is the Spirit of truth (v.17)

a. The world cannot accept Him

b. The believer does receive Him and know Him

4. He is the personal presence of Christ (v.18-20)

a. A spiritual presence not a physical one

b. A living and eternal presence

c. A living union between God, Christ and the believer

5. He is the very special manifestation of Christ within the believer (v.21-22)

a. The special presence is conditional: Must obey and love Christ

b. The special presence is questioned

6. He is the abiding presence of the Trinity (v.23-24)

a. Is conditional: Must love and obey Jesus

b. Is the love and presence of God and Christ

c. Is not given to those who do not love and obey Christ

d. Is assured by God Himself

7. He is the Holy Spirit, the Teacher (v.25-26)

a. The facts

  1) He is promised

  2) He is given by the Father in the name of Jesus

b. His purpose

  1) To teach the believer all things: both the words and life of Christ, both the truth and the life, both the  Word and how to live the Word, both the theory and practice, both the principles and conduct, both the morality and behaviour.

  2) To help the believer to remember all that has been taught in the Word of God, to help especially in the moments of trail when the truth is needed (1Cor 10:13, 2:13; Lk 12:12; Jn 14:26, 16:13; 1Jn 2:27).

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5^th SUNDAY OF EASTER-C

I Reading: Acts 14:21-27: They gave an account to the Church of all that God had done with them.

II Reading: Apocalypse 21:1-5: God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Gospel: John 13:31-35: I give you a new commandment: love one another.

The Departure of Jesus From This World, 13:31-38

What kind of Christian community does the Risen Lord wants us to be? How can we love God and our neighbours?

Jesus told his disciples after the washing of feet in the last supper, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just I have loved you. You also love one another.” Jn 13:34

What kind of love is Jesus talking about?

It is a serving love: I did not come to be served but serve people.

It is a merciful love: Jesus had compassion and mercy seeing the crowd who were without food and drink. Jesus had mercy and compassion to the poor, sick, suffering, widow, sinners, tax collectors etc.

It is a total commitment and dedication love: I (the good shepherd) lay down my life for my sheep at any cost to save the life of each sheep.

It is an agape love(selfless, total love, the highest love): Jesus loved the people selflessly without any expectation from people.

It is a forgiving love: Jesus on the cross said, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what are they doing?”

By your love, they will come to know that you are my disciples.

The risen Christ calls us to be faithful to the covenant we signed with him at Baptism, to proclaim the Good News to the people, to be committed to love one another whatever the cost, to share the joys and sorrows of our Christian brothers and sisters and finally to go through life joyfully with God to our permanent home heaven. Jesus as our good leader himself leads us on our way home. Let us experience the love of Jesus and love our brothers and sisters unconditionally as God loved us.

The death and departure of Jesus from the world was most significant.

1. Jesus’ death brought a threefold glory (v.31-32)

a. The Son of Man’s glory: The Cross

b. God’s glory: Jesus’ obedience

c. Jesus’ glory: The Resurrection

2. Jesus’ death demanded a new commandment (v.33-35)

a. The reason: His departure from the earth

b. The new commandment: To love as Jesus loved

c. The mark of a true discipleship: Love

3. Jesus’ death revealed stumbling loyalty (v.36-38)

a. Cause 1: Misunderstanding Jesus’ death

b. Cause 2: Carnal commitment

Thought: How many make the same mistake about the cross? Misunderstanding the cross and Jesus as the exalted Lord (as opposed to His being just as a great teacher) causes stumbling and faltering faith. (1Cor 1:18, 23; 2Cor 4:3-5)

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4^th SUNDAY OF EASTER-C

I Reading: Acts 13:14.43-52: We must turn to the pagans.

II Reading: Apocalypse 7:9.14-17: The Lamb will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water.

Gospel: John 10:27-30: I give eternal life to the sheep that belong to me.

The Great Shepherd’s Claims, 10:22-42

Jesus Christ is the great shepherd-great because of who He is. Note the phenomenal claims He made. Jesus Christ claimed to be “the Good Shepherd.” He is not a bad or a false shepherd.

1. Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication (v.22-24)

a. It was a winter

b. He was walking in Solomon’s colonnade

c. The religionists approached and questioned Him

2. Claim 1: He is the Messiah (v.25-29)

a. Religionists did not believe

  1) His clear claim

  2) His works are proof

  3) Reason: The religionists were not of His sheep

b. His sheep believe

  1) Are receptive

  2) Are known

  3) Do follow v.27

  4) Are given life

  5) Are kept from perishing

  6) Are secure

  7) Are assured a double security in God Himself

3. Claims 2: He is one God, that is, He is God Himself (v.30-33)

a. The religionists reacted

b. Jesus questioned their reaction

c. The religionists admitted that His works were good

d. The religionists understood His claim, but they rejected Him

4. Claim 3: He is the Son of God (v.34-36)

a. Jesus showed man’s inconsistency

b. Jesus’ claim

  1) The Father sacrificed Him, set Him apart

  2) The Father sent Him

  3) He is the Son of God

5. Claim 4: God is in Him and He is in God-absolutely (v.37-39).

a. His works prove

b. He was still rejected

6. Conclusion: Jesus retired (v.40-42)

a. Jesus went to the area of John the Baptist

b. John’s crowds began to follow Jesus

c. Many believed in Jesus

Thought: Who is Jesus for us today? How many of us/missionaries work and die knowingly, willingly and voluntarily for the people of God as a good shepherd in our Church?

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2^nd SUNDAY OF EASTER-C

I Reading: Acts 5:12-16:The numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily.

II Reading: Apocalypse 1:9-13.17-19: I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever.

Gospel: John 20:19-31: Eight days later, Jesus came.

The Great Character of the Church-Jesus Appears to the Disciples,

John 20:19-23

This was the first appearance of Jesus to His disciples as a group after His resurrection. What would His talk and conversation about? John focuses upon the subjects and topics discussed when Jesus first appeared to the disciples.

1.    The disciples were hiding in fear (v.19)

a.    Was the same day: at night

b.   Discussed reports

c.    Jesus appeared suddenly

2.    Subject 1: The risen Lord-His presence was very real (v.19-20)

a.    His message: Peace

b.   His wounds: Evidence

c.    His effect: Unbelievable joy and gladness when they saw Him

3.    Subject 2: The Great Commission (v.21)

4.    Subject 3: The Holy Spirit (v.22-23)

a.    The endowment or the giving of the Spirit

b.   The authority

 

The Great Conviction-Thomas’ Confession, John 20:24-29

This is an excellent study on conviction and confession. It is the great conviction and confession of Thomas.

1.    Thomas’ frustrated reactionary spirit (v.24-25)

a.    The disciples testified; Thomas argued

b.   The reason: Guilt-he had forsaken and withdrawn from them

2.    Thomas’ false picture of Jesus (v.25-26).

a.    He was just an earthly deliverer

b.   He was now dead

c.    Result: persistent doubt for eight days

3.    Thomas’ critical confrontation and confession: Jesus appeared and challenged and convicted him (v.26-28)

a.    The confrontation

1)   Jesus was aware of Thomas’ demands

2)   Jesus warned and called for belief

4.    Thomas’ great lesson for all men (v.29)

 

The Great Purpose of the Signs (Wonderful Works) of Jesus, 20:30-31

 It is quite clear that the gospel writers did not include all that Jesus did in their gospels. A few signs are recorded which are very essential for people according to the plan of God. The word “Sign” chosen by John who demonstrates that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. In these two verses, John gives the great purpose of the sings.

1.    The great fact: Jesus did many signs or wonderful works (v.30)

a.    In the disciples’ presence

b.   Not recorded by John

2.    The great purpose: To select a few signs that would lead to belief (v.31)

a.    Jesus is the Messiah

b.   Jesus is the Son of God

3.    The great result: Life through Jesus’ name

Thought: Jesus gave all the evidence in the world:

·     Acts of love and purity

·     Acts of righteousness and justice

·     Works of mercy and compassion

·     Works of miracles and power

·     Works of godliness and sovereignty

·     Words of truth and salvation

·     Words of peace and faith

·     Words of hope and joy

·     Words of morality and discipline

·     Words of commitment and self-denial

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EASTER SUNDAY, MASS OF THE DAY-Year A,B,C

I Reading: Acts 10: 34, 37-43: Peter’s Testimony-We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.

II Reading: Colossians 3:1-4: Life with Christ-You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.

Gospel: John 20:1-9: He must rise from the dead.

 

The Great Discovery-The Empty Tomb, 20:1-10

In studying John’s account, it must be remembered that John was writing an historical account. He was not interested in giving insurmountable evidence for the resurrection. His interest was twofold:

(1)                    To give the evidence that led him to immediately understand and believe.

(2)                    To give enough evidence to lead anyone to immediate belief-if a person is willing to believe.

He was interested in giving enough evidence to make anyone’s faith viable and respectable. Now having said this, John’s record of Jesus’ resurrection is a strong historical account of the event. To an honest, objective and good heart, the evidence is convincing (Lk 8: 15).

1.    John’s gospel eliminates any possibility of his fabricating a lie, especially a lie of such immoral proportions.

2.    The phenomenal event actually took place. Peter and John’s running and John’s outrunning Peter; Mary’s human response of frantic bewilderment; the author’s fearing and hesitating to enter a tomb; the author’s believing without physical fact and admitting that his belief was not based upon an understanding of Scripture.

3.    The head wrapping is strong evidence for the resurrection. Only the head piece is actually said to be folded up by itself. The other pieces are assumed to be still folded up because of the phrase “separate from the linen.”

4.    The changed lives of the Lord’s disciples are indisputable evidence. It is psychological evidence. They were propelled by a dynamic power and bold courage. They preached and proclaimed the risen Christ to the very people who were seeking to arrest and execute them because the Lord had indeed risen, and He had planted within them a dynamic new power never before experienced by man.

In discussing evidences, we must remember that God through inspiration has not formulated the Scripture that He is (exists), that He is love and that He has shown His love supremely by sending His own Son to save a lost and dying world. What God wants from us is to love and belief, love for the Lord Jesus and belief in the supreme power of a loving God. This is just the point of the resurrection account. We are to believe because we love even as Mary and John loved (Mt 28:1; Jn 20:7-10; Heb 11:6; 1Jn 3:23).

1.    Mary’s unquestioning discovery: The unsealed tomb (v.1-2)

a.    She visited early

b.   She saw the stone rolled back

c.    She ran to Peter

d.   She revealed unquestioning love: “They have taken the Lord”

2.    Peter and John’s shocking discovery: The strips of linen (v.3-6)

a.    They ran to the tomb

b.   John glanced in: Saw the strips of linen

c.    Peter entered: Saw the strips of linen

3.    John’s thoughtful discovery: The undisturbed strips of linen (v.7-10)

a.    The strips of linen

1)   They were lying “undisturbed”

2)   The head wrapping was still folded

b.   The immediate belief

1)   John saw and believed

2)   He finally understood the Scripture

Thought: It is because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is an empty tomb and not the other way.

 

WISHING YOU A JOYFUL EASTER & PEACE & JOY OF THE RISEN CHRIST!

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THE EASTER VIGIL-Year C

I Reading: Romans 6:3-11

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12

JESUS’ EMPTY TOMB: ITS DISCOVERY, 24:1-12

None of the synoptic accounts agree in the details of the empty tomb. Luke, for instance, records two angels, as also does John. These apparent discrepancies rather tend to be proofs of historicity. The information by those who were present, the source material of the evangelists, was bound to vary for they had witnessed the most stupendous event in human history, the event without which the Christian faith would have no meaning.

The empty tomb was empty. Discovering the empty tomb was the greatest discovery in human history. However, the great tragedy is that most people either are not aware that Jesus arose or do not believe that He arose. Every person has to discover the fact for himself. The empty tomb and the risen Lord have to become a personal discovery for every person.

1.    The first day of the week (v.1)

2.    The first witness of the resurrection (v.1)

3.    The great stone rolled away (v.2)

4.    The body missing from the tomb (v.3)

5.    The two angels and their unbelievable message (v.4-8)

a. Their dazzling clothes

b. Their question

c. Their proclamation

d. Their reminder of Jesus’ prophecy

6. The immediate unbelief of the apostles (v.9-11)

a. The message of the resurrection is carried by women-initially

b. The message of the resurrection is accepted as nonsense

7. The continued unbelief of Peter (v.12)

a. He ran to see-hopefully

b. He saw evidence: Linen clothes folded and off to the side

c. He wondered

Thought: What is needed is to do as Peter did: run to the tomb to see what really did happen.

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THE EASTER VIGIL

MASS OF EASTER NIGHT

I Reading: Romans 6:3-11

Gospel: Mark 16:1-7

JESUS’ VICTORY OVER DEATH & HIS GREAT COMMISSION,

John 16:1-20

The Proofs of the Resurrection, Mk 16: 1-13

There are eleven proofs (events) of the resurrection of Jesus in these verses-proofs that should stir faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1.    The sad and despairing women (v.1-3)

a.    They witnessed his death and burial

b.   They bought and brought spices to anoint his body

c.    They were strict religionists who obeyed the law

d.   They were practical, sensible, thinking women-not hysterical, nor deceived

2.    The rolled away stone (v.4)

3.    The young man dressed in a white robe (v.5-6)

a.    He sat on the right side

b.   He made a frightening appearance

c.    He commanded authority

4.    The missing body of Jesus (v.6)

5.    The compassionate, encouraging word to Peter (v.7)

6.    The fulfilment of the Lord’s promise (v.7)

7.    The fright and silence of the women (v.8)

8.    The appearance to Mary Magdalene (v.9-10)

9.    The immediate unbelief of the disciples (v.11) (Mk 16:14; Jn 3:18; Heb 3:12; 4:11)

10.                    The appearance to two disciples (v.12)

11.                    The  continued unbelief of other disciples (v.13) (Lk 24:25; Mk 4:40; Jn 3:36; 8:24)

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