Jn 3:31-36 Infuriated or Scared?

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
(Click here for readings)

By FR ALFONSE NAZZARO

The one who comes from above is above all.  The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.


What will separate you from God?  If you have never had the chance to read "The Acts of the Apostles," then I suggest you read it today.  You will find great strength (and peace) from it.  After all, it's pretty clear that threats of prison time, torture or even death did not prevent the Apostles from sharing the Good News with Jews and/or Gentiles.

"When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 'We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name.  Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching...'

But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, 'We must obey God rather than men.'

When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death."

Infuriated or scared?  For me, it's pretty obvious: the members of the Sanhedrin were scared of the Apostles and scared out of their minds!  Why?  Because they did not know how to stop this new found faith from spreading.  Threats were not working.  Scare tactics were not working.  Court orders were not working.  Severe punishments were not working.  Nothing was working!  Not even beatings were working. 

Not even stoning to death their leaders was working! 

The followers of Jesus have always found heroic strength in their martyrs.

We must obey God rather than men.  As today's Gospel passage points out:  Those who are "earthly" speak of only earthly things.  What it fails to mention is that sometimes those who are only "earthly" appear to look like clowns or loonies.  Case in point.

Recently, I came across an article regarding John Hopkins University (JHU), the prestigious medical university in the great state of Maryland.  It turns out that a student committee, along with JHU faculty advisers, rejected a Pro-Life display that contained images of fetuses in various stages of development.  The faculty adviser responsible for the initial rejection was Assistant Director of Student Activities Janet Kirsch.  She sent an email to JHU Voice for Life that read in part:  “We've reviewed your pictures with our advisers and have determined that your display contains triggering and disturbing images and content.”

What???  Real life images of fetuses are disturbing images?  This is a medical university for goodness sake! 

Like I said, crazy and foolish. 

After some protests and some major news organizations picking up the story, the committee reversed their ban, stating, “We… were wrong in our initial decision and, upon further reflection, have decided we will not impose restrictions on the displays presented by any community groups at Spring Fair... The committee values free speech.” 

Oh yes, the committee values free speech. 
Sure!

Andrew Guernsey, the president of JHU's Voice of Life, commented on the whole affair in a very classy way, "I certainly find it ironic that a university that has dedicated itself to the advancement of medicine and biology would find displaying medically accurate fetal models disturbing and offensive...I mean, these are images shown in high school textbooks.”

According to Foxnews, two years ago, a pro-choice group on campus submitted a complaint arguing that the pro-life display constituted “harassment”, and the student government tried to forbid JHU Voice For Life from being recognized as an official student group, before eventually being overruled.

Oh, imagine a world without religion.  Imagine a world run by Pro-Choice activists (who apparently believe you should only have one choice - their choice - when it comes to information) and those secularists and atheists who claim to be only scientifically driven or data driven and yet are infuriated by medically accurate images of fetuses! Or simply put, truth and information.

But I wonder...Are these students or faculty advisors infuriated or just scared?

Acts 5:17-26 Truth and Violence

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Click here for readings)

By Benedict Augustine

“But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,

led them out, and said,

‘Go and take your place in the temple area,

and tell the people everything about this life.’”

When a person speaks truth, especially to power, orto corruption, or to oppression, or to hypocrisy, those who spread falsehood have no choice but to stop debating. Falsehood cannot overcome truth on truth’s terms; and often, falsehood cannot even overcome truth on falsehood’s own terms since common sense will usually interfere. The person in error who confronts the truth has no choice but to change (convert) or simply stop the speaker. Not surprisingly, those in power pick the latter every time.

During the transition between Emperor Claudius andhis deranged nephew Nero, authority from Rome loosened in the outer provinces of the empire, like Judea. This allowed the Jewish authorities, the Sanhedrin, to impose their own punishments without restraint from Roman authorities against the nascent Christian community. This created even more difficulties for Peter and the apostles: with the religiously eclectic Gentiles who knew next to nothing about Christianity, the disciples could at least establish their churches in relative peace; with a power-hungry Jewish elite hoping to rebuff Rome as well the first Christians, the disciples would have to endure the persecution of fellow Jews as well as the Romans who assumed that the Christians had designs at rebellion as well.

Despite this situation, Peter perseveres heroically.Such was the life of an apostle. Very seldom would a perfect situation arise for the church to spread and prosper. Peter and the early Church coped with the Judiazers and Roman emperors; apostles of the early middle ages struggled with vicious barbarians from the East and North as well as Muslims from the south; apostles of the late middle  ages and renaissance continued to deal with the Muslim aggression as well as corruption within the Church;apostles of the baroque and enlightenment periodbore the brunt of the religious wars and the consequent heresy and skepticism afterward; finally modern apostles continue to face secular authorities opposing their efforts.

Throughout history, the apostle has had only one weapon to face his many enemies: the truth of the gospel. As mentioned previously, the enemies who embrace falsehood cannot put out the truth, but they can put out the speakers of truth. Hence, theyphysically imprison and kill the apostles in an effort to silence them.

Today, many countries around the world do the same. Raul Castro, the man with whom the president hopes to do business, imprisoned over sixty Cubans attending Mass and hundreds other speaking out against his tyranny. In China, America’s biggest trading partner, many Christians face imprisonment, torture, and complete silencing. Recently in Kenya, a Muslim terrorist group killed over a hundred Christians attending a university – though more reporters and editorialist felt like discussing the possible discrimination of homosexuals from Christian wedding bakers and photographers in Indiana than the actual massacre of Christians in Africa. Now, as before, Christians speaking the truth have little public support.

Sometimes the pressure to comply with falsehood leads to the construction of psychological prisons. For many, the media, social conventions, and possible political advancement leads many potential apostles to silence themselves and put their ownfaith in prison. Starting from a young age, people are taught to tolerate everything and keep their faith personal. Anyone who defies this lesson faces charges bigotry, kookiness, and social ostracism. This situation leaves only the sleazy comedians andpublic enemies of the Church to flagrantly denounce truth with impunity.

Fortunately, an apostle has God’s help and encouragement to fight through this adversity. God sends His angel to open the prison and command Peter to “tell the people everything about this life.” He says the same to all Christians in prisons, both tangible and intangible, to go and do the same. They can go and tell the world about this life of Christ, this life of His disciples, this life they hope to have one day in heaven. Otherwise, they can stay in prison and let the light of truth go out and live in darkness.

John sums up the ongoing conflict of the apostle succinctly: “And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” Those who engage in falsehood and evil, like the Romans, or the Sanhedrin, or the secular and Muslim authorities of today, will not enter into truth-finding dialogue with professing Christians; they will fight dirty and use every vicious tool to bring their foe into submission. Their pride which enslaves them and their victimswill always trump truth. They prefer the darkness.

Christians have the challenge to bring light into thisdark world. No one should treat this as an easy thing. In all times and all places, conversion requires a struggle of both the convert and the apostle. Christ has empowered His Church to support these two parties, not as a refuge for shy Christians but as Pope Francis said so famously, as a hospital for sinners. Like Peter and the other disciples, Catholics today must bravely enter the battlefield and bring back the spiritually wounded. God’s angels have opened the door.

Jn 3:7-18 Being Born Again

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter
(Click here for readings)

By FR ALFONSE NAZZARO

Jesus said to Nicodemus:  "You must be born from above."  ...Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can this happen?"  Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?  Amen, amen, I say to you, ...If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?"

What is born of flesh is flesh.  Jesus is trying to have a spiritual conversation with Nicodemus, who, supposedly, is an expert in spiritual things.  But their conversation isn't going so well.  Why?  Because Nicodemus, a Pharisee, is thinking like Pilate - like a rational man.

Am I living my life on just one playing field?  Or am I living my life on multiple playing fields?  In other words, am I living my life on reason alone or am I living my life on faith and reason?

Nicodemus cannot seem to break free from the chains of an earthly mentality.  This comes as a surprise to Jesus.  After all, Nicodemus touts himself as a spiritual man.  And yet, Nicodemus fails to comprehend things beyond flesh and bones.  In fact, when Jesus tells him that he must be born again, Nicodemus replies by saying "How can a man once grown old be born again?"  

Ugh!

What is born of spirit is spirit.  What makes life worth living?  Love.  What makes life exciting?  Surprises.  What makes life feel robotic?  Human nature.  What makes life feel boring?  Saying and doing only what people expect you to say or do. 

In today's first reading, we hear about the lifestyle of one Christian community, where they were "of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common" (Acts 4:32-33).

No one would ever do something like this if they were just living on just one field - the "reasonable field."  This is only possible if they are full of faith and reason.  

What we are witnessing here are members of a community transforming their heart, mind, body and soul into Jesus Christ.

What we are witnessing here are members of a community being born again...with the Holy Spirit.

These early Christians are seeing life in a completely different way - vertically and horizontally - like a cross - not just horizontally.  Their priorities have changed.  They value people for who they are, not for what they have.  That's why they are so willing to share with the less fortunate and the marginalized. 

People are no longer treated as a means to an end but as the end, the goal, and they are treated with respect and dignity, not because of any title but because they were created in the image and likeness of God.

I remember an elderly woman who was bedridden for years.  Some of her children wanted to see their mother pass away quickly, and complained that the nursing home was taking too good care of her.  They would often say with tears in their eyes: "This isn't our mother.  Our mother used to be strong, independent...a workaholic.  She loved to do crafts and cook and go hiking with her grandchildren.  This isn't our mother."

Yes she is.  This is your mother, just in a different stage of her life.  I believe they were sincere in their love, but failed to grasp the meaning of the moment.  Two worlds were converging.   

Does our dignity come from our usefulness?  Do we value people because of what they can do for their country, for others, for us and for themselves? Or do we value them for who they are - an image and likeness of God.  And yes, even the bloodied and weak and no longer strong but dying crucified God.   

Well, one child, the most spiritual and religious of them all, refused to submit to the demands of the others.  The woman had her mother brought to her home where she feed her, cleaned her, showered her and caressed her with love and affection, taking on most of all the horizontal and vertical costs that went along with it!

So many young people today dread the day they become old, worn-out and incapacitated.  Why?  Because they see only horizontally and do not want to become a burden to others.  Some of them see this moment in their life as a waste of air, time and money.  They have no clue what this moment in their life can do for others. 

This is the mentality of our times.  
What is born of flesh is flesh. 

But when a child is born in the spirit, then they see trials and tribulations as a Cross - the converging of two lives and/or something to carry.  Hence, they see common struggles, like old age, not as a curse but as a blessing, not a waste of time but an opportunity to serve those who served them so well; to give back what they have received (horizontal) and maybe even what they never received (vertical).

 

Jn 3:1-8 Looking Back

Monday of the second week of Easter

(Click here for readings)

 

By KATIE GROSS

 

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

He came to Jesus at night and said to him,

“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,

for no one can do these signs that you are doing

unless God is with him.”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to him,

“How can a man once grown old be born again?

Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”

Jesus answered, “…Do not be amazed that I told you,

‘You must be born from above.’

The wind blows where it wills,

and you can hear the sound it makes,

but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;

so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

​One of my favorite “catch phrases” of the Catholic Church, if you will, is the ‘call to conversion.’ It’s easy to get confused about what this actually means. Many believe that a person onlyconverts once through baptism. However, conversion is actuallyan everyday choice that we as Christians must make—basically, choosing good over evil and right over wrong, even when it challenges us. After all, Nicodemus was once a Pharisee, but is now a venerated saint in the Catholic Church. And he’s not alone—St. Paul persecuted Christians, St. Augustine was a crazy rock-star orator, St. Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin, etc. Clearly, the saints of the Church are no strangers to conversion. Although this Gospel is primarily about conversion by Baptism, I also think it provides a beautiful example of this greater call to conversion—if you look a little closer.

 

​He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Because we live with electricity, the significance of something occurring “at night” in the Gospels may not immediately occur to us. However, St. John was an incredible writer, and he wrote things with a purpose—in this case,Nicodemus came to Jesus at night precisely because he did not want to be seen. He was afraid to step down from his position of power as a Pharisee, risking humiliation and the disgust of his peers from being seen with Jesus. But still, something made him go. We’ve all been in his shoes . Even with all of our pride and all of our distractions, there is still something that compels us to speak to God and to listen to Him. This is the first step—approaching God through prayer.

 

​“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” I imagine that Nicodemus approached Jesus for some reassurance, or some casual conversation. No such luck. As Christians who have heard these readings for years, being “born again” probably doesn’t faze us, but Nicodemus was the first one to ever hear these words. He probably thought that Jesus was messing with him, or was just plain insane. Again, we’ve been there. Sometimes, the things that Jesus calls us to do defy all of our expectations, or even all of our human reason. Sometimes, we approach Jesus in prayer looking for reassurance or comfort, but are only challenged more. This Gospel reminds us that God is going to challenge us if we approach Him in prayer. Living according to the Gospel is going to challenge us. The teachings of the Church are going to challenge us. In fact, we should be concerned if we do not feel challenged! If there is no challenge, there is no conversion. “Do not be amazed that I told you,‘You must be born from above.”
 

​“The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Finally, as much as we might like conversion to be a systematic, pass/fail system, it is not. Yes, we must try to correct our habits of sin, but we must also avoid getting in the mindset of behavior correction, where we believe that we can do it alone. C.S. Lewis has a great analogy for this that we recentlydiscussed in my theology class:

“Do not sit down and start watching your own mind to see if it is coming along. That puts a man quite on the wrong track. When the most important things in our life happen, we quite often do not know, at the moment, what is going on.  A man does not always say to himself, “Hello! I’m growing up.” You can see it even in simple matters. A man who starts anxiously watching to see whether he is going to sleep is very likely to remain wide awake. As well, [conversion] may not happen to everyone in a sudden flash—as it did to St. Paul or Bunyan: it may be so gradual that no one could ever point to a particular hour or even a particular year. And what matters is the nature of the change in itself, not how we feel while it is happening.”
 

​C.S. Lewis is dead on. Thanks be to God that with prayer, we can look back on events of the past and know that we have matured and grown since that time. This is conversion in real life—we do not know “where it comes from or where it goes,” but we can take great joy in cooperating with it and drawing closer to God through it.

Jn 20:19-31 When Opportunity Knocks

Divine Mercy Sunday
(Click here for readings)

By FR ALFONSE NAZZARO

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."  But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Peace be with you.  What were Christ's first words to his discouraged, disheartened, and intimidated Apostles?  Yes, what were the Lord's first words to them after His betrayal arrest, passion, crucifixion, and burial?  Peace be with you.   

You gotta be kidding me!  I'm not.

Peace be with you.

A few weeks ago, Pope Francis made the surprise announcement of an extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy, saying he wants to make it evident that the Church's mission is as a witness of compassion. 

“Let us not forget that God forgives and God forgives always, ...Let us never tire of asking for forgiveness.”

The time is ripe for mercy.

He went on to say, “I am convinced that the whole Church — which has much need to receive mercy, because we are sinners — will find in this jubilee the joy to rediscover and render fruitful the mercy of God, with which we are all called to give consolation to every man and woman of our time,”

 

Pope Francis made the announcement in St. Peter’s Basilica while celebrating a penitential service on the second anniversary of his pontificate.

 

Are you ready to show some mercy?  This is the year the Lord has made to find out.  All of us are in need of God's mercy.  All of us are in need of showing mercy towards someone.  Who is that special someone in your life?

 

Forgiveness of sins. What was the second thing the Lord did after He appeared to His Apostles?  He forgave them and gave them the power to forgive in His name.  "Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

 

This entire scene, in the upper room, is so reminiscent of that very first scene in which Adam and Eve hide from God.  Back then, Adam and Eve hide in the forest.  Here, the Apostles had the doors locked out of fear of the Jews - and maybe even out of fear of the Big Jew, Jesus.     

 

But God always knows where to look.  Right into our hearts!

 

What is the purpose of the church?  To do what Jesus did during His ministry:  forgive sins.  Why does the Church exist?  To do what Jesus always did: forgive sinners.

 

+Is there someone I need to forgive?  Is there someone I need to seek forgiveness from?  Who is that special someone in your life?

 

Blessed Are You Who Believed.  Why was Thomas the only Apostle missing when the Lord first appeared to the Twelve?  It's ridiculous to think He didn't know.  Of course He knew!  So, why did Jesus pick that particular day and time?  Was the Lord trying to avoid Him?  Yes. 

 

Why?    I  believe it was to give Thomas a great opportunity to grow up; that is, to grow in faith, hope and love; to go beyond what eye can see and ear can hear - and believe without ever seeing. 

 

To be better than the original group!, who believed only after they saw.   

 

+ Is the Lord giving you an opportunity to grow, right now?  Or do you think, like Thomas, that the Lord has abandoned you and forgotten you?

 

Do you feel like the Church has abandoned you or rejected you?  Do you feel like the Church doesn't care about you?  Then you should do what Thomas did:  STAND YOUR GROUND!  I'm not moving from here.  I'm not going anywhere.  I'm staying here until I see for myself that Jesus is alive.

 

When opportunity knocks.  Do you feel like God has abandoned you?  If so, don't run away from Him!  Don't throw in the towel.  Instead, get closer to Him!  This isn't the time to feel abandoned.  No!  This is the day the Lord has made!  If opportunity knocks, then open the door.

 

A few days ago I read this beautiful article written by a CNN correspondent entitled: "How Pope Francis awakened the faith of a CNN anchor."  This is what she wrote:

 

I remember the day I stopped praying. It was the day after my little brother, Jimmy, died of cancer. He was 25. I was so angry at God.

I was 27 at the time, and, like most young people I had stopped going to church. But, on that day -- that terrible day -- I desperately needed to understand why God took my brother. I called the nearest Catholic church, looking for a priest. A lady picked up the phone. "Can I talk with Father?" I asked.

 

I wish I could say her answer was "yes."

 

Instead, she asked me if I was a member of that particular parish. "Does it matter?" I asked. (At the time I lived far from my home parish.) I don't remember how she responded, but the answer about my being able to see Father was clearly no.

 

...Ever since, I've considered myself a lapsed Catholic.  Until Pope Francis.

 

Isn't her story our story?:  Feelings of abandonment followed by feelings of anger and resentment, followed by closing the door on God, the Church and life in general.

 

It's time to change our story.  God never abandons.  Stand your ground.  Don't go anywhere.  Keep knocking.

 

 

 

ACTS 4:13-21 Perceptions and Misconceptions

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

(Click here for readings)

By JENNIFER BURGIN

Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply.

I love the scripture readings during the Easter Season.  The Apostles preach and teach with zeal and gusto.  They finally understand the Lord's calling as they travel from town to town converting, baptizing, and healing. We witness a dramatic change in perception.  The Gospel of Mark characterizes the disciples as if they are more like DUH-ciples! Consistently afraid and prone to disbelief, Jesus teaches his chosen ones the Truth by example. However, the DUH-ciples have trouble understanding....

Eventually, the DUH-ciples develop into bold and confident Apostles. They get it at last!!  What's changed?  The Resurrection Light, as bright as sunlight, transformed their hearts and souls while The Holy Spirit flooded their minds with insight and a new-found maturity. The leaders, the elders, and scribes were "amazed" by  the miraculous cure of the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate.  But, along with this amazement came a serious warning to no longer speak in Christ's name. Will the Apostles stop preaching and teaching the good news?  No way!

Perceptions   How many times do we perceive others in a negative manner because of the way they look, behave, or even smell?  How many times do we classify someone as stupid or ignorant because he/she doesn't have a college degree or may come from a poor family background?  I imagine the elders and scribes turning up their noses at Peter and John with an air of arrogance.  These "uneducated and ordinary men" couldn't possibly amount to much!  I mean, didn't they hang around with Jesus Christ, the so-called King of the Jews?  But, wait a minute:  They performed the miracle on that cripple who's begged outside the temple for years.  Now that's something to pay attention to.....but with a tad bit of caution.  The elders and scribes don't want the companions of Jesus to get out-of-control.  It's dangerous if too many Jews (and even a few Gentiles here and there) convert to this new Christian faith!

In modern day, people can perceive the disabled as useless in society.  I think of the couple who finds out their child in the womb has Down Syndrome.  Do they choose to abort?  The child will be a burden to society.  He will not live a very long life.  You can always have another baby!  The couple already loves their pre-born baby!  He or she is a beautiful gift from God! The loving couple decides to carry the baby to term and will take care of the precious life despite the challenges.

Misconceptions  Paralleled closely with perceptions is the idea of misconceptions.  The Disciples clearly had no idea what Jesus alluded to as he regularly "hinted" at  his own death and resurrection. They assumed that Jesus must be fatigue and exhausted since his words didn't make any sense.  How could he possibly predict his own death?  How could he possibly leave his beloved followers? What is he talking about?

Throughout Christ's life, the Pharisees and Scribes misconceived Jesus as a blasphemer and a false prophet. They refused to believe that he was the real messiah the prophet Isaiah spoke of.  It's easy for us today to notice the similarities between the writings of the Old Testament Prophets and the actions and words by Jesus Christ himself.  However, at the time the political and religious climate wouldn't accept such conclusions. The hope remained for a different Messiah, a man closer in line with Judaic Law.

Recently on CBS Sunday Morning, an episode highlighted the works of the young artist Jeffrey Owen Hanson.  At birth he was diagnosed with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis which led to the development of an optic nerve tumor, impairing his eyesight. However, God blessed him with an incredible gift:  The ability to paint beautiful works of art! Through this young man's disability, he creates acrylic paintings that earn thousands of dollars for his own philanthropy goals.  Yes, he donates all of his proceeds to charity!  By the age of 20 he donated over $1 million dollars. He calls his work "a sight for sore eyes."  

Jeff Owen Hanson focuses on what he can do instead of what he can't do. Wow, who could ever perceive or misconceive this brilliant artist as anything but amazing?

 (Note: The picture on this blog post was painted by Jeff Hanson and is titled Monte Carlo Sunrise.)

Nobody should ever doubt or judge the capability of another human being. God blesses each one of us with unique gifts and talents.  Sometimes we may not realize such blessings until much later in life.  Perceive with caution and keep misconceptions at bay.  It's a daily challenge, but it can be overcome with the help of the Holy Spirit.

"What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.”  ― C.S. Lewis

This meditation was written by Jennifer Burgin, a Lay Dominican candidate associated with St. Albert the Great Dominican Priory in Irving, TX.  Please follow her blog:  Jennifer's Spectrum of Spirituality

Jn 21:1-14 Share The Good News and Go Fishing!

Friday in the Octave of Easter
(Click here for readings)

By FR ALFONSE NAZZARO

When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.

One hundred fifty-three large fish. I have heard a lot of interpretations regarding this large catch, and how "one hundred fifty-three large fish" - the ancient world's estimation of all sea creatures - has a hidden meaning; namely, the Lord wants His disciples to catch all sorts of people. 

But I have a different understanding to this story.  I believe the Apostles were so overwhelmed by their catch that one of them decided to actually count the number of fish caught in the net.  Is this so bizarre?  It wouldn't have taken long.  And it wouldn't have been strange to do.  I would have done it!

So what is the moral of today's Gospel story?  All things are possible with the Lord. 

I can move mountains, especially the toughest mountains, the ones made out of flesh. 
I can change lives, especially the toughest lives, the lives full of sin and no remorse, for all things are possible to those who hope in the Lord. 
I can make a difference in the world, a world that is in desperate need of faith, hope and love. The question is:  Am I sharing the Good News with others?

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, "Leaders of the people and elders:  If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.  He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved" (Acts 4:10-12).

Babies and adults.  There are a lot of differences between kids and adults.  One of them is that kids could care less what other people think.  Children have no problem going up to someone and saying, 

You look weird!
Your breath stinks!
Your teeth look yellow!
That dress looks ugly.You look ugly!
You look stupid!

A normal adult would never say any of these things.  Thank God! But their kids are quite different.  They can be very direct...for good and for bad, and maybe there's a lot we can learn from them.

I know so many children who have told their parents that they should pray before meals, or that they should not talk badly about others, or that they should go to Confession three times a year and attend Mass every Sunday.  Wow!  What courageous little patriots!  I know this because their parents have told me.  And many parents have come back to the Church because of their children!  God bless them! 

It seems like in today's secular culture, everyone can share whatever they want with us, even the creepiest things, and put it on YouTube or Instagram.  But not us!  Christians must keep their faith to themselves.  Well, it's time we become more child-like and share good things - like the Good News - with others.

Share the Good News and go fishing!