Fifth Sunday of Easter
Most Rev. Bishop Mark Bartosic Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate II Remain in me, as I remain in you. The objective of Genesis 1 & 2 is to propose the human person as the absolute masterpiece of God's creative genius. It was no stretch for the ancients to conclude that if this is so, then man must be at the center of God's affectionate gaze. Even scientists thought Galileo was crazy when he espoused the Copernican view that Earth is not at the center of the celestial dance going on over our heads. The Church reacted violently, but I don't think science had much to do with that reaction. The Church reacted out of fear for us. Most of us were still illiterate: would we forget who we are once we could no longer picture ourselves at the physical center of it all? Would we become disoriented in a larger, more complex universe? Would God still be able to find us, lost in space? The tempter in Genesis 3 suggested to our first parents that their situation in paradise was intolerable. You actually trust that guy? Adam and Eve decided to take matters into their own hands: they sinned, and subsequently hid from God, who had to ask, Where are you? How will God find us, once we have moved? He'll do this: he'll send his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh - something we recognize, something that resonates. From then on, we'll call God's only Son, Brother. That the vine and its branches form a whole; that they are essentially one thing, is the point of today's Gospel. The only-begotten Son of God can come no closer to us than he already has, in the Incarnation: in subjecting his own flesh to our death, for his brothers' sake. It's because we believe in Christ's oneness with us that we can call ourselves children of God, and be telling the truth. For we believe that God has only one Son: we profess that every Sunday. And yet, though Jesus, with Jesus, and in Jesus, we too can claim divine filiation. That means that when the Father gazes at his Beloved (which he eternally does), he sees us. Fourth Sunday of Easter
Brother Alan Parham, FSC Spiritual Advisor The fourth Sunday of Easter is better known a Good Shepherd Sunday. In this time of polarization, we have a Pope who encourages us to go after the lost sheep and even to “smell like the sheep.” We can be very devoted to Jesus as the way, truth, and life without being exclusive. In so many parables, Jesus encourages us to be inclusive. His mercy overflows in the parable of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. In the latter parable, it is important to notice than it was sometimes the most religious people who lacked compassion. When St. Peter says in the first reading from Acts: “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,” he is exhorting us to minister in Jesus’ Name and act as he did. One other incident sheds light on Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 15:27). The woman wanted healing, but Jesus told her she wasn’t Jewish, and that is whom He came for. But she appealed to him by saying that even dogs got the crumbs that fell of the table. Many years ago, a boy wanted a dog. His parents took him to what was then called the dog pound. As the boy looked at the dogs there, his father pointed out some cleaner dogs which were of pure breeds. But the boy’s attention was drawn to the dirtiest dog in the pen. He had also noticed that, when the dog tried to eat, the other dogs bullied him and wouldn’t let him. Despite his father’s observations, the boy chose the dirty one. What a surprise when they took him home and washed him! It was actually a Springer Spaniel, a beautiful black and white dog. Thus began many years of friendship and love between the boy and his dog. If you haven’t guessed, that boy was me. Pongo, the dog’s name, ended up getting more than crumbs from the table. The entire family learned to accept this dirty dog, who gave much joy to their lives. By including the dog a part of their family, they indeed redeemed the “lost sheep.” Third Sunday of Easter
Jason McKean Board of Directors, Faith Formation and Evangelization Team Last Sunday, my family went to Mass, like we do every Sunday. As we left, one of my daughters mentioned that the priest wasn't wearing green, and she could not understand why not since Easter was "over." Now I know -- and you might too -- that priests wear green only during Ordinary Time, but we're not there yet! At that point, we still had 6 weeks of Easter left to celebrate (and now, five)! She was quite surprised by this news, but, as younger kids often do, her surprise gave way to the next interesting thing in front of her, and on we went to our doughnuts and coffee. I thought about this moment when I read the Gospel for this Third Week of Easter. Like my daughter, the disciples experienced their own surprise. Unlike my daughter, this was no mild surprise at a guy in a green robe. The Gospel says the disciples were "startled and terrified" by Jesus' sudden appearance, and even thought he was a ghost! Also unlike my daughter, the disciples didn't redirect to coffee and doughnuts afterwards. But, they did get their own religion class, taught by Jesus himself, with two points. The first relates to my daughter's surprise at having eight weeks of Easter. Why do we even need that much? I think the answer lies a bit in what was happening in this reading. At its start, Luke writes that two disciples were explaining how they had just met Jesus on the road to Emmaus, and how "he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread." In other words, those two disciples knew what it was like to have the risen Jesus suddenly appear, and apparently told everyone else all about it. But, Luke records that immediately after Jesus showed up in the room, everyone was "startled and terrified!" It's as if the disciples' experience just hours before had been entirely forgotten. See, the mystery of Easter is just so big, so unfathomable, so amazing, that I often can't quite get my mind around it, exactly. We are gifted the eight weeks of Easter to recall, reflect on, and adjust to the fact that we are so loved that Jesus went to the Cross and rose from it for us. And we need that grace and space! In a world where it's easy to be terrified by so many things, it takes a lot to get our heads around the idea that we don't have to be afraid: Peace is with us. Let's all make good use of this last five weeks of Easter to go deeper with Jesus. The second point relates to the first. Just look at the effort Jesus makes to help his disciples get their minds around the fact that that, YES, it really is Him. He shows his wounds! He eats broiled fish! He "opened their minds" to understand all that had been written about him! It's A LOT, and it's just one of many times he has to come back and do it all over again! But Jesus never tires of being present to us, and being with us, and being for us. That's true even if it takes eight weeks, or a lifetime, to repent of whatever holds us apart from Him, to work at keeping His commandments, and to allow Jesus to perfect God's love in each of us. And, that will remain true even when you are confused by a guy in a green robe, and momentarily distracted by doughnuts. Jesus is alive; He is here; He is here for us. May you experience that joy of Easter! Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
Kayla Jacobs Board of Directors Happy Divine Mercy Sunday! Divine Mercy Sunday, always on the Sunday after Easter, is a feast in the Church that celebrates the Lord's Mercy. It was instituted in 2000, announced at the canonization of St. Maria Faustina by St. John Paul II. I am grateful to write this reflection as mercy has both shaped my faith and remained a core way I experience my faith in the world. I became a practicing Catholic as an adult, being confirmed at the age of 21. Before my Confirmation and as I was in the process of converting I encountered a couple of communities of Catholics who were living out their faith in a way I had never seen before. I went to Saint Xavier University, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, whose mission is to show mercy in the world through serving the poor and vulnerable. My interactions with the sisters on campus piqued my interest in the Catholic Church. The other community I encountered was Nazareth Farm in West Virginia. Nazareth Farm is an intentional community of Catholics who live their lives based on four cornerstones: prayer, community, simplicity, and service. Together, they tend to the earth in their gardens, pray, host service retreats, and serve people in need in their community. One member of the community impressed me so much by his faith life that, knowing he was also a convert, I asked him what led him to live in such a way. He responded, “I read Acts [of the Apostles]”. One of my favorite parts of the Easter season is that the Mass readings always begin with a reading from the Acts of the Apostles. It is only fitting that the reading from the Acts of the Apostles on Divine Mercy Sunday includes lines such as: “the community of believers was of one heart and one mind…they had everything in common” and “there was no needy person among them… [they sold everything] and distributed to each according to need.” Scripture provides us with Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy in both the Gospel and the Old Testament and as I saw embodied at Nazareth Farm and through the Sisters of Mercy, the Acts of the Apostles is a blueprint for how to live out God’s mercy in the world. To end, I'd like to quote one of my inspirations, a strong example of mercy personified, the Venerable Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement: “Everything a baptized person does every day should be directly or indirectly related to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.” Join us online for the ordination to the priesthood of UCYM Spiritual Advisor Deacon Juan Carlos Vargas! We are very excited for Juan and all the gifts he will bring to the Church as a priest. Juan is a champion for young people and for practical and pastoral ministry. Let us pray for Juan as he continues to walk towards this important step in his life and vocation. My name is Juan Carlos Vargas. I was born in Chicago, Illinois to parents from Zacatecas, Mexico. I grew up in Pilsen and my family began with nothing. My parents came to Chicago from Mexico when my mother was 5 months pregnant with me. My mother was always very involved in the church, St. Pius V., because that is what made her feel at home. My dad worked and continues to work hard to provide us with the best he can. I went to Jose Clemente Orozco public school in Pilsen, where Spanish was the primary language; I started speaking English in the third grade.
During elementary school, my parents made sure that I was involved in everything I wanted, including folkloric dancing, violin classes and catechism at the parish. Upon graduating from elementary school, I went to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen, and I also started working at St. Pius V Parish Youth Center. Upon graduating from high school, I decided to go to Cincinnati, Ohio to study at Xavier University. During my time at the university, I took the opportunity to travel. I always went to every social justice event, and did community service, I even had the opportunity to go to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. My experience and motivation always was and continues to be serving others, so the career I decided to take was social worker. After I graduated, I went to Guyana, South America with Mercy Volunteer Corps, for one year of service. In Guyana, I taught personal growth and religion in a vocational school. I also helped with children in an orphanage. After that year, I returned to Chicago and worked as a foster care social worker in Child Link and after work I helped out at my Parish, Immaculate Conception on 44th and California. During my four years as a social worker I learned, after many mistakes, how to put my work in the hands of God. As I began to put my work and life in God’s hands, I realized that I had never given myself the opportunity to see how my relationship with God was. From then on, in my moments of prayer, the call to the priesthood came out. This time, instead of running away from it, I decided to run towards it and realized that my job as a social worker was only part of how much God wanted for me. I then decided to go to the house of discernment, and then to Mundelein Seminary, to see if this call was what God wanted for me. During the past five years I have been in formation taking philosophy and theology. In May of 2023 I was ordained a transitional deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago and I am really looking forward to priesthood ordination, God willing, in May of 2024. My life of ministry and service has been rooted in God and I am very excited about ordination and continue to accompany everyone to see where they are in relationship with God. I want to continue to encourage others to grow in love of God through their faith. Easter Sunday Reflection Elizabeth Becerra Director, Leadership Academy The Resurrection of the Lord - Christ is Alive, Alleluia, Alleluia! One Sunday morning, thirteen Easters ago, a younger version of me sat in a pew. I attended Mass alone. I strategically sat in the middle of the pew so as not to be bothered by others. My heart was heavy. My soul longed for a love that only One can fill. So many wrong turns, bad choices, selfish acts, and lies had left me feeling empty, worthless, and hopeless. I reluctantly sat, waiting for Mass to begin with the promise that, somehow, the Eucharist would heal my deep wounds. The Mass cleansed my soul. From the moment the processional hymn began, I started to sob. Tears rolled down my face as I thought about all of the bad choices I had made. I asked for forgiveness and placed my life in God's hands, saying, "I have messed up my life in every way possible. I cannot live like this anymore. I surrender my life to you. Lead me." Suddenly, with that thought, I felt alive again! I echo Pope Francis' words, "Christ is alive, and he wants you to be alive!" (Christus Vivit, §1) Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter, and the other disciples visit Jesus' tomb to find only his burial clothes. Jesus did not remain on the cross nor in the tomb. Jesus is alive! Jesus lives in you! We, too, should not stay on the cross of our sins. We should choose life, a life led by God in service of others. "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends (JN 15:13)." Jesus laid down his life so that we may live. How are you living? How do you bring life to others? How do you celebrate the mystery of Easter every day?" Easter Sunday Reflection
Ed Villaseñor Board of Directors, Faith Formation and Evangelization Team Joy & Happiness. These are such simple emotions, yet on this Resurrection Sunday, joy and happiness take on their most profound meaning, because our friend Jesus is alive and well. Genesis tells us that God created human beings in Their likeness and image. It continues with “the Lord God says it is not good for man to be alone”. Being in a relationship with God is at the core of our existence, and Resurrection Sunday is when the emotion of that relationship is most deeply felt. As we journeyed with Jesus through his Passion, we experienced a sense of sadness and grief. We internalize the loss and carry it through Good Friday and Holy Saturday. I recently realized that during this time, I don’t pray. I mean, really pray in a quiet contemplative way. At first, I thought it was because I was so busy preparing the physical church space and practicing music, etc. But then I realized that my hyperactivity was covering up the loss I was feeling. A loss of a relationship, not just missing a friend that was temporarily away, but a profound feeling of loss. I didn’t feel my friend was there and I was suffering a true emptiness in our relationship. My feelings were selfishly directed inward. However, on Resurrection Sunday, my feelings move outward, I want Jesus to know how much I missed Him. I get a real sense of reconnection. My friend has returned. I can only imagine the feelings of joy and happiness the disciples in the upper room must have felt. After they processed the shock of seeing their friend Jesus return from the dead, their joy must have been overwhelming. Resurrection Sunday gives all of us the chance to express to Jesus how happy we are to see him. It is not good to be alone, and showing Jesus how important He is to us, on a visceral level, gives true meaning to our relationship. The feelings of joy and happiness on Resurrection Sunday are made palpable by suffering through the contrasting emotion of the previous days of the Triduum. On Easter, our feelings of joy and happiness bubble out of us, because the personal relationship that felt lost is restored. Our friend Jesus is alive and well. Easter Vigil Reflection
Cynthia Judge Board of Directors, Co-Chair for Communications and Outreach Storytelling is an art, helping us understand ourselves and each other. The Easter Vigil, the culmination of the Triduum, is the ultimate in Storytelling. At the Easter Vigil, we hear nine Stories with important words in each that lead us from darkness to our Risen Christ. The First Story thrillingly describes Creation: When God created the heavens and the earth, The earth was a formless void And darkness covered the face of the deep While the Spirit of God swept over the face of the waters, Then God said, “Let there be light” How often have we felt that darkness has covered us, and we’re living in a formless void. God, the great Creator knew then and knows now how tremendously powerful God’s Light is. Our second Story offers Abraham as a model to us when he says, Here I am. How important for each of us to say to God we are here, ready to do God’s will. Moses is the hero of the third Story, leading God’s people to believe in the Lord as they were saved. Let us believe. The fourth and fifth Story read like poetry as God tells us My love will never leave you and Listen, so that you may live. Comforting words, knowing God is right beside us, right inside us. The sixth Story offers these words: where there is wisdom… there is light and peace. Look for the light. The seventh Story offers these gifts: A new heart I will give you and a new Spirit I will put within you. Receive these gifts. Our eighth Story urges us: Know that Christ, being raised from the dead, Will never die again…..So you must consider yourself dead to sin, once for all, And alive to God in Christ Jesus. Our Lenten Journey leads us here, to this new life in Christ. The final Story is the Gospel of Mark, and we learn along with the women who went to the tomb that Jesus has been raised. Alleluia!! Nine powerful Stories. I encourage you to read these Stories, find what words bring you Light and then, live like you truly have the Risen Christ in you and spread your Light to the world. Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB Joins Interfaith Leaders in Statement Denouncing Antisemitism and Islomophobia.On behalf our team and the Board of Directors at UCYM, I am calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, along with the release of all hostages and an overall increase in humanitarian aid. I join my fellow religious leaders in Evanston who have authored the following statement for our local community in Evanston and we extend these thoughts, as an organization that serves in many places. As we reflect this Good Friday on the Passion and Death of Jesus, let us do what is possible for us to combat violence and all that which leads to violence in word and action. Yours in the Divine, EVANSTON INTERFAITH CLERGY AND LEADERS RESPOND TO THE CRISIS IN ISRAEL/GAZA AND ANTISEMITISM AND ISLAMOPHOBIA IN OUR COMMUNITY
We refuse to harden our hearts to the suffering of Israelis or Palestinians. And we raise our voices loud and clear against the indiscriminate harming of all civilians, both in Gaza and Israel. This conflict deeply impacts our Evanston community where antisemitism and Islamophobia are being emboldened and are explicitly targeting members of our community. Only through recognizing that our lives are shared with one another in an interdependent web can we begin to co-create the world for which we so desperately long. We are horrified by Hamas’s crimes against innocent civilians on October 7, including murder, rape, mutilation, and the taking of hostages. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced from their homes near the Gaza border, and more than a hundred people are still being held captive in Gaza. We are also horrified by Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza in which tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed and nearly two million have been made homeless. Ordinary Gazans lack adequate food, water, shelter, and medicine, and are trapped in a dire humanitarian crisis. We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas. We call for an immediate end to the bombardment of civilians in Gaza and in Israel. We call for humanitarian aid to reach civilian populations in Gaza. We call for immediate protection of medical facilities and places of refuge in Gaza, that they might be safeguarded from military use by Hamas and military attack by Israel. We call for immediate restoration of vital resources such as water and electricity in Gaza. We call on the U.S. administration to use every diplomatic means at its disposal, and with utmost urgency, to pave a path toward a political solution — one that ensures freedom, safety, and human rights for everyone. Just as Israel now exists as an independent state, we advocate for equal self-determination for the Palestinian people as well. This plan cannot permit the re-occupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel or a militarized Hamas remaining in power. It must ensure the human rights and long-term flourishing of Palestinians and Israelis. We call on interfaith coalitions and partnerships in the United States and throughout the world to join their collective voices to express horror and join us in our steps for immediate action. Join us in supporting peace, dignity, and human flourishing, which are foundational tenets of our faith traditions. Ultimately, we know that freedom of Palestinians and Israelis cannot be achieved through oppression and violence and that neither one can live in peace and security without ensuring the same for the other. In the words of Sally Abed, a leading Palestinian community organizer in Israel, “Palestinian liberation necessitates Jewish safety and vice versa.” I say [this] to both sides. You’re pro-Israel? You need to liberate Palestinians. You’re pro-Palestinian? You need to talk about Jewish safety.” The only way to lasting peace and security is through diplomatic means that advance toward a just future for all. And the only way to create a loving, hate-free society here at home is by standing together against hatred and building a caring and supportive community. We, as people of faith, pledge to continue to create opportunities for respectful dialogue across our community that upholds the dignity of all, and unites us in the shared mission of protecting the rights of everyone everywhere. Good Friday
Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB Executive Director Today, I have been thinking a lot about the Seven Last Words of Jesus. They are powerful. I have included the images below that I have been praying with. Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Triduum, at least in my own journey through it. The Good Friday liturgy in our parishes is the only liturgy that isn't a Mass because there is no Eucharistic Prayer, no consecration, No Great Amen; We are fed with the consecrated hosts remaining from our Holy Thursday Mass. It is a little haunting to think that in the world there is a limited supply of Jesus on this night. Then, it hits, everything that is in the readings today. One must also ask if we truly deserve Jesus the way He gives Himself to us. In the readings, we dive into all of the really terrible things: betrayal, denial, fear, abandonment, violence, and death. It is tough to imagine how things could get better from here, but we know they do. We know in all of the acknowledgment of the suffering of Jesus and our own agonizing at His suffering that this will pass and that, like Jesus, we will be given new life very soon and an opportunity to renew ourselves in the Risen Christ. What a precious gift, especially for some of us who might be carrying our heaviest crosses through these days with Jesus. You don't have to look far to find suffering and if the readings today teach us anything, it is what we ought not to do and we will because we are human; we will deny Jesus, we will betray Jesus, we will sell Jesus out due to fear or anger, we will mock Jesus, and we will ultimately pave the way for His death... but, my friends, it doesn't end there. Holy Thursday
The Gift of the Eucharist and of Servanthood Friar Mario Serrano, OFM Conv. Board of Directors, Spiritual Advisor At the Last Supper, when Jesus held up the bread and spoke the words “This is my Body,” He was speaking not just about the bread right in front of him, but about the whole universe, about everything that is physical, material, and yet also spirit filled. What other Thursday could bring comfort to us than Holy Thursday? We are reminded of presence of the Body of Christ in our own lives. How daring and shocking it was for Jesus to turn the whole tradition of His time upside down and make that which we at times dismiss as holy, as truly holy, an otherness that can bring about the reality of God. You, me, and all the ones we find ourselves with, in celebrating this special day, we are privileged in this unique experience to celebrate the ordinary as extraordinary. The Eucharist is a startling ritual. It is bloody, embodied, sensual, and shocking as it takes us into a realization of oneness with God. Jesus gave us another physical practice to teach us grace and forgiveness. Foot Washing (John 13:1-8, 12-17, NIV) Along with the gift of the Eucharist, we are also given on this day the model for living out our relationship with God: The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit - by bending low and being present in this humble action. I invite you to do the ritual of “foot washing” at home. Foot washing is a contemplative practice that can happen at any time and with anyone. Invite someone to share this ritual with you, if you both are comfortable having your feet touched by each other. No script or special space is needed, just a basin, warm water, towels, and your authentic presence. You might choose to wash in silence, focusing on the physical sensations, or you may wish to talk about what you mean to each other, express gratitude and/or ask for forgiveness. However you choose to practice foot washing, I hope it helps you experience your own and your companion’s bodies as God’s body! |
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