Jesus’ Comforting Promises

          Our Gospel today is taken from Jesus’ “Last Supper Discourse” (John 13-17); it might be called “Jesus’ Farewell Address.”  Several significant events have preceded Jesus’ words we hear today.  He washed his disciples’ feet as a sign of radical service (13:1-20).  Jesus predicted Judas’ betrayal (13:21-30).  He told his disciples that he will soon depart (13:33; 14:25).  He gave them the new commandment of love (13:34-35) and foretold Peter’s imminent denial (13:36-38).  No wonder the disciples are deeply troubled and filled with anxiety! 

          In this turbulent context Jesus speaks comforting words, assuring his disciples that he is not abandoning them; he will give them “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name” (14:26).  Jesus gives several consoling assurances to his disciples; we can identify at least four of Jesus’ “promises”—all captured in words that begin with the letter P.

          Peace of Heart.  Jesus tells his disciples that their faith must be both in his Father and in him as the Son of the Father.  This is complete faith, a faith that produces peace of heart.  Jesus clearly assures his disciples that he is going to his Father; he will not abandon them, though he is going away.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (Jn 14:27).

          Place in Heaven.  Jesus comforts his disciples, assuring them there are “many rooms in my Father’s house” and that he is preparing places for them in his Father’s Kingdom.  After our earthly journey, which may be filled with many difficulties and challenges, an eternal home awaits us in heaven.  We recall Jesus’ words to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, he shall live forever” (Jn 11:25).

          Promise of Return.  Jesus assures his disciples that he will personally return and take them with him.  “I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you” (Jn 14:18).  Though Jesus may leave his disciples briefly as he experiences his passion and death, he will return as resurrected Lord and personally escort his followers to their eternal home in his Father’s house.

          Performance of Christ-like Deeds.  Remarkably, Jesus says: “I tell you most solemnly,

whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself; he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father….  If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it” (Jn 14:12-14). 

          Friends, we, like the disciples at the last supper, are often incredulous and weak in faith; Jesus’ promises seem outrageous and too good to be true.  We humbly ask the Lord for deeper faith, seeking the dynamic presence and action of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

And we recall Pope Francis’ words in Tacloban, Philippines, during his 2015 pastoral visit to the victims of a devastating typhoon: “Jesus is Lord and he never lets us down!”                           

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Prayer for the 6^th Sunday of Easter

We stand on your promise, Lord,

that whenever two or more gather

together in your name, you are there

in our midst to hear, answer,

guard and guide us.

Grant us, therefore, peace of heart

trusting in your word and

believing you have prepared

a place for us in your Father’s house.

We look forward to your return,

Lord Jesus, to wipe away every tear

and fill us with that unending peace

this world cannot give.

Take our hands, Lord God, and work

through them to show your love to all.

Use our voices to speak your words

to all who long for your truth.

And may our steps never wander

from your way as we walk with

all who seek your love and peace

beginning here and now.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

“AS I” — True Measure of Authentic Love

Today’s Gospel reading is taken from the “Last Supper Discourse” of Jesus in John’s Gospel; it extends for five full chapters (13-17).  We hear Jesus saying: “I give you a new commandment: love one another.  As I have loved you, so you should also love one another.”

In this same Last Supper message, we hear Jesus’ words: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13).  In the first scene of Jesus’ final meal, he shows his loving service by washing his disciples’ feet (Jn 13:1-15).

While meditating upon Jesus’ precious words and actions at the Last Supper, two passages seem to leap off the page.  “I give you a new commandment: love one another.  As I have loved you, you must also love one another” (Jn 13:34, cf. 15:12).  After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus says: “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (Jn 13:14-15).

Both passages form a unity.  Jesus gives his disciples the commandment of love; then he himself puts it into practice by washing his disciples’ feet.  He challenges them to do the same.  Notice the parallel words: as I.  Indeed, Jesus asserts that the model, criterion, and measure of fraternal love is none other than his own person.

How do we Christians know if our love is authentic?  We measure our deeds against the model exemplified in Jesus’ own life.  Is our service genuine?  We compare ourselves to our Master, who said: “The Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45).  Friends, those very simple words “as I” (only three letters of the alphabet) must guide our daily decisions and actions.  How eminently clear!  How difficult and challenging!

There are numerous New Testament examples of how this “as I” love commandment is to be lived out.  We must readily forgive our neighbor’s faults; yes, not only seven times, but seventy-seven times (Mt 18:22).  Do we quickly judge and condemn others?  Jesus spoke these words to the woman caught in adultery: “Has no one condemned you? … Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (Jn 8:10-11).  Do we have time to pray and listen to God’s voice?  “After sending the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray” (Mt 14:23).

Jesus has said: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate” (Lk 6:36).  When Jesus saw the crowds, he said: “I have compassion for the people…” (Mt 15:32).  Jesus is God’s compassion in person; we Christians are to be the same.

Friends, as we hear Jesus’ “as I” love commandment, we simply take time to meditate on the authenticity of our discipleship in imitating Jesus.

     James H. Kroeger, MM

Prayer for 3^rd Sunday

Help me, O God of love, to imitate

Your example and love my friends

and family fully.

Give me the courage to love myself

that I, like you, might love others.

Give me strength, like yours, to seek

the lonely and the lost.

And give me the grace to accept

the will of the Father in my life,

that I, like you, might spend myself

in your service.

Above all, Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom

to know when to speak or keep silent,

to act or to refrain from acting, to hang on or to let go.

When you commanded us to wash

each other’s feet as a sign

of our obedience to your law,

you called us to overcome our pride

and willingly serve others

as if we were serving, helping, and loving You.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

Lord, Shepherd Me

“Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life” is the refrain from a liturgical song by Marty Haugen.  Frequently heard at Masses as the refrain of the responsorial psalm, it reflects the theme of today’s readings.  In fact, today is called: Good Shepherd Sunday.

Now, allow your imagination to move from today back to the “60s” (not the “1960s”) and travel to Rome.  Many people were becoming Christians and their faith was being severely tested.  Both Saints Peter and Paul had been martyred between 64 and 67 under the persecution of Emperor Nero.  Christians were being thrown to the lions in the coliseum [to commemorate their sacrifice the Pope makes the way of the cross in the coliseum on Good Friday].  In a word, being a Christian demanded deep faith—even to the point of death.

One response of the Christians was to literally go “under-ground”; they met in the catacombs both to worship and bury their dead.  What paintings did these early Christians place on the catacomb walls?  The earliest and most frequent image was that of the Good Shepherd.  Even in the most difficult of times, Christians felt Jesus’ closeness to them.

Quite naturally we can say (along with the early Christians): “The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing…. He guides me…. I fear no harm” (Psalm 23).  We hear Jesus’ words spoken to us: “I am the good shepherd; I lay down my life for my sheep; I know my own and my own know me” (John 10).  Our faith is indeed a great source of consolation!

Frequently, when we think of shepherds in the Church, we naturally—and correctly—think of the guiding role of the bishops, religious, and priests.  However, the task can also be very validly applied to the pivotal role that others play in the Christian community, e.g. parents in the family, workers in a NGO seeking to protect migrants’ rights, a marriage counselor assisting struggling couples.  Friends, along with the help of Jesus, you are to be a true shepherd for needy persons.  Shepherding (it takes many forms) is your pathway to holiness.

On this “Good Shepherd Sunday” I choose to end this reflection on a very practical note by offering two concrete suggestions.  First, you may wish to consider having two images of Christ present in the home.  Of course, the crucifix is essential.  You may also wish to purchase a picture of Christ the Good Shepherd with the sheep on his shoulder; it will serve as a reminder to imitate the “chief shepherd” Christ in your ministry.

Finally, give yourself a special treat.  Listen to the beautiful song “Shepherd me, O God” by Marty Haugan.  It is available free; simply google: haugen shepherd.  Indeed, it will lead you—and those you shepherd—beyond your wants and fears into a deep contemplation of the Good Shepherd.

James H. Kroeger, MM

Good Shepherd Sunday

O blessed Lamb of God and Shepherd

of the House of Israel, come to our aid

when we wander far from your truth

or stray from the path of righteousness.

Like you, may we sacrifice ourselves

for the good of your people and

with you , may we seek, find and lead back

all who have strayed from your flock.

Comfort those who mourn,

strengthen the weak and frail,

protect from all harm those

who are in danger for love of you.

Amid the noise and confusion

of the world around us

let us listen for and hear your voice

heeding your call to holiness and

wholeness in your presence.

Holy Shepherd, bless all who lead

others back to you, teachers, preachers,

doctors and nurses, parents and counselors

that we might truly become one flock and one shepherd

in Christ’s name we pray.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

By James H. Kroeger, MM

What is the opposite of “faith” in the sacred scriptures?  Many responses are possible: doubt, disbelief, mistrust, uncertainty, hesitation, skepticism, apprehension.  You might even assert that the antonym of “faith” is “fear.”  To be afraid often means doubting God is really with us or thinking his designs for our salvation will somehow be frustrated.  Today’s Gospel reveals the character of the fearful, “doubting Thomas.”

Is the assertion that “fear” is the opposite of “faith” really valid?  A look at some biblical passages reveals how faith requires overcoming our fears, our difficulties in believing; we can look to several New Testament examples. 

Models of Faith.  When the angel Gabriel is sent by God to the town of Nazareth and speaks to Mary, he says: “Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favor….  You are to conceive and bear a son.”  Mary expresses her fully human doubts: “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?”  Gabriel assures Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you….”  Mary responds: “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let what you have said be done to me” (Lk 1:26-38).  Mary moved from fear to faith, surrendering totally to God’s loving design for her. 

Joseph, betrothed to Mary, has a dream and hears the angel say: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1:20).

When the resurrected Jesus appears to the women, he commands them, saying: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers…” (Mt 28:10).  When Paul had a vision in Corinth, the risen Lord addressed him: “Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10).

An Invitation to Believe.  The evidence is overwhelming.  To be called by God and to encounter the living Lord means moving from fear to faith.  This is Jesus’ invitation to Thomas and to us. 

Fear is the enemy of faith, because fear paralyzes us, immobilizes us.  Fear can frustrate God’s plan for us; it tempts us to forget God’s abiding presence.  Fear is anti-Gospel; it can be a temptation or tactic from the devil. 

Realistically, we all must face our fears just like Mary, Joseph, the women, Paul, and Thomas did.  We analyze them.  We accept life’s realities and realistic dangers; we are not naïve.  We search deeply, exploring fear’s origins (our background, insecurities, laziness, pride, fear of failure or embarrassment, etc.).  And, in spite of all these circumstances, we still commit ourselves radically to God. 

A Formula of Faith.  Let us respond like Thomas and proclaim our faith in Jesus: “My Lord and my God!”  We are challenged to become fearless witnesses, authentic evangelizers, and joyful, faith-filled proclaimers of the Gospel. 

Our motto of discipleship becomes the “4-F” approach: Forget Fear, Find Faith!                         

Divine Mercy Sunday

Most merciful Lord and Savior

for love of humanity

you took up your cross

to reveal the boundless forgiveness

your Father has for us.

I come before you now

in my hour of need

asking only that your presence

might give me the strength and courage

to do what is right and

say what is just and good.

May I be a true mirror of your grace

to all who hunger for your truth

and thirst for justice and peace.

All glory and honor

to your Resurrection,

my Lord and my most merciful God!

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

Today we celebrate the Resurrection, the greatest of our Church’s feasts.  That makes it the perfect opportunity to think about what I call “faith encounters.”   

There is a rich variety in the different Evangelists’ scriptural accounts of that first Easter.  There are, to be sure, differences in the details of Jesus’ appearances to Peter, Mary Magdalene, the Emmaus disciples, Thomas, and various groups of apostles.  Yet each Gospel writer seeks to communicate the same fundamental truth: the crucified one is risen.  Surely, this was also the Virgin Mary’s experience!

When scripture scholars speak of these encounters they incorporate five common elements:

• The mood of sadness among Jesus’ grief-stricken followers.  Consider Mary Magdalene weeping in the garden or the disappointment the Emmaus disciples are feeling as they return home.  Their minds are clouded.
• The initiative for the encounter, which comes from Jesus.  Whether he approaches Mary in the garden, who confuses him with the gardener, or joins the disciples returning to Emmaus, his person is unrecognized.
• A word or greeting of peace or reconciliation.  Jesus engages his disciples; he often says to them, “Peace be with you.”  He personally calls Mary Magdalene by her name.
• The climactic high point comes in the experience of recognition.  The Emmaus disciples recognize Christ in the breaking of the bread; Mary addresses Jesus as “Rabbuni” (Teacher); John exclaims to Peter: “It is the Lord.”
• A mission command from Jesus concludes the encounter: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.”  “Go, make disciples of all nations.”

Does not that biblical pattern of resurrection encounters reflect our own
Christian experience?

So often, we too walk in darkness, buffeted by life’s challenges.  The truth is Jesus always walks with us.  He is present, but we often fail to recognize his loving presence among us.  Then Jesus calls us personally by name and we become aware of his living presence.

God’s Word, the Eucharist and personal prayer help us to overcome our blindness and recognize that Jesus the Christ is alive with us and in us.  Thus, we are invited and sent into mission to announce the Good News to all.

Today, as “missionary disciples,” let us declare, in the words of Saint Luke tells us that the Emmaus disciples used, “Yes, it is true; the Lord has risen.”  In Saint John’s words to Peter we also proclaim: “It is the Lord.”                 

I encourage you, in this season of great joy, to consider how your own life experience aligns with the Easter experience of Jesus’ disciples.  I think you will find it fruitful—you may even surprise yourself!

     James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Easter poem

O blessed light that first shattered
the once eternal gloom of unending death
at the breaking of dawn
that first Easter morning
shine in my heart and dispel any shadow
of doubt or despair and disperse
the clouds of sadness that I too
might gaze into the Empty Tomb
and hear my Lord and God
risen from the dead
call my name and offer peace to my soul.

Hide me in Your wounds, Lord Jesus,
that I too might find healing and joy.
Even as You healed me by Your suffering
transform my wounds into a fountain
of grace and healing for others.
Above all, Lord, even as I believe
You are present in the breaking of bread,
help me always to see You in
my Brothers and sisters
especially the poor, the oppressed,
the weak and the lonely.

May the glory of this Easter Day
shine in my heart and enlighten my mind
even when sin and suffering threaten
to extinguish all faith and hope.
Praise be to You, Risen Lord, Jesus Christ,

in every land, by every tongue,
now and till the end of time.
Amen. Alleluia!

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

Walking in Solidarity with Jesus

On Palm Sunday we begin our intimate Holy Week journey with Jesus.  On this occasion I recall a moving experience from the Philippines, where I spent 52 years in mission.  It was during the visit of Pope Francis in January 2015.  He came to accompany the people who had been so badly devastated by a typhoon.  In Tacloban City on January 17, 2015, the Pope said: “If today all of us are gathered here, fourteen months after the passage of Typhoon Yolanda, it is because we are certain that we will not be disappointed in our faith, for Jesus has gone before us.  In his passion he took upon himself all of our sorrows.”

Jesus, Our Faithful Brother.  Pope Francis continued: “I am here to tell you that Jesus is Lord, that Jesus does not disappoint.  ‘Father,’ one of you may tell me, ‘he disappointed me because I lost my house, I lost my family, I lost everything I had, I am sick.’  What you say is true and I respect your feelings, but I see him there, nailed to the cross, and from there he does not disappoint us.  He was consecrated Lord on that throne, and there he experienced all the disasters we experience.  Jesus is Lord!  And, he is Lord from the cross, from there he reigned.”

“So many of you lost everything.  I do not know what to tell you.  But, surely he knows what to tell you!  So many of you have lost members of your family.  I can only be silent; I accompany you silently, with my heart.”  “Many of you looked to Christ and asked: Why, Lord?  To each of you the Lord responds from his heart.  I have no other words to say to you.  Let us look to Christ: he is the Lord, and he understands us, for he experienced all the troubles we experience.” 

Faith and Gratitude.  Pope Francis also noted that Jesus, through his passion, death and resurrection, accompanies us on our journey.  Then, Francis paused to pray with the suffering people: “Thank you, Lord, for being with us here today.  Thank you, Lord, for sharing our sorrows.  Thank you, Lord, for giving us hope.  Thank you, Lord, for your great mercy….  Thank you, Lord, because in the darkest moment of your own life, on the cross, you thought of us and you left us a mother, your mother.  Thank you, Lord, for not leaving us orphans.  Thank you, Lord, for sharing our lives as our crucified-risen Savior.  Thank you, Lord, for giving us Mary, your own mother, to journey with us through suffering and death to the joy of the resurrection.”

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Prayer for Palm Sunday

With hosannas and praise

may I always welcome you,

Lord Jesus, King of heaven and earth,

into my life and into my world.

You are my Messiah, Savior and Lord,

let your Gospel take root in my heart

that my every thought, word and action

may reflect your grace and truth to all.

As I enter into the mystery of your Passion

and Death on the Cross, may I be

ever mindful of the sufferings of our

sisters and Brothers around the world

for whom each day is a modern

way of the Cross with daily injustice, betrayal,

falling and rising again on the way to you.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Give me the courage to follow you

the conviction to confess you

and the commitment to remain with you

on your way to the Father.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.  If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Anyone who lacks them is blind and shortsighted, forgetful of the cleansing of his past sins.”  2 Peter 1: 5-9

Do you find it difficult to accept God’s forgiveness and love?

I have observed a recurring theme among the different groups that I accompanied in mission: the inability to accept that God forgives us completely and has lifted the burden of guilt once we recognize our sins and repent.  For many of us, it is easier to believe in a God ever-ready to punish us than to believe in a merciful God who goes the extra mile to forgive us.  We condemn ourselves to constant “mea culpa behavior”.

Parents make mistakes in raising children; spouses in marriages; employees in jobs.  We have all done things we wish we could undo.  Even Saint Peter struggled with self-forgiveness.  The very disciple who walked on water when a storm was brewing wept bitterly upon remembering Christ’s words that he would deny His Lord three times before the rooster crowed.

But despite the failure that haunted him, Peter was singled out by the angels at Jesus’ tomb.  The rock upon whom our Church was built, Peter would touch the world for Jesus Christ.

We are hard-wired to replay mistakes and failures, yet hopefully can learn from them.  But when they gnaw at us, they can negatively affect future progress.  Failing to believe in and accept God’s forgiveness and love reveals our own inability to forgive. The enemy of our souls wants to convince us that our failures have doomed our futures.

Friend, Jesus gave His life for all of your sin – past, present and future.  He loves and forgives you, and desires that you forgive yourself.  Walking in the forgiveness of God is to live freely as the redeemed in Christ.  Just as Peter’s ministry was far from over after Christ died, yours is just beginning as well.

Prayer for the Fifth Sunday of Lent

O Lord, my savior, my deliverer

I stood condemned for my sins.

To save my body from death

and my soul from punishment

you came to die in my place.

How can I thank you, Lord, for your mercy

and forgiveness through which you have

given me a second chance?

You came to me in my unworthiness

and loved me to life despite my sins.

May I follow in your footsteps, Lord,

by showing mercy to the unloved

and compassion to the undeserving.

You who are the very fountain of forgiveness

may I draw all people to come and bathe

in the flowing waters of your grace.

Give me strength to pick up my cross daily

to offer you a living sacrifice of praise,

prayers and repentance.

The world’s gold and silver is not enough

to repay you for your kindness to me.

Let me then offer you my heart

that you might dwell within me and

everything I do and say might redound

to your glory.

Amen.

Prayer by Father Joe Veneroso, M.M.