"Adjectives"

"Adjectives"

   Sorry that it has been a while since blogging and I wanted the first to be on the Priesthood and Vocation but as I sit to write it up, I have a hard time. Trying to sum up or even just put into words what has gone on these past few weeks are hard. I am almost speechless to be honest. So, I decided let me get back in the swing with a cartoon and a question for you. 

    Look at the cartoon and think if each time you hear Thomas in the Bible do you first think of “Doubting Thomas” or even when they say Disciples do you think of not Thomas but “Doubting” Thomas. It is almost like Thomas is his last name and doubting is his first. That is how we refer to him. Yet , as the cartoon depicts, we don’t say ‘denying peter” or “naked mark”. Why is that? Maybe it is because we know of them more so after those events and have other defining moments in the bible. While Thomas key point in the bible is that factor of doubting. I must say that I feel bad for him because that one moment defined him. We don’f focus on what he says as much to Jesus when he does see Him,“ My Lord and my God”. 

    In reality majority of them doubted. They did not think He was risen when they knew His body was gone. The difference is that they were able to see Jesus before Thomas. They got a grace before him. I mean... come on now... think how you would feel if you were him. You were late and walk in and everyone was like you just missed Jesus. I do not know I would have doubted but I know I would have been “ Oh... Just my luck.. I knew I should have left earlier.. or that darn donkey that was in my way... “ Seriously think how you would feel. The more I think about it, the sadder it is for Thomas. I mean, Think Jesus knows all so why not wait for me to show? Does He like me? Was He upset with me? Why wasn’t I here? Maybe it was easier to think that they were just playing a joke on him then thinking he missed seeing Jesus. I would feel so awful.     

    Now think about your own spiritual journey. Think of the not so great times you have had. If someone just saw those times, what would your “adjective” be? Think if that stuck with you for almost 2000 years. I have to say that I know I would not be thrilled with some of those adjectives for myself.  As I write this blog I am thinking I should do some research on Thomas and learn more about him then that one moment in his life that seems to define him. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and look beyond the “adjectives” and see the whole person. 

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

Lectionary: 271

Reading 1

ACTS 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,

a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,

stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,

and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel,

be careful what you are about to do to these men.

Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,

and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,

and all those who were loyal to him

were disbanded and came to nothing.

After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.

He also drew people after him,

but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.

So now I tell you,

have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.

For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,

it will destroy itself.

But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;

you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

They were persuaded by him.

After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,

ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,

and dismissed them.

So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,

rejoicing that they had been found worthy

to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,

they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (see 4abc) One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

One thing I ask of the LORD

this I seek:

To dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD

and contemplate his temple.

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia

MT 4:4

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

One does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

JN 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.

A large crowd followed him,

because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.

Jesus went up on the mountain,

and there he sat down with his disciples. 

The Jewish feast of Passover was near.

When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,

he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”

He said this to test him,

because he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him,

“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough

for each of them to have a little.”

One of his disciples,

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;

but what good are these for so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” 

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. 

So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,

and distributed them to those who were reclining,

and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,

“Gather the fragments left over,

so that nothing will be wasted.”

So they collected them,

and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments

from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,

“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” 

Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off

to make him king,

he withdrew again to the mountain alone.