SOCL, Easter1B

March 31, 2024

On the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb

See

Traditionally, we have found it easier to think of the cross as the measure of God’s love for us. Perhaps, because of the focus on the cross, we find it more difficult to think of the resurrection as also the love of God, even “all the more so”! The originality of the Fourth Gospel says it all: the disciple Jesus loved, the head cloth recalling Lazarus (see how much he loved him) and, not least, the great figure of Mary Magdalene (Mary!). In summary, Jesus died and rose again for love of us.

Listen

Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118 (117); Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18

Reflect

(John 20:1-18)

-The disciples are in a state of shock after their traumatic loss. Jesus, the one in whom they had placed so much hope, has been murdered and buried. Then, before they have time to recover they get another shock. The body of Jesus is missing. Have you had experiences in which one tragedy or crisis follows quickly after another? What was that like for you? How did you cope? Who, or what, sustained you?

-Mary and Peter, and the other disciple, came and discovered that the tomb was empty. In this text no explanation is given. They are left in a state of bewilderment ‘for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead’. Have you been in situations, faced with events you cannot explain, possibly events that have dashed your hopes in another person, or in God? What has that been like for you?

-Yet in spite of the lack of explanation, the beloved disciple ‘saw and believed’. Have there been times when others have done something that you could not understand, and which they could not explain at the time, and yet you believed that all was not as it seemed; times when you decided to trust in spite of the evidence? Have there been times when others have shown this kind of faith in you, when you were not able to offer satisfactory explanations, and all you could say was ‘trust me’?

-Have there been times in your relationship with God when you have felt that you were faced with an empty tomb, and still you believed? What have you learned about life, about love, from such experiences?

Pray

God of undying life, by your mighty hand you raised up Jesus from the grave and appointed him judge of the living and the dead. Bestow upon those baptised into his death the power flowing from his resurrection, that we may proclaim near and far the pardon and peace you give us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, first-bring from the dead, who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Act

-Embrace God's love fully, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth.

-Practice gratitude daily for blessings and acts of love around you.

-Align your actions with values of love and service, living with purpose inspired by Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ad, March 31). Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033124.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/

SOCL, PalmB24

Sunday March 24, 2024

Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last

---

See

There is a core similarity between the four accounts of the death of Jesus in the New Testament. However, they differ in sequence and in details, allowing various understandings of the cross to unfold. Because the death of Jesus was and is such a deeply mysterious and indeed perplexing event, different dimensions are explored and laid bare by different New Testament writers. None is more stark than Mark’s Gospel: all who knew Jesus have failed him; his only “helper” is a complete outsider, Simon, the unknown passer-by. The only acknowledgment comes from the unnamed Gentile soldier, accidentally present.

---

Listen

Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22 (21); Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47

---

Reflect

(Mark 14:1-15:47)

-The injustice and brutality of the Passion of Jesus make it a difficult story to read as good news. Yet in the midst of that cruelty the courageous, faithful and self-sacrificing love that Jesus shows for us shines through. Recall moments when the account of the passion has moved you in a special way. How have you experienced blessing through it?

-Human love can also be painful. When have you experienced the courage, fidelity and self-sacrifice of others in their love of you? When have you shown that kind of love to others as a parent, a spouse, or a friend or in some other relationship?

-We read the Passion story in the light of resurrection. What seemed a humiliating and shameful failure for Jesus was not the end of the story. Perhaps with hindsight you can look back on something that seemed like a tragedy at the time but out of that tragedy new life and new possibilities followed for you.

-For each of us there arise situations in which we feel things are outside our control and we are utterly helpless and powerless. We are not alone in this experience. In his Passion, Jesus is one with us in this human helplessness. When have you found that the presence of another helped you through a crisis? When have you been able to help another with your presence?

---

Pray

O God of eternal glory, you anointed Jesus your servant to bear our sins, to encourage the weary, to raise up and restore the fallen. Keep before our eyes the splendour of the paschal mystery of Christ, and, by our sharing in the passion and resurrection, seal our lives with the victorious sign of his obedience and exaltation. We ask this through Christ, our liberator from sin, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever. Amen.

---

Act

-Embrace Diversity: Appreciate different perspectives and backgrounds to enrich your understanding.

-Show Compassion to Outsiders: Extend kindness to those marginalized or overlooked in society.

-Acknowledge Acts of Kindness: Express gratitude for small acts of kindness and those who positively impact your life.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ab, March 24). Palm Sunday of the Lord’s passion. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032424.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/

SOCL, Lent5B24

Sunday March 17, 2024

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified

---

See

It has sometimes been remarked, in lighter vein, that none of us gets out of here alive. Death is part of the human condition and we are aware of death and feel the threat of ultimate absurdity. How shall we confront it? Denial—often lived in frenetic distraction—is no help. Christian faith, in contrast with all other faiths, has a distinctive claim: in Jesus’ death, God reached out to us in tender and vulnerable love, becoming our companion on the way. Both John 12 and Hebrews 5 affirm that. It is astonishing to the point of being almost incredible.

---

Listen

Jeremiah 31:31-24; Psalm 51 (50); Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33

---

Reflect

(John 12:20-33)

-Jesus seems to sense that a crisis point has arrived, and he agonises over saying ‘yes’ to what lies before him. He opts to stay faithful to the mission given him by God. Can you recall decisions over which you agonised? What was that like for you? What was it like when you made a decision that you dreaded, or were anxious about, but believed it was the right one for you?

-The parable of the grain of wheat reminds us of a truth that any parent can testify to, namely that it is in dying to ourselves that we can give life to others. We will never be of benefit to others if we remain wrapped up in ourselves. In what ways has your dying to yourself brought life to another? How has the generous giving of another brought life to you?

-Sometimes our emotions rebel at the thought of what lies ahead and we feel like praying to Father, save me from this hour. Then a realisation may come for you as a parent, a teacher, a spouse, a friend: No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Recall times when you have accepted pain or hassle and been a source of life to others for doing do.

-The story presents the death of Jesus as the moment of his glorification by God. It is the moment when the love of Jesus for us is shown in its greatest depth in his gift of himself, a gift he was able to make because God enabled him to do it. We are also glorified when the grace of God enables us to give generously of ourselves. When have you experienced this in yourself or in another?

---

Pray

Great and loving God, we are surrounded by mystery—the mystery of ourselves, of death, of creation, of you. You are our companion on the way and we place our hand confidently in your outstretched hand.

---

Act

-Practice Reflection: Set aside time daily for mindful reflection on life's meaning and mortality.

-Show Compassion: Embrace God's love by showing kindness and empathy to others.

-Live with Purpose: Align your actions with your values to lead a meaningful life.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024z, March 17). Fifth Sunday of Lent. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031724-YearB.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/