As I write this, my tummy is full of a nice, big breakfast. I was simply being obedient. If you didn’t have breakfast this morning, you didn’t listen to Jesus. All kidding aside, today’s Gospel reading is one of my favorites. Jesus shows his love for his Apostles by not only helping them fish, but by cooking them breakfast, too. There’s so much to unpack in this post-Resurrection encounter, and I love to sit in prayer and think about that morning.
All the readings this week have been phenomenal, as we continue to celebrate Easter. Remember, each day of the octave is a little Easter (which is why we continue to sing the Gloria, pray the Easter Sequence, etc). For Catholics, that means we get to eat meat today, even though it’s Friday. Don’t forget to celebrate this Easter season.
The first readings this week have focused on the work of Peter beginning to lead the baby Church. I love seeing this transformation in Peter through the Holy Spirit and the loving mercy of God. I wrote a little bit about the limitless mercy of God this week over on Integrated Catholic Life, as we prepare to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday.
At times, it may be difficult to accept God’s mercy. Maybe we have a hard time accepting God’s mercy for ourselves. Perhaps we feel we’ve done too much or strayed too far. Perhaps the consequences of sin still feel too raw and the wounds are still too fresh, and they prevent us from believe God is merciful. He is still here, waiting to welcome you back when you have the courage to come.
Read the whole post here.
I write over on Integrated Catholic Life every Friday - usually about Scripture and prayer, but really about whatever strikes my fancy.
Bible Studies
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, and one way I’ll be celebrating is by doing what I love most: teaching a Bible study. I teach a Bible study live on YouTube every month for my patrons. Some enjoy it live, while others watch it archived later at their convenience (all the studies are saved - so if you become a patron now, you’ll have access to all 11 studies we have done together). Some patrons even get to vote on what each study will cover. If you're interested, you can find more information here.
Pilgrimage News!
Next month, I’ll be heading to Austria and Germany with my dear friend, The Catholic Traveler, for a much-anticipated, patiently-longed for pilgrimage to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau. The Passion Play is held every 10 years, so if it’s on your bucket list, don’t wait! (One of the many lessons of COVID: Carpe diem!) We have just had three spots open on our trip, and they probably won’t last long. Who wouldn't want to see Neuschwanstein Castle, the village where Silent Night was written, and the birthplace of Pope Benedict… with one of my all-time favorite pilgrimage chaplains ever, Father Michael Baggot? You know you want to sign up… More details here.
Please pray for a wonderful group of young men who are heading out on retreat this weekend. I will be driving out to lead their first night. They are members (and discerners) of an ecumenical monastery, which is made up of men who feel called to a life of celibacy of the sake of the Kingdom of God. Realizing any life of vocational singleness requires community, two brave young men have founded this ecumenical monastery in Nashville to build a stable, life-giving family. It’s an ambitious vision, and I’m grateful to serve on their pastoral advisory board with six other religious leaders in the Nashville area. Please pray for the men discerning and the men already in the house, that all will be open to what the Lord wants to speak to their hearts and do in their lives this weekend.
I’m currently involved in a number of projects and speaking throughout the country in the next few months. But as I mentioned in an earlier newsletter, one of the projects I’m most excited about is a retreat for diocesan, school, parish, and/or apostolate staff, particularly those that might be struggling with questions, dissension, disillusionment, or simply exhaustion. It’s not an easy thing, working for the Church who is also supposed be feeding you spiritually. Too often we lose sight of our identity and feel more like employees of God than children of God. The retreat will be customizable for the group, and the six talks to choose from will include themes such as prayer and the spiritual life, burnout, mercy, discipleship, and common pitfalls of working in the vineyard. If you know a diocese, school system, parish, or apostolate who might be looking for a retreat speaker or for whom this might be helpful, feel free to pass along my information.
That’s all for now. I’m off to complete my breakfast with a Reeses peanut butter egg (because, you know, protein).
Don’t forget to celebrate!
Joan, just recently I learned that Jesus' question to Peter just after today's Gospel reading , were he asks Peter "Do you love me more than these?", is much more than it seems. The Greek word Jesus uses for "love" is agape. But Peter responds using "love" finial.
Maybe Peter still has not grasped the message that Jesus is calling him, and us , to an " unconditional " love, like His.