Monday in the Octave of Easter
EARTH DAY
Matthew, Chapter 28, verse 8
Then they went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples.
It’s a curious thing that a
father does. The same child that he protects and cradles, he takes in his hands
and throws into the air. . .up above his head. . .lets him fall back. . .and
then catches again. And again, throws him. . .lets him fall. . .and catches
him. It seems odd to do to a child. But watch. The child laughs and even
shrieks with delight. He screams in mid-flight and giggles when caught. There
is fear of being in the air, without support, helpless and not in control.
There is fear of being so dependent on this big man. But then there is the joy
of being received back into his arms and brought close to him again. All one
fluid motion, the throwing and the catching. Which means that the fear and the
joy are united as well. Then they went away quickly
from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples.
(Mt 28:8) This description of the women on Easter Sunday resembles the fear and
joy that the child experiences in his father’s arms. As in that experience, the
fear and joy in this instance are united, one being impossible without the
other. The fear of the women is, of course, the reverence that we call fear of the Lord. They just encountered the angel and
received news of something beyond their control. Christ is risen. No human
intellect can make sense of it, no human power can tame it. The women are
reminded powerfully of that fundamental truth: He is God and we are not. Their
smallness – and ours – is evident. In His Resurrection appearances, Jesus
always teaches the transcendence and otherness that elicits fear. He cannot be
controlled. He is master of the situation, remaining for a time unrecognizable
to Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the road, the Apostles in the boat.
Revealing Himself only on His own terms. He suddenly disappears in Emmaus. And
just as suddenly appears before the Apostles. The Lord rebukes the two people –
Mary Magdalene and Thomas – who try to have Him on their own terms. The risen
Christ will not be domesticated. He must be feared in order to be received. Only
when that fear is present can joy arise. Easter joy is not something
manufactured or created by us. It comes from the Resurrection or not at all,
precisely and only when we surrender control and allow the risen Lord to
intrude on our gatherings and activities just as surely as He appeared on the
road, in the upper room, and on the seashore. If we want Him on our own terms –
and thus without fear – then it is not the risen Lord we want, but a
caricature. Fear and joy seem always to have been together, or at least meant
to be. Adam’s joy depended on a healthy reverence for that one prohibition and
the ominous warning: lest you die. When he and Eve
reached out to grasp – that is, to control God’s arrangement, to define their
own reality – at that very moment their joy was lost. They even hid from God. Since
that moment, we children of Adam have suffered the deep, sinful inclination to
wrest control from God, for ourselves. We are constantly grasping for joy on
our own terms and, therefore, always losing it. This is at the core of sin, to
prefer our reality to God’s, to seek joy on our own terms. Such has always been
the case. But this is also a timely consideration, because we live in an
irreverent and therefore a joyless culture. We lack fear of the Lord and
consequently lack authentic joy, settling for pleasure as a cheap imitation. This
matter of fear of the Lord – whether we are reverent or irreverent – determines
how we view the world. In short, reality is either given and received, or
invented and imposed. By fear of the Lord, we receive the reality of which God
Himself is the Author. We conform ourselves to the Author’s will and plot line.
By our irreverence, however, we invent our own reality, and impose it on
others. These fault lines lie in every human heart. But as much as every human
heart may struggle, in the past there was at least general agreement that
reality is not something we invent but something given to us and received. Now,
however, the invention of reality is not only possible, but essential to
society. Our impiety and irreverence is codified: At the heart of liberty is the
right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe,
and of the mystery of human life. An invented reality, having no
objective truth, cannot be agreed upon. It must be imposed. Indeed, these fault
lines – given and received, invented and imposed – are writ large in society.
They characterize all our debates: about sex, sexuality, marriage, law, and
even liturgy. Either we receive the given truth of these and find joy therein,
or we make it up and force others to come along. Technology exacerbates the
problem, making us feel like masters of time and space, thus having the
authority and power to define existence, meaning, universe, and life. Fearful yet overjoyed. This describes those first
messengers of the Resurrection, the first Christian witnesses. So also, should
it describe Christians today. The world cries out for such witnesses, for those
who joyfully point beyond this world to eternal truths. We ought, then, to be
fearful – acknowledging our smallness, our absolute dependence on the Author of
life and the reality of His creation. And precisely because of that holy fear
we should also be found joyful – ever rejoicing in what He has done for us, in
being caught once more and gathered to His bosom.[1]
IN the Introit of the Mass
of this day the Church brings before our eyes the entrance of the Israelites
into the promised land, which is a type of the kingdom of heaven, under Josue,
who is a type of Christ. The Lord hath brought you into a land flowing with
milk and honey, alleluia: and that the law of the Lord may be ever in your
mouth, alleluia, alleluia. Give glory to the Lord and call upon His name,
declare His deeds among the gentiles.
Prayer. O God, Who hast bestowed remedies
on the world in the paschal solemnities, grant to Thy people heavenly gifts, we
be seech Thee, that they may both deserve to obtain perfect liberty, and arrive
at life everlasting.
EPISTLE. Acts x. 37-43.
In those days: Peter
standing in the midst of the people, said: Men, brethren, you know the word
which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after
the baptism which John preached, Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed Him with
the Holy Ghost, and with power, Who went about doing good, and healing all that
were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things
that He did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, Whom they killed, hanging
Him upon a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave Him to be made
manifest, not to all the people, but to witnesses pre-ordained by God, even to
us, who did eat and drink with Him after He arose again from the dead: and He
commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He Who was
appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead. To Him all the
prophets give testimony, that by His name all receive remission of sins, who
believe in Him.
Explanation. Through Jesus sent from God, and through Him alone, forgiveness of
sins and salvation are promised to all who truly and firmly believe in Him and
show their belief by deeds. Have such a lively faith, and thou shalt receive
forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.
GOSPEL. Luke xxiv. 13-35.
At that time: two of the disciples of Jesus went
the same day to a town, which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to
pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus Himself also
drawing near went with them. But their eyes were held that they should not know
Him. And He said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with
another as you walk, and are sad?
And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas,
answering, said to Him: Art Thou only a stranger in Jerusalem and hast not
known the things that have been done there in these days? To whom He said: What
things?
And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, Who
was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people, and how
our chief priests and princes delivered Him to be condemned to death and
crucified Him. But we hoped that it was He that should have redeemed Israel:
and now besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done.
Yea, and certain women also of our company, affrighted us, who before it was
light were at the sepulchre. And not finding His body, came, saying that they
had also seen a vision of angels, who say that He is alive. And some of our
people went to the sepulchre: and found it so as the women had said, but Him
they found not. Then He said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe
in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered
these things, and so to enter into His glory?
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He
expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things that were concerning Him.
And they drew nigh to the town whither they were going, and He made as though
He would go farther. But they constrained Him, saying: Stay with us, because it
is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And He went in with them. And
it came to pass, whilst He was at table with them, He took bread, and blessed,
and broke, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him: and
He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our
heart burning within us, whilst He spoke in the wray, and opened to us the
Scriptures?
And rising up the same hour they went back to
Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were
with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And
they told what things were done in the way: and how they knew Him in the
breaking of bread.
Why
did Jesus appear as a stranger to the two disciples? He appeared to them as a stranger, says St. Gregory, be cause He meant
to deal with them according to their dispositions, and according to the
firmness of their faith. They seemed not to have believed in Him as the Son of
God, but to have expected a hero or prince who should deliver them from their
subjection to the Romans. Thus, Christ was, indeed, yet a stranger in their
hearts, and chose to appear to them as such, to free those who loved Him from
their false notions, to convince them of the ne cessity of His passion, and to
reveal Himself to them, as soon as their understandings should be enlightened,
and their hearts filled with desire. Thus God orders the disposal of His graces
accord ing to our dispositions; according to our faith and trust; according to
our love and fidelity.
Easter Monday[3] was reserved as a
special day for rest and relaxation. Its most distinctive feature is the Emmaus walk, a leisurely
constitution inspired by the Gospel of the day (Luke 24.13-35). This can take
the form of a stroll through field or forest or, as in French Canada, a visit
to one's grandparents.
Earth Day[5]
Earth Day seeks to
highlight and promote efforts dedicated to the protection of the environment.
We face many environmental crises, including global warming,
deforestation, endangered wildlife, shortages of potable water
and widespread pollution, all which negatively affect our planet’s resources
and can have adverse effects on our long-term lifestyle and health.
In 1970, a US Senator named Gaylord Nelson was inspired to bring about mass
public awareness of environment problems. He heavily promoted the day across
the nation in an effort to gather the largest amount of public support possible
and ultimately, in the hopes of elevating environmental protection onto the
national political agenda. This day in 1970 marked the creation of United
States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean
Water and Endangered Species Acts. Today, Earth Day is celebrated by
billions of people around the world and is observed in over 190 countries.
Worldwide, Earth Day celebrations utilize educational programs to inform people
of ways that can help protect the environment and its natural resources. It is
observed annually on April 22nd and is celebrated as International Earth Day.
Earth Day Facts & Quotes
·
During
the 2015 UN Conference in Paris, France, participating nations concurred on the
need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The countries cooperatively
pledged to keep global temperature rise below 2C (3.6F). In celebration of
Earth Day 2016 on April 22nd, the landmark agreement that testifies to this
global commitment was signed at the UN Headquarters in New York by 175
participating nations
·
Energy
Star rated LED light bulbs use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times
longer, than incandescent lighting. Switching entirely to LED lights over
the next two decades could save the U.S. $250 billion in energy costs, reduce
electricity consumption for lighting by nearly 50 percent and avoid 1,800
million metric tons of carbon emissions.
·
In
the past 50 years, humans have consumed more resources than in all previous
history. - U.S. EPA, 2009. Sustainable Materials Management: The Road Ahead.
·
We
do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. -
Native American Proverb
Earth Day Top Events and Things to
Do
·
Organize
a group of volunteers to help clean up and restore a green space. Some
suggestions include planting trees and adding waste receptacles.
·
Try
to go the whole day without creating any garbage, • Try not to use your car for
the entire day. Instead, use public transit, walk or ride your bicycle.
·
Change
your traditional incandescent light bulbs to energy saving LED or CFL light
bulbs.
·
Watch
a documentary or movie that touches on an ecological issue. Our favorites are:
An Inconvenient Truth (2006), the Burning Season (1993, 2008), Elemental (2012)
and The Day after Tomorrow (2004).
·
Read
one of many books that relate to environmental issues such as, The World
Without Us (Alan Weisman), Hell and High Water (Joseph Romm) and Natural
Capitalism (Hawken, Lovins and Lovins)
Encyclical Letter
Laudato Si’[6]of
The Holy Father Francis on Care for Our Common Home
·
“Laudato
Si’, mi’ Signore” –“Praise be to you, my
Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds
us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a
beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord,
through our Sister, MotherEarth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces
various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”.
·
This
sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our
irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We
have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at
will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in
the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in
all forms of life. This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is
among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she “groans in travail”
(Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen
2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we
receive life and refreshment from her waters.
These are strong words in a world that from the beginning has been a place of conflict, disputes and enmity on all sides, where we constantly pigeonhole others on the basis of their ideas, their customs and even their way of speaking or dressing. Ultimately, it is the reign of pride and vanity, where each person thinks he or she has the right to dominate others. Nonetheless, impossible as it may seem, Jesus proposes a different way of doing things: the way of meekness. This is what we see him doing with his disciples. It is what we contemplate on his entrance to Jerusalem: “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey”. Christ says: “Learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls”. If we are constantly upset and impatient with others, we will end up drained and weary. But if we regard the faults and limitations of others with tenderness and meekness, without an air of superiority, we can actually help them and stop wasting our energy on useless complaining. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux tells us that “perfect charity consists in putting up with others’ mistakes, and not being scandalized by their faults”. Paul speaks of meekness as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. He suggests that, if a wrongful action of one of our brothers or sisters troubles us, we should try to correct them, but “with a spirit of meekness”, since “you too could be tempted”. Even when we defend our faith and convictions, we are to do so “with meekness”. Our enemies too are to be treated “with meekness”. In the Church we have often erred by not embracing this demand of God’s word. Meekness is yet another expression of the interior poverty of those who put their trust in God alone. Indeed, in the Bible the same word – anawim – usually refers both to the poor and to the meek. Someone might object: “If I am that meek, they will think that I am an idiot, a fool or a weakling”. At times they may, but so be it. It is always better to be meek, for then our deepest desires will be fulfilled. The meek “shall inherit the earth”, for they will see God’s promises accomplished in their lives. In every situation, the meek put their hope in the Lord, and those who hope for him shall possess the land… and enjoy the fullness of peace. For his part, the Lord trusts in them: “This is the one to whom I will look, to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at my word”.
·
Reacting with meekness and
humility: that is holiness.
Fourth Day - Today Bring Me the Pagans and Those Who Do Not Know Me.
Most Compassionate
Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your
Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans who as yet do not know You. Let
the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may
extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is
Your Most Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father,
turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of pagans and of those who as yet do not
know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw
them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness
it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy
for endless ages. Amen.
Daily Devotions
[1]https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2015/04/26/fearful-yet-overjoyed/
[2]
Goffines Devout Instructions, 1896
[7]http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html
[8]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1032
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