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Dear Preachers:
WELCOME to the latest email recipients of “First Impressions,” the women retreatants of Immaculate Conception Parish, Durham, NC. Christ’s death and resurrection had an early and profound effect on his disciples. That’s evident in our reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The perennial division between Jews and Gentiles was in the background of the meeting between Peter and Cornelius. Besides being a non-Jew, Cornelius was a centurion and as such, was an important figure in the Roman occupying. There was no love lost between Jews and the Roman militia. Still, as a follower of Jesus, Peter was hospitable and loving towards Cornelius, receiving him as a brother in Christ. Peter and his companions witness the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and the Gentiles. In the Acts Luke is showing that God is doing “God’s thing.” In this episode Cornelius did not turn to Christ because he heard a profound preaching by one of the disciples. Conversion came to him and all his household because of God’s surprising grace. The Holy Spirit “fell upon all who were listening to the word.” The episode in Acts is a good reminder as we reach out to invite others into our believing community. We will plan well, design education programs, have “come and see” sessions, invite people to sign up on our parish web page. etc. But we are reminded again today God is the heart of all our attempts to build our community. It is God’s plan and God’s grace to include all into God’s household. As Peter says, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and ask uprightly is acceptable to him.” Peter is beginning to see others as God does. He welcomes them because he knows God has already welcomed them. I know of some folks who decided to join a parish because when they visited it, even though they were from another country, they were welcomed by the regulars. Peter slowly discovers that God is impartial, loves and welcomes all who accept God, regardless of their race, place of origin, social status and background. Peter’s acceptance of Cornelius couldn’t have been easy for him since all his life as a Jew, he would have kept his distance from Gentiles, believing them to be unacceptable to God. Finally, through God-sent visions and angelic messengers Peter got the word. God’s plan for salvation was open to all humankind. Today’s gospel presents us with a vision for
the church. Jesus has just told his disciples, “I am the vine; you are the
branches” (15:1ff). Now he describes the relationship between his disciples and
himself. It is not merely a gathering of friends, or like-minded individuals.
Nor is it an institution with fixed offices and officials. Instead, as different
as each may be, Jesus and his disciples are bound by sacrificial love. Our love
is to be the same as the love he has for us: “This is my commandment; love one
another as I have loved you.” We have our treasure and our relationship to
Christ and one another; but we also have responsibilities. We are attached to
the true vine and we are to share the love and life we are receiving now from
Christ with others. The love Jesus showed us was a sacrificial love and so
should ours be towards others, “in season and out of season.” Today’s gospel is part of Jesus’ last discourse. He is telling his disciples of both the privilege and responsibilities we have. He is the true vine we are grafted to. We have the joy of knowing this friendship that will be with us in both good times and bad. We will come to know that Jesus will not leave us and we will continue to know God and Jesus by keeping Jesus’ commandment of love. What kind of love is he speaking of? He says it quite plainly: it is love like his, a willingness to lay down one’s life for one’s “friends.” We don’t just need a model of ideal behavior
upon whom to fashion our lives. We need a savior who, once having lived and died
for us, will stay with us to guide and enable us to imitate his own living and
dying. Today, as last Sunday, we hear the importance of “remaining” or “abiding”
in Jesus. This staying in Jesus will be the way we can live his commandment of
love. One thing is very clear in this discourse; we can live Jesus’ life because
he graces us to do so. Without our relationship with him, we would be left on
our own to do our best to follow his life and live his commands. And the truth
is, on our own, we wouldn’t be able to live such a life. Without Jesus’ abiding,
grace-giving presence, neither we individuals, nor our church, can live the life
he calls us to today: “Love one another as I have loved you.” His love is the
kind that lays down his life for another. Click here for a
link to this Sunday’s readings: Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, “Laudate Deum?” This is a sequel to “Laudato Si,” and is addressed “To All People of Good Will On the Climate Crisis.” The Pope furthers themes from his previous encyclical in which we expressed his “heartfelt concerns about the care of our common home.” He laments that the world in which we are living is collapsing and we, especially the wealthy nations, have not responded adequately to the crisis.
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God Beloved. Such a beautiful word. Do you think of
yourself as beloved? I could spend the whole day contemplating this word
(especially when out in nature); how it feels interiorly to know I am loved; how
I respond to being loved. Pope Benedict XVI considered this relationship of love
so important that he wrote his first encyclical about it. Written in 2005, Deus
Caritas Est (God is Love) explores in fullness God’s Love and our response. Here
are some of his thoughts on what our response should be: Barbara
Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home. From today’s Gospel reading: Jesus said to his
disciples... Reflection: Love is one commandment with many faces, many opportunities to put it into practice. If there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend, then we can begin by reflecting on what part of our lives must we “lay down” for the sake of another? So we ask ourselves:
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES "The death penalty is one of the great moral
issues facing our country, yet most people rarely think about it and very few of
us take the time to delve deeply enough into this issue to be able to make an
informed decision about it." Please write to:
----Central Prison, P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland. For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/ - On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/. “First Impressions” is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, send a note to Fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org. If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.: St. Albert
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If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy. You can order the CDs by going to our webpage: https://www.PreacherExchange.com and clicking on the “First Impressions” CD link on the left. OTHER PUBLICATIONS BY EMAIL: 1. "HOMILÍAS DOMINICALES" ---These Spanish reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are written by Dominican sisters and friars. If you or a friend would like to receive these reflections drop a note to "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net> 2. "VOLUME 2" is an opportunity for you to hear from the readers of First Impressions. To subscribe or Send your own reflections: Send them to "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net > Your contributions to Volume 2 are welcome. OUR WEBSITE: https://www.preacherexchange.com - Where you will find Preachers Exchange, which includes "First Impressions," "Homilías Dominicales," and "Volume 2" as well as articles, book reviews, daily homilies and other material pertinent to preaching and Scripture reflection. FOR EMAIL HELP OR TO UNSUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE, OR CHANGE: Email "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net>
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