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   Before departing from his disciples, Jesus promised to leave them with peace. This peace would be achieved through keeping His words, which not only means assimilating His teaching, but primarily involves emulating His love in constantly evolving circumstances. The disciples would be assisted by the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

   Circumcision was a very divisive issue in the early church. Fortunately, under the leadership of the Apostles, and no doubt with inspiration from above, it was decided not to burden non-Jewish catechumens with a requirement that was totally foreign to them. Thus, the door for the universal outreach of Christianity was opened wide.

   The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, in his welcoming speech, appealed for peace several times. He will have to face more tensions in the contemporary Catholic church than Paul and Barnabas did 20 centuries ago, since the much more complex world provides more agendas to deal with. Let us then pray for him and his many advisors, that they might be able to discern the will of the Holy Spirit in important decisions and to enjoy Christ’s peace after their implementation.

– Fr. Toni Baranowski, SJ

The time had come, Jesus had spent so much time teaching the disciples, revealing his Father to them, and preparing them to take his message of salvation to the world.  But this was his last night on earth, and he wanted to make his final words to them count.  And he did that by distilling all his wisdom and revelation down into just one ‘new commandment’.

Love one another.  First Jesus teaches us to love without expecting anything in return. When Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, it is not in the hopes that they will return the favor.  There is no greater proof of God’s love for us than the Cross of Jesus Christ.  In the cross we see a new way of love, a love that is selfless, forgiving and compassionate beyond comprehension.  Jesus commands us, his disciples, to love one another just as he has loved us.  How can we love one another selflessly and with compassion?

Through the victory of the cross and resurrection, we have access to God’s grace and mercy.  God gives us new life through the gift of the Holy Spirit, and he fills our hearts with faith, hope and love.  Paul the apostle reminds us that ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.’  As we turn to God with trust and obedience, he transforms our hearts and frees us to love others with compassion and kindness.  Do you want to bring glory to God in the way you love others?

Jesus devoted himself to teaching us how to live together in love. He knew that everything he said and did contributed to this goal.  He longed to pull down all the dividing walls that kept us from treating each other as brothers and sisters created out of love by the same heavenly Father.  And now he was about to break the biggest dividing wall: the power of sin.

And now, he would go so far as to offer his own life on the cross to set us free.  This is how he loved us: by laying down his life us.  And this is how he wants us to love each other, by pouring ourselves out in love for one another.

He is still with us to shower his love on us and to help us love one another in return.  So let’s turn to him and receive that love.  Let’s fulfil his new commandment!

– Shirley Shigwadja

Vocation Sunday

Our prayer life is enriched this week by the occasion of Mother’s Day and Vocation Sunday. All of this is in the week of what has traditionally been called “Good Shepherd Sunday.”

Remarkably, the Gospel, in particular, is very brief. In it Jesus promises two things; eternal life to his flock, also sureness and certainty of to whom we belong. “I give eternal life, and…no one can take (my sheep) out of my hand.” Then Jesus backs up those promises with this: “The Father has given them to me…. the Father and I are one.”

Jesus had shown that he has power over death. He raised a young man to life (Lk 7:14-15). He also raised his friend Lazarus back to life (Jn 11:43). However, Jesus’ power over death was not his alone. For example, Jesus could not raise himself to life. His resurrection came through the power of the Holy Trinity: Father-Son-Spirit (Acts 2:32, and Rom 8:11).

Today we lift up and pray for our mothers, whose power to give life and nurture it in us comes also from God. We also lift up and pray for all who are called to serve with love that is self-sacrificing — in our Church, and in our families, and in our communities at large. We pray for all who make choices to spend their lives serving in spiritual works, child care, teaching, health care, civic leadership, and many other such works. In other words, we pray for all who answer a call to the vocations of leadership in their families, and in all the professions that are at the service of life.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we are reminded of how great is our hope and how much we have to be grateful for. We are reminded that God is the source and power behind all of life and behind all who serve our life. We are reminded of the mystery of life that is channeled through our Mothers. We are reminded also to encourage all who are gifted with life-giving and life-saving talents to commit themselves to always using their talents and resources in answer to God’s call to self-sacrifice and service of others.

– Fr. Mark Hoelsken, SJ

The book The Name of God is Mercy, published in 2016, presents a conversation between Pope Francis and journalist Andrea Tornielli. In his introduction to the book, Tornielli writes about Francis’ first Mass as Pope, in 2013. At that Mass, Francis spoke “off the cuff” and said: “The message of Jesus is mercy. For me, and I say this with humility, it is the Lord’s strongest message.”

On this second Sunday of Easter, which is also called Divine Mercy Sunday, we can find Jesus’ message of mercy in today’s Gospel reading. In this passage from John’s Gospel, we find a message from the risen Jesus about peace, as Jesus says twice to his disciples: “Peace be with you.” Related to this message and sharing of peace is a message and sharing of mercy. The disciples are fearful and so have locked the doors. Jesus offers peace and he is also merciful, not condemning them for being afraid. Thomas doubts and does not believe the others. Jesus comes and stands among them a second time and patiently, mercifully reassures Thomas.

May we too experience the peace and mercy of the risen Lord. And may Pope Francis, who knew God’s love and mercy and peace in this life, know it fully in the next one.

Fr. Paul Robson, SJ

Alleluia! “The Lord has risen as He said.” The Easter season is the peak of our Christian Catholic faith. It is the resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate. In his resurrection lies our hope for our own resurrection, and it is what we as Catholic Christians live for, as members of the church, who are the body of Jesus the Christ. It is also our hope as Anishnabek with our belief in the cycle of life.

We have just finished the 40 days of Lent, a time when we give things up that are not healthy for us, or things that have gained control over us, such as junk foods, cell phones, alcohol and drugs, etc.  Some may have worked on developing and practicing healthy habits such as praying the rosary daily, or walking more to stay healthy. These practices help us overcome our selfishness and self-centeredness so we can focus on loving God and our neighbour. Jesus practiced his letting go of things that bind, for 40 days when he fasted. That might have been his first death, death of the ego, and his first resurrection, rising above his ego, death to selfishness and self-centeredness. He got past his own needs, fears, and desires. He was then free to help, teach, and focus on the needs of those around him. His final test of letting go was his agonizing death, which we ritualize in our Good Friday service to re-member (it is like integrating) it in our own lives. It is our sharing in the suffering. That is the Jesus Christ story we re-member.

What is your suffering, death and resurrection story? Each of us have our own stories of life struggles, with ourselves and with life around us. Often when we overcome a difficult hurdle, we breathe a sigh of relief and realize we have new-found strength. One Lent, years ago, I gave up sugar in my tea and coffee, a small thing to help me identify with the suffering of Jesus. It was hard, but sugar is not healthy and serves no nutritional purpose. That Easter, I was filled with a greater joy because I had a tiny part to play in my redemption, by being healthier and loosening the grip sugar had on me. This is our journey, and we can say with Jesus, ‘not my will but yours be done’. Our practices of letting go can become a daily practice and will bring new life to oneself and those around us. We will then be an ‘alleluia’ people, a resurrected people who will also change the lives of those around us. The Lord Jesus will have risen in us. Alleluia!

– Sr. Terry (Kateri) Beadry, CSJ

The Spirit, through the prophet Isaiah, is today speaking to us about how we need to let the former things go and rather hold fast to the Lord, who is trying to do a new work in, for and through us; who alone can bring us to the safe harbour we desire through this desert pilgrimage called life.

The following Psalm, and the passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, seem to be appropriate responses to the Lord’s invitation. The more we come to know the Lord, to develop and deepen our personal relationship with him, to know his love and mercy towards us, the more should we be filled with that joy which the world cannot give, but which can only come through him. This should increasingly make us grow detached from the things of this world (the former things) in terms of our affections and desires. These are not the end-all and be-all of our being, of our stories.

These worldly affections and desires, I believe, are also often (along with our ill use of our own will in relation to these) the source of many of our deepest troubles and wounds in this life. And not only of our own troubles and wounds, as today’s Gospel startlingly shows; but they tend to hurt and involve others, whether directly or indirectly – the impact always being viscerally real.

Yet the good Lord, in his infinite compassion and condescension towards us, still extends to us his personal pardon, healing, and renewed freedom. But not freedom as an unlimited licence for all things, and certainly not to return to said former things. “Go and sin no more,” Jesus says to us, and in another place Scripture says, “do good works”.

The other lesson that I think is important for us to take away today is: just as we have been extended this hand from the Lord, so too should we (within reason) extend the same benefit to others, as opposed to hands filled with stones to enact a strict and stringent justice – under which we would also stand condemned, if we are truly honest with ourselves.

 – Aaron Neiva

This is also called “Laetare” Sunday, a Latin word meaning “rejoice”, as in the Entrance Antiphon, a joyous celebration. Let us look over the readings and ponder what it is that is being celebrated.

The First Reading, from Joshua, is about the Israelites celebrating their first Passover in the Promised Land, as promised by God. They were eating the produce of the land, no longer Manna, which was the food God had provided to them while they were in the desert. This was a new beginning, the disgrace of being slaves in Egypt was removed.

In the Second Reading (2 Corinthians 5:17-21), Paul teaches that anyone in Christ is a new creation. The old has passed away, all things are made new, we are becoming new creations, in a continuous process of becoming aware and conversion. A word I have heard for this awareness, or coming to your senses, is “mikowe”; and continuing to conversion is “andjibimadisiwin” – both to be joyously celebrated. God reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, to be ambassadors for Christ.

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 34) is a psalm of joyously praising the goodness of the Lord always. “Taste and see that the Lord is good” for he hears and saves those in need. Seek him and be filled with joy and never be ashamed.

In the Gospel of Luke (15:1-3, 11-32), Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and scribes, who were complaining that he welcomed sinners and ate with them. They were unaware of their own dark side. Jesus wanted to teach them and to call them to self-knowledge and conversion by telling the parable of the prodigal son. The younger son is an obvious sinner who came to his senses, returned home to say that he was “not worthy to be called your son”. But he was greeted with open arms, a kiss, great joy and celebration.

The older son was hardworking and righteous. His behaviour of feeling superior was just like the Pharisees and scribes. When his father came out to him to invite him in, he refused to celebrate. He resisted in anger and hurt, had no love for his brother, called him “this son yours” to his father. He had the freedom to accept or reject.

This parable highlights God’s abundant and endless mercy and forgiveness and unconditional love for everyone, even the Pharisees and scribes. He eagerly waits for us to return to Him, to reconcile with Him and each other. What great joy there is in forgiveness.

Let us renew ourselves, come to our senses and be humble, smaller, less defensive, and accept the loving invitation of God.

Rosella Kinoshameg DOS

3^rd Sunday of Lent – March 23, 2025

The Holy Spirit gave me a jolt, a sudden reminder, that I said yes to writing the reflection for this Sunday. I am sure you have all felt this nudge. We are so loved by God. So here I am Lord, “I have come to do your will”.

The title of my reflection comes from the 1^st Reading for today, from Exodus. Moses leads the people out of Egypt to a land of milk and honey. The journey took many days and involved many hardships – like Jesus being in the wilderness. Moses takes time to be alone, as he isn’t sure what he is doing. He came upon a mountain called Horeb. An angel appears to him, a reassurance that he is where he is supposed to be at this time. Moses saw the angel in a blaze of fire, stunned with the sight as the burning bush wasn’t consumed. I am sure he was star struck, then a voice said “Moses, Moses”; the voice of God saying “Come no closer!  Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” I am reminded of the prayer of gratitude, to walk on the grass barefoot to ground ourselves, to take moments of awe as we walk on Holy Ground. Still others lay their body on the ground and feel the love of creation. Moses needed to do this, to be able to continue with leading the people. To take the time to ground himself, as at times we feel unsure of where we are going. So listen to the quiet and maybe you will hear God.

The Gospel today speaks about sinners, comparing sinners, some being worse than others. None the less we are all sinners and that awful feeling of remorse and guilt is felt and weighs heavy on us. Jesus tells us that unless you repent, you will all perish. Boongideh ndaadis is what we need to do. Talk to the Lord and repent, he will lighten our load. We are close to Jesus in the wilderness during our time of feeling unworthy, when we look at our dryness. What we need is to ask for forgiveness and repent, sweat like Jesus. Maybe take a step further and go to confession.

The Responsorial Psalm is like a warm hug. The Lord is merciful and gracious. Our God is an awesome God. He is slow to anger (I should work on this) and he is abounding in steadfast love.

Margaret Tish Manitowabi

by Eddie MacDonald

There are several themes this week in the readings.  Moses shares how his ancestors made their way and established in Egypt, only to be made slaves.  Through God’s powerful intercession they became free, following the Holy Spirit by a pillar of fire during the day and a pillar of smoke at night.  God protected them and, when they finally arrived in the land of milk and honey, they were to show their gratitude by offering the first fruit – not the second after they ate, but the first.  This was to prepare them for sacrifice, giving the best for God first.  When we give the best piece of pie or the first bite of your warm biscuit that is dripping with butter and jam to your loved one, you are giving it to God, as God is love.

God takes care of us, as we hear in Psalm 91.  This was a Psalm which the Jewish people would recite at night – addressing their fears of the dark.  Taking comfort that the angels surrounded their tents so they could rest and knowing that if they just called on His name, He would take care of them.  As a child I remember reciting the prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep” and as I grew, I became “friends” with my Guardian Angel.  We are encouraged to ask God for his protection and to lean into our Guardian Angel, created just for us.  God responds with love and joy because we call on His name.

In the second reading we are reminded about keeping the Word close to our hearts and pronouncing it through our mouths.  This is Jesus, the Word!  “For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” How simple, how beautiful!  In our faith we wrap our hearts around Jesus, the one who died and was raised from the dead.  In our speaking we share Him with others, using the Word – the stories we know of Jesus, and because we do so, we gain eternal life. Whoa!!

Finally, in the Gospel the devil tempts Jesus three times using what we humans would find appealing – comfort (a full belly), power (being the boss of everyone) and prestige (put God to the test).  Yet Jesus uses the Word – Scripture to put that temptation to rest.  Knowing the Angels would be present to save Jesus, the devil quoted Scripture to try to convince Jesus to go ahead, just try and see for sure… Jesus threw Scripture back at him, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

So we see, on this first Sunday of Lent, our own beginnings.  We too will sacrifice to show our God that we honour him first above all.  We will be tempted to return to the old ways, to fail, to give up.  But if we can see that it is through these very temptations that we grow spiritually closer to God, then we will prevail.  Call on the Word, call on your Guadian Angel to assist you and have hope.  Hold fast! It is always darkest before the light.

As the Church across the world prepares for the Feast of Easter, a Lenten time is ‘scheduled’. While we envision stacks of pancakes dripping with butter and syrup, we remember that Ash Wednesday follows, leading us into the Lenten practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

It really is a sorting out time: the good fruit from the bad fruit of our lives. What burdens our spirit, mind and heart is what we are asked to attend to…in the wilderness with Jesus. Is it grief, insults, back-handed conversation, loss of a loved one, lies, your job or your health, abuse of any kind? Are these the specks that have become the ‘logs in your own eye’ to which Jesus refers? (Luke 6:39-45)

I wonder if, over the 6 weeks of Lent, decluttering rooms of the house, or the shed or garage, might help to sort out the interior disposition of our hearts and minds – dispositions that guide our life toward producing good fruit, or away from it. Allowing ourselves the time to be in that wilderness with Jesus might be helpful. We might head to the pantry to cull what is not being used appropriately and share it, or to the clothes closets, or get some order to the bill payments. What about ‘eating clean?’ Efforts to declutter our diet from fats and sugar overload?

Jesus asks, “Can the blind lead the blind?” I really need to ask myself who I am following when it comes to behaviours. Are they good examples, with a history of desiring to produce good fruit? If they are not, it is likely time for a change, to see and experience what is on the other side of the mountain…coming out of the wilderness with Jesus.

It is the Creator’s desire for His children to live fruitful lives with joy – fruit found not in the thorns or bramble bushes, but on the trees grown in well cultivated land, where “a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of the mind” (Sirach).

A Pilgrim with you in a Jubilee Year

Mary Balfe