Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us to expect persecution. But do not be afraid, because in Jesus Christ, we are connected to the very power of God, to that which is here and now creating the universe. No matter how much violence and mayhem is going on, we have a place of safety.Video reflection by Paul Jarzembowski (U.S.C.C.B.): Easter Reflection.
How wonderfully Jesus expresses this: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” The body passes, but the soul, that place where you are in contact with the living God, lasts forever. So get your fears in right order: “Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28).
Now think of the saints, especially the martyrs. They might be defined as those rare human beings who had rightly prioritized their fears. Of whom were they afraid? Not the wickedest human beings around them. Rather, they feared God. They worried not about what people wanted them to do but about what God wanted them to do.
None of these great figures lived a serene life, a life free of worry, threat, persecution. Instead, they found courage in the struggle. Their courage got them through the negativity.
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us his friends.Video reflection by Deacon Bernard Nojadera (U.S.C.C.B.): Easter Reflection.
Psychologists tell us that a true friend is someone who has seen us at our worst and still loves us. If you have encountered me only on my best days, I have no guarantee that you are my friend. But when you have dealt with me when I am most obnoxious and you still love me, then I am sure that you are my friend.
The old gospel song says, “What a friend we have in Jesus!” This is not pious sentimentalism; it is the heart of the matter. What the first Christians saw in the dying and rising of Jesus is that we killed God, and God returned in forgiving love. He saw us at our very worst and loved us anyway.
Thus they saw confirmed in flesh and blood what Jesus had said the night before he died: “I no longer call you slaves. . . . I have called you friends.” They realized, in the drama of the paschal mystery, that we have not only been shown a new way; we have been drawn into a new life, a life of friendship with God.
"But I love you,
Whatever that means,
But I don't want to talk to you,
'Cause I know I'd just say something stupid,
And I know you got better things to do.
"Hey, little alternative girl,
Say, don't you want to be my friend?
You know I'm singing all my songs for you
And it's all right if you don't understand!
Well, maybe I shouldn't be so serious,
Telling you that everything sucks,
'Cause I don't want to bring you down…"
"Spent a year stuck in this groove,
Another year of standing in these shoes,
Living like time's all that's left to lose.
"There's a record on repeat,
It's been spinning endlessly.
With the effects but not the cause,
Helps me feel less lost.
It's all the mirrors and the smoke,
Swallowing me whole,
And I never seem to know myself
Or how to keep control…"
"Ay, ay, ay ay,Cinco de moustache!
"Why don't you solve your little problem, & light this candle!"The Wayback Machine Tour of Mercury-Redstone 3
"She took a rusty stiletto and she slaughtered my heart,
Wrapped her finger 'round my mind, that was only the start,
Dumped cement in my stomach just to even the score,
And when she was done I only asked for more (More! More!),
'Cause you're too much woman for a man like me
And my love grows faster than a growing weed,
Mendoza, Mendoza, why can't you see
That you're the only girl, you're the girl for me?…"
"She said someday we'll get back together maybe
She said someday things will be much better, baby
But I don't believe her
I don't think I need her anymore!
Yeah, yeah, yeah!…"
"They will need music to uplift,
It'll be a Godsend, it'll be a gift,
And hope and glory to coincide,
They'll need the strength and warmth and comfort that the music will provide!…"
"Any book which inspires us to lead a better life is a good book."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
"Whatever happened the Suburban Rhythm?&
Why did Ed and Scott quit?
Please don't go, Suburban Rhythm,
All the other bands are just shit!
"Well, they're Reel Big Fish and they got it made,
Because they signed up with a company that don't get paid,
I said they messed up all the lyrics and they got no style,
So, they gonna get it right, but it might take a while,
So, uh, don't touch that dial…"
"You're like the same song stuck on repeat!…"Wait, a scratched C.D.? To the extent that my Gen Z nieces & nephews prefer physical media, having been inundated with digital media their whole lives, I am encouraged.
"What a wonderful for the race,
Every smile on every face!
Every day until it's done
I'm talking bout the human one…"
"Gone to the other side,
Gone to the other side…"
