PAX ET BONUM: Fr david Berger

Reflections on the sunday and weekday readings. Allowing the peace and goodness of God's word to enter into our hearts so that we may bring that peace and goodness to others

Reflections on the sunday and weekday readings. Allowing the peace and goodness of God's word to enter into our hearts so that we may bring that peace and goodness to others

Reflections on the sunday and weekday readings. Allowing the peace and goodness of God's word to enter into our hearts so that we may bring that peace and goodness to others

We continue to follow the early Christian community as they journey forth from Pentecost and beyond.  We see who they fair against the rising tide of resistance.  We can learn from them as we too face resistance.

What is the process of recognizing a person as a saintly man or woman.  We investigate.  Then we look at the holy Popes: JOHN XXIII and JOHN PAUL II.  JEsus tells the disciples today as the Father sent him so he sends them (us).  The call to holiness is urgent and it is how we full embrace and live out our potential.  

Why does JEsus appear to his disciples?  What is the point?  What can we learn in the upper room and how doe sit gives us an upper hand as we live our faith?

We read the story of EMMAUS as the disciples walk only to discover a stranger accompanying them.  Then in a flash he is a stranger no longer.  In the breaking the bread, Jesus reveals his true identity to the disciples.  He continues to do so even today.  Jesus has chosen to make himself known in the  breaking of the bread. We explore this turn of events and what they mean for us as believers.

What impresses us?  It doesn't take much to impress us.  Perhaps it is because our standards are real low.  John's gospel has been trying to impress us, that is impress upon our hearts the real identity of Jesus over the past few weeks.  Nothing is more impressive than raising the dead, "Lazarus, Come out!"  What voice JEsus has that penetrates the depths of ultimate darkness and effects what it commands as life comes forth from the grave.  Are we impressed

Trash talk.  we all have experienced it.  We all try to master it.  Jesus encounters trash talk in today's gospel.  We see how he handles it, transforms it, and allows it to become a heeling remedy: by his wounds we are healed

Concern yourself not with what you have tried and failed in but what is still possible to do.  these are words from Pope John XXIII who will soon be recognized at Saint John XXIII.  We reflect on this advice in light of Moses experience with the Israelites.  Where are true possibilities to be found in life anyway.  How do we become an advocate of that reality

Jesus speaks about the dead hearing his voice and coming forth from their tombs.  Reminds me of what doctors and nurse say when a loved one is dying, hearing is the last sense to go and thus we are encouraged to continue to express our love and gratitud

Today is the day of laughter. Faith and humor go hand in hand.  Where humor dies the SPirit of JEsus is assuredly absent.

We continue to journey through lent and we pause to reflect on the gospel of the 4th week of lent.  The man born blind becomes a model of faithfulness.  He whose sight is restored helps us see differently as well.

Yesterday we celebrate the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, in which God becomes flesh, conceived in Mary's womb.  Today we reflect on what day two might had eloped like for her after the angel departed as scripture describes for us in the gospel of Luke

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation.  God becomes flesh.  We celebrate the incarnation not at birth but at conception: life begins at conception, yes in deed.  We take a glimpse at the unfolding of God's plan for salvation clothed in an invitation to rejoice.