May 12-13, 2012
Sixth Sunday of Easter – Mother’s Day
Acts 10:25-48 First John 4:7-10 John 15:9-17
Good Friday and Easter Sunday seem so long ago, way back in the early days of April. Yet, as we continue on within the ‘Easter Season’ we start to anticipate another pairing of ‘endings/beginnings’ in the approach of next week’s Ascension Sunday followed quickly by Pentecost. Considering that the theme of ‘transition’ has been all around us throughout these past months, it is a grace-filled reminder that in order for fresh-beginnings to occur, something must end. This is not to say that the endings will be easy but at least we can grudgingly accept that something fresh and new is being offered. In order to attain ‘Easter’ we necessarily had to endure Good Friday; in order to have the outpouring of the Pentecost Spirit we must accept the physical departure of Jesus from our world. No Cross of Good Friday, no Easter. No departure of Jesus, no filling of the void by the Holy Spirit. No transition from what has been, no fresh beginnings of what can be. In our First Reading from The Acts of the Apostles we hear the dawning realizization of the Apostles that the Holy Spirit has a mind of its own, that the grace of Jesus was not limited to just their ‘own’ small group.
In the Gospel of John we have Jesus reminding his disciples, in anticipation of his crucifixion, that his love for them was his ultimate gift…and the gift they should offer to one another as the truest sign of being his disciples. On this Mother’s Day weekend we honor the women among us who have given us the ‘ultimate gift’ of their love, who have encouraged us forward into our futures and who have helped us acknowledge that we must let go of the apron strings and build our own lives/dreams. In these days of transition it is wise to anticipate that each of our lives will be filled with fresh beginnings that necessitate endings, some more painful than others. Thus has it always been and thus will it always be. What have been your times of transition? What were the hardest things to leave behind? Were the fresh beginnings what you thought they would be? Have you finally realized that you can never go back? Are you aware that you can only go forward? What is your legacy that you are leaving behind? Is it different than what you wish you could be leaving?
Thank you joining with us for our Corpus Christi celebration of Mass, and on this weekend, Mother’s Day. May this day be one of blessing and bright hope for each of you moms…thank you for your struggles and labors so that we might exist and thrive!
A reminder that next Saturday, Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Luong will be present at the 5:00pm Mass to Preside at the Confirmation Mass of our HAVEN youth, please plan accordingly. As well, so as to avoid the Memorial Day Weekend get-a-ways, our Parish Ministry Fair will be occurring NEXT WEEKEND following ALL of the Masses. This is an excellent opportunity to experience all that Corpus Christi has to offer within our Ministries, Outreaches and Services. Not just a showcase, this is also an opportunity for you to consider how you might become more intimately involved within our Corpus Christi life…so please plan to linger and investigate what we have to offer. Bulletins are available with other news and happenings so please accept one on your way home. Lastly, with the Easter Garden as a continuing sign, remember, you are loved. FKB
