April 24-25, 2010
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 13:14-52 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:27-30
Yell ‘mom’ in a crowded store and dozens of heads will turn…. within a few seconds all but one will have gone back to their own business….while the ‘one’ mom being sought has recognized the voice of ‘her’ kid and is busy seeking him/her out. Funny how we recognize the nuanced voices of those with whom we are most familiar. We occasionally read stories of former prisoners of war or Holocaust survivors suddenly recognizing a former torturer or abusive guard by unexpectedly hearing the voice ‘they will never forget.’ Some voices comfort and soothe while others can set our teeth on edge and cause us to break into anxious sweat. Ronald Reagan was called the ‘great communicator’ in part because of his voice….which contrasts with the voices of shysters/hucksters whom we hear as being slimy and not worthy of trust.
This weekend, while the Acts of the Apostles speaks of the early disciples using their ‘voices’ to expand and extend the gift of faith to those who were not Jewish; we also hear Jesus reminding us to follow ‘the voice of God’ which will resonate in our hearts and souls, a voice we are hard-wired to automatically recognize. Living as we do in a world filled with so many voices, so many messages, so much shock, awe and volume, the wisdom offered on this mid Easter Season weekend is of attuning ourselves to perceive the voice of God, to filter it from the cacophony of contrary voices competing for our attention and to give it a patient hearing.
In times of hardship, stress and confusion, the voice of God will guide us to springs of ‘life-giving water’ where God will ‘wipe away every tear from our eyes.’ As we celebrate 29 of our HAVEN youth completing their Sacraments of Initiation this weekend with the reception of Confirmation, how have the gifts of the Holy Spirit enabled each of us to ‘hear and recognize God’s voice?’ In times of duress do we seek his counsel or simply go-it-alone? As we begin to see the fullness of Pentecost on the horizon of the Easter Season, in what ways have the gifts of WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING, the spirit of RIGHT JUDGEMENT and COURAGE, the spirit of KNOWLEDGE and REVERENCE, the spirit of WONDER and AWE been at work within our lives? When God calls our name…do our heads turn, do we search for ‘him who speaks to our heart?’ Do we answer, ‘Speak Lord, I am listening?’
Thank you for joining with our Corpus Christi Community as we continue to unfold the mystery of the empty tomb with Word and Eucharist. This weekend we welcome Bishop Tod Brown to our midst as he confers the grace of Confirmation on our 29 HAVEN youth.
In the generosity of your hearts please continue to pray for our Confirmandi: Prisca Arroyo, Jonathan Balcewicz, James Bennett, Ilyana Capellan, Samantha Cathcart, Leslie Chang, Toni Dymon, Jessica Eisenbart, Emily Elkins, Laura Flynn, Andrew Frerk, Benny Garcia, Blake Gomez, Noah Graham, Jacqueline Greger, Regan Grishaber, Jeralyn Jelnick, Allison Kerins, Bernard Macaya, Bryan Maldonado, David Mickle, Miranda Mills, Sydney Molinar, Brandon Moshenko, Katelyn Nyberg, Corrie Potter, Alyssa Tanorie, Dan Wayner and T.J. Yacap. With the approach of Mother’s Day weekend, special Mass cards are available on the Concierge Shelves by which you can enroll your moms, living or deceased in a special series of May Masses. Bulletins are available upon your departure, please accept on eon your way home and as May begins to flower, remember, you are loved. FKB
