"FIRST IMPRESSIONS"

3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER (A) APRIL 23, 2023

Acts 2: 14,22-33 Psalm 16 1 Peter 1: 17-21 Luke 24: 13-35

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

PRENOTE: I just returned from one of my favorite places, Santa Sabina Retreat Center, in San Rafael, Ca. I want to share with our West Coast readers a special event at the Center: three days with Ann Garridon D., Min. Ann travels giving retreats, is an author of multiple books, including the award-winning Redeeming Administration, Redeeming Conflict and Let's Talk About Truth. She will be Santa Sabina for a day of prayer, public lecture and a three-day retreat, May 24-28, 2023. For more information and to register for any of the events go to: www.santasabinacenter.org .

Sometimes a phrase jumps out of a Scripture passage and moves right into our hearts. Today's account of the disciples' meeting the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus has some of those phrases for me. It is a long narrative and there are many moments that might catch and hold our attention. I'll suggest a couple and then share the one that speaks to me today.

For example: Jesus asks the downhearted disciples on the road, "What are you discussing as you walk along." I'm sure many of us would pause at his question and give him a litany of issues on our mind. Try it. His question is addressed to traveling disciples like us. We can tell him what's disturbing our calm as we navigate through these days. What do we talk about with those closest to us, our intimates: worries about families, jobs, violence in our neighborhoods, the deteriorating environment? He is listening: Start talking to the Lord.

How about the disappointment the disciples express to him? They feel crushed, their dreams evaporated by what happened to Jesus. So, they tell the stranger who has joined them as they travel, all that happened to Jesus, ending with, "But we were hoping…." There is another prayer prompter. We could tell Jesus about the disappointments we have experienced, or are experiencing, in our lives. What hopes for ourselves, our children, our church, our nation and the world have not panned out? "But we were hoping…." Start talking to the Lord.

After Jesus opened the Scriptures for the two, blesses, breaks the bread and gives it to them, their eyes were opened. They recognize what they had missed in the beginning: Jesus was with them, all along, listening to their disappointment and bewilderment. Now that they recognize him and thinking about what hardships may lie ahead for them as his disciples, they plead, "Stay with us for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." We know their reference to the time is not about clock time. Their words stir a prayer in us: "Stay with us – don't leave us in the darkness." Here is where we could name as the shadows haunting our lives: a struggling marriage; economic stress; a church damaged by years of scandal; ongoing war racking Ukraine; and, at this writing, the ravages of the earthquake in Syria and Turkey; diminished strength due to aging, or lingering illness, etc. Start talking to the Lord.

The walk the disciples are on is an image of each of our lives. There are people with whom we share significant, fruitful conversations about our experiences, that open us to new insight and perspective. These conversations are the happy moments we celebrate with them. There are other conversations that are about the darkness; when we have more questions than answers, with many scattered feelings, when our lives are unclear to us. Can we believe, as the disciples on the road came to believe, that the Lord is accompanying us and is part of those conversations?

The disciples recognized Jesus when he interpreted the Scriptures and shared, the broken bread. Nourished by both God's word and blessed bread they were able to return to the others, inflamed by the good news they experienced, and ready to witness to them that Jesus was not dead, but alive. Such witnesses, convinced of Jesus' living presence in our world are important to people who feel burned out, disillusioned and drifting without a goal. They don't see meaning or have direction in their lives and they lack joy. Like the disciples, they have disappointed hopes. They are, like the others, locked behind doors of anxiety, fear and aimlessness.

We are gathered here to experience what the Emmaus disciples did: hear the word of God, break the bread and share Eucharist in communion with one another, so like them, we can have our hearts burning within us and share that joy with others who need to hear it

Like those disciples we cannot simply forget our past hurts and disappointments and put them out of our mind. It's not that easy. We need to do what they did – stop, reflect and voice the pain. Jesus breaks through their sadness to help them see God's presence with them in the midst of all they have experienced. How can God bring life where there has been death? Like the Emmaus disciples that's the witness we are called to give. We too begin with our own stories and how the resurrected Christ has changed our lives. We can do that by sharing how the Scriptures speak to us and give us new eyes to see the world.

But witnessing to our faith is not just a matter of words. We must show by our actions the possibilities of the new life we possess. As Peter advises today, "Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time you are sojourning…" Or, in light of our gospel, our lives have been changed by Christ's resurrection and we must pass that on to others.

Easter celebrates the triumph of life over death. But let us not rush too quickly to the second part of that statement. Death wreaks havoc over our lives: witness the brutalization that continues in Ukraine; the harsh realities of racism, poverty, drug addiction, the abuse of migrants and violence against children. Easter does not cancel out the reality of death. But despite death's power Easter promises what we do not yet fully see, the promise of eternal life, beginning now. We church people are to be confronters of the many forms of death in the world; roll away the stone from the grave and let Christ's living presence, come forth through our words and our actions.

But we can't feel cozy and comfortable in our faith. It has been said that Easter can be an "in-house" event; something we celebrate in our churches where we hear the good news of eternal life, and sing our hymns, with no expectation, or challenge to take the message we hear to the world. It can be very safe to stay in church and celebrate hymns about eternal life. The Emmaus disciples went back to the "church" after their encounter with the risen Christ. But, judging from Peter's speech in our Acts reading, that church, the community of believers, went forth to announce to others what God had done for all by raising Christ from the dead.

What made the difference? What changed the fearful, locked- behind- closed doors disciples into bold witnesses to life? The gift of the Holy Spirit. We pray earnestly for a renewal of that Spirit these Easter days which take us up to Pentecost Sunday.

Click here for a link to this Sunday's readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042323.cfm

ONE GOOD BOOK FOR THE PREACHER

"WITNESS: An Insider's Narrative of the Carceral State," by Lyle C. May

Lyle C. May is an inmate on North Carolina's death row in Raleigh. He is a prison journalist, abolitionist, and Ohio University Alum currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in sociology, with a criminology major. "Witness" is a first-hand account of the death penalty's wholly destructive nature. With a foreword by activist, lawyer, and professor Danielle Purifoy, and drawing on the work of Angela Davis, Mariame Kaba, and other abolitionist scholars. For more information go to https://www.roamagency.com/isbn9781642599718/

To pre-order "Witness":

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Lyle+C.+May&i=stripbooks&crid=KHSP8CSCHD
BS&sprefix=lyle+c.+may%2Cstripbooks%2C153&ref=nb_sb_noss

Barnes and Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witness-lyle-c-may/1143139919?ean=978164
2599718

JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

You were ransomed from your futile conduct

1 Peter 1:18

There is a lot of duality in all three readings today. The First Reading presents Peter as a changed man ready to witness to the life of Jesus. The Second Reading addresses Christian communities located in five provinces of Asia Minor with their dual challenge to be uprooted from what they are familiar with and face a society that misunderstands their newfound religious beliefs. Then, in the Gospel, we have two disciples meeting the risen Christ. This enduring presence of the risen Christ among his disciples then and his disciples now, radically re-creates their lives and our lives. We have been ransomed from our futile conduct . Do you see the duality? We were once one kind of a person but now we are another. Not only do we have all these ancient people as witnesses to their transformations but we also have the actions of God in our lives that changes us from futile conduct to meaning-filled conduct. Our life, like Peter's and the communities in ancient Asia Minor and the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, can be a transformed one.

And what is the cause of the transformation of these ancient lives? It is but one thing—love. Having received the gift of love expressed in the life of Jesus, these ancient sojourners sought to emulate the one they loved by loving others, especially the downtrodden.

Listening to the cry of those who suffer violence and are oppressed by unjust systems and structures, and hearing the appeal of a world that by its perversity contradicts the plan of its Creator, we have shared our awareness of the Church's vocation to be present in the heart of the world by proclaiming the Good News to the poor, freedom to the oppressed, and joy to the afflicted. Justice in the World (#5)

We have many justice ministries at HNOJ Cathedral with parishioners whose hearts have been transformed and are passionately engaged in the work of making the better world that Jesus envisioned. Add your God-given talents to a loving work of justice and be yourselves, transformed.

To see ministries at the Cathedral: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral | Human Life, Dignity & Justice (raleighcathedral.org) To join, contact: socialconcern@hnojnc.org

Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director,

Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. "Faith Book" is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

FROM TODAY'S GOSPEL

They said to him,
"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel."

REFLECTION:

Hope is the virtue that enables us to dream big dreams and work to put them into reality. But we often need our hopes nourished, because if what we hope for is important – peace, care for the elderly, an end to the death penalty, a rejuvenated and healed church, good liturgy and preaching in our parish, housing for the elderly, an end to domestic violence, equality of women and gays in our churches and communities, fair treatment for immigrants, and so much more – then we will need encouragement, perseverance, passion, clear thinking and the support of a believing and hoping community. We need the Word of God, the Eucharist and a faith community that shares our dreams and gives us hope.

AND SO WE ASK OURSELVES:

When I am discouraged who give me hope?

Who are the people in the world who kindle hope in me and challenge me to persevere in my good works?

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

Many people say that we need the death penalty in order to have "justice for the victims." But so many family members of murder victims say over and over that the death penalty is not what they want. It mirrors the evil. It extends the trauma. It does not provide closure. It creates new victims… it is revenge, not justice.

Killing is the problem, not the solution.

----Shane Claiborne, Death Penalty Action's Advisory Board Chairman

This is a particularly vulnerable time for state and federal prisoners. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of the inmates listed below to let them know we have not forgotten them. If the inmate responds you might consider becoming pen pals.

Please write to:

Richard Cagle	#0061528	(On death row since 6/16/1995)

William Herring	#0180-479	(7/22/1995)

Warren Leslie	#0487180	(10/6/1995)

----Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.

For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/

On this page you can sign "The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty." Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/

DONATIONS

"First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, send a note to fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org.

If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.

St. Albert Priory 3150 Vince Hagan Drive Irving, Texas 75062-4736

Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars. Or, go to our webpage to make an online donation: http://www.PreacherExchanhe.com/donations.htm

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. We have compiled Four CDS for sale:

Individual CDs for each Liturgical Year, A, B or C

One combined CD for "Liturgical Years A, B and C."

If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy.

You can order the CDs by going to our webpage: www.PreacherExchange.com and clicking on the "First Impressions" CD link on the left.

2. "Homilias Domincales" —These Spanish reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are written by Dominican sisters and friars. If you or a friend would like to receive these reflections drop a note to fr. John Boll, O.P. at Jboll@opsouth.org.

3. Our webpage: www.PreacherExchange.org - Where you will find "Preachers' Exchange," which includes "First Impressions" and "Homilias Dominicales," as well as articles, book reviews, daily homilies and other material pertinent to preaching.

4. "First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, send a note to fr. John Boll, OP at the above email address.