These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” (Lk 1:26-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040824.cfm
Normally, the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25. But this year, due to Holy Week and the Octave of Easter, today is the first day “free” to celebrate his coming into the world to accomplish the great work of our salvation. And in the middle of this solemn announcement to the Virgin Mary, the excited angel breaks into the Hallelujah Chorus!
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 118)
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040724.cfm
As the Psalm points out, God’s mercy endures forever. This is the Octave Day of Easter, and even though the Easter Season will continue for 50 days all the way to Pentecost Sunday this Sunday focuses on Divine Mercy which gives even doubting disciples a second chance.
Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. (Acts 4:13-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040624.cfm
The disciples were not educated nor were they the powerful, but they were recognizable as companions of Jesus. Perhaps that is the only qualification necessary.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” (Jn 21:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040524.cfm
Breakfast by the Sea is one of my favorite gospel readings. Being loved by the Lord and hearing His voice opens our eyes, our ears and our hearts. The Beloved Disciple recognizes the Risen Lord whereas poor Peter is still clueless.
Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “You are witnesses of these things.” (Lk 24:35-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040424.cfm
How important it is for us to know the Scriptures, for they witness to Jesus. And as the Risen Lord reminds us, we, too, are witnesses of these things!
