Are you seeking a deeper understanding of your faith?
Have you ever wondered how the scriptures from Sunday's Mass are interconnected?
Join Julie South on "Your Catholic Corner" as she looks into the connections between the Acts of the Apostles, the First Epistle of John, and the Gospel of Luke for this Third Sunday of Easter in Year B.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enrich their spiritual journey and grasp the full significance of Easter's 50-day celebration in the Catholic tradition.
QUESTIONS JULIE ANSWERS IN THIS EPISODE:
Why is Easter celebrated for such an extended period in the Catholic Church? (Listener Question of the Week)
What are the common themes or connections between this Sunday's Bible passages from Acts, 1 John, and Luke?
How can understanding these scriptural connections enhance our spiritual preparation for Mass?
What personal message does God have for us in these readings?
What Hidden Messages Do This Sunday's Scriptures Hold?
What if the key to unlocking your spiritual growth was hidden in plain sight, within the Sunday Mass readings?
Julie invites listeners into an enlightening Q&A session, exploring the intricate tapestry woven by this Sunday's passages.
Discover how each reading from Acts, 1 John, and Luke's Gospel resonates with themes of resurrection, repentance, forgiveness, and the transformative power of Easter.
The Resurrection: A Continual Call to Transformation
Julie shares her personal reflections and insights, guiding listeners through the powerful messages God has nudged her about.
She opens up about the resurrection of Jesus as a catalyst for change—not just a historical event but an ongoing invitation to transform our lives today.
The episode promises to leave you with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the Easter season.
The Season of Easter: A Time for Deepening Faith
Listener Question of the Week: Why do Catholics celebrate Easter for an entire 50 days?
Julie unveils the historical and spiritual reasons behind this extended period of joy and gratitude.
She introduces listeners to "Mystagogia," a term that encapsulates the journey of the newly baptised as they deepen their understanding of Catholicism.
This episode is not just an answer to a listener's question but an exploration of how prolonged celebrations can lead to profound spiritual renewal.
Bible Passages for 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B:
- Acts 3:13-15,17-19
- 1 John 2:1-5
- Luke 24:35-48
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Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Your Catholic Corner is sponsored by the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Julie South [00:00:05]:
Welcome to your Catholic Corner. I'm your show host, Julie south.
Julie South [00:00:09]:
Your Catholic Corner helps Catholics spiritually prepare for each Sunday's mass starting mid week. Each week you can listen to Your Catholic Corner at yourcatholiccorner.com.
Today we are uncovering the biblical gems hidden in the books of the act of the Apostles, first John and the Gospel of Luke in catholic speak. We're in the third Sunday of Easter in Year B.
Julie South [00:00:40]:
The format for today's show is question and answer with a listener question of the week. We'll look at the possible connections between this Sunday's three Bible passages, and that's so we can better understand them, why they have been selected to be read together.
Julie South [00:00:58]:
We'll also read those passages and pray together. And then I'll share my reflections on what God was saying to me and how I understood God's personal nudge to me. Remember that when two or more are gathered in Jesus name, like we are right now here with you and me, he is with us.
Julie South [00:01:21]:
The Bible passages we're reading from today are acts, chapter three, verses 13 through
15, and then 17 through 19. One John, chapter two, verses one through five and the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses 35 through 48.
Julie South [00:01:43]:
But before that, a quick word about your catholic corner, just in case this is your first time here. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, whether you've only just heard of that man called Jesus, you're new to Catholicism or you're a cradle Catholic, my prayer is that your catholic corner will help bring God's word to life in your heart through insights, reflections and practical applications that help deepen your relationship with God. Every Thursday we'll start preparing for mass by uncovering the richness hidden in each Sunday's Bible readings, from Old Testament prophecies to gospel parables. I invite you to join me and the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand, sponsors of your catholic corner so that together we can hear God's word in echo. Samuel, speak, Lord, your servant is listening. Now let's get back to today's show.
Julie South [00:02:54]:
This week's listener question of the week is, why do Catholics have so many weeks of Easter? That's a really good question. And part of an answer gives you.
Julie South [00:03:07]:
Another question, which gives you another question.
Julie South [00:03:09]:
Which gives you another question. So we have quite an involved answer this week.
Julie South [00:03:14]:
I remember a few years ago Bishop.
Julie South [00:03:16]:
Steve Lowe, when he was bishop of Hamilton, saying at one Easter mass that us Catholics sure know how to celebrate, especially Easter, because we celebrated first the.
Julie South [00:03:29]:
Octave of Easter, which is the eight.
Julie South [00:03:32]:
Days from Easter Sunday through two, and including divine Mercy Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter. And then we also have the season of Easter. Right now, we're in the third Sunday of Easter. As I said a couple of weeks ago, Easter is the most important time for Christians, especially Catholics, because it's what our faith is all about, Jesus being risen. Now, to add meaning to this period in the Catholic Church, the season of Easter, which is why we come to this question, why is Easter so long? For us Catholics, it actually lasts for 50 days, and it runs from Easter Sunday through to Pentecost. So Pentecost being five, being 50, there are actually a bunch of reasons why it goes on for so long. Firstly, it didn't actually start out this way. At first, it was just Easter Sunday.
Julie South [00:04:34]:
But over time, Christians realized that this awesome miracle deserved more than just one day. So bit by bit, through history, we've made the celebration of Easter longer, the 50 days. So, Pentecost. The 50 days also connects to the jewish holiday called Pentecost, that falls 50 days after Passover. So this connects together the Old Testament and the New Testament accounts. When we celebrate, Pentecost will be, which is coming up, we'll be acknowledging the Holy Spirit coming down on Jesus's followers, which marks the beginning of the church. Therefore, the time from Easter to Pentecost traces the journey from Jesus rising to actually living out his teachings, his ministry. Another thing to note during this time is that the period of Lent leading into Easter is when those people who are on their RCIA journey, the rite of catholic initiation.
Julie South [00:05:41]:
For adults, that period of Lent is where they deepen their studies.
Julie South [00:05:47]:
After all, they're about to take the.
Julie South [00:05:49]:
Huge step and become baptised, if they haven't already been baptised, and then they're confirmed.
Julie South [00:05:57]:
So that is, they receive their first.
Julie South [00:05:58]:
Holy communion and then the long period, the 50 days after of the Easter season, that gives them more time to deepen their understanding and their faith before we return to what us Catholics call ordinary time. Now, there's actually a special word for.
Julie South [00:06:17]:
This 50 day period as well.
Julie South [00:06:19]:
It's called mystagogia, and refers to the period of post baptismal catechesis, or deepening of knowledge of the mysteries and the sacraments, especially as it relates to the newly baptized, which are known as neophytes. Neophytes comes from the greek term neophotus.
Julie South [00:06:41]:
Which means newly planted or new comedy.
Julie South [00:06:45]:
But back to Mister Gogia. This term comes from the greek word Mister gogos, meaning one who leads the initiated into the mysteries.
Julie South [00:06:56]:
Mister Gogia is the process by which the church fathers probably today it would.
Julie South [00:07:02]:
Be people within each parish who led the RCIA program, where they'd support and.
Julie South [00:07:09]:
Provide further faith instruction to all their newly confirmed Catholics who have just baptized at Easter. This catechesis would take place throughout the Easter season and it expands on the meaning and the sacraments gradually, so day by day, over 50 days. If catechesis is a new word for you, it refers to the act of religious instruction, of education and formation in our faith. It's commonly used in Catholicism and also a little bit beyond in other christian faith traditions as well. The word catechesis comes from the greek meaning to echo or to resound, and was used early on to refer to the oral, to the spoken instruction that echoes or resounds key Jesus teachings key biblical teachings over time, it's come to encompass the whole process of passing on religious ethics education, especially instructing converts and new members in the basic elements of the faith, like beliefs, practices and morals. So therefore, in a christian context, catechesis is the systematic education and the formation of disciples, typically children and new converts, in the core tenets of life as a Catholic. Its aim is to firmly ground them in the churchs teachings and help them advance a strong and develop a strong faith commitment by echoing and instilling the fundamental doctrines and practices of Catholicism. But now getting back to Mister Gergier, this is all about leading into the mysteries of the liturgy and and the catholic faith during Easter.
Julie South [00:09:17]:
For our newest Catholics, that's quite a long explanation and a more involved explanation of why we've actually got this long Easter season, 50 days. So it's to allow for us Catholics to truly appreciate the joy and the gratitude of how Jesus resurrection changed and continues to change everything for us, for me, for you, for us. So in a nutshell, the season of Easter isn't just remembering Jesus crucifixion. It's about making and ensuring that his resurrection is still alive with us today. The long season, the 50 days, invites that miracle to transform us now as it did well over 2000 years ago. I hope that's helped answer why we have such a long Easter season. Remember that I'm only too happy to answer any questions you might have about, or to attempt to answer about becoming.
Julie South [00:10:29]:
Catholics or why Catholics do what we do.
Julie South [00:10:32]:
You can send me your questions@yourcatholiccorner.com contact as I said earlier, this Sunday, the third Sunday of Esther, we're reading from the biblical books of acts of the Apostles, one John and one of Luke's or part of Luke's gospel. So what do these three bible passages have in common this coming Sunday? What connects them? Let's have a look. First up, we have the resurrection. All of these bible passages focus on Jesus resurrection, which makes sense because we are in the season of Easter. In acts, chapter three, verses 13 to 15, Peter speaks to the people about how God raised Jesus from the dead. In Luke, chapter 24, verses 35 through 48, Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, proving that he's not a ghost, but a living physical being, a real person. And then in one John, chapter two, verses one through five, we have John referring to Jesus as the righteous one who's the advocate for our sins, which highlights his victory over death through his resurrection. We also have repentance and forgiveness.
Julie South [00:12:15]:
In acts, we've got Peter urging the people to repent so that their sins may be wiped away. Similarly, in John, we've got Jesus highlighting about the atoning for our sins and encouraging believe us so that would be us to keep God's commandment, to demonstrate our love, their love for him. We also have mention of witness and proclamation. Jesus appears to the disciples and then he commissions them as witnesses to his resurrection. He instructs them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations, starting with Jerusalem. This theme of witness and proclamation is also echoed in acts, the act of the apostles, where Peter addresses the people with boldness and he testifies to the resurrection of Jesus. And then we also have God's plan in scripture. In Luke Luke's Gospel, he emphasizes the fulfillment of God's plan as foretold in the scriptures.
Julie South [00:13:26]:
Earlier, Jesus opens the disciples minds, which is really important. We'll come to that later to understand the scriptures connecting his suffering, death and resurrection with the Old Testament prophecies, with the acts of the apostles. We have that suffering of Christ was part of God's plan, which was announced beforehand through the prophets. We've got the fellowship with God, emphasizing the importance of us being connected to God even here today. John encourages believers back then, which means us here today to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus and to walk in the light by keeping his commandments. This theme of fellowship with God is also evident in the other two passages as Peter and the disciples have a renewed and a very up close and personal relationship with Jesus after witnessing his resurrection, as you would imagine what that would be like being there. You go into the tomb, he's not there. And then Jesus walks into this room where all the doors are closed and locked.
Julie South [00:14:44]:
Imagine how that would be. These connecting themes reflect the core beliefs and the teachings of the Catholic Church, of our church. They emphasise the resurrection of Jesus, our need for repentance and forgiveness, the call for us to witness and for us to always proclaim the gospel, the fulfillment of God's plan in scripture, and the importance of us also having an up close and a personal relationship with Jesus and with God. Here, 2024 years later. Now, with all of that as the.
Julie South [00:15:36]:
Backdrop, let's pray these three Bible passages together.
Julie South [00:15:41]:
First reading is from acts of the apostles. Peter said to the people, you are Israelites. And it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused the holy one, the just one, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact, we are the witnesses. Now, I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing. This was the way God carried out what he had foretold when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped away.
Julie South [00:16:51]:
The word of the Lord. A reading from the first book of John. I am writing this, my children, to stop you sinning. But if anyone should sin, we have our advocate with the father, Jesus Christ, who is just. He is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours, but the whole world. We can be sure that we know God only by keeping his commandments. Anyone who says I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar, refusing to admit the truth. But when anyone does obey what he has said, God's love comes to perfection in him.
Julie South [00:17:48]:
The word of the Lord. A reading from the gospel of Luke. The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognized Jesus at the breaking of bread. They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, peace be with you. In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, why are you so agitated? And why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet. Feet? Yes, it is indeed I. Touch me and see for yourselves.
Julie South [00:18:51]:
A ghost has no flesh and bones, as you can see. I have. And as he said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
Julie South [00:19:01]:
Their joy was so great that they.
Julie South [00:19:03]:
Still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded. So he said to them, have you anything to eat? And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes. Then he told them, this is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses, in the prophets, and in the psalms has to be fulfilled. He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, so you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this, the gospel of the Lord.
Julie South [00:20:20]:
What was God saying to you?
Julie South [00:20:23]:
Remember that we each hear God differently depending on what's going on in our lives at the time. What God is saying to me might not be what God is saying to you. So what about you? What was God saying to you?
Julie South [00:20:39]:
Let's kick off by having a look.
Julie South [00:20:41]:
At some of the metaphors that were buried and written in those three passages that we've just heard, that we've just prayed together. In the first reading from acts, Peter's addressing the people of Israel. After healing, he's speaking to them about Jesus. We have the word servant. Jesus is referred to as God's servant. This metaphor definitely emphasises Jesus role in fulfilling God's will and serving humanity through his teachings, his death, and his resurrection. And in that with servant, it reflects humility and obedience to God's plan. This, I think life, according to Julie, is where we got the term servant leadership from which we use today.
Julie South [00:21:34]:
In today's world, where leadership is often equated to power and control, the metaphor of Jesus as a servant could be used, is used to inspire leaders to adopt a servant leadership model, focusing on serving others rather than wielding power over them. And then we also have the the reference, the holy one, the just one. And these titles for Jesus emphasize his moral perfection, his righteousness, his absolute perfection, and his role as the ultimate judge who is fair and without sin. Today, here in our world, our digital world, as we grapple with issues of justice and morality, or injustice and immorality, this metaphor can encourage us Catholics to strive for integrity, to work towards integrity and fairness in our interactions with others. It could be our reminder to my reminder, your reminder, perhaps, to do as Jesus would do, to emulate Jesus through his personal integrity, love, forgiveness and mercy. And if you are a leader of any kind, then servant leadership is where it's all at today. And remember that being a leader also includes, or could encompass being a parent as well, or a grandparent, an uncle, an aunt. And then in one john, we've got the metaphors of advocate with the father.
Julie South [00:23:24]:
What this represents here is Jesus. Or it could, could be a metaphor for Jesus as being a legal defender who speaks on our behalf, like an attorney does, like a lawyer does. It confirms that Jesus intercedes for us, much like a lawyer would do for a client. And then we've got the sacrifice that takes our sins away. If you are a regular mass goer, you will recognise that phraseology. This metaphor is drawn from the jewish tradition of sacrificial offerings for atonement. If you remember back in the Old Testament, we often hear about sacrificial offerings that used to take place. And this lets us know that Jesus death is the means by which humanity, us, you and me, this is how we are reconciled with God.
Julie South [00:24:25]:
So how do we apply those today? Well, as advocate, we can take a huge amount of comfort knowing that we're not doing this alone, that on a spiritual journey we have Jesus. We're not doing this alone. He's there. And this is another way, perhaps that Jesus might be. That he might be saying for us to do as he would do this time, as being also the advocate for others, for standing up for those who can't speak for themselves and to seek justice on their behalf. And then we've got understanding Jesus as the sacrifice that cause us to live lives of gratitude and service. We can do this by giving of ourselves, even if we think we have nothing to give. We can give our time and we can share our skills, our resources and our talents for the good of others because they are God given.
Julie South [00:25:28]:
And then, in this upcoming Sunday's gospel reading from Luke, we here recognized Jesus at the breaking of bread. That's what we do each Sunday. This is a metaphor for the Eucharist, where us Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present. It brings emphasis to and it underscores that moment of spiritual insight and oneness with Jesus. In communion with Jesus. Then we have opened their minds to understand the scriptures. This metaphor suggests an enlightening moment where understanding is granted beyond intellectual comprehension. But it's through divine intervention, so it's beyond our mere thoughts.
Julie South [00:26:21]:
We've got God and Jesus at work divinely intervening. The breaking of the bread invites us to regular participation in the Eucharist. Go to Mass as a way of us recognising and receiving Jesus in our lives at least once a week on Sundays. It's also a call for us to share with others. And perhaps when you look to recognize Jesus in the people around us, having our minds open, this is huge. I think having our minds opened encourages us to supports us to go deeper with our faith, to study more, to pray more, to reflect more. It's our invitation, yours and mine, to be open to how God, how Jesus may be speaking to us in and through and in our everyday lives, and to share that understanding with others, to be witness to what Jesus is all about. So those are my takes.
Julie South [00:27:33]:
What about you? What was God saying to you through these three men today? I hope you found all of this interesting and hopefully helpful. I hope this podcast helped you prepare and maybe even understand, just a teeny, tiny, incy wincy, dinky bit better, the wonderful word of God in the catholic faith. Thank you for spending the last half an hour or so of your life with God and me. I pray that each of these Bible passages has been able to make the difference God wishes for you today in their own way, in your life. Thank you for getting this far. Can I ask you to do me a huge favour? Please? If you enjoyed today's show, please help me spread God's word about your catholic corner. All you have to do is just tell three of your friends or family about this podcast so that they can hopefully benefit as well. Letting them know is really easy.
Julie South [00:28:44]:
Just invite them to visit yourcatholiccorner.com where they can subscribe and follow the show from there. It's free. It does not cost anything at all. Thank you for that. Wherever you are, I pray that God's glass of love overflows in your heart and your life, and that when you're ready, you're able to accept God's invitation to you to join him to share in Holy Communion this week at your local parish. And finally, I'd like to say thank you to the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand to help me bring this podcast to you today. This is Julie south signing off until next week. Peace be with you.
Julie South [00:29:30]:
God bless.