The concept of hospitality is fundamental discipleship. When we envision hospitality, we naturally think of offering a sincere and warm welcome — to those new to our parish, for instance. We picture inviting them in and making them feel at home and at ease in our presence, communicating to them that they are highly valued.

Today’s Gospel reading from John invites us to think of hospitality in a slightly different way. We hear Jesus speaking this to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”

In our Small Christian Community we often discuss how simple and straight forward Christ’s instructions are. How easy His directives are to understand. And despite this; how challenging they can be to follow and live. This week’s Gospel is a prime example. Jesus tells his disciples, and by extension each of us: “My children, I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”

Now, Christ’s love isn’t puppy-dogs, rainbows and unicorns. Christ’s love means putting the good of the other above your own. It’s sacrificial. It’s heroic. This is why I say discipleship is an action word. It’s not thinking. It’s doing… doing His will.

Throughout the Easter season, our readings have given us glimpses into the life of the newborn Church and the bold witness of the early disciples in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who would listen. These disciples were the first to live a stewardship way of life and their example is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.

In the First Reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, we catch up with Paul and Barnabas in Antioch. While they certainly have some success in reaching many people there with the message of salvation, others are downright infuriated by their words and send them packing. Yet, we read that “the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” Overall, it seems as if Paul and Barnabas had failed in Antioch. But this seeming failure has not robbed them of their joy. What’s more, they are filled to the brim with the abundant gifts of the Holy Spirit. How is this possible?

You’re correct; technically, it’s not a verb but bear with me… As we move through the Easter season we see a transition in how the risen Christ instructs the disciples.

The parables, metaphors and symbols have been replaced with clear directives. He "opened their minds to understand the scriptures" making known the connections between his own words and deeds and "everything written about [him] in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms."

What does it take to believe that something is real? We live in an age of computer technology, with things like Photoshop and other programs that can enhance photographs, create realistic images, and mimic artistic renderings. When looking at a picture of something, we find ourselves wondering if what we are seeing is real or just the result of technological creativity.

Early believers came to believe because of what they witnessed in their new communities of faith. They saw people authentically living out Jesus' command to love and to show mercy. What do people witness when they see us in action? Would today's doubting Thomas' know we are Christian?

Alleluia means "Praise God," in Ancient Hebrew, it means "Thanks be to God." Therefore, to be an Alleluia person means to be filled with praise and thanksgiving to God. A disposition of gratefulness and thanksgiving for everything… Because everything is grace: creatures, persons, events, thoughts, words, and deeds… all in life. To be a person who looks at another person, and in faith, in the spirit of God , says, "You are good and I thank God for you." Alleluia!!! Let us accept one another in the Spirit of the Risen Lord, believing that we can all rise up from the depths of our tomb (fall), and be an Easter person, Alleluia!, Thanks be to God.

Following on with our Lenten theme, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on fasting. I'll attempt to paraphrase a short article "A Reflection on Lenten Fasting" by Rev. Daniel Merz which can be found on the USCCB website. In the early Church there were two fasts. One was the "total fast" that preceded all major feasts or sacramental events. It was a means of watching and waiting… preparing for something (Christ). The second fast was a fast of abstinence from certain foods, e.g., meats or fats. This was more an act of self-discipline and self-control. We're going to focus on the first which is generally referred to as fasting.

Today starts our Holy Week Journey with the celebration of Palm Sunday. This week is like no other week in the Liturgical Calendar of the Church, a week filled with intense emotion and drama, all about the Son of Man who suffered greatly in the hands of men. He died an excruciating death and on the third day rose again to give us all new life. We journey with the greatest love story, Jn. 3:16 "God so loved the world, He gave us His only Son…" Jesus Christ our savior, His most precious one. We are loved so much, we are given the greatest HOPE, and we are invited to level up, to a new level of existence.

What are you really good at? Painting? Listening? Maybe you find opportunities to help people wherever you go.

Whatever your talent or skill is, guess what? It came from God and belongs to Him. He doesn’t bless us with talents so we can be looked up to or earn lots of cash. God wants us to steward those gifts for Him! Maybe you thought stewardship was just for your money. It’s so much bigger than that. Stewardship is about everything in our lives—and that includes our talents.

Bring quickly the best robe… put a ring on his finger…” Lk. 15:22

The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive mood at the return of the other son are symbols of welcome, restoration and new life – pure, worthy and joyful - for those who return to God and their family, which is the Church. In the parable, the Son of God revealed to us the great mercy of the Father. He alone knows the depths of the Father’s mercy and His joy for every sinner that returns. Human fathers also forgive, but the parable presents the inner life of the Father’s mercy, because in addition to forgiving, He calls for the robe, ring, and festivities. The Father is faithful to his Fatherhood, faithful to the love that He has always lavished his sons. The fidelity is shown by the welcome he accorded the son upon his return.

What can I do today to be aware of God’s great love and mercy for me? Do I recognize God’s unconditional love for me?

Be in God,
Fr. Bing

The barren fig tree… Lk. 13:6

The barren fig tree symbolizes the need for repentance in order to avoid eternal punishment. In the Gospel of Mt. 21:18-22, and Mk. 11:12-25, the barren fig tree symbolizes the “temple,” which appears to be doing well, but was in fact ineffective. In the Old Testament, Jer. 8:13, the fig tree symbolizes “Israel,” and their failure to produce the fruits.

Jesus is the vinedresser (v.7), through whom the Father is giving His people a second chance. The Father does not want the death of sinners. He gives them the chance to repent and live. He doesn’t want sinners to perish. He wants them to reach repentance.

The Lord is kind and merciful. Ps. 103:8 How can I more readily repent from my sins?

Be in God,
Fr. Bing

“This is my Son, my chosen, listen to Him…” Lk. 9:35

The presence of Moses and Elijah represent the law and the prophets, who have announced the Messiah’s suffering, Christ passion is the will of the Father. The action of the Son reinforced the image that He is the servant of God the Father. The cloud indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the Transfiguration, the three persons of the Trinity were present. The Father was the voice; the Son was the Man, and the Holy Spirit was the cloud. (St.Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae 3, 45, 4, and 2) The Transfiguration moment preceded by the famous confession of Peter and the passion prediction, was a call to “listen”, meant to strengthen the disciples faith, by giving them an insight to His glory, that human nature will possess after the resurrection.

In the cycle of weekday readings, Lent falls into two parts. The 1st part including the “pre-Lent” of Ash Wednesday, and the rest of the week, runs through Saturday of the 3rd week. In the 1st part, the Gospel comes from the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark and Luke), and the Old Testament readings are chosen accordingly. The prevailing message is the call to conversion. The periscopes all speak about, fasting, prayer and almsgiving; of conversion; of mutualforgiveness; of hardness of heart; of love of enemies and the call to holiness.