THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for April 30th, 2014
Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

THE same Apostles who fled Gethsemane at the first rattle of chains now, not only defy the religious authorities, but go straight back into hostile territory to witness to the resurrection of Jesus.

The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people. (First reading)

Chains that once were their shame now begin to weave a glorious crown. Where did this courage suddenly come from?

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THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for April 29th, 2014
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena

Our Lady of Combermere gathering her children—Madonna House Community, Ont., Canada

NOWHERE in the Gospels do we read Jesus instructing the Apostles that, once He departs, they are to form communities. Perhaps the closest Jesus comes to it is when He says, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ^[1]cf. Jn 13:35

And yet, after Pentecost, the very first thing the believers did was form organized communities. Almost instinctively…

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