CATHERINE of Siena, Virgin and Doctor
What a rich personality, this valiant woman became a doctor of the Church. A Dominican Tertiary, she was the leader in Siena of a kind of “charismatic movement” with an evangelical lifestyle. Though very pleasant and joyful, she was very sad to see the Church suffering because Pope Gregory XI with his cardinals had moved from Rome to Avignon, France, what eventually led to the so-called “Western schism,” that divided the Church for a long time with popes and antipopes. She went to the Pope, scolded him “for his short-sightedness” and convinced him to return to Rome. She died at the age of 33. In her we have a person who was an ascetic, mystic, charismatic, stigmatic, doctor.
Reading I: Acts 9:31-42
31 Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.
32-35 Peter went off on a mission to visit all the churches. In the course of his travels he arrived in Lydda and met with the believers there. He came across a man—his name was Aeneas—who had been in bed eight years paralyzed. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” And he did it—jumped right out of bed. Everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him walking around and woke up to the fact that God was alive and active among them.
36-37 Down the road a way in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, “Gazelle” in our language. She was well-known for doing good and helping out. During the time Peter was in the area she became sick and died. Her friends prepared her body for burial and put her in a cool room.
38-40 Some of the disciples had heard that Peter was visiting in nearby Lydda and sent two men to ask if he would be so kind as to come over. Peter got right up and went with them. They took him into the room where Tabitha’s body was laid out. Her old friends, most of them widows, were in the room mourning. They showed Peter pieces of clothing the Gazelle had made while she was with them. Peter put the widows all out of the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he spoke directly to the body: “Tabitha, get up.”
40-41 She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her hand and helped her up. Then he called in the believers and widows, and presented her to them alive.
42-43 When this became known all over Joppa, many put their trust in the Master. Peter stayed on a long time in Joppa as a guest of Simon the Tanner.
Gospel: John 6:60-69
60 Many among his disciples heard this and said, “This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow.”
61-65 Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, “Does this rattle you completely? What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from? The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen. Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this.” (Jesus knew from the start that some weren’t going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) He went on to say, “This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father.”
66-67 After this, many of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: “Do you also want to leave?”
68-69 Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”
Prayer
All-wise and powerful God,
let us, like St. Catherine of Siena,
draw fortitude and wisdom and zeal
from intense contact with you
through sober living, deep prayer
and contemplation of the cross.
Make us bold enough to face
even the mighty of this world and of the Church
with a humble courage that seeks nothing else
than the good of the People of God.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reflection:
29 April 2023
John 6: 60-69
To whom shall we go?
We are at the end of Jesus’ discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum. The Jews, who have gone behind him after seeing the sign of the multiplication of bread, are now faced with a staggering proposal: to welcome him as the bread that came down from heaven. The decision they are asked to make is one with high stakes: either live as they have lived so far, adapting to the wisdom of this world or accept the Word of God as the bread of life. If receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus calls for a total giving of one’s life for Christ, who would ever dare to receive it?
Most disciples saw the signs and followed him but now turned back. It’s too “hard,” they say! Uniting one’s life to Jesus and choosing to give up one’s life involves too great a risk. “After this, many disciples withdrew and no longer followed him”, says the Gospel.
Such disciples are also present today in our communities. They are not bad and should not be considered traitors. They realise that the demand is too hard and decide to walk away. Jesus respects their freedom and does not force anyone to “eat his flesh.”
Jesus keeps the option open even to his apostles: “Will you also go away?” Although they do not fully understand what is involved in adhering to him, Peter expresses the faith of all and says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life.”
Christ expects such a profession of faith today. The question remains hanging: “Who can ever feel worthy to approach the Eucharistic banquet? Who can be so daring and willing to sacrifice one’s life with Jesus?”
If the Eucharist were a reward for the righteous, certainly no one would dare to receive it. Jesus offers his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins to those who believe in him: it is the food offered to pilgrims who are weak, tired and in need of assistance.
In the account of the institution of the Eucharist in the Gospel according to Matthew, when he offers the cup of wine to his disciples, Jesus says: “Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”.
The Eucharist is not a celebration of our purity and holiness, rather, it is the source of forgiveness of sins and the only way of transforming us into an alter Christus – another Christ.