Just a word...Third Sunday of Easter...May 4, 2025
The only thing missing from this week is a wedding! We’ve had a funeral, First Reconciliation, First Communion and four Baptisms! The church has been filled with those seeking forgiveness, those hoping to be reminded of the promise of eternal life, and those looking to join their families in the Communion line. The emotions elicited in each of these gatherings ran the gamut from nervousness to sadness, from apprehension to excitement. But in all these celebrations, one common element stood out...and that was the presence of the living Christ.
In today’s Gospel, the disciples did not recognize Jesus as being more than simply a stranger on the shore until the circumstances of their lives revealed his presence. For it was in the number of fish they caught, after said stranger suggested casting the net to the right side of the boat, that Jesus was revealed. With another example of turning events upside down, Jesus changed paucity to abundance. And there’s more; Jesus, the host extraordinaire, cooks and serves the disciples breakfast, modeling the hospitality to which all Christians are called. Then comes the question to Peter, “Do you love me?” followed by the command to “Feed my sheep,” the command that may have been to Peter, but through Peter comes to us, as Church, as followers of Christ. And how do we show our love for the Lord? How do we feed the sheep?
Those of you who were here when I was installed six years ago as Parish Life Coordinator may remember that the bishop appointed himself as my priest moderator, a position mandated by my role. Bishop Caggiano has discerned that he can no longer serve in that role and so is appointing Fr. Henry Hoffman, a Fairfield native, to our parish as priest moderator. Fr. Hoffman will collaborate with me, the leadership team, and our Jesuit partners, as we move into the future, sharing the Good News of the Gospel. The appointment is effective June 1.
I would suggest that with word and sacrament, with music and outreach, this parish cooperates with Jesus in nurturing faith from doubt, helping turn sorrow into joy and despair into hope, by loving Christ together, as we show by our feeding the flock. We did just that this week especially, nurtured as we were by our recent celebration of the most important week of our liturgical year. Our parish will continue the mission of love and forgiveness left to us by Jesus, who promised life in abundance and life eternal to his followers.
It is in the circumstances of our lives, not only within this church, but also beyond these walls, where we can recognize the Christ in our midst. Secure in that knowledge, we can become the face of Christ to a broken world.
(There is a letter from the bishop outlining the appointment of Fr. Hoffman as Priest Moderator at each of the doors of the church. Please take a copy when you exit the church. Thank you!)