4 May 2025 #DoesItShow?

This Third Sunday of Easter is a significant weekend at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: First Communions. Let’s pray for those precious young souls receiving Jesus into their hearts and bodies for the first time, and for their parents, who bear the responsibility of ensuring this first encounter is not the last for many years. Parenting is challenging today, with conflicting advice and teachings—both subtle and overt—that contradict the Catholic faith. When parents take a stand, they often face opposition, much like Peter and the apostles before the Sanhedrin in today’s first reading.

The omitted verses (Acts 5:33-40) recount Gamaliel’s warning of divine retribution: “If this endeavor is of human origin, it will collapse. But if it is from God, you cannot stop it; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Heeding this, the Pharisees flog and release the apostles, who rejoice in being “found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of Jesus’ name.”

Parents who bring their children to Mass each Sunday choose Jesus over other “gods”—the sports deities of basketBa’al, footBa’al, baseBa’al, volleyBa’al (and don’t get me started on hockey or golf), or the trifecta of leisure, indifference, and distraction. These parents prioritize spiritual glory over social camaraderie, but they face resistance—flogged, as it were—by their children, friends, and even family.

Will they continue to choose Jesus above all each week?

I want to publicly thank the parents in our pews who consistently choose Jesus over everything else. And I challenge the rest of us: How can we, as co-disciples and friends, support them in this choice? How can we help parents with children at home focus on the long-term vision of John’s Revelation (our second reading)? This life’s journey—over tall mountains, through deep valleys, arid deserts, and lush forests—doesn’t end with the pain and mystery of death. We press on toward wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and eternal blessing, embracing our identity as the singularly Beloved, with all the graces that come with it.

I digress (slightly). Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two unnamed disciples. They discussed the demands of love and the actions it inspires, for authentic love requires a response. This response brings consequences, both earthly and eternal.

The question for this week is: Do I love Him? #DoesItShow?

[P.S. I love sports. They foster teamwork, resilience, strength, and intelligence—a case study in human perfection and tenacity of spirit. These qualities are also essential for a life of discipleship. #CarryOn]