This week's readings Week of April 7-13 Sunday April 7, 2002 Reading I: Acts 2:42-47 Reading II: 1 Pt 1:3-9 Gospel: Jn 20:19-31 Monday, April 8, 2002 Reading I: Is 7:10-14; 8:10 Reading II: Heb 10:4-10 Gospel: Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday, April 9, 2002 Reading I: Acts 4:32-37 Gospel: Jn 3:7b-15 Wednesday, April 10, 2002 Reading I: Acts 5:17-26 Gospel: Jn 3:16-21 Thursday, April 11, 2002 Reading I: Acts 5:27-33 Gospel: Jn 3:31-36 Friday, April 12, 2002 Reading I: Acts 5:34-42 Gospel: Jn 6:1-15 Saturday, April 13, 2002 Reading I: Acts 6:1-7 Gospel: Jn 6:16-21 Pope's Prayer Intentions April General Intention That family life may be central to world society: That even amidst the world's unsettled ways, the family may be seen as crucial in its vocation as a cradle of life and school of faith and right values. April Mission Intention Finding courage and strength from the martyrs of our time to proclaim the Gospel: That the heroic martyrs of our time may hearten our ecclesial communities to courageously announce Jesus Christ the Redeemer of humankind.

Disciples of joy:

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

The contrast between the response of the apostles to the arrest and execution of Jesus, and their later attitude after his resurrection and ascension, is astounding.

When he was arrested, they fled. Peter denied him. Judas hanged himself. Only "the disciple Jesus loved" dared to approach the scene of the crucifixion. For weeks afterward they cowered in hiding from the authorities.

Even when Jesus appeared to them, they weren't sure what to make of it. They were kind of numb, even going back to their old life of fishing just to dull the pain and not think about it.

Readings for Second Sunday of Easter (April 7) Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 118:2-4 13-15, 22-24 1Peter 1:3-9 John 20: 19-31

Later, we read in the documents of the New Testament that their belief in the risen Jesus grew so strong that nothing could stop them. Joy replaced the fear in their hearts. "And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."

How can we account for this transformation? Those who were not able to understand are now filled with belief. Those who were afraid are now filled with confidence. Those who were mere students are now teaching others.

And perhaps most astounding of all, those who were only in a position to receive are now able to give.

For years Jesus taught the disciples what he wished them to know, because he knew that it was his plan to establish the Church to continue his presence and his mission on earth. By parables and private tutoring sessions, through his miracles of healing and feeding, casting out demons and raising the dead, Jesus showed the disciples what his Church was to be.

And even though they were not able to grasp fully the meaning he was imparting to them, he gave them his body and blood as the ultimate sacrifice of his life on the cross, a living sacrifice to sustain them and give them his own strength, courage, grace, love, and joy.

For years they received all this from Jesus. Now, he made them into people who serve, who give.

"All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need." They were able to do this because of their devotion to the teaching of Jesus which they received from the apostles, because of their devotion to the "communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers."

Most of all, it was the gift of the Holy Spirit from the risen Lord which empowered them to become witnesses to Christ, evangelists of the Gospel, people filled with "exultation and sincerity of heart," people for whom generosity and love had become a way of life.

We are those disciples. We have heard the teaching of Jesus from the apostles. We have received the body and blood of the Lord for our salvation. We have learned what it means to be disciples of Christ. We, too, have been transformed by the life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. We, too, have received the Holy Spirit.

We, too, have received the spirit of generosity and love. Now, it's our turn to give.

Do we recognize what this means for us? Like the earliest believers, have we realized that all we have, all we own, all we are is given to us in trust? Our property and possessions, our very lives -- of all these we are the Lord's stewards.

Nothing belongs to us. All belongs to God. He has given us every good gift to use for the salvation of all.

How are we doing? Do we still cower in fear, clinging to what we have come to think of as "mine"? Or have we put aside all fear and instead allowed ourselves to be clothed with joy and generous love?

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.