Today's Wisdom

Those who do not pass from the experience of the cross to the truth of the resurrection condemn themselves to despair! For we cannot encounter God without first crucifying our narrow notions of a god who reflects only our own understanding of omnipotence and power
Pope Francis

Monday, April 23, 2018

Doubts about the Risen Christ

First, I wish to thank everyone who wished me a blessed St. George's Day by phone or email today or yesterday.
Second, in his homily yesterday Sunday April 22, 2018 (here, subtitled in English, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH91Z-4iRKQ) the Jesuit scholar Fr. Henri Boulad challenged the audience to investigate which ideology or faith is the true response to Man's existential quest for the eternal truth. He was commenting on the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who, in spite of their close association with the women and Apostles that saw the Risen Christ, continued to doubt Christ's Resurrection.  The Risen One walked with them and interpreted scriptures about him so that they could understand. He not only accompanied them but also, in his utter love to all men and women, went in with them, but when he said the blessing and broke it, he vanished from their sight.  In my understanding, we will always be challenged to believe in the Risen Christ - Doubts have always been around especially since the Enlightenment and the ensuing materialism since the 19th century. For more on Christian history, the reader may wish to read this in-depth post: Revised and Expanded - History of Christianity in a Post-Modern Age
This is Jesus the Son of God who is always here in the Blessed Sacrament. When Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney was asked "What are you doing looking at the Blessed Sacrament?", he answered "He looks to me and I look to Him." This was in the little town of Ars in France. Vianney  (1786-1859) was canonized in 1925 for living a heroic life that included spending long hours crying in silence as  others confessed their sins to him; a priest in poor health. He heard in silence but witnessed to the Risen One in the public. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI spoke about St. John Vianney here:
http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20090805.html
May the Lord help us through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. George, and St. Vianney.

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"Behold I make all things new." (Revelation 21:5)







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