APRIL 1, 2018
7:30 AM, 9:00 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES
A “Blue Moon” is second full moon occurring within a calendar month. Yesterday night was the second full moon of March. The “Paschal Moon” is the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. That was also yesterday’s full moon. Also, yesterday’s full moon occurred on March 31 in both the eastern and western hemispheres.
The last time there was a “Paschal Blue Moon” with Easter falling on April 1 was the year 1646.
The pope in that year was Pope Innocent X (the tenth). His rival in the College of Cardinals commissioned a painting of Saint Michael trampling the head of Satan … who oddly enough resembles Pope Innocent X.
During his reign there occurred both the First English Civil War, as well as the 30 (thirty) Years War in Germany.
History aside, the astronomical phenomenon we witnessed last night last occurred 372 years ago. Pretty cool.
Today is Easter Sunday. Jesus is risen! Alleluia! Resurrexit, sicut dixit! Alleluia!
This morning we heard from the beginning of the 20th Chapter of St. John’s Gospel.
My sermons over the past week have focused on St. John’s word play in Greek. And this morning’s pericope does not disappoint.
In today’s Gospel we hear that St. John, on arriving at the tomb first “saw” the burial cloths; and then St. Peter, when he showed up – in second place – went into the tomb and “saw” the burial cloths; and finally, that when St. John went into the tomb and also “saw” … and believed.
Awkwardly, three very different words are all translated as “saw,” providing us with a rather flat reading of a very dynamic story.
Fleshing out the meaning of these distinct words in Greek, it might be more proper to say that when St. John first arrived at the tomb, he “looked” (in the Greek “βλέπει”) into the tomb at the burial cloths. St. Peter, came in behind John, and entering the tomb he “examined” (in the Greek “θεωρεῖ”) the burial cloths. Finally, St. John enters in behind Peter, and “perceived” (in the Greek “εἶδεν”) the burial cloths.
Three different words, the first meaning to “look,” the second meaning to “examine,” and the third meaning to “perceive.” All, sadly, translated as “saw.”
We are here today for Easter.
How deeply are you participating in the liturgical action being played out in today’s Mass?
Are you “looking?” Sort of just hanging around, taking it all in.
Are you “examining?” Not just looking, but scrutinizing the details – the smells, the bells, the chanting, and the singing?
Or are you “perceiving?” Looking, examining, and understanding – not only with your mind, but with the eyes of Faith, the divine action and supernatural drama that is going on right here, right now?
Today’s Gospel reading begins with Mary Magdalene finding the empty tomb. During this week, we will hear of Jesus appearing to the ten disciples hiding in the upper room. And next Sunday, we will hear the story of Doubting Thomas.
Thomas moves from doubt to belief – by the supernatural virtue of Faith. The disciples move from fear to courage – by the supernatural virtue of Hope. And Mary moves from tears to joy – by the supernatural virtue of Love. Faith, Hope, and Love are the Baptismal gifts we have all received.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, may the eyes of our hearts be opened to be moved from looking, to a deeper participation in the Holy Mysteries of this day. May we be renewed in the supernatural virtues – the baptismal virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love – as we recall our own Baptism, and renew our Baptismal promises today … knowing that if we have died with Christ in Baptism, then we shall live with Him – and ultimately we shall reign with Him for all eternity.
