Deacon John Writes:
Eastertide is an especially good and appropriate time to open our eyes, ears and hearts wide to see, hear, and experience the Risen Lord coming into our lives in various forms, circumstances and events: It is a period when the Risen Lord blesses us with success and achievements. I am sure that we often fail to acknowledge the presence of the Risen Lord behind our unexpected successes, achievements, promotions at work, miraculous healings, and success in relationships. He is always there when we have a party or celebrate some achievement. The Risen Lord is always present in our pains and suffering. We hear in Acts how the Risen Lord transformed the life of Saul by pushing him down onto the Damascus road and making him temporarily blind. The same Jesus often visits us in the form of accidents, illnesses, the loss of loved ones, pain and suffering, and problems in relationships. The Risen Lord visits us through our friends and well-wishers: He is present in those who visit us and encourage us in our times of sadness. He visits us in the form of unexpected help from the least expected people in our time of need. The Risen Lord is present in our times of prayer and meditation. He is present on our altars during the Mass to share His life with us; He is present in the words of Holy Scripture we listen to; He is there in the Sacraments and He is there where two or three are gathered in his name, such as the Rosary Group on Mondays, the Bible Study Group on Tuesdays or the Film Club. He will be there in the summer gathering and picnic in Abbots Wood on Sunday May 19th.
Please make a special effort and try to encounter the Risen Lord with those who gather in his name, especially during this Eastertide. With my love and prayers.