Deacon's Door - Third Sunday of Easter 2020

This is a picture of the statue of St. Joseph in the arbor near the St. Joseph’s Church in the old city of Nazareth in Israel.  The image of the angel is on the back side of this statue, supporting Joseph.

Welcome to "The Deacon's Door"

April 26, 2020

3^nd Sunday of Easter

Scripture tells us that an angel appeared to Joseph three times during his life, while supporting Mary and Jesus.  The first time was to let him know that Mary, to whom he was betrothed, was a chaste woman and that she was with child of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1: 19-20).  The second time the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph was in a dream, telling him to flee to Egypt with the child Jesus and His Mother (Matthew 2:13).  The third time the angel appeared to him was while he was in Egypt, to inform him that Herod, the king who sought to kill the child Jesus, was now dead.  The angel instructed Joseph to return to the land of Israel with the child and his mother.

The statue of Joseph near the St. Joseph’s Church in the old city of Nazareth in Israel is a reminder to us that, like Joseph, God sends his angels to support us during challenging times in our lives.  (The image of Joseph sitting on the shoulders of the angel can be seen on the back side of the statue).  As strong as Joseph appeared to be in his support and caring for Jesus and Mary, he was always lifted up by God who sent his angels to give him that strength and wisdom.

We too may appear to be strong in facing our challenges of life, but it is important to realize that, like Joseph, we are supported by God who sends his angels to guide us in the path of holiness and wisdom of Our Lord.  We only need to recognize the presence of this support in our lives and call on the mercy of Our Lord to carry us forward. 

Jesus is always present in our lives and He gives us special times when our eyes are opened to His love and mercy.  In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus encounters two disciples on the road to Emmaus.  He walks with them and talks with them about the events that had taken place, (the crucifixion, death and resurrection).  Even with all of that discourse, it was not until the “Breaking of the Bread” at their celebration dinner, that the disciples became aware of who He was.

Within our eucharistic liturgy we also meet the risen Lord in the word of God and in the breaking of the bread.  It is in this encounter that we are meant to have our hearts “burn with the joy and love of God in the Gospel.”  Remember that it was earlier in Luke’s Gospel, that Jesus had told His disciples, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing.” (Luke 12: 49)

During these days of isolation, worry and frustration, remember that it is through the Eucharist and the breaking of the bread, that the Lord is opening our hearts to burn with joy and love of His Word.  This is a joy that is too great not to be shared and a love that will set the world on fire.

As a reminder, Fr. Atwood has agreed to live stream Mass on Sundays from Sacred Heart Church.  You can follow that Mass at 9:00 AM on Sunday morning or look for it to be posted on Facebook and the SH Web Page. (Sacred Heart Oelwein Mass) It will also be played at about 3:00 pm on Mediacom each Sunday. 

“Pax et bonum” (Peace and Goodness)

            Deacon Jim Patera   319-509-1210   pateraj@msn.com