3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 13 & April 14, 2024
REFLECTION ON TODAY'S READING
Begin the Lord's day by letting His words resignate in your heart: "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!" (Lk 24:35-48). Sometimes, it difficult to recognize the Lord's presence in our lives especially when reality surprises us and escapes our control. "Let us allow ourselves to be surprised by the joyful proclamation of Easter," says the Pope. May you allow yourself to be surprised when He make Himself present in your daily life so that the joy of this time may be your daily nourishment.
Pray the prayer of offering so that women all over the world may be nourished by His joy.
Under the directive from the Diocese of Honolulu
St. Joseph Church has set up an egiving program to allow parishioners and guests an easier way to give. It will also allow the donors to: 1. Give from anywhere using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. 2. No need to find a check or stop by the ATM. 3. Use your Checking/Savings Account or your Debit/Credit Card. 4. Schedule gifts to occur automatically. Click on the give now link or on your phone using my parish app. “All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 16:17
Online donations may be made at any time from the comfort of your own home or any place with internet access. Online donations are credited to your tax statement for the end of the year (except when made anonymously)and you can change your account preferences and donation amounts at any time.
New documents from the Vatican:
Saint Joseph Church Makawao - Bulletin
The Gospel Reading, Luke 24:35-48
Jesus appears again to his disciples and shares a meal with them. .
Background on the Gospel Reading
On the third Sunday of Easter, we continue to hear Gospel accounts of Jesus’ appearances to his disciples following his Resurrection. Today’s reading, taken from the Gospel of Luke, follows immediately after the report of Jesus' appearance to his disciples on the road to Emmaus. This is the event being recounted by the disciples in the opening verse of today’s Gospel.
Consistently in the reports of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances, Jesus greets his disciples with the words, “Peace be with you.” This is a most appropriate greeting. The disciples have witnessed the death of someone they loved, and they now fear for their own lives as well. Peace is what they need more than anything else. Jesus often connects this greeting of peace with another gift—forgiveness. In today’s Gospel, this connection is made in the final verses.
Even as they hear Jesus’ greeting of peace, the disciples are startled and terrified. They are uncertain about what to make of the figure before them and, quite understandably, they mistake Jesus for a ghost. Yet the figure before them is not a ghost; Jesus invites them to experience his resurrected body with their senses, to look and to touch. The figure before them is flesh and bone, still bearing the marks of crucifixion. Although the disciples cannot forget his suffering and death, peace begins to take root in their hearts, as their fears turn to joy and amazement.
As further proof of his identity and of his resurrected body, Jesus eats with his disciples. The disciples have known Jesus best through the meals that he has shared with them. Descriptions of these meals are a defining element of Luke’s Gospel. By eating with his disciples after his Resurrection, Jesus recalls all these meals, and most importantly, he recalls the Last Supper.
Luke’s report of the Last Supper and the meals that Jesus shared after his Resurrection unveil for us the significance of the Eucharist. Having shared a meal with his disciples, Jesus now uncovers for them the significance of what was written about him in the Scriptures. So, too, our celebration of the Mass is an encounter with Jesus, through the Word and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. As Jesus commissions his disciples to be witnesses to what Scriptures foretold, our celebration of the Eucharist commissions us. Like the disciples, we are sent to announce the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins.
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(https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection )
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LIVESTEAMING MASS
For those of you that are not physically able to attend mass you may go to the Catholic Herald and see the listings of parishes that live streams or go to the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, downtown Honolulu will continue to live stream on Sundays at 10 AM, Weekdays at 12 PM, Saturdays at 12 PM and 5 PM https://www.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/LiveStream.html .
A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT
An underlying lesson from all three readings this weekend is that the Risen Christ has wiped away our sins, not only for individuals, but throughout the world and its history. The terrible power of sin has now been reversed and our coming to perfection through the love of God is part of the Easter experience. As stewards of God’s love we are called to participate in Christ’s redemptive activity. The stewardship questions for us are many: How do we resist injustice at home or in the workplace? How do we confront violence in our language and attitudes? How do we bring Christ to others?
— (https://www.catholicstewardship.com)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
First Thursday of Every Month. Come anytime between 5-6:30 pm.. All are Welcome!
THRIFT SHOP HOURS OF OPERATION
Effective May 2021, the Thrift Store hours of operation became every Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 12 noon.
SOCIAL OUTREACH MINISTRY
The Food Pantry holds a drive by distribution, every third Thursday from 8-9 a.m. or while supply lasts. To qualify simply signup as you drive up. The Food Pantry is also accepting non-perishables. Thank you!
