Hi Everyone,

1. Confessions: there is still an open block of time for tomorrow, Saturday, from 10-11 at St. Anthony's. Usual drill; reserve your slot here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-bKcQr7kx8KBN0Z3TtGYWeUG5dkX6amKRNV7BunBSrc/edit?usp=sharing 

2. Live streaming weekend Masses. This weekend, I'll have Mass at St. Elizabeth's (on Saturday at 4) and St. Anthony's (on Sunday at 11). I'm hoping that the live-stream will work from St. Elizabeth's. It will go live at 4 pm. Here's the link to the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyvt

3. Regarding Mass, a reminder that the Bishop asks that they not be public or open to regular attendance. Please view them electronically if you are able.

4. I celebrated Mass today for all of you, the parishioners, and for Todd Aylward (by Mary Johnson).

Reflection
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042420.cfm 

After the speech of St. Peter to the Sanhedrin that we heard yesterday, the Jewish leaders are enraged and want to kill them. St. Peter had not only said that the Apostles must obey God rather than men but had also insisted that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, and that the Jewish leaders put him to death. So it is no surprise that the leaders were upset. The really striking thing, rather, is Peter's complete disregard for political correctness. He does not cower or mince his words in any way, even though the Jewish leaders have the power to punish him. The Apostles are being questioned about their preaching; St. Peter asserts who Jesus is, how he died, and who killed him.

As the Jewish leaders set their murderous sights on Apostles, a Pharisee named Gamaliel stands up. This is the same Pharisee that St. Paul, when he was still Saul, studied under. He was known for his gentleness and wisdom. He stands and urges the council to leave the Apostles alone. If this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! With these words, Gamaliel calms the other members of the council. A human endeavor will peter out; no need to resist it. His words almost seem to be an echo of Christ's own: without me, you can do nothing. 

Then comes a line that always seems laughably inconsistent. The Jewish leaders, it says, were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. Gamaliel persuades them, and they still flog the Apostles? With a pardon like that, who needs condemnation? 

Then comes one of the most astonishing lines in the New Testament; I think it's my favorite line in the book of Acts. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. For them, suffering for the sake of the name of Jesus was a mark of worthiness. They rejoice in the dignity. Suffering dishonor -- I wanted to write that suffering dishonor causes them to rejoice. But that would not be quite right. They rejoice that they had been found worthy to suffer. The balance and accuracy expressed here is remarkable. The suffering does not cause joy, but the suffering is an indicator of their worthiness and love, which does cause joy. Thus the Apostles, inflamed with an intense love for Christ, are willing to suffer for him and rejoice when their love is allowed that proof of its worthiness and intensity.

May God give us the grace to follow the example of the Apostles, who rejoiced that they were found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

God bless you all!
Fr. Rensch