Fr. Brendan Curran, OP

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches. We are bound to him and to one another, and if we stay so bound, we can produce much fruit. We are constantly threatened to give up and let ourselves be torn apart, but we need to stand against that.

The early apostles shared all that they had with one another so that everyone had enough. Can we regain some of that spirit today?

On this Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, we need to remember that the Good News that God is always with us should banish fear and give us hope.

Jesus carried our burdens as his cross, freeing us from sin. Let us accompany Christ by helping to carry the burdens of those around us.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP shows the progression in the readings for this Sunday: the first reading shows the brokenness of our world; the second shows it's hope in the grace of God; and the Gospel presents the choice: Jesus came on the side of redemption, not condemnation–which side will we choose?

Jesus healed a man who was mute. Many things can make us mute, but we need to be free to speak the truth as we see it, and we need to help free others to speak their truth.