Resources
Things that may be of interest to you and/or your community to deepen your faith.
Mary Magdalene – Saint or Sinner?
Written by Angela McCarthy and appearing on CathBlog
Today's Gospel from John (20:11-18) is used twice during the year; as a resurrection account in the Octave or Easter, and on the feast day of St Mary Magdalene on July 22.
It has provoked many artists, from the catacombs to our contemporary world, to represent the story. But is it the real story?
All four gospels agree that Mary Magdalene was the first witness to the resurrection and the first to be sent out to the apostles - the "apostle to the apostles".
New Life in Front of Me
Written by Becky Eldredge and appearing on dotMagis the blog of Ignatian Spirituality
The disciples are wise teachers during this Easter season. Reading the Gospels that celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, I chuckle at people’s responses as Jesus appeared to them or as they heard of the good news of Jesus appearing to their friends.
¦Mary Magdalene was “fearful yet overjoyed.” (Matthew 28:1–10)
¦The disciples were “startled and terrified.” (Luke 24:35–38)
¦Two disciples “went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” (Mark 16:12–13)
Mothers and women, continue to give witness!
Written by Pope Francis and appearing on the Laici.va website
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today we turn to the Catechism of the Year of Faith. In the Creed we repeat this phrase: "He rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures". This is the very event that we are celebrating: the Resurrection of Jesus, the center of the Christian message that has resounded since the beginning and has been handed down so that it may reach us today. Saint Paul writes to the Christians of Corinth: "For I handed on to you …what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve"(1 Cor 15:3-5).
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Written by Helen Gonsalves and appearing on the Catholicseeking blog
January 2012: The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Eight Days reflecting on our change in Christ Over the coming week we are invited to enter more deeply into our faith that we will all be changed through the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The biblical readings, commentaries, prayers and questions for reflection, all explore different aspects of what this means for the lives of Christians and their unity with one another, in and for today’s world.
On a pilgrimage: Strangers on a train
Written by Angelica Fricot and appearing on the Catholic Enquiry Centre blog
Hi, I’m Angelica Fricot. I have just joined the team at the National Office for Evangelisation – Catholic Enquiry Centre, as the New Evangelisation Projects Coordinator. Hope you enjoy my first blog post and I look forward to getting to know you all!
Linda: No longer a stranger on the train.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road — or the Yellow Arrows
Written by Rebecca Gallo and appearing on the Busted Halo website
Along the Camino, yellow arrows point the way. A pilgrim sees them painted on trees, on buildings, on boulders and sidewalks. No maps are necessary. Just follow the yellow arrows.
In college a friend posted the following on his office door: ”This life is a test — it is only a test. If it had been an actual life, you would have received further instructions on where to go and what to do.” I might modify this and say, “You would have received yellow arrows to point the way.”
When trying to decide to go to Taize or stay in the other night, I wished for an arrow to appear — either pointing to the door or to my couch. As I wondered if I really needed to buy the new pair of jeans I’d just tried on, I wished for an arrow — pointing to my wallet, or directing me out the door.
Read more: Follow the Yellow Brick Road — or the Yellow Arrows