Who are "we" today as we sing "We are his people, the sheep of his flock" in the responsorial psalm? It is very easy to think that it is just us, at this Mass, or just the members of this parish or diocese, or perhaps we are thinking it is all Roman Catholics in the United States. But "we" are much larger and broader than that. If you take a globe or atlas in your hand, it would be difficult to point to any place on land where "we" aren't singing this psalm today. Not only that, but "we" are the saints who survived the great time of trial, as described in Revelation's reading today. And complexity and diversity as the work begun by Paul and Barnabas in today's first reading continues. But, even though who "we" are, the flock of the Lord, is almost beyond our ability to comprehend, we all hear the voice of Jesus Christ, our one and only shepherd, as we continue through the Easter season to follow him faithfully.

On Palm Sunday we heard in Paul's letter to the Philippians that all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth must bend their knee at the name of Jesus. That name comes back in today's first reading. The Sanhedrin, whom we heard about just a few short weeks ago in the reading of the Passion, are again confronted by Jesus in his name being proclaimed by the apostles. Peter and the others refuse to bend their knee to the authority of the Sanhedrin and stop teaching in the name of Christ. In fact, they rejoice that they have been persecuted for doing so.
 
Do we turn to those first brave followers when we are called upon to give witness to the name of Christ in our name "Christian" day by day? When we must stand against, challenge, or confront forces that counter the gospel of justice, peace, joy, and beauty, do we give witness with no less than the Holy Spirit, or do we remain silent? Do we genuinely give honor to the name of Jesus by being his namesakes in the world today?
(c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.

Thomas probably would be a good man to have in your corner in a modern-day courtroom. Even though he was willing to follow Jesus to death (John 11:16), he's not going to go out into the world now and attempt to give witness to the risen Christ when all he has at his disposal is hearsay evidence from the other apostles. No, he wants immediate evidence, a hands-on experience of Christ risen and present. The risen Christ ultimately provides Thomas with the experience and evidence he needs.
 
Many of us, when we struggle with our faith or our belief, can identify with Thomas. But even when our faith is in relatively solid shape, we encounter people who are a bit like Thomas, who won't believe unless they are given credible experience of the risen Christ. We, then, are called to be witnesses. Like Christ, we cannot be ashamed to show the woundedness of the
Body of Christ, the Church. We must even allow others to probe and examine the wounds. But we must also greet them with "Peace" and know that, in the glorious everlasting life of Christ risen from the dead, our wounds are not our final destiny. Our final joy is life transformed for eternity.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
• Palm Sunday Vigil - March 27 at 5:00pm
• Palm Sunday Morning - March 28 at 7:30am, 9:30am & 11:30am
• Monday Holy Week – Masses at 6:45am, 9:00am and 7:30pm  
• Tuesday Holy Week - 6:45am & 9:00am
• Wednesday Holy Week - 6:45am & 9:00am
• Lent ends at sunset on Wednesday
 
THE SACRED TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday:
• Holy Thursday Mass (washing of feet) at 7:00pm / Church open until midnight
 
Good Friday:
• Seven Last Words Cantata (Church) - 11:45am
• Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion - 1:30pm
 
Holy Saturday:
• Blessing of Easter Baskets 12:00 Noon (Gathering Space)
 
Easter:  
• Easter Vigil at 8:30pm (Saturday)
• Easter Morning 7:30am, 9:30am & 11:30am