Friday May 29, 2009 of the 7th week of Easter

Friday May 29, 2009 of the 7th week of Easter

Readings: ACTS 25: 13b- 21 Psalm 103: 1-2, 11-12, 19-20 John 21: 15-19
Psalm Response: The Lord has established His throne in Heaven”

Of the four sons of Herod the Great, Agrippa seemed to have an affinity with the Jews. The Herods weren’t Jews and usually derided them except Agrippa, and his sister, Bernice, at least sympathized with the divergent views and listened with an intense ear.
Festus had been left with Paul as his prisoner by his predecessor, Felix, who phumphed in his duty to tend to the affairs under his jurisdiction.
Festus didn’t know or care about these disputes over interpretations of the Jewish Law.
So, when Agrippa showed up, like Felix, he tried to shunt the responsibility on to him as the tetrarch of the area. Agrippa was rather a weak administrator and wasn’t much help in Festus’ dilemma.
When Paul insisted on his right as a Roman citizen, Festus took the easy path and relegated him to be sent to Rome for Imperial decision.
This periscope is an example of passing the buck.
Well, in our case, as Harry Truman said, ‘The buck stops here.”
When we are challenged about our beliefs, unless we’re knowledgeable of our faith and its Traditions, we will also pass the buck. St. Peter, in his 1st letter 3: 15b-17 describes what our conduct should be when confronted with opposition. We cannot abide by the first Pope’s edict, if we are weak in our own understanding of our Faith.
How do we do this?
Don’t allow your religious education end when you leave Catholic School or CCD. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, even if you’re bored to tears. You could learn something! Search the Scriptures for God’s answers to your questions. He wrote the Book! Listen to the Liturgy of the Word during Mass and especially the Homily!

Old Peter must have been chagrined when Jesus asked him, three times, if he loved Him!
Jesus wasn’t getting even! He was trying to show us His selection to lead His flock ( Us) when He would no longer be personally here.
We humans have an innate tendency to want to feel, touch and personally see what we’re supposed to believe. However, if we believe the Bible in the Word of God, read John Chapter 20: 29a,b. again and again!
We are the heritage of the Saints who preceded us!