27th April 2014 - Canonisations of John XXIII & John Paul II - 2nd Sunday of Easter (Low Sunday) (Divine Mercy Sunday)

All eyes are once more on the Eternal City this week as Pope Francis leads the ceremonies for the canonisations of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. On this weeks programme we are joined by Prof. Fr Eamon Conway from Mary Immaculate College to reflect on this historic occasion. We have our regular reflection on the gospel as well as some other notices and liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.
 
Canonisations of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II

 
On this weeks programme we are joined by Prof. Eamon Conway to discuss the canonisation of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II in Rome today. It will be a historic occasion when two former pontiffs are raised to "the glory of the altars" in the presence of two popes - Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict.

Prof Conway reminds us of the fact that all Christians are called to be saints and that while we may not always be perfect, saints are held up as exemplars of heroic virtue but that saints are not holy and pious at all times during their lives.

You can listen to the interview excerpted from the main programme HERE.

SS102fm coverage of the canonisations HERE.
 
Gospel - John 20:19-31
 

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Reflections on this weeks gospel:
 
Word on Fire
English Dominicans
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections
 
Liturgical odds and ends
 
Divine Office - Psalter week 2; 2nd week of Easter
 
Saints of the Week
 
April 28th - St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort
April 29th - St Catherine of Siena
April 30th- St Pius V
 
Month of May dedicated to Our Lady.
 
May 1st - St Joseph the Worker
May 2nd - St Athanasius (bishop & doctor of the church) (First Friday)
May 3rd - St Philip & St James