We Respond www.majellan.media Committing ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (or a hymn) Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise, alleluia. to a higher RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Ps 4) power ANTIPHON: Lord, let your face shine on us. RESPONSE: Lord, let your face shine on us. 18 April 2021 3rd Sunday Easter, Year B LECTOR: When I call, answer me, O God of justice; from anguish you released me, have mercy I was recently re-watching the American and hear me! R. political drama series, The West Wing. In one ‘way out’. His death and resurrection are the episode the White House chief of staff, Leo LECTOR: It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves; the Lord hears me guarantor that, as the Psalmist proclaimed, McGarry (played by John Spenser) who is a whenever I call him. R. “The Lord hears when I call out” (Ps 4:4). recovering alcoholic offers comfort to the The Easter story is neither a simple sop for LECTOR: ‘What can bring us happiness?’ many say. Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord. R. deputy chief of staff, Josh Lyman (played by broken hearts, nor an empty reassurance LECTOR: I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell Bradley Whitford) during a period when Josh that God will rescue us from our troubles. in safety. R. is suffering with PTSD. As today’s gospel demonstrates, Jesus McGarry tells Lyman this story: There was was raised still bearing the wounds of his GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us: make our a guy who one day when walking along a suffering. God did not spare Jesus the cross hearts burn with love when you speak. Alleluia! footpath fell down an open manhole and despite his “agony in the garden.” Similarly, COMMUNION ANTIPHON (or a hymn) The disciples recognised the Lord Jesus in the breaking was trapped in a deep trench. Several people the character of Leo McGarry in The West of the bread, alleluia. walked by and, despite his calls for help, Wing was a “recovering alcoholic.” none paid him any attention. Eventually a He was not cured of his alcoholism. friend of his came along and, recognising his Through his participation in Alcoholics pal he called, “Hey Harry! Can you give me a TODAY’S READINGS Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48 Anonymous, McGarry had committed his hand? I am stuck in this trench and can’t get alcoholism to a “higher Power” and, thereby, NEXT WEEK (4th Sunday of Easter, Year B) Acts 4:8-12; Psalm 117; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11- out!” found the strength to “not take the next drink”. 18 Harry immediately leaps down into the But he also found the wisdom and charity trench. His friend looks at him incredulously to offer Josh Lyman the support he needed and sputters, “Harry, what are you doing? to begin recovering from depression and Now we are both trapped!” hopelessness. Harry turns to his friend and says, “Hey! It’s For us too, the story of the resurrection is Brighten up Year of the Family ok! I’ve been down here before, and I know one that can bring hope and encouragement; the way out!” but by committing ourselves to the “higher your day with Pope Francis has declared a “year of the family” to The point of the story was that McGarry, power” of the actual person of the resurrected The Majellan celebrate the ‘beauty and challenges’ of family life. It as a recovering alcoholic, knew exactly what Jesus, we can find the strength to begin a started on March 19 on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph it was like to suffer mental anguish and and ends on June 26, 2022. The Majellan which has long new journey of recovery – to find a way out. been a proud supporter of the ‘family’ will feature stories hopelessness. As someone who had found In bringing our sufferings to Jesus, we also and provide resources on our website to promote Amoris a ‘way out’, he could offer Lyman empathy, find the wisdom and the charity to empathise, laetitia (The Joy of Love). Details at www.majellan.media support, and direction. support and lead others who need a “way The potency of the Easter story is that Jesus out” of the darkest trenches of the human has been there before us. He has suffered condition. the worst that life can dish up; and has, not Ian J Elmer only found a way out, but has become our © Majellan Media 2021