April 22, 2007: Third Sunday of Easter

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April 22, 2007: Third Sunday of Easter
April 20, 2007

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Babel!

	Introduction
	The story of the tower of Babel appears in the first nine verses of Genesis chapter 11. It's brevity belies its significance centered on man's pride and arrogance. God thus confused their languages that they were not able to understand each other, and dispersed them around the world. In contrast, at the Pentecost all understood each other and they were united.

	The Tower of Babel


	The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words. While men were migrating in the east, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, "Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire." They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth." LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men had built. Then the LORD said: "If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do. Let us then go down and there confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says." Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world. It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.

The Sunday Readings

April 22, 2007: The Third Sunday of Easter

	First Reading From the Acts of the Apostles:
	Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
	When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.


	Responsorial From the Book of Psalms:
	Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
	R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or: R. Alleluia. I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or: R. Alleluia. Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or: R. Alleluia. Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks. R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. or: R. Alleluia.


	Second Reading From the Book of Revelations
	Rev 5:11-14
	I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing." Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: "To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever." The four living creatures answered, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.


	Reading From the Gospel of John:
	Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
	At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

or

	At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “(It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

References

Read more about the Liturgical Year

	The Origins of the Liturgical Year (Pueblo Books) by Thomas J. Talley (Author) The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Talley, Professor of Liturgics at the General Theological Seminary in New York, is one of the leading liturgists in the country. He gives us a fresh examination of the complex history of the Liturgical Year.

	The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle C. (Bestseller! the Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday) by John J. Pilch (Author) Reader Review: The book by Pilch provides those who not only fill the pulpits across this country but also all interested in the cultural world in which Jesus lived with a lot of pertinent information that sheds light on a lot of areas that have been "muddled" in the past. Yes, I highly recommend this book. - James Mauldin

Learn more and read the Old Testament.
	Preaching from the Old Testament by Elizabeth Achtemeier (Author) Reader Review: The author of these thirty-two short chapters begins and ends with the assumption that problems we experience with the Old Testament are our problem, not the Bible's. This subordinating of the Bible reader to the well-weathered book he holds in his hand opens doors, not to forced harmonisations of problematic passages, but to fresh reappraisal of difficult texts on their own terms. - David A. Baer

	The Navarre Bible: Pentateuch (The Navarre Bible: Old Testament) This volume helps you make the first five books of the Old Testament a vital part of your spiritual reading and practical growth in the Christian life. It contains the full English and Latin texts of these books, along with extensive and faithfully Catholic commentaries. Like other volumes in the world-renowned Navarre Bible series, these commentaries draw on Church
documents, the exegesis of Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and the works of contemporary spiritual writers — particularly St. Josemaría Escrivá, who initiated the Navarre Bible project.

Readers' Corner

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Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.

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The New Food Pyramid

In April 2005 the United States Department of Agriculture released the new Food Pyramid. And it’s quite different from the old one.

The first pyramid showed the food groups from top to bottom. The foods to eat more of were on the bottom and foods to eat less of — fats, oils and sweets — were on the top.

Physical Activity

Also new in the pyramid is the person walking up set of steps representing the importance of physical activity. The steps give the message that food and activity work together in a healthy lifestyle. Regular activity helps people lower the risks of such diseases as diabetes and heart disease.

My Pyramid Plan
One neat feature of the whole campaign towards healthy lifestyle is that the new food pyramid can now be tailored to your own physical needs. If you go to www.MyPyramid.gov and then click on MyPyramid Plan you can fill a few basic information and the usual amount of physical activity you get each day. When you click on “submit,” you’ll get the pyramid to match the details you put in.

Keep in mind is that this pyramid calculator doesn’t factor into these calorie estimates whether or not you need to lose weight. Yet, many people do. If you want to lose weight, you’ll need to eat fewer calories a day.

To read the complete report more, just follow this link.

Tips and Tricks

Controlling your Blood Pressure
There are several things you can do to control your blood pressure and cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis, all of which will help reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association.

1. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
2. Reduce saturated fat, cholesterol and salt.
3. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days.
4. Follow your doctor’s advice about exercising and taking medication.
5. Avoid tobacco smoke.

Facing a Stubborn Jar Lid?
If the jar lid just would not open and you do not have the fancy-smanzy electric jar lid opener, take heart. Grab a thick rubber bad and put on the lid. That should give you extra traction with your elbow grease on that lid!

Over-seasoned a dish? Unless you have a way to remove the seasonings from the food, the only thing you can do is mask it. Here's how.

Too salty?
Do not use the potato – its ability to calm down dishes that are too salty is a kitchen myth! Instead, use a bit of sugar or maple syrup.

Too sweet?
Acidic items, such as lemon or vinegar, tend to cut down on both too-salty and too-sweet dishes. A dash of cayenne pepper will also mask the sweetness.

Too spicy?
Add something with a little fat, such as butter, or something sweet, such as peanut butter or honey.

Oatmeal tastes dull but don’t want to use sugar?
Mix in two table spoons of non-dairy sugar-free, or low-sugar whipped cream to a hot bowl of oatmeal.

True or False!

Exercise only helps if you sweat and bring your heart rate up.

FALSE. All movement is important. Even brief periods of physical activity can help improve your health. Here are a few activities suggested by the American Heart Association:

Walk your dog.
Stand up while talking on the phone.
Do your own housework.
Throw away the television remote and change the channels by yourself.
Park farther away from the mall and walk to the stores.
Stretch to reach items in high places and squat or bend to vie items on low levels.

Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer.

FALSE. The safety of artificial sweeteners has been proven over and over again in many studies around the world. Some people may not tolerate certain types, but no cases of cancer or serious illness have been linked to their use. False Internet rumors about the dangers of artificial sweeteners have been around since the late 1990s. Artificial sweeteners open up a world of eating options to those who choose to avoid sugar, allowing them to have their favorite foods without affecting their blood glucose levels.

Recipes!

For the easy recipes, just follow the link.


Pull-Apart Maple Pecan Sticky Buns (Food purists - stay away from the buns! This recipe is only for the practical minded and busy real people.) Try this quick and easy recipe that uses the no-fuss pre-made dough for a buttermilk biscuits. A great day starter or something to serve your friends without getting flour all over yourself!

3/4 cup pecans, chopped 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, divided 1/3 cup maple-flavored or pancake syrup 1/2 cup sugar		1 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 cans (12 oz. each) refrigerated flaky buttermilk biscuits 1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, cut into 20 cubes



No Cream Creamy Broccoli Soup		This is one simple and healthy starter.

Prep: 15 min Total 35 min 1 cup chopped carrots 1 cup chopped celery 3/4 cup chopped onions 3 tbsp oil		2 cans (14.5 fl oz each) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/2 tsp pepper 4 1/2 cups broccoli florets 1/2 cup rice, uncooked 2 cups milk 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated



Tomato and Spinach Pasta Salad This recipe has less than 10 steps! Can't be any simpler and better tasting.

Prep: 5 min Total 20 min 2 cups penne pasta, uncooked 1/2 lb. hot or mild Italian sausage, casing removed		7 cups baby spinach leaves 1 can (14.5 oz) diced seasoned tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained 1 cup Mozzarella cheese 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese



Stir-Fried Pork This classic oriental staple is so unbelievably easy to make. Prep: 15 min Total 25 min 2 cups white rice, uncooked 1/4 cup Italian dressing 1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips 1 cup red pepper, cut into strips
2 cups sugar snap peas or snow peas 1/4 cup sliced green onions, sliced diagonally		2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp ginger, ground



Glazed Carrots A great side dish any day. And look at how simple this is. Prep: 5 min Total: 15 min 1/4 cup Italian dressing 1 lb baby carrots 2 tbsp slivered almonds, toasted 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley



Great Easy Brownies This simple and delicious treat can be jazzed. Use a small food strainer and sift 1 to 2 tsp. powdered sugar over cooled brownies. Prep: 10 mm. Total: 40 mm. 4 squares Unsweetened Baking Chocolate 1/3 cup canola oil 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups sugar 8 large egg whites		1 cup flour 1/2 cup Chopped Pecans