Christ is Risen! Walking with Jesus on the 5th Sunday of Easter A
Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12
In today's second reading, Peter comes up with one of the deepest, to-the-point, inspiring and simultaneously challenging definitions of what it means to be a Christian and Catholic today:
You are “a chosen race [Isaiah 43:20-21], a royal priesthood [Exodus 19:6], a holy nation [Exodus 19:6], a people of His own [Malachi 3:17], so that you may announce the praises” of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. [1 Peter 2:9]
Today’s readings focus on our role in following Jesus and living the faith. We are not to sit still. Each day brings a different challenge to live Jesus’ life of love. People look to us, Jesus’ followers, for examples and inspiration. Living as a disciple is not a “me and God” religion. If that were the case why would the Holy Spirit have given us unique gifts that express living a life of caring, compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love? It doesn’t make sense to hoard these because their nature necessitates that they are to be seen … to be shared. The fulfillment of these gifts is seen in the early Church, a community of believers focused on living the life of Christ: a life of love.
Our lives have been absorbed these past five months in the COVID-19 pandemic. At first we didn’t quite know what a pandemic was because we hadn’t experienced one. So we watched, trying to absorb what we needed to know. Then we observed the cries of the infected and their families, which led to isolation and social distancing. The spread overwhelmed the world, traveling toward us ... but we still felt secure because Americans are always in control. The Holy Spirit was sending His message. Messages from God are challenges: We are not to sit still … we have work to do … we have love to share … we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers … we are all a part of God’s family. We know we have to work together … we are not good at this. What to do?
The doctors, nurses and medical experts are teaching us as they care for the very sick and dying. It is devastating to watch. So many are making masks, improving the designs, making a bridge out of pipe cleaners and inserting coffee filters for extra protection. All this while people are being furloughed and fired and the economy is deeply troubled. Food supplies and distribution are urgently needed. Food pantries and food banks are overwhelmed. Again we are being taught by those who understand what the Spirit is telling us and where the Spirit is leading us: to be disciples and practitioners of Jesus’ message of love and God’s plan of salvation in bringing everyone to heaven. The devil is blocking pure, total, giving love.
Peter faces much opposition and explains the faith we share: This chosen race that unites us is one that follows Jesus as the Way, the Truth, the Life. God did not create a selfish world. Genesis shows us God’s creation as being good. What has made it corrupt? What human hands have touched, corrupted and manipulated for their own purpose: power, possessions, pleasure, prestige. We need to be checking our motives constantly. Our faith is a royal priesthood initiated by our Baptism. We have been called out of darkness, both metaphorically and seasonally, to share our faith … and our faith is a faith of love: Jesus’ love. We are being taught this love each day in watching our care-giving mentors. The devil blinds people in their pursuit of God’s love; making them look out for themselves, not others, refusing to believe that we are all God’s children. Our faith reminds us that we are a holy nation. We are united to do the work of Christ: to take whatever gifts we have, great or little … to give whatever time we have, no matter how limited, to put aside our own needs and challenges, no matter how great, and live the life of God’s love. Jesus taught us this.
The “greater works” that Jesus names in the Gospel are the new challenges facing Christian communities. We need to be translating the words and actions of Jesus into today’s conflicting times. If Jesus’ life is not being modeled, how will the good people who are seekers find God’s love today? God has chosen you and me and blessed us. These are difficult times today. Jesus was telling His disciples He was leaving to go to the Father. The disciples were worried and Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in Me.” He tells us, as He told them, that every person has a dwelling place prepared for them with God in heaven. But the place we live now, right here at this time and place, is our entryway to God’s house.
How am I living the Gospel message? What help do I need from the Holy Spirit to discard the evils and cunning plans of the devil? Am I following the commandments and Jesus’ commandments of love?
So I reflect on: (from Living the Word)
“One of the most rewarding elements in the Christian life is to find out God’s vision and take it for our own. What is God’s dream for the world? What is our part in that grand vision?
“Jesus says that He is ‘the Way.’ He doesn’t say, ‘I am a nice idea.’ In a world sometimes unconvinced, is the Christian message good for human fulfillment? How does faithfully following Jesus matter?”
Sacred Space 2020 states:
“Everything Jesus did was through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is astounding that the Father gives us this same Holy Spirit so that we can do the works Jesus did. As Saint Paul said, ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ [Philippians 4:13]
“Jesus is the firstborn of the new creation: the Holy Spirit-inspired community. Through surrendering to the gift of His Spirit, we are called to become His body and are destined to do great things. ‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.’”
In today's second reading, Peter comes up with one of the deepest, to-the-point, inspiring and simultaneously challenging definitions of what it means to be a Christian and Catholic today:
You are “a chosen race [Isaiah 43:20-21], a royal priesthood [Exodus 19:6], a holy nation [Exodus 19:6], a people of His own [Malachi 3:17], so that you may announce the praises” of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. [1 Peter 2:9]
Today’s readings focus on our role in following Jesus and living the faith. We are not to sit still. Each day brings a different challenge to live Jesus’ life of love. People look to us, Jesus’ followers, for examples and inspiration. Living as a disciple is not a “me and God” religion. If that were the case why would the Holy Spirit have given us unique gifts that express living a life of caring, compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love? It doesn’t make sense to hoard these because their nature necessitates that they are to be seen … to be shared. The fulfillment of these gifts is seen in the early Church, a community of believers focused on living the life of Christ: a life of love.
Our lives have been absorbed these past five months in the COVID-19 pandemic. At first we didn’t quite know what a pandemic was because we hadn’t experienced one. So we watched, trying to absorb what we needed to know. Then we observed the cries of the infected and their families, which led to isolation and social distancing. The spread overwhelmed the world, traveling toward us ... but we still felt secure because Americans are always in control. The Holy Spirit was sending His message. Messages from God are challenges: We are not to sit still … we have work to do … we have love to share … we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers … we are all a part of God’s family. We know we have to work together … we are not good at this. What to do?
The doctors, nurses and medical experts are teaching us as they care for the very sick and dying. It is devastating to watch. So many are making masks, improving the designs, making a bridge out of pipe cleaners and inserting coffee filters for extra protection. All this while people are being furloughed and fired and the economy is deeply troubled. Food supplies and distribution are urgently needed. Food pantries and food banks are overwhelmed. Again we are being taught by those who understand what the Spirit is telling us and where the Spirit is leading us: to be disciples and practitioners of Jesus’ message of love and God’s plan of salvation in bringing everyone to heaven. The devil is blocking pure, total, giving love.
Peter faces much opposition and explains the faith we share: This chosen race that unites us is one that follows Jesus as the Way, the Truth, the Life. God did not create a selfish world. Genesis shows us God’s creation as being good. What has made it corrupt? What human hands have touched, corrupted and manipulated for their own purpose: power, possessions, pleasure, prestige. We need to be checking our motives constantly. Our faith is a royal priesthood initiated by our Baptism. We have been called out of darkness, both metaphorically and seasonally, to share our faith … and our faith is a faith of love: Jesus’ love. We are being taught this love each day in watching our care-giving mentors. The devil blinds people in their pursuit of God’s love; making them look out for themselves, not others, refusing to believe that we are all God’s children. Our faith reminds us that we are a holy nation. We are united to do the work of Christ: to take whatever gifts we have, great or little … to give whatever time we have, no matter how limited, to put aside our own needs and challenges, no matter how great, and live the life of God’s love. Jesus taught us this.
The “greater works” that Jesus names in the Gospel are the new challenges facing Christian communities. We need to be translating the words and actions of Jesus into today’s conflicting times. If Jesus’ life is not being modeled, how will the good people who are seekers find God’s love today? God has chosen you and me and blessed us. These are difficult times today. Jesus was telling His disciples He was leaving to go to the Father. The disciples were worried and Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in Me.” He tells us, as He told them, that every person has a dwelling place prepared for them with God in heaven. But the place we live now, right here at this time and place, is our entryway to God’s house.
How am I living the Gospel message? What help do I need from the Holy Spirit to discard the evils and cunning plans of the devil? Am I following the commandments and Jesus’ commandments of love?
So I reflect on: (from Living the Word)
“One of the most rewarding elements in the Christian life is to find out God’s vision and take it for our own. What is God’s dream for the world? What is our part in that grand vision?
“Jesus says that He is ‘the Way.’ He doesn’t say, ‘I am a nice idea.’ In a world sometimes unconvinced, is the Christian message good for human fulfillment? How does faithfully following Jesus matter?”
Sacred Space 2020 states:
“Everything Jesus did was through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is astounding that the Father gives us this same Holy Spirit so that we can do the works Jesus did. As Saint Paul said, ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ [Philippians 4:13]
“Jesus is the firstborn of the new creation: the Holy Spirit-inspired community. Through surrendering to the gift of His Spirit, we are called to become His body and are destined to do great things. ‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.’”
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