Homily - 5th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

5^th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

First Reading: Acts 14:21-27      Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-5a      Gospel Reading: John 13:31-33a, 34-35

“A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU – 'LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.'”

One day, as Blessed Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity Sisters were tending to the poorest of the poor on the streets of Kolkata, they happened to pass across a man lying in the gutter, very near death. He was filthy, dressed in little more than a rag and flies swarmed around his body. Immediately, Mother Teresa embraced him, spoke to him softly and began to pick out the maggots that were nesting in his flesh. A passerby was repulsed by the sight of the man and exclaimed to Mother Teresa, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.” Her response was immediate, “Neither would I!”

Obviously, monetary gain did not motivate the diminutive woman known as 'The Saint of Kolkata'; love did. In her writings, Mother Teresa frequently quoted Jesus' new commandment, and affirmed the motivating power of love. She often used to say, 'We must grow in love, and to do this we must go on loving, and loving, and giving, and giving, until it hurts - the way Jesus did.'

We are in the Easter season and today is its 5^th Sunday. The season of Easter reminds us of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus and it is a celebration of 'new life,' which has come to us through our Risen Lord. What do we mean by this 'new life?' Have we experienced this 'new life' this Easter or, for that matter, in any previous Easter? Or does the Easter experience simply pass by and nothing happens?

Our Scripture Readings for today are a mixed group, but each reflects the Easter message of 'new life.' All three of them inevitably speak about 'newness,' and at the same time stand on a firm common ground and build blocks over it, ever raising it tall. The Gospel Reading speaks of a new commandment of love, which is the foundation and heart of Jesus' teaching and his message. The First Reading speaks of new converts and new communities formed and founded by the Apostles, here on earth, on Jesus' new commandment of love. And the Second Reading speaks about a new heaven & a new earth and a new Jerusalem, after our life here on earth, which is the attic apartment and the culmination of Jesus' new commandment of love. Let us consider each of them:

The New Commandment...

Our Gospel text today is oddly a look backward. It is taken from St. John’s version of the Last Supper and for obvious reasons, it deserves first consideration. Today's Gospel passage actually follows the presumed Last Supper meal, then the example of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples (including those of Judas), continuing with the lesson in theological reflection on that example of service, then Judas’ departure from the assembly, and finally the bestowal of the 'new commandment.'

Jesus has washed the feet of his foot-weary table companions, and has thus provided an example of what it means to love. What he has done for them, they are to do for one another. In other words, no form of service is too menial for a Christian disciple, and privileged exemption from service of others has no place in gospel living.

Judas' departure sets the scene for Jesus' last Discourse. Events have been set in train that will culminate in God’s victory over evil and death. The die is cast; there is no going back now. Jesus' 'hour' has come. Jesus begins by speaking about his 'glorification,' i.e., his passion, death and resurrection. He says, "The Son of man is glorified and God is glorified in him." The Son of Man is glorified both in his willingness to obey God even unto death and in the fact that God will glorify him by making his sacrifice effective for the salvation of all. By pouring out his life for us, Jesus not only saves us, but also gives us a perfect example of what love is.

However, this is not the end of the disciples' association with Jesus. He will surely leave them very soon, but they are to continue on the way of discipleship. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says to them, “I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” This is an example-based and reciprocal love commandment and this is Jesus' legacy to his disciples; and this is Jesus’ legacy to us too.

So, what is 'new' about Jesus' commandment? In order to glean the radical quality of Christ’s 'new' command, we must be able to grasp the true depth of his love:

The Hebrew Testament tells us 'to love God with our whole heart and soul and so on; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.' Jesus has added a new element in telling us that the true test of discipleship is to love other people in the same way “as” he has loved us. Here, Jesus himself has given the measure of his love for his disciples which includes us too. This is really to love without measure as he had shown it on the cross when he gave his life for our redemption - which is sacrificing and self emptying love. And we might remember that this event speaks of the greatest possible love that a person can show; i.e. by letting go of one’s very life for others. Also, this kind of love is not selective. Neither does it depend on love received. He offers it freely to everyone. His is an all embracing, universal love.

Actually, there is an enormous significance in the fact that Jesus called his 'a new commandment.' The mandate is part of the new covenant, and new economy of salvation and represents a departure from the old covenant which confined love to one’s neighbor; i.e. to another Israelite, or to resident aliens. Jesus’ new commandment calls for an unconditional love - without limits, qualifications or prerequisites.

Finally, Jesus also says to them, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for one another.” Love is not only the mark or characterization of Christian discipleship, it is also its primary task. In accordance with the 'new' testament of Jesus, as he was about to offer his life-giving sacrifice on the cross, Christians must live out the call to fraternal charity. This is the sign of the Christian in the world, the irrefutable, immediately verifiable proof of Christian identity.

The Newly-formed Communities...

In the First Reading of today, we continue to hear from the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the early Church and its activities in the years following the Resurrection of Jesus. Today's text is an account of the completion of the 'first missionary voyage' of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas in the Mediterranean area, mandated by the Church of Syrian Antioch. They are now retracing their steps back home. Along the way, they pay a pastoral visit to Churches that they had founded and formed. There is a 'newness' in the newly-formed communities in the early Church:

Firstly, we see that the new commandment of love was at work in the heart of Paul and Barnabas as they were willing to be persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. Having already experienced sufferings and rejection, the Apostles tell the Christians that suffering is part and parcel of their lives. They urge them to shine in a service of love in the Lord Jesus. Their mutual love included encouraging the new converts, and setting up a structure of 'elders' as leaders to direct the believers in the early Church and to ensure continuity with the faith. With prayer and fasting, they entrust them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe. This description of the early Christian community will be repeated in the Acts of the Apostles, “See how they love one another.” Loving one another is the hallmark of Christianity.

Secondly, we see the inclusion of the Gentiles in the early Church. The Apostles started preaching the Gospel to the Jews first, in their synagogues. But then Gentiles too started accepting the word of God and believing in Jesus and his message. The evangelist Luke summed up what happened through the entire ministry of Paul and Barnabas on this first evangelizing tour—“all that God had done with them”—in the following terms, “God had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.” Christianity is fundamentally an inclusive faith for everyone. And here in Acts the inclusive circle gets bigger and bigger, going from the Jews to the Gentiles.

A New Heaven and a New Earth...., The New Jerusalem...

The Second Reading of today from the Book of Revelation is one that is very familiar to many of us because it is often read at funerals. In this John presents us with a vision of the end times, indicated in a new heaven and a new earth when all the enemies of God will be destroyed. It is the glorious arrival of the long awaited “salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah.” The old order will pass away and the sea (the place of chaos and evil) will be no more.

In this new order, God is imaged as one living in the midst of his people - loving them and they loving him. The reading says, “The home of God is among mortals.” We hear those beautiful words which are reminiscent of God’s promises to the Israelite people during the time of Abraham and Moses - “I will dwell with them and they will be my people and I will dwell with them always as their God.” Also, the New Jerusalem is imaged as the Bride of the Risen Christ, which is the Church. The presence of the bride groom, Risen Jesus himself, is a sign of joy. God promises that he will make all things new in Jesus and all the old will be taken away.

Again, we have the verses that help us to get through the sorrow of death. Once we have passed on from this life and we have entered the Heavenly Kingdom of God, we will have become immortal. God promises he will wipe away every tear, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, and all things will be made new. Instead, they will only experience glory, happiness and peace. We know that this has already happened through the death and resurrection of Jesus – that kingdom has been established and everything has been made new, and we await now for the completion of that event.

Perhaps the key that best unlocks the symbolism of this particular vision is the divine proclamation, “Behold, I make all things new!” This promised newness reprized the prophecy of Isaiah, “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see I am doing something new!” For Isaiah’s contemporaries, 'something new' meant a return home, geographically to Judah after the exile in Babylon and spiritually to God. Memories of past sorrows would soon fade before the shining joy of a new beginning. For John’s contemporaries, 'something new' meant an end to persecution and the beginning of a new and glorious life, which is the culmination of the 'new love commandment' of Jesus.

Today Jesus also says to us, “A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU – 'LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.'” The challenge of this teaching is enormous. Do we carry this central teaching into our lives? Do we give support to our fellow disciples and share our faith and our love with as many people as possible? It is through this constant love-centered interaction among each other that the 'new earth, the new heaven and the new Jerusalem' can begin to come into existence – not at some unknown future time and in some other place but here and now. Today. It is in our hands. All we have to do is follow the lead of Jesus the Lord, who is our perfect example.

To conclude: There is a story about a man who had a huge boulder in his front yard. He grew weary of this big, unattractive stone in the center of his lawn. He decided to take advantage of it and turn it into an object of art. He went to work on it with hammer and chisel, and chipped away at the huge boulder until it became a beautiful stone elephant. When he was finished it was gorgeous. It was breath-taking.

A neighbor asked, "How did you ever carve such a marvelous likeness of an elephant?"

The man answered, "I just chipped away everything that didn't look like an elephant!"

Let us then today if we have anything in our life right now that doesn't look like love, with the help of God, chip it away! If we have anything in our life that doesn't look like compassion, mercy, or empathy, then, with the help of God, let us chip it away! If we have hatred, prejudice, vengeance, or envy in our heart, for God's sake, for the sake of others, and for our sake, let us get rid of it! Let God chip everything out of our lives that doesn't look like love. And this is the Good News of today.

                                                       

 

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Homily - 4th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

4^th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

                                     (GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY)

First Reading: Acts 13:14, 43-52       Second Reading: Revelation 7:9, 14b-17       Gospel Reading: John 10:27-30

“WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS FLOCK.”

 

Some years ago, a renowned actor was asked at a drawing-room function to recite for the pleasure of his fellow guests. He consented and asked if there was anything they specially wanted to hear. After a minute's pause, an old minister asked for 'Psalm 23.' A strange look came over the actor's face. He paused for a moment, then said, “I will, on one condition – that after I have recited it, you, my friend, will do the same.”

“I!” said the preacher in surprise, “I am not an elocutionist, but, if you wish it, I shall do so.”

Impressively, the actor began the Psalm - “The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want...” His voice and intonation were perfect. He held his audience spellbound, and, as he finished, a great burst of applause broke from his guests. As it died away, the old minister rose and began to declaim the same Psalm. His voice was not remarkable, his tone was not faultless, but, when he finished, there was not a dry eye in the room.

The actor rose and his voice quivered as he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I reached your eyes and ears – he has reached your hearts. The difference is just this – 'I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.'”

Today is the 4th Sunday of Easter and traditionally we celebrate it as “Good Shepherd Sunday,” and think in a special way of the ‘pastoral’ love of God. Each year, the Gospel Reading of today is chosen from Chapter 10 of St. John's Gospel, where Jesus speaks of himself as the “Good Shepherd.” Today, in fact, we listen to the third and concluding part of that Chapter.

In recent times, this day has also become known as “Vocations Sunday,” a day on which prayers should be said for vocations to the priesthood and religious life; priests are the ‘pastors’ of the Church.

All the three Scripture Readings of today are well connected in themes. Actually, we have three distinct themes interwoven through them that bind them together:

I. Jesus the Good Shepherd...

The very loving and beautiful image of the shepherd and his sheep is very old in Scripture. However, like all scriptural images, it is not to be taken too literally or in its totality. The emphasis, of course, in the Scripture images is on the shepherd. The image implies someone who gives loving, caring & compassionate leadership. It is a situation where there is mutual recognition between shepherd and sheep, where there is voluntary following and total trust. The sheep listen to and recognize the voice of their shepherd and that is why they continue to follow him rather than another.

The Gospel reading proclaimed in this Sunday’s liturgy is very brief, but extremely rich in content. In the short and beautiful few lines from the Gospel of St. John, we come in vital contact with Jesus the Good Shepherd, who answers our most profound human longings and intense spiritual needs. 'Eternal life' is the Good Shepherd’s most beautiful gift to us, the flock he shepherds. We are heartened by his declaration, “I give them eternal life.”

The Shepherd’s gift of eternal life demands a positive response from the recipients. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” The interpersonal 'knowledge' that exists between them necessitates receptivity in listening and obedience in following after Jesus, the Good Shepherd. To hear is to recognize the authority and importance of the speaker’s words; it is to enter into communion with him, to put oneself under his guidance, to follow him, to attach oneself to him, to become his disciple. “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.”

The finale of the discourse on the Good Shepherd returns succinctly to the bond that unites the sheep and their intimate union with the one who leads them. But it is not a mere repetition of what we already know. As a matter of fact, with the last sentence we reach a high point in Jesus’ revelation about himself and his relation to the Father. Indeed, today’s Gospel proclamation contains an astounding Christological revelation: “The Father and I are one.” With these final words, Jesus makes it clear that, in his role as ‘shepherd,’ he identifies himself with “The Shepherd” who is the God of Israel – full expression of the Father’s being. This is the basis for the life-giving pastoral ministry of Jesus. The profound mystery of unity between the Father and his Son Jesus, the victorious paschal Lamb, is the source of the latter’s incomparable power and unimpeachable authority as the Good Shepherd. To the obedient and loving flock of disciples, whom he knows intimately, Jesus gives the solemn assurance of divine protection.

In the Second Reading of today, as part of his vision, St. John sees all the people he has just described before the throne of God, and uses a mixed metaphor to describe Jesus. Jesus is the Lamb who was slain, but he is also the Shepherd who takes care of the other sheep. He leads them to a place where they will not hunger or thirst, and brings them to life-giving water, where they will have every tear wiped away.

II. Inclusion of Gentiles into the Flock...

The second major theme around which today’s readings revolve is the movement in the early Church to include the Gentiles, the non-Jews, into the growing Christian community. Jesus becomes the Savior of all – both of the Jews and the Gentiles, and his ‘salvation reaches the ends of the earth.’ Of course, “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.” The first two readings complement this affirmation, by celebrating the universal nature of the flock of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

The Acts of the Apostles describes what happens to the Apostles and disciples in the years following the Resurrection of Jesus. In the First Reading, we have a brief description of the evangelical work of Paul in Antioch and Pisidia along with Barnabas during the first missionary journey. They first went to the Jewish community and preached to them, but many rejected their message. So, Paul and Barnabas moved towards the Gentiles who began to believe in Jesus and his message, and continued to join them in large numbers. This infuriated the Jewish leaders of Antioch, who were filled with jealousy and spoke derisively against them. They even incited the people to persecute them. But Paul was not afraid to tell them that it was true that God’s word was spoken to Jews first, but that most Jews were blind to the fulfillment of that Word in Jesus, so God opened up Jesus’ message to the Gentiles. Paul also saw in the Scriptures a Biblical basis for what he was doing with realization that the centuries-old prophecy of Isaiah was being fulfilled: “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” But the Antiochan Jews began to work to get rid of Paul and his followers. This forced the Apostles to leave and go to another city to continue their work. Despite this, we are told, they were still filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

In the Second Reading of today, we are also given a vision of St. John, in which the Gentiles have become part of the chosen people of God: “A great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue.” Surely we all want to belong to that 'huge number' of martyr-witnesses who have identified their lives with that of the Lamb, Jesus, who offered himself in love for the world. Let all of us join with Jesus so that we and others will never hunger or thirst again, nor be plagued by sun or scorching wind but be led to the springs of living water where God will wipe away all tears from our eyes.

All these passages show that Jesus brings salvation to all. He is the Good Shepherd and we all belong to his flock. He belongs to all. He is for everybody. He is for you and for me.

III. Vocation to Priesthood and Consecrated Life...

Today is also “World Day of Prayer for Vocations,” a day when Christians are invited to reflect on the meaning of God’s call and to pray that they may answer the call to dedicate their lives to serve the Church in a special way, i.e. to shepherd the Church communities, particularly as pastors and religious. To help us reflect on the meaning of the priestly vocation, the Church presents to us in today’s gospel the figure of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Last Sunday we saw that Our Lord commissioned and gave charge to Peter, by saying three times, “Feed my sheep.” In that way he made Peter a shepherd, a pastor. Our Lord continues his work of shepherding his people through Peter and his co-workers: the apostles and disciples, and through their successors: the Pope, the bishops, priests, deacons, catechists, and committed lay people.

The first thing we need to say on this day is that every single person here has a vocation, every single person here has been and is being called by God through the Holy Spirit to offer their special gifts to the rest of the community. Therefore, “Vocations Sunday” is not for a few selected, it is for all of us here. On the one hand, each one needs to reflect on what my particular calling is and how I can respond to it for the well-being of the whole parish community. Secondly, I need to help and not be an obstacle to others in responding to the particular calling or grace that God through his Spirit is giving them. If we all actively responded to that call what a wonderful community we would be! For, “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.”

This is the “Year of Faith,” and the retired Pope Benedict has written a message that coincides with the theme of today. He considers 'Vocations as a sign of hope founded in faith,' and tells us that God continues to call people to work in the vineyard and that we must continue to pray and trust in our ultimate hope - which is God himself. In his message the Holy Father further says, 'Vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life are born out of the experience of a personal encounter with Christ, out of sincere and confident dialogue with him, so as to enter into his will. It is necessary, therefore, to grow in the experience of faith, understood as a profound relationship with Jesus, as inner attentiveness to his voice which is heard deep within us.' Surely, this extract from the message of Pope Benedict will resonate with vocations personnel and those interested in answering the call of the Lord in faith.

Today, as we celebrate “Good Shepherd Sunday,” let us ask the Lord that we may be his good sheep, listening attentively to his voice, and follow his example of self-giving love.

Let us also pray for all our shepherds in the Church and society who are given the responsibility of caring for others. May they follow the example of Jesus who shows his concern and care for his own sheep and was willing to serve and lay down his life for his sheep.

Today is also “Vocation Sunday.” We need more pastoral shepherds for our parish communities. Let us pray then for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that more people will consider whether they are being called to join the ranks of priest-shepherds or to the dedicated life of brothers and sisters.

Finally, we are challenged to realize the universal character of the flock of Jesus the Good Shepherd, by accepting one another lovingly and without prejudice and by serving the needs of all others without discrimination. Let us bear in mind always that “WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS FLOCK,” and earnestly pray that we all be one in HIM. And this is the Good News of today.

 

 

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Homily - 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year C)

3^rd Sunday of Easter (Year C)

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32            Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14            Gospel Reading: John 21:1-19

“JESUS IS ALIVE AND HE IS ALWAYS WITH US!”

 

A European missionary, who labored on the east coast of Africa in medieval period, tells this story: One day a little black boy came to him and enquired, “Was Jesus a white man or a black man?” The missionary was going to say right away that Jesus was a white man, but he happened to guess what was in the black boy's mind. He knew that if he said Jesus was a white man, the boy would turn away with a sad look, thinking that everything that was good had been given to the white man. So the missionary thought for a moment. He remembered that Jesus lived, when on earth, in a very warm country, that the people were dark skinned, though not black. So he answered, “No, Jesus was not a white man, nor a black man, but sort of between the two. He was kind of brown.” “Oh, then he belongs to both of us, doesn't he?” exclaimed the little fellow with delight and went away.

Yes, Jesus belongs to all of us. He belongs to you and to me. Risen Jesus has a Jewish face, a Chinese face, an Indian face, a Filipino face, a Vietnamese face, a European face, an African face, an American face... and is present everywhere. “Jesus is alive and he is always with us.”

To Begin...

We are in Easter season and today is its 3rd Sunday. During this time, we continue to reflect upon the theme of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Second Reading of today, the author of the Book of Revelation describes a visionary, mystical experience in which countless creatures recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Lamb of sacrifice, slain but risen and victorious, who receives blessing, and honor, and glory. This is set in the Heavenly Court where he is about to open the sealed scroll of revelation which he had just taken from God’s hand. This is an image beyond any measure and grasp of human imagination. First, the wonder and glory of the Divine Mystery, and secondly, the focus and worship of the entire universe, both spiritual and physical, are put forth here. It is an inspiring moment; but, once again, there is no pretense here. And by telling and describing the scene, today's reading wants us to wrestle with the mystery of God, especially as we contemplate the mysteries of Christ’s death and resurrection, so that filled with hope, we can begin to comprehend the largeness and fullness of the salvation offered us by Christ.

Back to Old Ways:

The Gospel Reading for this Sunday has something of the air of an appendix to the Gospel of St. John. The author highlights the third post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to his disciples at the Lake Tiberias, far away from Jerusalem, the capital, and in the home territory of the Galilean Apostles. The first two appearances were both in Jerusalem in the Upper Room, inside the closed doors – one being on the eve of the Resurrection and the other eight days later.

The Gospel narrative of today allows us to assume that the initial excitement about Jesus’ Resurrection has possibly calmed down a bit. The prevailing mood is not one of exultant joy. Instead, Simon Peter and a rather motley crew have left Jerusalem and gloomily gone all the way back to Galilee to resume their former way of life as fishermen. The previous three years had been an interesting and even exciting interlude in their lives, but now it seemed that it was all over and they themselves were in danger, and to keep busy out of fear and concern, they were back to what they had always been doing.

A Large Catch of Fish:

The disciples toiled the whole night, but to their disappointment they caught nothing. When it was dawn, the unrecognized figure of Risen Jesus appeared to them on the shore and directed their fishing. Following his command, the disciples caught an enormous amount of fish. Indeed, the superabundant catch was a 'sign' of the Risen Lord’s presence and power, which induced the 'beloved disciple' to cry out, “It is the Lord!” The 'beloved disciple' who saw the sign of the empty tomb on Easter morning is the same disciple who proclaimed his faith-recognition at dawn by the waters of Tiberias - “Jesus is alive and he is always with us.” In the symbolism of the Gospel, the boat and those in it represent the Church, the community in Christ.

We are told that Peter and his companions dragged the net to the shore - “full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.” Although we do not know the precise symbolic meaning of this number, it probably refers to the future missionary work of the apostles and its universal character.

Again, in spite of the heavy load of fish, the net was not torn, indicating the integral character of the Christian community. The net that encompasses the great quantity of fish points to the great variety and multitude of believers that will be brought into the faith, forming the One, Catholic and Universal Church of Christ. In their apostolic task as 'fishers of men and women,' the disciples need to solely rely on the Risen Lord for the efficacy of their mission. They can catch nothing without the assistance of the Lord. To act without Jesus is futile. Without his presence, casting the net into the sea of life is in vain.

Breakfast at the Lake-shore:

When the disciples arrive at the lake-shore, with the boat and the catch, they find breakfast prepared, an invitation to supply the fish, and a summons to breakfast. The group does not experience a rush of joy, however; instead we are told that “No one dared to ask ‘Who are you?’ knowing that it was the Lord.”

The breakfast at Tiberias is introduced by the episode of the miraculous catch of fish. The breakfast that Jesus prepares and serves to his disciples has a Eucharistic overtone. This 'sign' is an announcement of the Eucharist. There are all the elements of a Eucharist here. The Gospel writer narrates: “Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.” Here we see Jesus and the disciples are sharing what they have and eating in unity and community - such a simple scene which is a beautiful picture of the Church. The meal at the lake-shore also evokes the multiplication of the loaves and fish that Jesus accomplished at Lake Tiberias at the beginning of his ministry. Jesus fed the hungry crowd at the lake-shore with bread and fish, distributing as much as needed, and with twelve baskets of the bread fragments left over.

We know that it is the Lord who sets the table and invites us: He gives himself to be the food of those he gathers. Indeed, in the Eucharist, the Risen Lord continues to be present to us in the bread of the Word that we share and in the sacramental form of bread and wine. The glorified Jesus nourishes us with the bread of his living Word and with his own body and blood. The Easter event of the Risen Lord feeding his flock continues to be actualized in the 'here and now' of the Church through the Eucharist, the sacrament of Christ’s Passover - “Jesus is alive and he is always with us.”

Reconciliation and Commissioning:

The last part of today’s Gospel Reading presents to us a very special and touching scene between the Risen Jesus and Peter. Within one dialogue it combines two things. The mention of the “charcoal fire with fish on it” prepares us for this scene. Jesus used the 'charcoal fire' in his servant role as chef and as the giver of bread and fish. This 'charcoal fire' now serves as a witness for Peter’s profession of love, recalling the previous 'charcoal fire' at the hour of Jesus’ passion, next to which Peter had denied the Lord.

On the one hand, there is the reconciliation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus offers Peter a public opportunity to profess 'repentance through love,' surely a striking example of what it is that re-establishes our relationship with the Lord after sin. In the gentlest of ways, the Risen Lord asks him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Peter now is confronted with his threefold denial and he evasively responds, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Three times he is asked the same question just as three times he had denied. Now Peter is ‘upset.’ It deeply hurts him and he finally replies using the word he has been avoiding so far, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Peter’s threefold denial is balanced by his threefold profession of love. With this, he and the Lord are 'at-oned.'

On the other hand, however, the dialogue is more than a moment of reconciliation. It is also the passing of the baton. Jesus now hands over to Peter and to his companions the mission he himself had been given by the Father. "Feed my sheep." This is the responsibility of the Church and, as members of that Church, a responsibility that rests in varying degrees on every one of us. It is not just bishops, priests, religious who have this responsibility. It is also that of parents, teachers and even simply as brothers and sisters to each other.

Back to Jerusalem:

The disciples now had to go back to Jerusalem where they began to boldly and fearlessly proclaim what Jesus' life, words, actions, suffering, death and rising to life meant for them and for everyone else as well. The joy they had, the new meaning that had come into their lives because of their encounter with Jesus simply had to be shared with others. This we see recorded in the First Reading of today from the Acts of the Apostles.

However, it was a message that not everyone wanted to hear. In fact, they were arrested and interrogated by the Jewish Supreme Court or Sanhedrin and warned by civil and religious leaders to stop what they were doing. When the high priest demanded that Peter and company should listen to him and obey his orders, the apostles made it very clear that “they must obey God rather than men.” Not even when they were arrested, punished, imprisoned could they stop. On the contrary, the scars of their beatings became 'reasons for joy' and 'badges of pride' because they had shared in the humiliation and sufferings of Jesus their Lord.

To Conclude...

Today, when we are reflecting upon the theme of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus, let us bring ourselves in the living presence of the Risen Lord. Yes, through the sacraments especially, privileged encounters with the Risen Lord, you and I can experience the power of God in our own lives. So, we proclaim, “Jesus is alive and he is always with us.”

There is, however, a further step demanded of us. It is not enough for us, in our own lives, to be aware of God's presence among us. That realization calls each one of us believers to a response on our part to make that presence a felt reality, a genuine experience for those around us as well. The disciples could not simply stay in the upper room relishing the joy of knowing that Jesus, their Lord and friend, was risen. Their encounter on the lakeside made them realize that they could no longer go back to their boats and live for themselves.

We also notice that in the post-resurrection appearances the Risen Jesus at first is not recognized by his followers. The Risen Jesus does not look like the way he used to look. He now takes on many forms but, with faith, they are sure it is he. Jesus from now on has many faces – our neighbors, our friends and enemies. He is especially to be found and recognized in the poor, the exploited, the handicapped, the weak, the uneducated, the stranger, the foreigner... Christianity must never become a religion of insiders because it is precisely in the outsider that Jesus is to be found. Let us therefore joyfully proclaim, “JESUS IS ALIVE AND HE IS ALWAYS WITH US!” And this is the Good News of today.

            

 

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Homily - 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year C)

2^nd Sunday of Easter (Year C)

                                      (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY)

First Reading: Acts 5:12-16     Second Reading: Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19     Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

“I WILL SING OF THE MERCIES OF THE LORD...”

Once upon a time two brothers, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s tool box. “I’m looking for a few days’ work” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?” “Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor; in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence –an 8-foot fence — so I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.” The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. “You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.” The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother. “I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but I have many more bridges to build.”

Jesus is also the bridge-maker, who reconciles mankind to God by bestowing his mercy upon us and forgiving our sins; and he also calls us to do the same – to be bridge-makers by being messengers of his mercy and forgiving love.

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Easter and with it we conclude the Octave of Easter. We know that Easter is the most solemn of all Christian feasts and it is so great an event that one day of celebration does not suffice. We needed eight days of liturgical celebrations to contemplate and assimilate the Easter mysteries.

On this 2nd Sunday of Easter, every year we have the same Gospel Reading, though the other two readings vary. The gospel passage of today from St. John begins with the narration of the first appearance of the Risen Lord to his disciples on the day of Easter; it then goes on to narrate the appearance of the Risen Lord to Thomas who was absent on the day of Easter. The latter incident takes place on the eighth day of Easter (like today). Thus the gospel text of today really links Easter Sunday to the Octave. A very apt reading indeed to conclude the Octave of Easter!

Again, the 2^nd Sunday of Easter is also known as the ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.’ Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Sr. Faustina in the 1930’s and promised that he would bestow his Divine Mercy to any sinner that totally repents his/her sins, no matter how grave and our Lord would not refuse any soul that seeks his mercy. It is not a mere coincidence that in the private revelations that Sr. Faustina received Jesus asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. Therefore, on 30th April 2000, when Pope John Paul II canonized his country-woman, Sr. Faustina, he said, “It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday’.” In brief, this Sunday invites us to contemplate the mercy of God. We experience this Divine Mercy very tangibly in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and also in Grace - the unmerited favor, the gratuitous gift which God gives to us out of His compassion and merciful love.

So, today is also the feast of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In today's Gospel, Jesus gives authority to his disciples to forgive sins saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” This is a Divine power given to his disciples and handed down to his Church and to our priests. But, it is God who really gives pardon and peace. The priest - who takes the place of the ‘disciples’ of Jesus today - absolves in the name of the Church, that is, he frees the penitent from guilt and blame. This understanding is still maintained in the formula of absolution that the priest utters during the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

This is a wonderful possibility available in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: 'the visible sign of God’s invisible mercy.' On this feast then, let us resolve to make frequent confession – good, sincere & open confession - and experience God's Divine mercy.

 

Now, it is on the very day of his resurrection that Jesus Christ, risen and triumphant, made his first appearance to his disciples who hovered in fear and huddled behind locked doors. We could recall here that his previous appearance in the Gospel of John, in fact the very first appearance, was to Mary Magdalene, earlier at the day break. The appearance of the Risen Lord was meant to calm their fearful hearts, change their doubting minds and evoke the faith of the disciples in the reality of the Resurrection of the one who suffered and died on the cross.

In his appearance to his disciples, after his typical greeting of “Peace be with you,” Jesus showed them his wounds and sent them on his mission to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins. After this, “He breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit.” These two sentences are a mouthful, but, they really describe the beginning of the Church. Pentecost is familiarly described in the Acts of the Apostles. Today’s Gospel taken from St. John gives us another version of Pentecost. It is interesting to note that the Evangelist John does not separate the Resurrection of the Lord from the decent of the Holy Spirit. In a sense, Easter and Pentecost (as Luke calls it in the Acts) are one according to St. John: we receive the Holy Spirit when we experience the Risen Lord.

To further strengthen the fear-stricken disciples to continue from where he stopped, the Risen Lord appeared to them again eight days later and stood in their midst and again said to them, “Peace be with you.” This time, together with them was the doubting Thomas who had reacted vehemently to their testimony with a protestation. Jesus confronted the doubt of Thomas with the stigmata of his passion. Thomas’ resistance and unbelief broke down completely in the face of the Risen Lord. He then uttered the ultimate Christian profession of faith: “My Lord and my God!” The Risen Lord, however, exhorted him to a greater faith: “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Today’s Gospel thus is also an exhortation to us 'to believe without seeing.'

Therefore, the Gospel is apt for the celebration of Divine Mercy as well as to confront doubt. Do you know why Christ, after he greeted the Apostles with peace, showed them His hands and His side? A clean or stylized crucifix does not tell the whole story. In fact, a sanitized cross may belong to a jaded memory. This may explain why Christ kept the marks of his wounds on His risen body. You would think that a risen body should be perfect. On the contrary, the wounds were necessary to help the Apostles remember or recognize him.

In the Second Reading of today from the Book of Revelation, St. John speaks about his vision of the Lord's Day. He sees the Mighty one robed in majesty, one like 'the Son of Man' – who says to him, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys of death and the netherworld.”

Also, the last verse of today’s Gospel Reading crystallizes the motive for the many 'signs' written and proclaimed about Jesus, the glorious resurrection being the crowning event and the 'Sign of signs.' The Evangelist John tells the recipients of the Gospel: “These are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”

Indeed, to really relish the joy and peace of Easter we need to believe this: that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Christ – the Son of God. He is the Lord and God of those who have experienced the power of Easter.

Today, we are celebrating “Divine Mercy Sunday” and are joyfully proclaiming - “I WILL SING OF THE MERCIES OF THE LORD...” Let us remember that the message behind the Upper Room appearance is that Jesus wants the disciples to know that his Church is founded on forgiveness and has a mission to bring about peace through forgiveness. This is why he did not only forgive them but also commissioned them to continue his mission of salvation and forgiveness of sin. In the First Reading of today from Acts of the Apostles, we see how the Apostles relentlessly carried out the mission of their Master by preaching and healing, and how day by day members were added in the community of the believers.

It is also to be noted that while the first gift of Easter is joy, the second one is peace. Anything that comes against joy and peace in our lives is not good for us. The person therefore, who fails to forgive his/her neighbor does not only lose his/her identity as a Christian but robs oneself of true peace. In the same vein, the one who doubts his/her faith loses true peace of mind and body. As ambassadors we are to represent Jesus and become dispensers of his peace. And this is the Good News of today.

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