Fifth Sunday of Easter

Jan 14 2025

Scripture Study for

Today’s scriptures observe tension within the early Christian community. Both the Greek-speakers and Hebrew-speakers were probably Jewish-Christians, separated by language rather than by religious background. At issue is some practical matter, not a point of doctrine. Peter does not stand as sole leader. Rather, the entire group of apostles, known as the Twelve, addresses the problem. Besides this collegiality, the community practiced subsidiarity, for the community select ed men to exercise the ministry. The diversity that accompanied the growth of the community both enriched it and was the cause of the tension described here.

The second reading characterizes Christ as a living stone and describes Christians as living stones as well. The stone is living because of who Christ is and not because of what he does. When “living” describes Christians, it refers to the life that is theirs because of their relationship with Christ. As cornerstone, Christ is the underpinning of the building, the church. This stone is sometimes considered the capstone, the stone that holds the two pillars of an arch together. This passage clearly related the way they understand Christ and how they understand the church.

Jesus seeks to strengthen his followers who are troubled at the thought of his departure. He urges them to trust. He does not focus on the end of his life, only on the joyful events that will follow it. He leaves to prepare a place for the others with God. The passage is open to both an apocalyptic and a mystical interpretation. In the first, he is referring to his return at the end of time; in the second, he is alluding to the indwelling of his spirit enjoyed in this life by those united with him. Neither Thomas nor Philip fully understands what he means. Jesus ends his discourse with a promise that those who believe in him will be able to perform deeds that are even more wondrous than those he has performed.

Jan 08 2025

The Holy Spirit—The Tie That Binds

I was the chaplain on call for the day shift that day. A nurse called, “Please come!”

When I got to the seventh floor, by the nursing desk two men and a woman were shouting at each other. The room opposite was bursting with large people, arguing. I bent my head to the nurse, “What’s going on?” “Nine children. They’re fighting over their mother’s last wishes.” We got them calmed enough to pray together and be silent so they could focus on their dying mother. A few minutes later, with her last words, she pleaded quietly, “Children, please don’t fight.”

The deepest desire of a mother’s heart is for her children to flourish. Integral to that flourishing is her desire for them to get along and to care for each other. My grandma said to my dad and his six siblings, “Stay together.”

If this is how a mother feels, how much greater, then, are the desires of God’s heart? As we build in the next few weeks toward the empowerment of Pentecost, what are the Lord’s designs for our flourishing?

The Holy Spirit is the tie who binds a community together. When the early Christians bickered over who was getting enough food, the apostles were inspired to anoint the first deacons to serve. That way the church could be at peace and prosper.

Jesus prays that we all be one. The tension in today’s Gospel is that Jesus knows that he is about to go away. How are his followers to stay together? He wants them to flourish. They flourish best together. He is the Way. If they remain focused on him, they will stay together. They are about to be handed an important mission: to be Christ to the world. They need that focus. So do we.

Consider/Discuss

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 your 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 flourishing? How does faithfully following Jesus matter?

Living and Praying with the Word

Lord, we put our hope in you. There is much that pulls us apart from each other. Your vision is for us to be together. We pray earnestly for you to heal our divisions, for you are our unfailing help. We commit ourselves to you again this day. Be our Way, our Truth, and our Life.

Jan 08 2025

Scripture Study for

The early Christian community comprised both Jews (Hebrews) and Gentiles (Graeco-Roman). Social divisions between them were not easily overcome, even in the care of the needy. The apparent neglect of the Gentile widows, whether intended or not, presents itself to the apostles as a practical problem that needs to be addressed structurally. They cannot take time from their particular ministry to make sure that everyone’s needs are met. Yet they recognize the importance of solicitude for needy widows and others, as shown not only by their desire to choose men with good reputations, known to be filled with the Spirit and wisdom, but also by their prayer and imposition of hands.

Peter’s audience has been born anew through the word of God (1:23). This word draws them to the Lord, who is building them into a temple where they will offer spiritual sacrifices to God. Like Israel, Christians are to be for God a chosen race, a holy and royal priesthood, and a holy nation, whose purpose is to proclaim the praises of God, and thus draw others to God as well. Like Peter’s audience, Christ too was rejected by those without faith and thus became a stumbling block for them. Yet he remains alive to nurture and support them, the living cornerstone on which the church is founded.

In his farewell discourse at the Last Supper, Jesus assures his followers that they are not to be perturbed by his imminent departure, because he goes to the Father, where he will prepare a place for them. When he returns, he will take them there. Yet they will not be going someplace completely unknown to them. Indeed, the way to the Father they already know because they know Jesus, in whom they have met the Father. Not quite getting it, Philip asks that they actually see the Father, “that will be enough for us”(!). Jesus reminds his followers once again that in him they have actually seen the Father because the Father is in him.

Dec 16 2024

Work for Everyone, Guaranteed

We go from Acts’ record of the early days of the church to a vision of the final coming of God’s kingdom. In Acts, those first days were a time of building up and strengthening the community. Paul and Barnabas moved from town to town: Elytra, Conium, Antioch, Epicedia, Pamphylia, Pergo, and Attala. Their work was preaching to convert, lifting the spirits of believers and encouraging their perseverance, and appointing local leaders.

Revelation offers an idealized vision of how the work begun then will turn out: a new heaven and earth, a holy city where God will dwell with the human race and will wipe away all tears caused by death and pain. Of particular interest is the phrase “the sea was no more,” the sea being a symbol of chaos and destructive powers.

How will this come about? How will this activity be sustained through persecution, sin, and human weakness? The Gospel holds the key—by living the new commandment Jesus gave to his disciples: “Love one another as I have loved you.” In this way, Christ continues to be glorified and God glorified in him.

The names of the cities may have changed. Now the work continues in Arlington, Baltimore, Newton, Flossmoor, Arroyo Grande, San Jose, among others. But whether cities or towns, a new creation will only result if a community of believers, under dedicated leadership, perseveres in loving as Christ loved. When this happens, the seeds of Resurrection life are certain to bear fruit.

Consider/Discuss

Have you accepted your job assignment?
Could God be calling you to move on to “a different city,” some new place to love as Christ loved?

Responding to the Word

Your commandment to love as you loved us, Lord Jesus, with a willingness to give generously, not counting the cost, is frightening to most of us most of the time. Give us your companionship, which we surely need, and increase our hope in the fulfillment you have promised. We place our trust in you.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The suffering that Paul and Barnabas were forced to endure is referred to as the “birth pangs” of the Messiah, the inevitable suffering that occurs when one passes from “this age” to the “age of fulfillment.” These men were not independent missionaries. They were sent forth by the church in Antioch, and it was to that same church that they reported what was accomplished through them. It is important to note that the success of the mission is credited to God. Still, it was through Paul that the door of faith, an opportunity to believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, was opened for the Gentiles.

The new heaven and new earth do not merely suggest transformation or renewal; they describe something entirely new. The new Jerusalem is a sacred place where God dwells in a very special way. The old order has passed away, along with death and tears. In fulfillment of the prophetic promise, God will comfort the people who mourn, wiping away their tears. The reading ends in a summary note: All things are made new. While “new” is the eschatological catchword, the present tense of the verb indicates that God’s new creative action is unfolding now.

The hour of Jesus’ death is the hour of his glorification. He is glorified both in his willingness to obey God even unto death, and in God’s glorification of him by making his sacrifice effective for the salvation of all. Jesus tenderly admonishes his disciples to love one another. Since he will not remain with these loved ones for long, the love that they show one another will be the earthly counterpart of the mutual glorification of God and Jesus himself. They are to love one another with the same self-sacrificing love that Jesus has shown them. Such love will be the universal sign of discipleship of Jesus. The love that the followers of Jesus have for one another shows forth the glory of God.