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Institute for Homiletics

A Collaboration of The Catholic Foundation and the University of Dallas

Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.

Let Us Pray

We witness three intense moments of prayer in today’s scriptures. The first is  Stephen’s prayer as he is about to be stoned. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he sees a vision of Jesus at the Father’s throne. As a crowd is beginning to stone him, he  prays, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” As Jesus entrusted himself to the Father,  Stephen entrusts himself to Jesus. Then Stephen also makes a prayer asking forgiveness for his killers. 

In the Gospel, we witness the final words of Jesus’ great prayer at the Last  Supper, a prayer for those future generations who will come to believe because of those who preach the gospel. This profound prayer asks that all believers participate in the communion Jesus has with the Father, entering into the mystical indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father. The communion in the very life of the Father and the Son will come about as the work of the Spirit. 

In the final vision in the book of Revelation, John the Seer invites us to join him  in the simplest prayer of all, initiated by the Spirit and the bride, the church of  the future, calling out to the One who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning  and the end, the bright morning star: “Come, Lord Jesus, come!” 

The Easter season’s final gifts before the feast of Pentecost are prayers naming the Spirit’s work: our surrender to the Lord, forgiveness of others, communion in the Trinity, the final coming of the Lord. 

Consider/Discuss

  • Do these prayers reflect your needs? 
  • What would you want your final prayer to be? 

Responding to the Word

Come, Lord Jesus, come this day into my life. Send your Spirit to draw me more fully into the intimate communion you share with your Father and with all believers. Help me to pray with attentiveness and commitment the prayer you gave us: Our Father . . .

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A Comfort and a Challenge

One year I missed celebrating the Ascension. I live in D.C., which celebrates it on a Sunday, but happened to be in New Jersey on that Sunday, where it had already been celebrated the previous Thursday. I really did miss celebrating it.  I have come to have a deep love for this feast, finding it both comforting and challenging. 

It’s not a feast that brings an end to Jesus’ work. Rather, it marks Jesus’ transition from a limited sphere of activity—preaching, teaching, healing, living, and dying within the geographical space of Israel and its environs two thousand years ago—to the exalted position of being in glory at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us all, with “all things beneath his feet,” having been given “as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way” (Ephesians 1:23). This is a most comforting vision of Jesus and his ongoing role of praying for all creation. 

The challenge comes from Luke’s two versions of the Ascension, reminding us  that Jesus was not signaling “mission accomplished.” Note how Jesus quickly dismisses the suggestion that now was the time for Israel to be restored to a position of power as in the good old days of King David. Instead, Jesus prepares them for the next phase of God’s plan for the world: working under the power of the Holy Spirit. A great deal of work remains to be done. So . . . don’t stand around looking up. Get moving! 

Consider/Discuss

  • What does it mean to say that Jesus sits at the right hand of the  Father? 
  • Are angels whispering for you to “move on” and take up some work that invites your bearing witness to Christ? 

Responding to the Word

We thank you, Father, for the assurance that we have One who constantly intercedes for us. We thank you for making us part of your plan as co-workers.  Enlighten the eyes of our hearts so we may see where you wish us to go and what you want us to do.

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Membership Qualifications

Groucho Marx once said, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have  someone like me for a member.” We laugh because usually, the opposite is the case. We don’t want to belong to any club that would have anyone very different from me as a member. The Church, however, is true to its calling when the welcome mat is out for all. 

Acts today gives us a “tweeter’s” version of the early council of Jerusalem on the issue of whether Gentiles can be received into the community without circumcision and accepting the Law of Moses. Take some time to read all of Chapter 15  to hear the three important speeches that determined the conditions for the outcome of this debate. The final decision was reached under two influences: “the  Holy Spirit and us”—the “us” being Peter, Barnabas, and Paul, and James, leader of the church in Jerusalem. 

In a more intimate manner of expression, though no less binding, Jesus speaks  about the requirements for having the Father and him come to dwell with the  disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” That “word” we heard last week, his great commandment: Love one another as I have loved you. Jesus gives further assurance: “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will  teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” 

In both instances, the Holy Spirit is recognized. May the Holy Spirit always continue to work on the Church’s membership drive and guide the deliberations of its leaders. 

Consider/Discuss

  • What do you see as necessary for being a member of the Catholic Church?
  • Do you know what the Church declares necessary for being a member in good standing? 

Responding to the Word

Holy Spirit, you descended upon Christ at his baptism, guided him through his ministry, and were his first gift after the Father raised him from the dead.  Continue to be with his body, the Church, to guide its work so that all its members live according to his word.

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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.

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Good Shepherds Still Needed

God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, promising to shepherd Israel (Ezekiel  34:11ff), so it is not surprising that Jesus himself used the image of the shepherd to speak of his mission. Nor was it surprising that the first mission of his apostles was described as being sent out to gather the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6).  Going further, in his own ministry, Jesus reached out to those beyond the boundaries of Judaism, bringing healing to some Gentiles by exorcising their demons (Mark 5:1ff and 7:24ff). And the vision of Revelation reveals the Lamb as one who shepherds people of every nation, race, and tongue. 

The role of shepherding was given to Peter in the Gospels, while the example and letters of Paul certainly show his own acceptance of this role in the various communities of Gentiles. Today’s first reading presents Paul as the one who will be God’s instrument in bringing God’s light, Christ, to the Gentiles outside Israel through his preaching. The Greek word for “good” (kilos) used to characterize the shepherd does not refer to moral character—though that is certainly a necessary attribute of all shepherds—but this particular word indicates that the shepherd is one who is “good at” shepherding. This helpful distinction challenges all who are called to participate in ministry in whatever capacity, however small, that concerns the nurturing and care of God’s people. Competence and skill must accompany holiness and wisdom. When all these qualities are in play, there is greater certitude that the Church will have good shepherds. 

Consider/Discuss

  • Have you experienced Jesus as a Good Shepherd? 
  • How does your calling to be a disciple involve you in the work of the Good Shepherd, caring for his lambs and sheep, being good at bringing others closer to God? 

Responding to the Word

Gentle Shepherd, continue to raise up good shepherds for your church. May all you have called to shepherd your people continue to be attentive to the guidance of your voice and follow your example in all that they do. Direct and protect our shepherds as they tend to your people.

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