I
InThePew
Guest
I was wondering what it’d be like to be a fly on Jesus’s wall; an onlooker to some of the most significant events in the gospels. The miracles alone would be pretty cool but it’s not just what Jesus says and does, but people’s reactions, especially the disciples, at the most intimate moments away from the crowds.
Our gospel today features one of those moments, from the “Farewell Discourse” in John’s gospel – Jesus’ final address to his disciples, telling them what he wants them to hold to after he leaves; and they haven’t got a clue! This is what I want to see - their reaction. Are they just nodding politely in their cluelessness, or looking at each other as if to say “do you have any idea what he’s on about?’ Or are their eyes glazed over, thinking to themselves “here we go again, another speech.” Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Like last week, Jesus invites us to share his relationship with the Father; a relationship characterized by love. As we hear in the gospel, we don’t do this on our own but with the help of the Holy Spirit sent to support, strengthen, and sanctify us in the truth; so we may become one in Christ who never leaves us orphaned but brings us together with him, adopted as beloved children of the Father.
For this to happen, we need to know the Father’s love for us and to show that love to all whom we encounter. This love reminds us that we are never forgotten, never alone, never orphaned. Love is not simply a word or a feeling but an action done in imitation of Christ, one like us in all things but sin - not for nothing does St John say “God is love." As members of the Church, the body of Christ, our mission is to make that love visible in the world, to allow others to come to know God’s love for them, allow others to share the relationship Jesus invites us to share in, allow others to dwell in the love of the one who became flesh and dwelt among us.
From the beginning of creation God has revealed himself in the world, directing all things towards fulfillment of his divine plan - unfolding the mystery of Salvation over the ages. In Jesus, that plan comes to fruition and the longing of so many is fulfilled. Through his suffering and death on the cross, he has reconciled the rupture between God and man, healed the wounds of division caused by original sin, and won salvation for us once for all.
Journeying towards the end of the Easter season, we remember that we have become one with Christ through our baptism, sharing in his death and resurrection as we pass from death to life through the waters of the font. Sealed with the gift of his Holy Spirit in confirmation, in the celebration of the Eucharist we share in the gift of his own self, the body and blood of him who is never far from us, who is always with us, who lives in us, and invites us to live in him.
Just as Jesus promised, the Father sends his Holy Spirit to sanctify not just the gifts of bread and wine offered in our mass, but also to sanctify us so that, just as the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, we too are transformed into something truly extraordinary, becoming one in Christ; remembering, celebrating, believing now always and forever.
Our gospel today features one of those moments, from the “Farewell Discourse” in John’s gospel – Jesus’ final address to his disciples, telling them what he wants them to hold to after he leaves; and they haven’t got a clue! This is what I want to see - their reaction. Are they just nodding politely in their cluelessness, or looking at each other as if to say “do you have any idea what he’s on about?’ Or are their eyes glazed over, thinking to themselves “here we go again, another speech.” Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Like last week, Jesus invites us to share his relationship with the Father; a relationship characterized by love. As we hear in the gospel, we don’t do this on our own but with the help of the Holy Spirit sent to support, strengthen, and sanctify us in the truth; so we may become one in Christ who never leaves us orphaned but brings us together with him, adopted as beloved children of the Father.
For this to happen, we need to know the Father’s love for us and to show that love to all whom we encounter. This love reminds us that we are never forgotten, never alone, never orphaned. Love is not simply a word or a feeling but an action done in imitation of Christ, one like us in all things but sin - not for nothing does St John say “God is love." As members of the Church, the body of Christ, our mission is to make that love visible in the world, to allow others to come to know God’s love for them, allow others to share the relationship Jesus invites us to share in, allow others to dwell in the love of the one who became flesh and dwelt among us.
From the beginning of creation God has revealed himself in the world, directing all things towards fulfillment of his divine plan - unfolding the mystery of Salvation over the ages. In Jesus, that plan comes to fruition and the longing of so many is fulfilled. Through his suffering and death on the cross, he has reconciled the rupture between God and man, healed the wounds of division caused by original sin, and won salvation for us once for all.
Journeying towards the end of the Easter season, we remember that we have become one with Christ through our baptism, sharing in his death and resurrection as we pass from death to life through the waters of the font. Sealed with the gift of his Holy Spirit in confirmation, in the celebration of the Eucharist we share in the gift of his own self, the body and blood of him who is never far from us, who is always with us, who lives in us, and invites us to live in him.
Just as Jesus promised, the Father sends his Holy Spirit to sanctify not just the gifts of bread and wine offered in our mass, but also to sanctify us so that, just as the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, we too are transformed into something truly extraordinary, becoming one in Christ; remembering, celebrating, believing now always and forever.
