May 20, 2022

6th Sunday of Easter - A time of transition

 


"Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid . . ."


John 14: 23-29

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052222.cfm

Allegedly, there is a Chinese proverb which states: “May you live in a time of transition.” A wish that someone’s life will be unsettled and uncertain as things often are in times of change and new beginnings is a curious wish or blessing (?).

I once tried to track that down to see if it truly had its origin in that ancient Asian culture but I found no particular leads.  It may be something found in a fortune cookie somewhere. Nonetheless times of transition such as a move to a new home, a new occupation, graduation, healing after a long illness, retirement in one’s senior years, or any such move from the familiar to the unfamiliar, are particularly stressful. Or, on the other hand, it could be a hope extended to you.

A question such as: “Now where do I begin?” or “What’s next?” may easily arise. So, if someone wishes you to live in a time of transition, tighten your seat belts! We can learn positive lessons such as greater patience, having a more open and tolerant mind. Good can come from such experiences and they can be necessary for our growth.

Such moments were experienced in the early Church.  Moving from the earthly life of Jesus, to his death and resurrection, to his Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, then out to the world on missionary journeys to spread the Gospel both with a sense of excitement, wonder and question is the place we find ourselves in our readings this Sunday.  There are mirror reflections of our experience today. 

Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles which we hear from consistently in the Easter season, reminds us that the movement of Christianity had a certain momentum that was beyond the power of the Apostles and great missionaries such as Paul and Barnabas.  The Spirit is working wonders among the Gentiles.  Yet, the “old guard” has stepped in and has taken the Gentiles to task reminding them about the ancient traditions of the Mosaic law, in particular the practice of circumcision for men. They must first undergo these rituals, unfamiliar to them and never in their experience, in order to be accepted into this new movement which contains strong Jewish roots.  In fact their salvation depended on it, so was the message.

Obviously, the reaction was unsettling and word is passed on to the Apostles in Jerusalem. “There arose no little dissension and debate” implies much more than a benign misunderstanding or disagreement among the early missionaries with Paul and Barnabas. This was serious stuff and had the power to either relegate the new Jews-for-Jesus movement to past history or to profoundly open up the door to the work of the Spirit and the transition of countless lives to the Gospel of Christ.

In the end, through prayer and discussion, out of compassion and sensitivity, the Spirit guided the infant Church and its Apostolic leaders to make a merciful and respectful decision of how to deal with this crucial issue. In today’s terms we might say this was a wise pastoral response to a serious issue. The Apostles, debated, prayed over and most importantly listened respectively to the Holy Spirit.  Pope Francis would be very pleased with this.

The increasing Gentile Christian communities of Antioch and other places are excited about the new movement and have embraced it fully. Yet, I find the sensitivity of this inspired decision amazing.  Peter and the others acknowledge that the unauthorized visit by “some of our number” has: “disturbed your peace of mind.” So, they lay upon them: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond the necessities.” Schism avoided, unity maintained and peace prevailed through the Spirit’s inspiration and the trust of the Apostles. So at this point in our Easter journey towards Pentecost we see a sign of affirmation for God’s intent that all may come to believe.

This moment of transition from the Church being predominantly dominated by Jewish converts and to open the new way of Christ to the larger world is deeply significant for the future of the Christian movement.  It began, from this point forward, to be a truly “Catholic” Christianity: inclusive and diverse. 

Our Gospel reading from John finds Jesus assuring his Apostles that they would not be left on their own.  The very continued existence of the Church is a conviction that his promise was true: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” Nothing that Jesus said as related in the Scriptures was just idle chatter.  His word was and is true and his promise of the Spirit’s protection and guide remains the life-blood of the Church.  It is our personal assurance of the challenge to meet those moments of transition, the times of being unsettled, confused, and fearful with faith and trust in his word and the lived experience of the Church.

Some would comment that at the present time, we find ourselves in transition as well. Indeed Pope Francis has taken a different yet courageous new direction.  While respecting the ancient traditions he has also challenged us to listen to the Spirit that the Church must redirect some priorities and be trusting enough to move forward in faith. Not unlike the Apostles decision to replace circumcision with baptism and open the door to a new direction.  

So, the point here is that we do live in a time of transition between Jesus’ first coming and his second at the end of time.  We prepare to mark the memory of his return to heaven next Sunday with his Ascension and after that the great feast of the Spirit’s coming at Pentecost.  But, we are centuries away from those events, still living in times that evolve from age to age. A faith both ancient and new yet consistently centered on Christ and his teachings.

Christ remains in his Holy Eucharist, in our entire sacramental system, in his word, in prayer and in our gathering for worship. It is the primary way how and where he remains present to us, not by symbol but by real living works in the Spirit. We still hear his voice and see his work alive and well in the leadership of our Holy Father and the Apostles, our Bishops, of this day.  No, we are not a perfect Church; we are sinners constantly in need of reform. How painfully we see that being played out today as the Church is in a particular time of transition and purification. But we are a chosen people, loved by God and called to share in his life.

Until he comes again, we see him among us in our weekly celebration of the Mass – in Word and Sacrament. May this time of transition, as all moments of change and growth, be a time of peace and openness to the Spirit’s guidance and protection.

 

Grant, almighty God,

that we may celebrate with heartfelt devotion

these days of joy,

which we keep in honor of the risen Lord,

and that what we relive in remembrance

we may always hold to in what we do.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

 

(Collect for Mass)

 

 

 

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