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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