Wednesday, VII Easter
(John 17)
The Gospel of John may be compared to a Soduku puzzle. Both the gospel and the puzzle are deceptively simple. The gospel uses few sophisticated words, and its sentences are brief. However, understanding its concepts requires thoughtful deliberation.
We all remember the consoling line at the beginning of the gospel where Jesus tells how “God so loved the world” that He gave to it His only Son. Here at the end of the gospel, however, Jesus is nothing but cautionary about the world. He says that the world hated his disciples and that they in no way belong to the world. The world has shown itself beyond redemption by rejecting God’s Son. Still the disciples must complete their mission of rescuing true children of God from the clutches of the Prince of the World.
Some of us might be uncomfortable with the Gospel of John’s negative evaluation of the world. We see much about secular life that promotes Christian values. For example, concern about climate change, which may have cause great suffering, stems largely from a coalition of secular institutions, including science and environmentalists. Some testimony in favor of openness toward the world can be found in Scripture passages such as, “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it” (Psalm 24). Nevertheless, Christians are wise neither to consider the world a permanent ally nor to think that they can easily convert the world completely to their side.
Homilette for Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Tuesday, VII Easter
(John 17)
Early this month the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, visited the United States. She came as a successor to the monarch who originally sent colonists to Virginia 400 years ago. But Elizabeth II is recognized as an accomplished leader in her own right. Much more than occupying the throne for over fifty years, she has shown herself to be a model of wisdom and justice. People will say that she lives in glory.
In Queen Elizabeth we see a glimpse of the glory that Jesus seeks in today’s gospel passage. The hour has come for his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. When this takes place, he will enjoy the glory of God the Father. All the words he preached will be fulfilled. All the suffering he will have endured will be vindicated. Evidence of his glory will be the eternal life that his disciples will receive. They will know God the Father and the Son by keeping their commands and enjoying their protection.
We likewise are beneficiaries of eternal life. We no longer need to have any anxieties about life or death. Remaining close to him by constant prayer, we will find no more appeal in the world’s seductions – Internet porn, talk of easy money, flattery of the people – than raincoats in the sun. Neither will we find death threatening. It will not mean leaving behind old associates but being introduced into the company of even dearer friends.
(John 17)
Early this month the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, visited the United States. She came as a successor to the monarch who originally sent colonists to Virginia 400 years ago. But Elizabeth II is recognized as an accomplished leader in her own right. Much more than occupying the throne for over fifty years, she has shown herself to be a model of wisdom and justice. People will say that she lives in glory.
In Queen Elizabeth we see a glimpse of the glory that Jesus seeks in today’s gospel passage. The hour has come for his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. When this takes place, he will enjoy the glory of God the Father. All the words he preached will be fulfilled. All the suffering he will have endured will be vindicated. Evidence of his glory will be the eternal life that his disciples will receive. They will know God the Father and the Son by keeping their commands and enjoying their protection.
We likewise are beneficiaries of eternal life. We no longer need to have any anxieties about life or death. Remaining close to him by constant prayer, we will find no more appeal in the world’s seductions – Internet porn, talk of easy money, flattery of the people – than raincoats in the sun. Neither will we find death threatening. It will not mean leaving behind old associates but being introduced into the company of even dearer friends.
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