Sunday, May 25, 2025

 

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

(Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29)

Worldly peace and the peace of Christ have been differentiated throughout the centuries. We have heard how worldly peace is superficial, how it does not last long, and how it can be shaken by conflicts and setbacks. In contrast, the peace of Christ reaches the heart, brings confidence, and is not easily lost.

If worldly peace were so fragile, who would not choose the peace of Christ? However, we know that worldly peace also brings benefits. The cessation of heated arguments gives adversaries time to reconsider their goals. A safe and comfortable place also relieves the tensions that drain an individual's energy and good humor. Worldly peace sometimes accompanies a genuine commitment to coexistence, if not mutual respect.

We could offer the cell phone as a symbol of worldly peace. Many people today have become attached to their cell phones so that they don't go anywhere without them. It provides them with the security of having what they feel is necessary to avoid anxiety and maintain equanimity. When they feel alone, it puts them in touch with their friends. When they are lost, it guides them to their destination. And when they are unsure about a fact or a process, it provides information in seconds. And these are just a few examples of the advantages of having a cell phone.

However, there are limits to the cell phone. It brings a sense of peace until it is lost, misplaced, the battery runs out, or there are problems with the internet provider. When setbacks like these occur, peace quickly gives way to anxiety. This is not a reason to abort the cell phone, but to seek something deeper that stabilizes peace.

In the Gospel, Jesus offers friendship with himself to support the conditional peace of the cell phone and the other sources of peace. He embraces this peace so that we can face any challenge with confidence. The peace of Christ is knowing, like a child in her father's arms, that everything will turn out well. It is the assurance that, whatever may come, even death, Christ will deliver us from the evil we experience.

The Hebrew language has the word shalom to express the peace of Christ. More than a cessation of hostilities, shalom means prosperity, fulfillment, and harmony even in war. Shalom is the assurance that, through the superior resources we have, we will overcome all challenges. Whether it be illness, enemies, or other adversity, we will not lose but will prevail in the end.

Christ shows us how we can access his peace. By keeping his commandments, especially the commandment to love one another, he will come with the Father to dwell within us. It's like having the chief of police in the house when we receive a security threat. As Saint Paul writes to Timothy: “If we died with him, we will live with him; if we endure, we will reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:11b-12a).

We don't have to choose between the peace of the world and the peace of Christ. In fact, we need both. Cell phones are very useful, but they can't provide us with the courage to face the loss of resources, much less death. When we are fighting against evil, we want the shalom of Christ. It gives us the strength to overcome every threat of evil.

Friday, May 23, 2025

 

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

(Acts 15:22-31; John 15:12-17)

All the attention being given to the new pope raises a question of the first reading.  Why didn’t Peter take upon himself the decision to allow gentiles into the Church without circumcision?  In other words, why was the letter to the Church at Antioch written in the name of “the Apostles and presbyters” of Jerusalem?  After all, Jesús did name Peter the rock upon which he would build his Church.

The reason is not that difficult to discern.  In the beginning, the Church was small and egalitarian.  The apostles held places of prominence, but the whole community took part in deliberations.  As the Church grew, clarity and effectiveness demanded that the successor of Peter make operational decisions for the whole Church.  This did not take place, however, for about one hundred years. 

Pope Francis tried to return some of the mutual decision-making to the whole Church through synodality.  Pope Leo XIV seems poised to continue this process.  However, we should not think of synodality as a name for democracy.  It promises to be more a sounding board where the voices of Catholics from different backgrounds may be heard.  Ideally, it will give the pope of the universal Church and bishops of local churches a better sense of what the Holy Spirit is doing among the faithful.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

 Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

 (Acts 15:7-21; John 15: 9-11)

What if the Catholic Church, in order to foster unity with Protestant communities of faith, relaxed the requirement of attending Sunday Eucharist?  Surely many would oppose the change as an aberration to a Catholic tradition that has been practiced almost since the beginning.  Others would say that there is no Scriptural mandate to attend Sunday Mass and therefore the Church precept is alterable. This question is similar to what the primitive Church confronts in today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

It is hard to understate the importance of this meeting of the primitive Church.  The leaders are to decide the direction of the Church in the future.  Will it continue to be primarily a movement within Judaism, or will it allow Gentiles to be Gentiles while finding their salvation in the Lord Jesus?  The decision seems to boil down to what James will say.  Peter has already been convinced of the need to allow Gentile members eat pork.  Paul and Barnabas, of course, have no objections to the idea.  Opposed to the change are the so-called “Judaizers” who see Christianity as a renewal of Israel with its necessity of keeping the Law.  James’ speaking in favor of the change with only a few restrictions wins the argument in favor of Gentiles keeping their dietary custom. 

It probably is not a good idea to abandon the Sunday Eucharist obligation.  But Catholics should be open to some non-essential changes in order to accommodate Christian unity, like the determination of the day of Easter.  We should not emphasize our differences from others.  Rather we should seek commonalities so that Christ may be one without diluting what he is and all that he tells us.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

 

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

(Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8)

Dorothy Day was the leading Catholic activists of her time.  She probably did not think of herself in that way.  Activists are generally considered political personalities more interested in attracting people to their cause than serving the Lord.  Dorothy Day was principally interested in the latter.  She stayed close to Christ.  As he promises in today’s gospel, she bore much fruit.

In calling himself the vine, Jesus indicates that he brings the sap of grace to his adherents.  With this resource they can give glory to God while helping others.  Separating themselves from him, people tend to seek their own glory.  Their service often becomes compromised by giving bad example in their personal lives. 

Let us remain close to Christ be praying always and receiving the sacraments often.  Speaking to the Lord when we are not talking to others, we will find our motives purified and our resolve to do what is right strengthened.  His grace will enhance us like a mother’s milk enables her baby to grow strong and healthy.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

 

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

(Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31a)

Once a fierce snowstorm was forecasted for a city.  Institutions in the city were being shut down, including the local college.  The young women at the college were worried about their classmate who lived in another town.  The classmate, however, was calm and peaceful.  She said that her father called to say that he was coming to pick her up.  “How do you know he will get here?” the other women asked.  The student replied that she knew her father loved her and that if he promised, he would do it.  Needless to say, he came to fetch his daughter, and they drove home safely.

The story parallels today’s gospel.  Jesus has promised his disciples that he will come back to see them.  He must depart to do battle with Satan, the Prince of the World.  He knows, however, that he will defeat the evil one and rescue his disciples.  Therefore, they should, like the young woman in the story, not worry but trust in him.

Let us also have faith in Jesus.  He has already defeated Satan and sent his Holy Spirit to help us.  Listening to his voice in our conscience as well as his words in the Gospel and taking his Body and Blood in the Eucharist, we will be all right.