Fifth Sunday in Easter

Fifth Sunday in Easter

April 28, 2013

Acts 14:21-27; Psalm 145; Revelation 21:1-5; John 13:31-33, 34-35

We return to the Last Supper Discourse in the Fourth Gospel where Jesus gives his friends a new commandment – to love one another. This new commandment is broad and sweeping and we are to imitate the example he gives to his disciples. Love doesn’t have a manual to go with it and it is the responsibility of each person to figure out how this love commandment is to be applied in new situations. In modern times, we are confronted with new situations that do not appear in Scripture, but we are faithful to Scripture when we make choices based on loving actions. Love glorifies the person of Jesus just as his act of love glorifies God the Father.

   

We see how Paul and Barnabas put into practice this love commandment. They proclaim the good news in the city and return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen the spirits of the disciples and to encourage them to persevere in the faith. Those are loving actions. They extend their visits to Pisidia, Pamphylia, and Attalia until they sail to Antioch where they call the church together to report what God has done with them and to open the door of faith to the Gentiles. Jewish law did not allow what they accomplished; early Christian efforts would not have included Gentiles into the faith. The manner by which they treat each other and build up their spirits are eye-catching and curious enough to others to want to join the good times they witnessed in this new church. Have we examined how we Christians are defined by our actions today?

During the recent Boston Marathon bombings, a great quote appeared on Facebook by the late Fred Rogers of the T.V. show Mr. Roger’s neighborhood. He quoted from his mother who said something like this, “During tragedies, look for the helpers. You’ll see them all around.” It helps to train our sights on what is good and right. If we only notice the bad things in life, our attitudes and perspectives will be shaped negatively. Contrariwise, if we look for the good that is done, our hearts and minds will be filled with compassion, encouragement, and hope. It is far too easy to let the weighty matters of the world pull us down; it is just as easy to train our focus on those things that build up life and celebrate the goodness of many people. It doesn’t mean that we turn away from tragic events; it means we want to be part of creating rather than be defeated by destruction. St. Augustine of Hippo is quoted: “The times are bad! The times are troublesome!’ This is what humans say. But we are our times. Let us live well and our times will be good. Such as WE are, such are our times.”

            While the broad statements of Jesus are beautiful and give us something for which we aspire, we wish it provided a more specific way to guide our individual responses. For instance, if we are driving a car and are cut off by a reckless driver and placed in harm’s way, we instinctively want to blare our horns to let that driver know she went too far in her uncaring, disrespectful ways. The question is, “how do we, as a Christian, respond to this offense? I don’t always have the answer because I am not consistent in my approach. I do find this quote from Mother Teresa comforting because it keeps me focused on always choosing to love in my actions.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered; forgive them anyway. 

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you; be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating others could destroy overnight; create anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten; do the good anyway.
Give the best you have and it may never be enough; give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Let us be the master of our actions when we choose how we will define ourselves. We always retain that fundamental choice. Before we respond to confronting situations, we can ask ourselves, “Are my actions loving?” If not, we may need to refrain from reacting; If so, then do the good regardless of how anyone else will take it. We can know that when we choose to do what is loving and right, our actions will be close to the will of God.

Choosing to love is not just a nice thing to do; it is imperative in a violent world. Our loving example to someone can make a crucial difference in the way others make their choices. Love can bring disaffected people back into the mainstream of society where they avail themselves of help. Love unites those who are estranged and it brings political enemies together. Love glorifies God and it is the precondition for solving problems at all levels of life. We can all be better at it each day. Pope Francis says the world will never tire of kindness and loving actions. It can’t be exhausted, but it certainly can change the course of our shared history. Love is the agent by which God will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away. Exhaust the love God has given you. Give it away freely. You risk losing nothing by doing so, and you gain salvation for yourself and for other souls that search for God. As Jesus has loved you, it is time to love one another. Grant the world the redemption it seeks.

Themes for this Week’s Masses

First Reading: As Gentiles and Jews in Iconium were about to attack Paul and Barnabas, they fled to Lystra where Paul healed a lame man. The crowds began to put their faith in Paul and Barnabas as gods, but the men protested and told the story of the Christ event. Opposition to Paul arose shortly afterwards and he was stoned. They left for Derbe and strengthened the disciples in those cities and encouraged them during times of hardship. Some of Paul's Jewish opposition raised the question of circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic laws. Along the way to Jerusalem to seek the advice of the Apostles, they told everyone of the conversion of Gentiles. After much debate, Peter and James decided that no further restrictions are to be made of the Gentiles. The Apostles and presbyters were chosen to give news to Paul and Barnabas that the Gentiles were indeed welcomed into the faith with no extra hardships placed on them. The people were delighted with the news. Paul heard of a man named Timothy who was well regarded by the believers.  Paul had him circumcised and they travelled to Macedonia to proclaim the good news.

Gospel: In The Farewell Discourse, Jesus reassures his disciples that he will remain with them if they keep his loving commandments. To punctuate his message, he tells them he will send an advocate to teach and remind them of all he told them. He leaves them his lasting peace that will help them endure many difficult times. This peace will allow us to remain close to him - we will be organically part of him as we are the branches and he is the vine. Remaining close to him will allow us to share complete joy with one another. Jesus once again proves his love to them by saying the true friend, that is, the Good Shepherd, will lay down his love for one's friends. However, even with the love of Jesus, we will experience hatred in this world, but as friends of Jesus and as God's elect, their harm can never really wound our souls.

Saints of the Week

April 28: Peter Chanel, priest, missionary, martyr (1803-1841), is the first martyr of the Pacific South Seas. Originally a parish priest in rural eastern France, he joined the Society of Mary (Marists) to become a missionary in 1831 after a five-year stint teaching in the seminary. At first the missionaries were well-received in the New Hebrides and other Pacific island nations as they recently outlawed cannibalism. The growth of white influence placed Chanel under suspicion, which led to an attack on the missionaries. When the king’s son wanted to be baptized, his anger erupted and Peter was clubbed to death in protest. 

April 28: Louis of Montfort, priest (1673-1716), dedicated his life to the care of the poor and the sick as a hospital chaplain in Poitiers, France. He angered the public and the administration when he tried to organize the hospital women's workers into a religious organization. He was let go. He went to Rome where the pope gave him the title "missionary apostolic" so he could preach missions that promoted a Marian and Rosary-based spirituality. He formed the "Priests of the Company of Mary" and the "Daughters of Wisdom."

May 1: Joseph the Worker was honored by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in an effort to counteract May Day, a union, worker, and socialist holiday. Many Catholics believe him to be the patron of workers because he is known for his patience, persistence, and hard work as admirable qualities that believers should adopt.

May 2: Athanasius, bishop and doctor (295-373), was an Egyptian who attended the Nicene Council in 325. He wrote about Christ's divinity but this caused his exile by non-Christian emperors. He wrote a treatise on the Incarnation and brought monasticism to the West.

May 3: Philip and James, Apostles (first century), were present to Jesus throughout his entire ministry. Philip was named as being explicitly called. James is called the Lesser to distinguish him from James of Zebedee. Little is known of these founders of our faith.

May 4: Joseph Mary Rubio, S.J., priest (1864-1929), is a Jesuit known as the Apostle of Madrid. He worked with the poor bringing them the Spiritual Exercises and spiritual direction and he established local trade schools. 

This Week in Jesuit History

·      Apr 28, 1542. St Ignatius sent Pedro Ribadeneira, aged fifteen, from Rome to Paris for his studies. Pedro had been admitted into the Society in l539 or l540.

·      Apr 29, 1933. Thomas Ewing Sherman died in New Orleans. An orator on the mission band, he was the son of Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman. He suffered a breakdown, and wanted to leave the Society, but was refused because of his ill health. Before his death he renewed his vows in the Society.

·      Apr 30, 1585. The landing at Osaka of Fr. Gaspar Coelho. At first the Emperor was favorably disposed towards Christianity. This changed later because of Christianity's attitude toward polygamy.

·      May 1, 1572. At Rome, Pope St. Pius V dies. His decree imposing Choir on the Society was cancelled by his successor, Gregory XIII.

·      May 2, 1706. The death of Jesuit brother G J Kamel. The camellia flower is named after him.

·      May 3, 1945. American troops take over Innsbruck, Austria. Theology studies at the Canisianum resume a few months later.

·      May 4, 1902. The death of Charles Sommervogel, historian of the Society and editor of the bibliography of all publications of the Jesuits from the beginnings of the Society onward.