My sisters and brothers let us follow the example of Peter and Paul – responding to Christ’s call with diligence.
In our first reading we heard the famous story of the conversion of St. Paul. He is not only smacked down by God but healed by Ananias and baptized. That is, Paul becomes a member of “The Way” that he had been persecuting. His conversion is utter and complete. Luke has told us, earlier in Acts that in Jerusalem - Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women throwing them into prison. Now we see his great transformation: from persecutor to evangelist. In the early days, Christianity was known as “the Way” and its members were almost exclusively Jewish. Their custom was to worship in synagogues on the Sabbath and to celebrate the “Lord’s Supper” gathered in one another’s homes. It wasn’t until after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, 70 AD, that the service we are familiar with began to develop. But the roots of our worship service do go back to the first and second generation of Christians.
In the second reading we heard today, from Revelation, John further describes his vision of the glorious court of heaven. This is intended to be an inspired picture-book, inspiring the reader through their imagination. In his vision, he sees God’s throne and the heavenly scene around it and hears the praises sung there. He describes God’s throne as reverenced by “twenty-four elders,” perhaps the twelve Old Testament patriarchs and the twelve apostles.
The “four living creatures” around the throne are angelic beings representing the whole of creation; they are God’s agents who watch over all of nature and symbolize what is most splendid about animals: nobility (lion), strength (ox), wisdom (human), and oversight (eagle).
Our gospel story today is another of Jesus appearances after the resurrection; this time, by the sea of Tiberius. Three times Jesus questions Peter about loving him and three times commissions him to be pastor for the others. Several scholars have written about this scene, trying to make deeper sense of it. Most agree that it is a symbolic reversal of Peter’s denial of Jesus; supporting Peters primary role as head apostle.
Today we should take a close look at the example of Peter and Paul. Neither are “perfect disciples” but, both are called and commissioned as ministers in Christ. Each experienced the call in their own unique ways. We are each called and commissioned also and our experience of that call can be as unique as Peter or Paul.
Probably most of us would rather pattern our selves after Peter rather than Paul. Getting a smack down from the Lord as Paul did certainly doesn’t look pleasant. But some of us may well have experienced this kind of conversion. Neither kind of experience makes us better or worse disciples. Peter got questioned about his commitment three times. But then again, we all fall short and need to make a rededication of some sort. What matters is that we say yes and diligently pursue the work of God.
That work is something we actually know too well. Love your neighbor; treat others the way you want to be treated. It simply means if you would want help in a time of trouble or crises, then reach out to others in their time of hardship. Whether that is people suffering from poverty, crime, hatred or separation from family and friends, etc. It’s about doing the loving and charitable thing the presents itself to be done.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, cycle C
My sisters and brothers, our lessons today express the faith of our predecessors in Christ.
In our first reading Peter and John are arrested by the Temple authority for teaching and proclaiming that “in Jesus there is resurrection of the dead. The Sanhedrin has ordered them “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter proclaims that they will obey God before human authority. The council members are so enraged that they want to kill Peter and John, but a famous liberal rabbi, Gamaliel, cautions them: “if this ... is of human origin, it will fail”; but if it is from God, they “will not be able to overthrow them” and they will be working against God. Gamaliel is father of a great rabbinic dynasty that persisted for at least 4 generations.
In our second reading, John addresses his book of revelations to the churches in Asia Minor. He praises Christ and then begins his messages: Jesus the Christ is all things for all places and all peoples. Christ, as Creator with Yahweh is both source of all things and the fulfillment of all things. John begins and ends this book as a letter. Essentially Revelation tells of the struggle between good and evil, and the ultimate victory of Christ. Writing in symbolic language, its author urges Christians to keep faith in a period of persecution.
In our gospel story Jesus appears to a gathering of his disciples. He gives them the Holy Spirit and commissions them to forgive sins in his name. He then reappears a week later and address Thomas’ doubts. Finally the author restates his purpose in writing this book: that you (the reader) may “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God” and have life. Earlier on this day Mary Magdalene has discovered that Jesus’ body is missing from the tomb; the stone door is open, so it looks as though someone has stolen it. She has seen a man standing near the tomb. When he speaks to her, she recognizes him as Jesus. She has told the disciples: “I have seen the Lord. Later on that Easter day, Jesus joins the disciples, gathered behind locked doors as we heard. Upon seeing, Thomas makes the most complete affirmation of faith of anyone in the gospel (despite his earlier doubts). Henceforth the faith of all Christians in all ages will rest on the testimony of the first believers.
Belief is accepting the reality of something we cannot independently prove. Faith is trusting that person or thing will perform as hoped. Believing in Jesus is accepting the truth of Jesus and his spiritual gifts on the testimony of others. But we each can support our belief with our own spiritual experiences, just like I can support my belief in the Atlantic Ocean by visiting it. This is why prayer is so important in our lives.
Faith in Jesus is trusting the way of life that He taught and living your lives accordingly. This also will be supported by your own experience of the benefits that come from His way of life. Like Peter and John before us, we can and must put the Christian life ahead of all other elements in our lives. Only in this kind of trusting relationship with Christ can we move forward in our mission as Christians. Again, we strengthen our faith through prayer & worship, fellowship, study and working for the spread of God’s kingdom. My brothers & sisters let us never allow the events of life to intimidate us when it comes to our faith in Christ!
In our first reading Peter and John are arrested by the Temple authority for teaching and proclaiming that “in Jesus there is resurrection of the dead. The Sanhedrin has ordered them “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter proclaims that they will obey God before human authority. The council members are so enraged that they want to kill Peter and John, but a famous liberal rabbi, Gamaliel, cautions them: “if this ... is of human origin, it will fail”; but if it is from God, they “will not be able to overthrow them” and they will be working against God. Gamaliel is father of a great rabbinic dynasty that persisted for at least 4 generations.
In our second reading, John addresses his book of revelations to the churches in Asia Minor. He praises Christ and then begins his messages: Jesus the Christ is all things for all places and all peoples. Christ, as Creator with Yahweh is both source of all things and the fulfillment of all things. John begins and ends this book as a letter. Essentially Revelation tells of the struggle between good and evil, and the ultimate victory of Christ. Writing in symbolic language, its author urges Christians to keep faith in a period of persecution.
In our gospel story Jesus appears to a gathering of his disciples. He gives them the Holy Spirit and commissions them to forgive sins in his name. He then reappears a week later and address Thomas’ doubts. Finally the author restates his purpose in writing this book: that you (the reader) may “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God” and have life. Earlier on this day Mary Magdalene has discovered that Jesus’ body is missing from the tomb; the stone door is open, so it looks as though someone has stolen it. She has seen a man standing near the tomb. When he speaks to her, she recognizes him as Jesus. She has told the disciples: “I have seen the Lord. Later on that Easter day, Jesus joins the disciples, gathered behind locked doors as we heard. Upon seeing, Thomas makes the most complete affirmation of faith of anyone in the gospel (despite his earlier doubts). Henceforth the faith of all Christians in all ages will rest on the testimony of the first believers.
Belief is accepting the reality of something we cannot independently prove. Faith is trusting that person or thing will perform as hoped. Believing in Jesus is accepting the truth of Jesus and his spiritual gifts on the testimony of others. But we each can support our belief with our own spiritual experiences, just like I can support my belief in the Atlantic Ocean by visiting it. This is why prayer is so important in our lives.
Faith in Jesus is trusting the way of life that He taught and living your lives accordingly. This also will be supported by your own experience of the benefits that come from His way of life. Like Peter and John before us, we can and must put the Christian life ahead of all other elements in our lives. Only in this kind of trusting relationship with Christ can we move forward in our mission as Christians. Again, we strengthen our faith through prayer & worship, fellowship, study and working for the spread of God’s kingdom. My brothers & sisters let us never allow the events of life to intimidate us when it comes to our faith in Christ!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Homily for Easter 2010
My sisters and brothers, Mary Magdalene sets us a wonderful example us. Her example is one of openness to receiving Christ and of sharing Christ.
Today/tonight, we celebrate that Christ conquers the deepest fears of humanity and offers the greatest blessing and oneness with our Creator. God incarnate (Jesus the Christ) not only embraces the deepest human fears and pains of human existence but turns it all into resurrected life.
As we celebrate, let’s not miss the powerful example set for us by the disciple who plays the most central role in discovering and proclaiming the resurrection. Mary Magdalene!
Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an example of genuine and faithful devotion to Christ. All four Gospels name Mary as the central figure among the witnesses of the empty tomb. Her weeping for the loss of Jesus strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of loved ones. Jesus’ tender response to her grief — meeting her in the garden, revealing his glory to her — makes her the first witness to the risen Lord. She is given the command, “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17). As the first messenger of the resurrection, she had been named Apostle to the Apostles. She is believed by some and not by others but she faithfully proclaims the message and shares the joy she has been blessed with. My sisters & brothers, if Mary had been shy about reporting her experience of the risen Lord, we might have all missed out on the Christian faith. Let us follow her example and be ready to share our faith with others, when and where it is appropriate.
Today/tonight, we celebrate that Christ conquers the deepest fears of humanity and offers the greatest blessing and oneness with our Creator. God incarnate (Jesus the Christ) not only embraces the deepest human fears and pains of human existence but turns it all into resurrected life.
As we celebrate, let’s not miss the powerful example set for us by the disciple who plays the most central role in discovering and proclaiming the resurrection. Mary Magdalene!
Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an example of genuine and faithful devotion to Christ. All four Gospels name Mary as the central figure among the witnesses of the empty tomb. Her weeping for the loss of Jesus strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of loved ones. Jesus’ tender response to her grief — meeting her in the garden, revealing his glory to her — makes her the first witness to the risen Lord. She is given the command, “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17). As the first messenger of the resurrection, she had been named Apostle to the Apostles. She is believed by some and not by others but she faithfully proclaims the message and shares the joy she has been blessed with. My sisters & brothers, if Mary had been shy about reporting her experience of the risen Lord, we might have all missed out on the Christian faith. Let us follow her example and be ready to share our faith with others, when and where it is appropriate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
