6th Sunday of Easter B, May 13, 2012

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness.  "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?”  The witness stared out the window, as though he hadn't heard the question.

"Isn't it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?" the lawyer repeated.  The witness still did not respond.

Finally, the judge leaned over and said, "Sir, please answer the question."

"Oh," the startled witness said, "I thought he was talking to you."

Loyalty and trust worthiness is important in our Christian lives. 

In our first reading from Acts, the issue of welcoming the uncircumcised (non Jews) into the Christian Church is addressed as having been predetermined by the Holy Spirit.  Peter has been bidden to visit Cornelius, an officer of the Roman army of occupation stationed in Caesarea.  Both have had visions; in Peter=s case, he has been advised not to worry about what meat a Jew can eat per Mosaic Law (and whether he can visit a Gentile home.)  Peter visits Cornelius and his household: Amany had assembled.@ Peter tells them that God has shown him not to distinguish between Jews and non Jews.  Cornelius, a devout man who reveres and prays to God, tells Peter about his vision of God=s agent who told him to send for Peter.  Cornelius says: ASo now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.@ 

Peter preaches and the Holy Spirit comes, as a Agift,@ on all present, Aeven on the Gentiles:@ to the surprise of the Jewish Christians Awho had come with Peter.@ The pouring out of the Spirit and baptism are closely associated in Acts; here baptism follows the coming of the Spirit.  Peter=s rhetorical question moves the important conversation: we Jewish Christians received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; now these Gentiles have received it, so surely they can be baptized.  So they are baptized B not by Peter, but under his authority. 

In our reading from 1 John, we hear that believing in Jesus, loving God through doing his will is to conquer the evil in this world.  That is to say, we are filled with God=s grace through our love of Christ and our following of his example and teachings.  This, empowers us to overcome the evil that encroaches on our lives. 

In our gospel story, John further develops the theme of last week, abiding in Jesus as branches abide in the vine.  John makes the point that Jesus has loved his disciples as the Father has loved him.  The disciples are to continue to love him, by being obedient to his Acommandments.@ 

We remain or abide in Jesus, by remaining loyal to him, his teaching and example.  The example of Peter in the first reading illustrates this: he follows Jesus instruction to spread the message, he even discerns (through the Holy Spirit) Jesus ongoing (or new) instructions and takes the message to outcasts that he might not have gone to otherwise.  He even accepts the Holy Spirit’s example, guiding him to do away with the usual requirements of making a person become a Jew before they become Christian!  He is responsive to God on many levels. 

In other words, Peter fulfills the work and role he was given by God.  He lives in both the word he heard from Christ, what he has read in the Scriptures, and he listens to God=s ongoing promptings.  Adapting where he is called to adapt and fulfilling his role in God=s plan. 

My sisters and brothers, let us do likewise!