27.04.2008 - 6th Sunday after Easter
- Year A
First Reading; Acts 8,5-8,14-17 Psalm; 66 Second Reading; 1 Peter 3,15-18
Gospel Reading; John 14,15-21
I believe in Jesus Christ …begotten and not made, of the same substance as the
Father. It is important to have clear ideas about Jesus even though the mystery
of his life and his presence in the world is beyond our comprehension. Some
certainties like those affirmed by the first seven ecumenical Councils, are
fundamental: among them is the quotation above. To affirm Jesus' divinity, we
say that he was not made, but comes from the very being of God the Father. And
then add that he is of the same substance: we use terms that are typical of
the cultural age of Greek and Latin, but which can, however, still be understood
and leave no doubts. That the Son is of "the same substance as the Father"
shows us clearly that he is of the same divinity as the Father. But why is this
fact so important? The Vatican Council II says "By incarnating, God's son
unites in a certain way with every person. He worked with human hands, he thought
with a human mind, he acted with human will, he loved with a human heart. He
was born of the Virgin Mary becoming truly one of us, resembling us in all but
sin (Gaudium et spes, 22). The Son of God became one of us! In doing so he confirms
the value and dignity of every human being. Starting from this truth, slowly,
but surely, Christianity, wherever it arrives, promotes the abolition of slavery
and the rigid division of people into casts, affirming the dignity of everyone,
the sick, the prisoners, the young and the old. Wherever Christianity is rejected
or ignored, these divisions return and human beings are looked at through selfish
eyes, as possible clients, or to be used as goods that are economically viable
or not! We confirm confidently Jesus' divinity and his indisputable humanity
!
The first reading shows us Philip evangelising. He talks of Jesus to the Samaritans
who had refused to accept him. Now they listen to the Apostle who also heals
and casts out demons. They are healed by the invocation of the Lord Jesus' name!
The Church in Jerusalem feels the need to help Philip, above all with the invocation
of the Holy Spirit, whom believers must receive to have strength and perseverance
in testifying their faith in the Risen Lord! Peter and John go, not of their
own initiative, but sent by the whole community. Here we can see how the Lord
listens to the unanimous prayer of his Church: it is a delight for him to see
them united among themselves out of love for him and he rewards them with great
signs of his divine presence, working miracles, but, above all, giving the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the gift that Jesus promises his disciples during
the Last Supper. He promises it to those who love him and he promises it as
the Consoler. The Holy Spirit's task is to help believers in every situation,
that of suffering, that of doubt, that of weakness, of difficulty. Believers
in Jesus will not have an easy life, they will be tried and tested for they
will have to bear witness to him. Witnessing to the love of the Father and to
the salvation that comes from Jesus is much greater, is easier to recognise
and is more convincing during difficult trials and suffering. For this reason
the disciples need the Spirit to help them see that the main thing in life is
not health or material wellbeing but union with Jesus! This guarantees the Father's
favour and salvation. The presence and working of the Spirit becomes certainty
for the disciples of the continuity of Jesus' presence with them as Lord and
as Master, as friend and as brother. Let our lives unfold in the Holy Spirit,
in his light and warmth and peace.
We would do well not to dismay the Spirit with our sins and our disobedience,
with our pride and disdain of others, with our expectations and envy. We should
try to make room for the Spirit of Jesus Christ, loving him with all our heart
as St Peters invites us to do. By cultivating daily our inner lives we will
be able to love others and to reply gently and with respect to those who do
not understand, but would like to know about our faith, because they find in
us the fruits of serenity and peace and life and inner wealth. In this way the
Holy Spirit can spread God's warmth and light around us and attract others to
the sweet vortex of salvation! We all need to be saved! It is the Holy Spirit
who gives us love for all people and nations, who gives us the courage and generosity
to bring them the holy, loving name of Jesus together with the true peace and
the light of truth. Let us invoke the Holy Spirit to come to us and to fill
the Church so that she might fulfil her work in the world.