Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
When I read the gospels, I recognize there are many stories and details about Jesus that have not been written down for us. Today’s gospel ends with the statement that the whole world could not contain all the stories about Jesus. The gospel- or Good News- that Jesus brings through His incarnation is something that we are called to continue to live out in our lives as disciples. If we believe that Christ is alive in us, and we allow His Spirit to direct our words and deeds, then Christ and the gospel continues to live in us, and our stories become part of the Good News.
In the first reading, St. Paul has been placed in captivity because of his preaching. Despite being confined, he continues to proclaim “with complete assurance and without hindrance” the Kingdom of God as he shares about the life of Jesus. He accepts his suffering and even reaches out to the Jewish leaders in his quest to spread the gospel. Through his many words and deeds, St. Paul brings Jesus and His message to both Jews and Gentiles alike. His stories of evangelization, suffering, encouragement and love become a continuation of the Good News that Jesus commissioned him to proclaim on the road to Damascus.
Today we read the final words of John’s gospel. The author shares that the things that are written in this gospel are true, and there are many other things that Jesus did that could not be contained within all the books of the world. The gospel writer recognizes the limitation of describing the fullness of Jesus and His ministry. This open ended finale provides an opportunity to recognize that God’s Good News does not end with Jesus, but it continues to grow and spread through those that are sent forth filled with His Spirit. The gospel writer, John, captures the essence of Jesus and His message of love and unity through the signs and wonders of his writing. The invitation is then extended to the readers of this gospel to receive the Word and share it with the world.
How can our lives become part of the gospel story? When we seek Christ and open ourselves to the Sprit of God, we become the Body of Christ on earth. When our words and behavior model the life of Jesus, then we continue to make new stories to add to the gospel narrative. As St. Teresa of Avila says, “Christ has no body on earth but you!” We become the Good News for the world when we follow Jesus as His disciples. For us to be part of the gospel story, we must closely align ourselves with Jesus. This requires prayer, sacrament and surrender to God’s presence. We may not consider our stories to be noteworthy, but every time we foster peace, act in love, and forgive in mercy we are continuing to spread the Gospel to the world around us. When we live as disciples of Jesus, we help write more stories too numerous to count that share God’s message of love and compassion. Jesus’ gospel of love and mercy will continue to live and grow, since God’s love never ends.
Loving God, Jesus shows us Your abundant love and compassion through His life, death and resurrection. Allow Your Spirit to fill our lives, so we can become the bearers of the Good News to all people. May our gospel lives proclaim Your Kingdom. We pray this with Christ and through the Spirit. AMEN.
Marylynn Herchline