Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
In the opening credits for the series The Chosen, there is a video of a multitude of fish swimming in a circle. As they swim, certain fish suddenly turn around and begin swimming in the opposite direction and they become a bright turquoise color. These images come to mind as I read today’s scripture readings. As disciples of Christ, we are called to act in ways that may go against the current expectations of our society. This may cause us to experience ridicule and hatred, but God promises us the gift of the Spirit to provide help and protection.
In the first reading, the Apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin because they continue to preach about Jesus when they had been warned to stop. When asked why they continue, the Apostles respond “We must obey God rather than men.” This infuriates the high priests and increases their desire to put the Apostles to death. In the gospel from John, Jesus (the Son) is described as coming from heaven and being sent by God to speak God’s words. Jesus shares the gift of the Spirit, and those who believe in Him and follow Him will receive God’s love and eternal life.
Just as the disciples long ago, we are called to follow Jesus in our words and actions. In our current age, the teachings of Jesus can sometimes be viewed as countercultural to the expectations of many in our society. Jesus preaches compassion, peace and love, and we are called to live this out in our lives. Having compassion and being welcoming to the stranger is something we are called to do. Many individuals in our nation would prefer to turn away these people who are seeking safety and refuge from poverty, crime and wars. There is also prevailing attitude in our country that might and power is necessary to lead in the world. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, and we are called always to work together to find a way where all people and nations can live in harmony. Jesus also calls us to love one another and all of creation. As disciples of Christ, we are called to find ways to get along with our neighbors as well as to establish ways to care for creation. When we use our natural resources in ways that provide benefit for us and future generation, and create laws that protect the dignity of every person, we practice what we are taught as tenets of our Catholic Social teaching. These ideas are often met with skepticism and derision from people in our nation who seek wealth and power as the primary reason for existence.
We look to Jesus to follow, and we are offered the grace of the Spirit to live out these truths. Compassion, peace and love are powerful gifts from God that provide us the ability to “swim upstream” against the current flow. Through caring for the migrants/ refugees in our midst, speaking out against wars, practicing ways to protect our environment, and caring for all people in our daily living, we become the presence of Christ alive today. We must speak up and say “We must obey God rather than men” as we follow Jesus in thoughts, words, and deeds. The video of the fish swimming in the opening scene described above shows fish turning around and swimming against the current, and as they do, more and more fish begin to turn around and swim in the new direction. Let us pray for the grace to “swim against the current” through lives that our led by the Spirit. May our witness to Jesus and His teachings encourage others to change direction, and together, may we continue to build the Kingdom of God.
—Marylynn Herchline