Sixth Sunday of Easter
Just before Easter we saw the election of a new Pope. I watched it with much interest and nervousness. The election was not simply about who would be the next Pope. It was also about how the cardinals think as the successors of the apostles. It was also about the future direction the church would take. And then, lo and behold, for the first time in the history of the Papacy came a pope from Latin America. He took the name Francis and his first messages seem to indicate a commitment for the poor and a desire for internal reform of the church. Benedict XVI, we know from his writings, was clearly enamored with the person of Christ. He expressed it in a stunningly intellectual manner. Francis’ emphasis is clearly more pastoral. Pope Francis created a flutter when on Holy Thursday he celebrated mass in a juvenile facility and washed the feet of the inmates two of whom were woman and non-Catholic. The entire Catholic and secular world was stunned. What should the world make of his very public action? I begin the homily by talking about the papal elections because today’s readings talk about the early church, apostolic succession and the advocate, the Holy Spirit who helps the church.
The context of today’s gospel is the Last Supper. Today’s passage come right after that and is often described as Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples. It was as if Jesus was preparing his disciples for the events that would unfold in the future. The future looked promising and bleak at the same time. On the one hand Jesus had had his last meal with the disciples. Soon he would be arrested and put to death; the disciples will face trials; Judas will betray him and Peter will deny Jesus three times; the disciples themselves and anyone who follows Christ will be persecuted. On the other hand, the promise lay in the fact that that Holy Spirit would be with the disciples guiding them through these bleak times. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the church would grow to be what it is today.
Sometimes our future looks as bleak as it seemed to the disciples. But we must trust Christ’s words in today’s gospel reading: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” Let me offer three points for reflection.
1. The Church Then and the Church Now
Today’s first reading gives us a glimpse into the controversy in the early Christian church in Antioch. The Jewish Christians held the opinion that if any person outside the Jewish tradition wanted to become Christian they must first submit to the Mosaic Law. The focus is also on how the leaders in the church responded to the crisis. Paul and Barnabas sent a delegation to the apostles in Jerusalem, who in turn sent chosen their representatives back to Antioch with a letter. The letter made some clear moral demands but it also made way for the non-Jews to become part of the church. This did not end the controversy but the Holy Spirit was clearly active in the decisions they made. That was the church then. The church now also has contentious issues to face. Issues related with sexuality, gender, marriage and family, the role of women in the church, pre-Vatican traditionalism, post-Vatican liberalism, the protection of children, the role of lay theologians in the development of doctrine, and the role of the hierarchy. And then we have contemporary world and its myriad cultures. In the Holy Roman Empire there was no doubt about what was the truth and who has the truth. In our secular world everyone has their own truth. In this context how should the church engage the world and what place will the church have in the world? I think as far as the Church is concerned, these are important questions for today.
2. The Holy Spirit is with Us
What are we to do in the present context? Let me get back to two things that have had wide ranging impact on the Catholic world. Under Pope Benedict the English speaking world experienced the change of the Liturgical language. Many people, including me, agonized over this change. Now that the dust has settled, life seems to be normal again. It took humility to accept that even though this was not a decision that I favoured, that somehow Holy Spirit was active in this change. That is simply a part of being church. Similarly, when Pope Francis washed the feet of women and non-Catholics there were those who agonized that he was breaking the tradition that Jesus himself inaugurated. I hear people say today that when Pope Francis talks about the poor he really means the “spiritually” poor and not just the materially poor. Pope Frances also recently appointed a committee of Cardinals from different parts of the world to suggest reform in the Vatican. There will be those who will be thrilled by the recommendations and there will be those who will be pained. In all of these things we are no different from the early Christians who were divided about certain issues. Yet the Holy Spirit was active in their midst. It takes courage and humility to believe that the Holy Spirit is with today’s church in the same way that the Holy Spirit was with the early church. I certainly believe that in the times that I am proud of the church and in times that I not very proud of who we are, the Holy Spirit is guiding us. The election of the new pope and his example is evidence of this reality.
3. The Simplicity amidst the Complexity
The readings and the way in which I have chosen to reflect on them may seem that our faith, Christianity and the way we live it in this world is complex. And, in reality, it is. However, there is simplicity in the words of Christ that I do not want us to miss either. Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” I clearly believe that in the midst of all the complexity that the church in the modern world faces, we have the rock-solid foundation of Christ’s life, his words and actions to guide us. “If you love me you will keep my word …,” Jesus said. In the midst of complexity we must allow the words, the life and the actions of Jesus lead us. To love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves..., sometimes, it is as simple as that. That is why in the same breath Jesus also says to us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” In other words, if we follow the life, the example and the actions of Jesus, then no matter how complicated and complex the world around us, we will know peace. Then we have do have to be afraid.
- Fr. Satish Joseph