May 10, 2020
5th Sunday of Easter
Jesus and his disciples are at table. It will be the last supper that they will have together. Jesus is aware that the end of their fellowship is near. He says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.†I wonder if the disciples are able to take in these words of Jesus. They hear the words but are they able to comprehend their meaning, to experience the reassurance the words are intended to convey. We know how fear distracts and distorts. How fear can exaggerate our response. Consider the mixed reaction of people in the U.S. and in the world to the pandemic. Our responses are not always calm and measured when we are troubled and frightened.
In our first reading, “the Apostles†are dealing with a complaint within the believing community that now includes Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians called Hellenists. It is perceived that Jewish widows are being cared for and Gentile widows are being overlooked. Recognizing the unfairness and divisiveness, and moved by the Holy Spirit, “the Twelve†select seven men to serve at table. They pray and “lay hands†on these “deacons†to share resources fairly with all members of the community in need. We have made a special contribution from our Angel Fund to FISH of East Aurora and to the Tri-Community Food Pantry, Depew to support their efforts of providing food to our neighbors who are hungry. It is the good work of Jesus that we continue to do. “He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.†(Psalm 33:5)
St. Peter, in his letter, invites us: “Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God , and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house…†Peter is speaking of Jesus as the cornerstone, the foundation, on which we build up our faith community. Peter is comfortable using this analogy with stones. “Peter†is a nickname that Jesus gives to Simon. “Peter†means “rock.†It conveys a sense of strength and firmness. It also can mean stubborn and dense. Peter is both “a stumbling stone†and the “rock†on which Jesus will build the Church. At this time of heightened concern, we may be tempted to throw verbal stones at others who do not see the crisis in the same way we do. But we are also inspired to work closely with others, to find common ground to build upon, to lessen the spread of Covid-19, to find a cure for the disease and to renew the economy, the livelihood, of so many. One can use stones to destroy and to build up.
Listen to the words of Jesus again: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.†Jesus is preparing a “dwelling place†for us and he promises that “I will come back again and take you to myself, so where I am you also may be.†Sr. Ruth Burrows, Living Love, suggests that we should “shelter†in the welcoming heart of Jesus – in his holiness, his goodness, his wisdom. Wherever the path takes us as we face the coronavirus, Jesus, the Risen Lord, will be guiding our steps. He is the way, the truth and the life.
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4th Sunday of Easter
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6th Sunday of Easter
