May 26, 2019
Sixth Sunday of Easter
The Tall Ships are sailing into Buffalo harbor early in July. Watching from the shore and seeing the sails on the horizon it will not be easy to know if the ships are coming or going. It depends on your point of view. Jesus knows that he is coming and going! It is a reoccurring theme in Jesus’ lengthy discourse with his disciples at the Last Supper. It is a paradox. Both and, not either or. Jesus is going to the Father to prepare a place for his disciples and then he is coming back to take them to himself that “where I am you also may be.”
Jesus says, “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.” But the indwelling of the Father and Son is conditioned by our love and by our keeping “the word” of Jesus that comes to us from the Father. This love is not “a feeling” but an act of the will, a sacrificial commitment to love like Jesus. Then Jesus promises that the Father will send “the Advocate,” the Holy Spirit in my name to “teach you everything and remind you of all I have told you.” Jesus is giving us a peak into the mystery of God – Father and Son together dwelling in us when we love and keep the words of Jesus and the Father sending the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus ever reminding us of Jesus and his teaching. We are tabernacles, holy vessels, recipients of divine life.
And more. Jesus leaves us “peace.” “Shalom” means completeness and harmony in every dimension of life. The peace of Jesus will remain with the disciples even in the face of intense conflict, persecution, rejection, and death. “The inner harmony and communion with the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit create an abiding peace beyond ant human effort or comprehension. It is based on mutual love.” (E.P. Workbook for Lectors)
On Thursday we will celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. Jesus’ return or going to the Father is also his coming to us. May it be a homecoming. Masses are Wednesday at 7 PM and Thursday at 9 AM and 7 PM.
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Fifth Sunday of Easter
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7th Sunday of Easter
