7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

 7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

Acts 7:55-60  

Psalm 97

Apocalypse 22:12-14.16-20

John 17:20-26

 

THE EYES RAISED UP TO HEAVEN

 

The period between the Lord’s Ascension and Pentecost is a period of waiting in prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit according to Jesus’ promise. In this way, all three of today’s readings are in the form of prayers. The excerpt from Jesus’ priestly prayer expresses his desire to draw us into communion with the Father (John 17). He prays for those who will believe in his name through the word of this disciples so that all may be one as he and the Father are one. This is a consolation and assurance to us: our Lord has prayed for us and continues to pray for us, for he is now at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us.  

 

The prayer of Stephen in the first reading is a witness to this. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he saw the glory of God and Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God. He testified to Jesus even as he was being stoned. After surrendering his spirit to the Lord, he fell on his knees and prayed for the forgiveness of his executioners (Acts 7:55-60). The last part of the Book of Revelation that constitutes our today’s second reading is a form of prayer. It expresses the Church’s longing for the second coming of her Bride: “Come, Lord Jesus” (Ap 22:12-14.16-20). 

 

In order to have a share in Jesus’ glory when he comes, three things are proposed to us today: prayer, good works and unity. Prayer is what nourishes our relationship with God. As such, we need the assistance of the Holy Spirit for “we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Rom. 8:26). Then, we need to remain faithful in accomplishing good works, for the Lord is coming to reward everyone according to his deeds. Finally, we must strive to go beyond the differences, divisions and rivalries among us as to preserve the unity for which our Lord Jesus prayed. 

As we look forward for the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise, let us ask him to renew in us his gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we may remain faithful to the end and one day have a share in his glory. Amen

                           

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

1Samuel 26:7…23

Psalm 102:1-4.8.10

1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Luke 6:27-38

LOVE FOR ONE’S ENEMY

In a world that celebrates violence, power and vengeance, Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel may appear awkward, nonsensical and unacceptable. In effect, he teaches his disciples to be loving, forgiving, generous and kind to everyone including those who hate, persecute or curse them. They are not to judge or condemn others, but be tolerant so as to become children of the Most High: “Be merciful as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:27-38). As Pope Francis often says, three words indicates God’s style: closeness, mercy and tenderness. His love reaches out to everyone without discrimination; he loves each one of us totally, even though we are hateful, sinful and unworthy. “He does not treat us according to our sins nor repays us according to our faults” (Ps 102:10).

Loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, praying for those who mistreat us or lending without looking forward for restitution is a real challenge to go beyond the human logic of love and kindness. In the light of Saint Paul’s words, we can say that this is an invitation to let go our old self, inherited from our first parent Adam, and put on the new self in Christ Jesus (1Co 15:45-49). And this is undoubtedly difficult to live by. But difficulty is not impossibility. As such, a concrete example of the love for one’s enemy is given us in the first reading. The opportunity was given to David to take vengeance on king Saul, who was pursing his life. But for respect of his dignity as the Lord’s anointed, David spared his life (1Sam. 26:7…23).

Thus, a Christian must not to have enemies in the first place; but if somebody hates him for any reason, he is to love that person. This is not an apologetics to a fatal pacifism, but rather, an invitation to go beyond ourselves, and cultivate the ability to let go our hurts, wounds that others inflict us, live peaceably with all and not repay anyone evil for evil. For the better way to take vengeance on one’s enemy is to love him (read Rom 12:17-21). May the Lord grant us the grace to love everyone sincerely and forgive genuinely. Amen

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Isaiah 6:1-8

Ps 137:1-5.7-8

1 Co. 15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

CALLED TO BE MESSENGERS OF GOD

Christian life begins with the encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. This encounter brings about change in our lives, because it is the beginning of our faith relationship with God. It also comes with a mission: becoming an apostle or a messenger of God. In effect, Isaiah had a vision of God in the sanctuary. Filled with awe, he acknowledged his sinfulness before the holiness of God. Purged and strengthened by God, he received his call to be God’s messenger.

St Paul also had an encounter with the risen Jesus on his way to Damascus. This experience changed his life. From a persecutor of the Church, he became an apostle of Christ, a witness of the Gospel. He worked and preached with much zeal, conviction and pride in God’s grace.

In the Gospel, St Luke narrates the call of the first disciples. Simon Peter and his companions were fishermen by profession. After a fruitless fishing adventure, in their despair and tiredness, they encountered Jesus. Though with hesitation and protest, Simon trusted and obeyed this itinerant preacher who told him: “Put out into deep water and lower the nets for a cath.” The result was overwhelming and beyond any expectation: their nets could hardly hold the catch, for they caught many fish. This miraculous catch changed their lives. They left everything and followed Jesus. From fishermen they became fishers of men.

There are many such encounters with the Lord in our lives. God continues to call us, for he needs us in order to continue his saving work in our world today. Are we ready to say with Isaiah: Here, I am, Lord, send me? Will we leave everything like Peter and his companions to become witnesses of Christ? Or are we scare and afraid because of the challenges and difficulties that the mission involves?

 Whatever the case may be, let us keep in mind two things. First, when God calls, he equips with what is necessary for the mission. He will never leave us bereft of his grace. Second, he who trusts in the Lord and obey his words does not make mistakes nor gets disappointed. If we allow him to encounter us where we are, if we accept his call to become his messengers, if we trust and obey, our lives will never be the same. Remain blessed! Amen

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Jeremiah 1:4-5.17-19

Ps 70

1Cor. 13:1-13

Luke 4:21-30

THE LOT OF A PROPHET

A prophet is the spokesperson of God. He speaks on behalf of God. Unfortunately, prophets are often not welcomed: they may be rejected, maltreated or persecuted, especially by their own kins: “No prophet is ever accepted in his own country,” Jesus tells his townsmen in today’s Gospel reading. This was the experience of Jesus himself and many prophets including Jeremiah.

The evangelist Luke continues the episode of the visit of Jesus to the synagogue of his hometown. He preached so well that the people marveled at his gracious words and eloquence. But this admiration was to turn into rage at him; their amazement quickly turned into hatred. Thus, they wanted to push him off the cliff on which their town was built. But Jesus walked through them and left.

Such treatment of men of God was not uncommon. Many years before Christ, the prophet Jeremiah was to have similar experience. In his vocation narrative presented in today’s first reading, God warned him. Since his mother’s womb, God had chosen him to be a prophet to the nations. But he was to face opposition and hostility. The people would fight against him, but they would not overcome him because God had made him a fortified city. The Lord would be with him to deliver him.

By virtue of our baptism, we too are prophets. We are to speak and proclaim the words of God to our contemporaries. But we must keep two things in mind. First, we will often face challenges, rejection, criticisms and oppositions. And yet, we should not be afraid because the Lord is with us. With God, we shall overcome. Second, we may have all it takes to be a good prophet; but without love, we are “simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing”. Indeed, love is a gift that lasts forever, says St Paul in the second reading. Yes, love is everything and it changes everything. So, our prophetic mission must be manifested first of all through the patient and enduring love that we bear to one another. Let us ask God the grace to become courageous and authentic witnesses of his wonders in our world today. Amen