5th Sunday of Easter
"many rooms"
dings for: 5th Sunday of Easter
Reading 1 Acts 6:1-7
Psalm Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Reading 2 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel John 14:1-12
REFLECTIONS:… from Father Daniel
The central theme of today’s readings is the “many rooms” present in the house of the Father, that is, the many ways we can help each other. In the Gospel Jesus says that the way to the Father is the service of our brothers and sisters. The second reading uses the image of a new building and the first reading describes how the community of Jerusalem solved a problem. Both readings help us to deepen our understanding of the message.
The “house” of God mentioned in the Gospel refers not only to heaven, but wherever God is. Thus, the “many dwelling places” in God’s house are the members of the Church, living stones built into a spiritual temple on the cornerstone Christ, bonded by the Spirit. Jesus repeatedly stressed His unity with the Father. “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” But the Apostles did not share Jesus’ notions of God, even after they’d been with Him for quite sometime. St. John reminds us that in Jesus we encounter all we know of God. And, only by believing in Christ and fashioning our lives after His own can we become like the Father who is perfect Divine love, mercy and even handed generosity.
In scripture Jesus tells us to serve, and he promises us the reward of joy. Yet the world teaches us to believe that money, power and/or worldly success will bring us joy. My experience serving the disabled persons has brought me to the truth: Joy is not the world’s gift to give. Joy is God’s gift, and it is given to anyone who serves another with compassion. Or as Henri Nouwen writes, “Joy is the secret gift of compassion.” St. Pope John Paul II said, “It is not enough to discover Christ, you must bring Him to others.” And, St. Augustine says: “AS children of the same Father walking the same path toward the same embrace of love, we should always discuss differences in the spirit of charity.” St. Mother Teresa said, “The world is full of good people. IF you can’t find one, be one.”
