Irondequoit Catholic Communities
5th Sunday Of Easter C

Celebrating 100 years

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Cycle C

Q266: It sounds like the missionary life is easy, as Paul and Barnabas made “a considerable number of disciples” (Acts 14:21-27).

On the contrary, there is nothing “automatic” about the results that come from sharing the cause of our joy, and proclaiming the Good News. There are other key words in today’s readings that give a more complete story. Paul and Barnabas had to “strengthen” the spirits of the disciples, and warn them to “persevere” in the faith. They pointed out that Christians must “undergo hardships” to enter God’s kingdom. In fact, just two verses before today’s reading St. Paul is stoned and almost killed for his efforts to share the Good News (vv. 19-20).

Revelation 21:1-5a (our second reading) points to a future removal of tears, mourning, wailing, pain, and even death, for those who persevere now in daily trials and persecutions. The implication is clear: we now have a firm hope because of the truth of the Resurrection.

The “formula” to make all this come about is simple: follow the “new” commandment of Jesus -- love others just as Jesus loves us (Jn 13:31-35). That means a love beyond simple friendship; it is a love that is self-sacrificing, always seeking the good of the other person.

In fact, that is the identity badge of a Disciple of Christ. Jesus places this new command within the context of the Cross (“When Judas had left them…”), very clearly indicating that “doing” the love command may also bring you pain and persecution. The Disciple is called to be faithful, and may not even see the results of his or her labors. But the Disciple trustingly leaves that aspect up to the Holy Spirit.

Know Your Catechism! The “love command” is also called the new “law of the Holy Spirit” (CCC #782; #1972). Jesus is the model of this love, which in turn manifests the love of the Father. We are called to imitate this love (CCC #1823). This is the measure by which we will know if we are carrying out the Father’s will (CCC #2822). For reflection: What must I do to become more “giving” in my relationships? Do I really understand what self-sacrifice means?

God Dwelling Among Men

December 27, 537 AD, was a day of triumph for the Christian Roman Emperor, Justinian I. On that date he attended the dedication of the great church of Holy Wisdom (Sancta Sophia or Hagia Sophia) that is still the chief monument of Constantinople (Istanbul). Justinian had entrusted the design of the building to Anthemius of Tralles and Isodorus of Miletus, and these architects had produced an epochal masterpiece. A vast and subtle structure of many domes, its interior was sheathed with marbles and fine mosaics. King Solomon had built a magnificent temple in Jerusalem, but Justinian boasted, with permissible pride, "Solomon, I have vanquished you!"

There is an old running debate among Christians whether it is better to spend money on splendid churches or to keep the churches simple and to spend the money on the needy. In one sense, Jesus Himself solved this dilem ma. When the devout woman of Bethany anointed His feet with costly perfume, some of the disciples said, "This is waste, it would have been better to spend the price on the poor!" Our Lord countered by praising her good intentions, and said she was preparing His body for burial. "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."

It would certainly be irresponsible to spend thousands on a building when the local people were in the clutches of poverty. But a beautiful church is an alms to another sort of poverty - poverty of heart. For ages Christians have had their hearts lifted by the sight of a great cathedral. Its loveliness enthralls them and reminds them that God dwells there in a special way. Surely a beautiful home is becoming to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

The more we reverence God's home the more we will reverence God. By blessing ourselves with holy water on entering, by maintaining a devout silence in church, by doing our best to ward off from it anything irreverent or unseemly, we are saying to God, as in today's liturgy, "Your house is a house of prayer, and Your presence makes it a place of blessing."

-Father Robert F. McNamara

Q. 422: Isn't Jesus asking the “impossible” when he asks his disciples to “love one another” (Jn 13:31-35)? Can anything be harder?

St. Augustine also wrestled with the question of love, and demonstrated through the life of Jesus that love conquers all. Available on the “New Advent” website is his “Homily 7 on the Epistle of John” which contains the famous phrase, “love and do what you will.” His example contrasts the actions of beating and caressing: which of those two would you rather receive? Which is better: a father chastising his son, or a pedophile caressing his object of lust? Everything depends on what is in the heart of the person before and during the action.

Augustine's point is his interpretation of Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us. Some things may have a good appearance, but one's actions are only discerned by the root of charity. This is why he confidently says, “love and do what you will.” If you have a right relationship with God and with others, then you have nothing to worry about. This kind of love is a sacrificial love, not a selfish love. It only thinks of the best for the other person - even if that “best” means corrective action out of love. If this kind of love is within you, then with Augustine we say “from this root can spring nothing but what is good.”

Our First Reading (Acts 14:21-27) gives evidence of what happens when this “root” is nourished properly. The apostles and evangelists did this by encouraging the disciples, reminding them that persecution and suffering was a probability. Most importantly, they engaged in regular and frequent prayer, and service to others. The results were evident: God himself had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Do you “nourish your root” of faith with regular prayer and fasting? Do you encourage your family members to do likewise? If yes, then the Holy Spirit will help you discern actions which do not stem from charity or love (CCC #2847). Strive to follow the example of love set by Christ.


Page last modified on October 17, 2007, at 05:40 PM