Celebrating 100 over years in Irondequoit
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Cycle B
B216: Jesus is contrasting "slaves" and "friends" in today's gospel (Jn 15:9-17). Was a "slave" a bad thing in those days, or is Jesus referring to something else?
No, "slave" is not a "bad word" in the cultural setting of scripture, unless it specifically refers to being a "slave to sin" - and in that case it is an activity rather than a state in life. There are usually two words used in scripture. One is "doulos" - the slave or servant who is simply a worker and has no other relationship to his Master. The other is "diakonos" - the slave or servant who is a follower of Jesus the Master, and is always in his presence, especially receiving his advice on compassionate living, and carrying out that advice by serving others (see Jn 12:26 for an instance of Jesus' use of this latter term). The "permanent deacon" in the Catholic Church is a good modern-day example of that term "diakonos." In the name of the Church he reaches out to those in need and carries God's love to them (hospitals, jails, nursing homes, etc.).
The core theme underlying the gospel message for this continuing segment of John's gospel is that of unity. Last week we heard about "remaining in the vine" and "bearing fruit or getting cast into the fire." This week we hear the admonition and invitation to "live in his love" and "bear fruit that endures." In both cases, and in upcoming weeks, we will hear about this demand and command to live in unity. Unity can come about only through Jesus, the true vine.
As "servant friends" of Jesus, he is taking us into his deepest family circle, entrusting us with his message of unity and giving us two charges. First, to make unity a reality in our own lives. Second, to pass on that teaching and example of Jesus. It is an honor to be invited into this circle of close "friends" of Jesus. It is an honor to be called to become a "missionary" in Jesus' name, a mission we live out in our daily activities and normal environment. We are formed in unity, and our mission is unity. Our identity will be manifested only by a life of obedience to his command to love everyone.
Know Your Catechism! The "whole Christ" is comprised of Christ and his Church, a unity about which the saints are "acutely aware" (CCC #795). Our Catechism quotes St. Augustine that we ourselves "become Christ" - an incredible and wonderful mystery! Servant friends of Christ, today just let this one segment (#795) "sink in" as we relate it to today's gospel command. And then rejoice, filled with wonder, awe and gratitude!
Q372: Today's gospel says that "All you ask the Father in my name he will give you" (Jn 15:16). Is this true?
Yes, this is true - but keep the sentence in context, or you risk turning it into a "prosperity gospel"! In the sentence immediately preceding the one quoted above, Jesus told his disciples that he chose them to "go forth and bear fruit." So in this context we are talking about mission work, about continuing the mission of Jesus. By virtue of (and empowered by) our Baptism and Confirmation, we are called to spread the Good News - to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Jesus is promising that every gift you need for this mission will indeed be given to you. In fact, attempts at fulfilling our mission will fail if we do not first seek the help of the Lord. We are talking about spiritual gifts, gifts from the Holy Spirit, the gifts needed to build up the Body of Christ. So a request for a Cadillac or a Hummer would not fall under the umbrella of that mission-oriented promise of Jesus.
This insight also keeps us from giving in to fear, because we realize that we are not depending upon our own power and our own resources. Instead, we remain centered in and connected to the Vine (the reading immediately preceding today's gospel). Normally our mission is not to leave for some far-off continent to evangelize. Instead, our mission area is our neighborhood, workplace, and home. This is were we spread the Good News of the love and mercy of Christ, which he manifested fully by laying down his own life for our redemption!
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments. For this reason the Church takes care not to neglect the mission she has received to see that all who can be baptized are `reborn of water and the Spirit' (CCC #1257). Whatever we ask for that aids in transforming us and others into the image of Jesus, will be given to us (CCC #2745).
Q528: Today Jesus talks about bearing “fruit that will remain” (John 15:9-17). How can fruit “remain” on a tree forever?
We must remember that Jesus is speaking in metaphors – expressing his intended meaning by using images. This makes it easier for his uneducated audience to understand the deeper meaning and significance of his teaching points.
“Bearing fruit” is an easy image. A healthy branch of a fruit tree will do what it is intended to do: i.e., produce good fruit by being attached to a healthy tree. Using this metaphor, Jesus is saying that a “healthy disciple” must DO what Jesus intends ALL good disciples to do – manifest good “fruit,” the results intended by Jesus that come from being “attached to” Jesus. The example is modeled by Jesus himself: he shared everything with his followers, and even willingly gave up his life for them – the deepest expression of love available to a human.
One of the fruits of the Spirit is Love (Galatians 5:22-23). Fruits must be seen to be of any use; they are never “hidden” on a branch, otherwise no one would benefit from their purpose in life. The “fruit” that Jesus wants to be seen in the life of every one of his disciples is Love. In fact, Jesus commands his followers to manifest this love at all times, and that love is expressed in the way they care for one another within the community. Real love naturally reproduces itself, reaching out to anyone who wants to share in the “caring” that is being offered. This is our purpose in life: to love, by first knowing, loving and serving our Creator, which in itself will impel us to know, love and serve others. And that is how we “remain on the tree” of life forever!
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! The Holy Spirit makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to bring us into communion with God, that we may “bear much fruit” (CCC #737). We are the “sacrament” of the Church’s mission; i.e., our love makes present the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity (CCC #738). Can the world “see” the evidence of your sacrament?
