The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, May 26, 2019 as the sixth Sunday of Easter – Year C. In the entrance antiphon we pray: ‘Alleluia, alleluia. Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia. Amen. Alleluia.’
The Holy Spirit is very much in evidence in the readings of this Sunday’s Mass. He guides the decision of the first Council of Jerusalem which decided that the new Christians from paganism should not be subjected to the purity rites of the Jews, as we hear in the first reading. In the second reading, Saint John sees in a vision the Church in the plenitude of her glory like a city built on the foundations of the Apostles. Jerusalem, the Holy City, is the image for the community of the saints who live in communion with God. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals to us the Church in her glory. In the Gospel, Saint John talks about the continuing guidance of the Holy Spirit which Jesus promises to send to accompany and guide his disciples as they take his word of salvation to the ends of the earth. The Holy Spirit, who is to come from the Father, will stay with the disciples and help them live an authentic Christian life filled with joy, peace and happiness
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 15: 1-2. 22-29.
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”
V/ The word of the Lord.
R/ Thanks be to God.
Comment
The preaching of the Gospel to the pagans is meeting resistance from many of the early converts from Judaism, even twenty years after the Resurrection. The decision to break from Judaism was a serious one and when Christianity began to take root among the Gentiles, the question as to whether or not they should also observe Jewish purity rites, especially circumcision, arose and the Church had to deal with it once and for all. The Apostles and the elders therefore met in Jerusalem in what was to be the first Council of the Church.
The community of Antioch commissions Paul and Barnabas to represent them at the Jerusalem Council. The hierarchy of the Church, consisting of the Apostles and the elders, under Peter’s leadership, meet to study and decide whether the Gentiles are obliged to be circumcised and to keep the Old Law of Moses. This is a question of the utmost importance for the young Church and that is why the answer to it must be guided by the Holy Spirit to ensure the unity of the Church.
Under the leadership of Peter, the Council, with the help of the Holy Spirit, provides a correct interpretation of God’s promises and commandments regarding the salvation of mankind and the way in which the Gentiles can enter the New Israel.
During this first Council of the Church, Peter plays a significant role as the leader of the young Church. He is a decisive factor in Church unity. He brings together all the various legitimate views of those trying to reach the truth on this matter. He draws on his own personal experience when God directed him to go to Cornelius’ house and convert him, even though some disciples of Jewish origin thought it was unworthy for a Jew to visit a pagan (Acts 11, 3). He sums up the discussion and offers a solution that coincides with Paul’s view of the matter. It is grace that saves, not the Law of Moses itself. The Law and circumcision have been superseded by faith in Jesus Christ. The Law of Moses is therefore irrelevant because the Gospel has been proclaimed and it is only through the Gospel, not the works of the law that salvation comes (Gal 2: 15ff).
The decree of the Council of Jerusalem makes it clear that the participants worked under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The solemnity of the apostolic decree is evident from the large delegation to carry it back to the Gentiles. To accompany Paul and Barnabas, the Council adds two outstanding members of the Church: Silas and Judas. The mission to the pagans is solemnly ratified by the leaders of the Church.
We pray for the leaders of our Church; that they may learn to get together, as the disciples did in Jerusalem, whenever an issue that could hinder the smooth running of the Church arises. Lord, bless and protect the Church that is in Cameroon; keep her leaders united as they bring your word of salvation to our people in the midst of their daily trials and tribulations. We make our prayer through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia.”
Second Reading: Apocalypse 21: 10-14. 22-23.
The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.
V/ The word of the Lord.
R/ Thanks be to God.
Comment
In his vision, John sees the Church in the plenitude of her glory like a city built on the foundations of the Apostles. The holy city of Jerusalem is the image of the community of saints who live in communion with God. In contrast with the punishment visited on the evil city of Babylon, which John saw on a previous vision (Ap 17), we now see the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, the spouse of the Lamb, coming down from heaven.
The seer gives this city the titles of Bride and Spouse, images that are usually used to describe the Church. The city therefore represents the Church, the community of believers viewed in its complete, indissoluble union with the risen Lord, the Lamb. This vision is similar to the one the prophet Ezekiel had when he saw the New Jerusalem and the temple of the future (Ez 40-42). The difference with John’s vision is that John sees the city coming down from heaven, an indication that the long-desired establishment of the messianic kingdom will come about by the power of God almighty.
John pictures the Church of the final age that is illuminating the Church of his own day. She has the unity and variety of a city, perfectly protected by God, with entry gained through the Apostles of Jesus. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles show the continuity between the ancient chosen people and the Church of Christ, the Church of the New Covenant; the church that has no need of a temple because the presence of God fills her every corner, and the risen Christ enlightens her with the knowledge of God and the unity of love for which she longs.
The universal nature of the Church is seen in the way the gates of the city are arranged. They are in threes, facing the four points of the compass, indicating that the Church is universal and that all nations must come to it to gain salvation.
Let us pray with William Laud for the Holy Catholic Church. “Gracious Father, we pray to you for your Holy Catholic Church. Fill it with your truth. Keep it in your peace. Where it is corrupt, reform it. Where it is in error, correct it. Where it is right, defend it. Where it is in want, provide for it. Where it is divided, reunite it, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Alleluia!”
Gospel acclamation: “Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!”
Gospel: John 14: 23-29.
Jesus said to his disciples: “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. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”
V/ The Gospel of the Lord.
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Comment
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is aware of the worries his disciples have as they face the reality of his final departure. He therefore prepares them for the day of his ascension to his Father by taking the time to carefully prepare and counsel them not to be afraid for he will be sending an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to guide them.
They need such reassurance because shortly before the text of this day’s meditation, Jude Thaddeus, one of the Twelve, has just asked Jesus if he would only manifest himself to them and not to the whole world. His question is understandable since the Jews commonly held that when the Messiah came he would reveal himself to the world as King and Saviour. So when Jesus tells them that he is to go to his Father but that he would not be leaving them orphans, they are truly puzzled and that is why Jude Thaddeus wants to know why Christ would not be revealing himself to the whole people of Israel.
Jesus’ reply is that he reveals himself to whoever loves him and keeps his commandments, especially the commandment of love of God and of neighbour. Observance of his commandment of love will assure us of the presence of God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him,” we hear in this day’s Gospel.
The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send will stay with his disciples and prompt them to live an authentic Christian life filled with peace, joy and happiness. The Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts of men and women. He makes his home in us when we get rid of those worries and concerns that deprive us of peace. What takes away our peace cannot come from God. The Holy Spirit is always there to impel us to do good and spread love that binds us with God and with one another.
Jesus knows that his disciples will face many difficulties, endure many hardships if left on their own. That is why they need a lawyer, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. As we heard in the first reading, it was not long after Christ’s departure that the Holy Spirit stepped in to settle a conflict in the early Church. Paul and Barnabas had brought many pagans into the new faith but their success sparked off a conflict in the community when members of the Jerusalem community wanted the converts to be subjected to the Mosaic Law, especially the practice of circumcision. The Holy Spirit brings peace where there is conflict.
In a homily he preached on the 30th of September 1979 (Homily at Knock Shrine), Saint John Paul II said, among other things, that “Christ has not left his followers without guidance in the task of understanding and living the Gospel. Before returning to his Father, he promised to send his Holy Spirit to the Church: ‘But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all I have said to you’ (Jn 14: 26). “This same Spirit,” continues the Holy Father, “guides the successors of the Apostles, your bishops, united with the Bishop of Rome, to whom it was entrusted to preserve the faith and to ‘preach the Gospel to the whole creation’ (Mk 16:5). Listen to their voices for they bring you the word of the Lord”.
Christ imparts his peace on his disciples. ‘Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you. Christ is our peace (Eph 2:14). What takes away our peace cannot come from God. Let us therefore pray for peace, especially peace within us, peace in our hearts, peace in our souls and peace in our minds. We ardently pray for peace to return to our country, Cameroon, that has been torn by a senseless war our government has been prosecuting in the northwest and southwest regions for the past three years. May our people living in the northern part of our land, victims of a foreign religious ideology, also know peace. May our political leaders join our religious leaders for a truly inclusive dialogue that will ensure that true peace, guided by the Holy Spirit, returns to our land and to our people. We make this supplication through Christ the risen Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia.
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