Faith

More than words – Friday, 7th Week of Easter – Acts 25:13b-21/John 21:15-19

Read also https://www.pottypadre.com/captive-for-christ/ based on the first reading of today taken from the Acts of the Apostles.

The lectionary, in a run up to Pentecost, picks up the narrative that we left at Easter. The disciples in the gospel of John, seven of them, (see John 21: 1) have decided to go fishing prompted by their leader, Peter. His actions follow a typical human pattern; an intense spiritual experience soon fades, and one returns to the same things he or she has always done. While verses 1-15 were studied and reflected upon in the Easter octave, verse 16 onwards rounds the narrative.

It is here on the shores of Galilee, that Jesus works one last miracle for his despondent disciples. They who could catch nothing the whole night long now encounter the risen Christ in the form of ‘someone’ who gives these seasoned fishermen a tip on fishing. That tip paid off and they hauled in 153 fish.

It is interesting to see that the Gospel of John began with a miracle at the wedding in Canna and ends with a miracle on the shores of Galilee. 160 gallons of wine and 153 very large fish. Jesus never stops loving and giving. What he did while alive he continues to do after his resurrection.

Now, seated around a charcoal fire, eating breakfast with Jesus, it was time to address another matter that had been unsettled a few days earlier around another charcoal fire. It was on Maundy Thursday, in the house of the high priest, around a charcoal fire that Peter had denied the Lord three times.

This must have been an awkward moment. Our Lord asks Peter the same question thrice, “do you love me?” and thrice Peter will say, Yes Lord, I love you.” Jesus had already met with Peter individually on the day of His resurrection (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5). We can only wonder what Jesus and Peter talked about at that first meeting. Nevertheless, it was still important for Jesus to restore Peter in the presence of the other disciples. Jesus didn’t ask Peter, “Are you sorry?” nor “Will you promise never to do that again?” Jesus challenged Peter to love.

It is interesting to note that Jesus addresses Peter as ‘Simon’. Perhaps Jesus was making a point to the first Pope, a subtle reminder that he had not stood as a rock in faithfulness to Jesus. It was the boast of Peter (13:37) that he would lay down his life for Christ; this was his boast of love and yet when the time came, Peter failed the Lord. Predictably, there are no words of chastisement for Peter. The Lord has but as simple yet loaded question, “do you love me?” Peter’s heart is now under examination.

It is interesting to note that Jesus does not ask us, do you love your Archbishop or the Church or the priest or your spouse or your children? He asks Peter and he asks us, “do you love ME.” The love for Christ sets everything right and all things are then ordered to his will. Without our devoted love for Christ, the rest stands empty and hollow.

Peters’ confession, “Yes Lord, I love you,” cannot just be a matter of words but must be seen in action. The words of Christ to his Church are clear; ‘if you love me feed my sheep, tend to my lambs.’ To the billion Christians in the world, the message on the eve of Pentecost is clear, IF you love Christ then work for the sheep and the lambs. The love of God is seen in our work not just in our words. But even more, those we tend to are not ours but HIS. Jesus says to Peter, “feed MY sheep.”

I have said this so often to myself, that when a pastor is appointed to a parish or a congregation, what ought to weigh heavily on his shoulders is that he is but a shepherd to the Lord’s flock. This is not a post of honour but service. On him weighs the burden of the souls of his parishioners. It is for him to feed and tend these lambs and sheep and not slaughter and eat.

There is so much to reflect in this text for priest and people…choose one

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT OR FORWARD THIS ARTICLE TO OTHERS BY  SENDING THEM THIS LINKhttps://www.pottypadre.com/more-than-words-friday-7th-week-of-easter-acts-2513b-21-john-2115-19/

  –  

Spread the love ♥
       
Continue Reading
Faith

Peacemaker or Pacemaker? Thursday, 7th Week of Easter – Acts 22:30, 23:6-11/ John 17:20-26

Read also https://www.pottypadre.com/the-cat-among-the-pigeons/ – a reflection on the first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles.

The prayer of Jesus for his disciples comes to an end and so does the farewell discourse. Jesus has prayed for the disciples because in a “little while” they will no longer see him and while “in a little while” they will see him. Now, the stage has been set for satan, the ‘ruler of this world’ to do what he does best, deceive.

Christ has prayed that that his disciples be protected, guarded and sanctified. In this text, he prays for unity. Four times in this prayer Jesus uses the word “one.” Christ knows that the evil one causes disunity among believers and even more because these apostles who “know that the father has sent Jesus” (17:25) are themselves to become proclaimers to the world.

Up to verse 19 of chapter 17, Jesus has been praying for his disciples. Now Jesus asks for protection, guidance and sanctification not only for “these” (his disciples) but also “on behalf of those who will believe in me through their (disciples) word.” This is the mission mandate in the Gospel of John. The darkness of this world, led by satan, will be destroyed by the message carried by not just the disciples but those to whom the disciples evangelize to. Satan knows that this is open season for war.

Yet Christ is a realist. He knows that Satan uses simple yet effective ways of destroying the children of light; he causes disunity. Jesus prays today, “that they may be one.” (John 17:21) Unity overcomes the divisive tactics of Satan. Those in the Church who actively cooperate by causing division in the Church to further their own personal agendas are nothing but agents of satan. The fragments of Christian Churches is perhaps the biggest scandal of the Church for it has proved the words of Christ true.

Ask yourself today, do people rally around you to be a ‘peacemaker’ or as a consequence of your divisive tactics do others need a pacemaker? People approach us knowing who we truly are and this way their agenda is fulfilled. There is a warning here for many “pillars” of our Churches who refuse to be simple bricks in the wall. These parish pillars are often causes of disunity when they assert their way, their agenda and their plans simply because they do not want to let go of power and position in the Church. They have turned the service of God into a tool of domination. When opposed, they wipe out those who wish to come in and serve. Their cunning agendas and back street gossip has been the cause of the fall of the mission of Christ.

Today, stand on the side of unity for that is where God and Jesus stand.

Spread the love ♥
       
Continue Reading
Faith

Protect, Guard, Sanctify – Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter – Acts 20:28-33/ John 17:11b-19

As I prepare to leave the parish of St Stephen’s Church as its shepherd, I find my prayers for the parish similar to the prayer of Christ in John chapter 17. Perhaps having read these words of scripture in the past, these words of Christ have subtly been imprinted on my soul. I pray with Jesus that every parishioner of the parish may be protected(verse11), guarded(verse12) and sanctified(verse16).

Jesus is praying to Father and his disciples are around him. They can not only see his lips move but can hear the words of his prayer loud enough to remember and record them. Cleary, Jesus is concerned for his disciples. He will no longer be in this world, a world ruled by satan. (14:30) Yet clearly, Jesus also tells us, that while satan is the ruler of the world he has no power over Christ. This means that satan has power over us if we are detached from Him, “the vine.” This is why he asked us to abide in him, to be attached to him and emphatically said, “apart from me you can do nothing.”

The prayer of Jesus, found in this section of the text, is comforting. Jesus has guarded every one of the flock given to him by the father; he has lost not one except the one who wanted to be lost. (17:12) While on earth Jesus protected the disciples from satan and he did this in the Fathers name. But now he has to return to the father (verse13) for his hour has come (17:1) and this is the moment satan has been waiting patiently in the wings for.

Twice in this text Jesus proclaims that the disciples “do not belong to the world.” (17:14&16) Clearly, the disciple lives in this world but he is not of the world. There is no clearer teaching than verse 15 that emphasizes that Christianity does not insulate us from the trials and struggles and temptations of this world. Jesus says, “I am not asking you (Father) to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.”

It is in this context that Jesus prays that we are protected, guarded and sanctified in the truth. He wants us to be protected in the name of Jesus; a name given by the Father himself. When we are assailed by the evil one, we simply need to call upon the powerful name of Jesus and satan will be forced to release us.

Jesus prays that we be guarded. As long as Jesus was in the world, he protected us from the evil one but now that he will depart from this world satan will come in full force to attack the disciples. The doors of the disciple’s hearts need to be bolted and shut confident that just as Jesus guarded the disciples from satan so also now, they will be guarded in spite of the attacks to come.

Finally, Jesus prays that the disciples may be sanctified in the truth. To be sanctified (haggios in Greek) is to be set apart. The disciples are to be set apart in their manner of life; in standing for ‘THE TRUTH’ not just ‘a truth’. The word of God (Jesus) is the truth. It is in Jesus’ name that they are set apart and not just a blessing that is given to them as protection.

Today, sign yourself with the triple protection of Christ; that you may be protected, guarded and sanctified.

Spread the love ♥
       
Continue Reading
Faith

The ultimate eavesdrop – Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter – Acts 20:17-27/ John 17:1-11

Read also https://www.pottypadre.com/mirroring-christ/ – reflection on the first reading.

John 17 gives us the chance to “overhear” an intimate conversation between Jesus and his Father. Talk about the ultimate eavesdrop!!! When you think about it, it’s rather stunning to realize that we are privy here to a conversation between two members of the divine Trinity. In this text, you and I are standing on holy ground as we listen to the prayer of Jesus.

It really is nothing short of astonishing to imagine this passage as a model for prayer. Remember, in the Gospel of John there is no, “teach us how to pray” followed by the Lord’s Prayer. This is the Lord’s Prayer according to John.

For the next three days we will hear Jesus pray for his disciples in chapter 17; he is talking to his Father. The lectionary will then take us to the days just before Pentecost in chapter 21. For now, several themes run through this text. Jesus speaks of ‘the hour’ that is not coming but the hour that has come. Jesus asks that the Father may glorify him with the glory that he had before the world existed when Jesus was in the presence of God. Remember that in the Gospel of John Jesus is introduced as the Word who was with God and was God (John 1:1)

Jesus also touches on the theme of ‘eternal life’ that gives us the knowledge of God as ‘Him who is one and true’ and in his son Jesus Christ. He speaks of his proclamation to those from the world that were entrusted by God to Jesus and that this knowledge has fully and faithfully been transmitted. Jesus came to the world but not all accepted him because many chose to be subjects of the ‘ruler of this world’; satan. We as believers, also have to face a hostile world. But the good news of this prayer is that we don’t face it alone. We’ve got no less than the Sovereign God of the universe on our side!

One thing that should strike you is that Jesus is making this prayer out aloud, in the presence of his disciples. They can hear his prayer for them. It must have been so remarkable to have the Lord pray for them even in his hour of suffering. That thought itself is so consoling. The Lord prays with us and for us and he prays to the Father commending us to the loving care of God. He says, “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me”. Jesus is praying for me, for us, asking the Father to protect us. Elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus says that not even a leaf falls without the Father knowing, and that all the hairs on our head are counted.

Jesus speaks from the depths of his heart. He tells us of the Father’s love for him and his love for his Father and the Father’s love for us. The Father’s love continues to be with him right to the end, even to the Cross, to the point of giving his all, his life.

Spread the love ♥
       
Continue Reading
Faith

Take Courage – Monday, 7th Week of Easter – Acts 19:1-8/ John 16:29-33

Read also https://www.pottypadre.com/catechized-with-a-gun-to-your-head-acts-191-8/ – a reflection on the first reading of today.

The farewell discourse comes to an end with these verses. In Chapter 17 Jesus will make a prayer to the Father for his disciples and in Chapter 18 he will be delivered into the hands of evil men. For now, he draws this discourse to an end.

The discourse seemed to have ended when the disciples seemed to have finally understood what Jesus was saying. “Now you are speaking plainly not in any figure of speech. Now we know that you know all things and do not need to have anyone question you.” (John 16:29&30). The farewell discourse was peppered with questions from Peter, Thomas, Phillip and Thaddeus. They were really spokespersons of the apostles. Then finally, when the reality of Jesus’ passion and death dawned on them, they were numbed in silence and sorrow. It is now that they truly think they believe.

But Jesus knew his apostles better. They who finally claimed that they believed in him would abandon him one chapter later. He knew the ‘hour’ is coming. This is the hour he spoke of when he was first asked in chapter two by his mother to work that sign in canna. He told her his hour (to glorify the Father) had not yet come and now that hour had come. It would be a lonely several hours, abandoned by the ones whom he had nourished a few hours ago with his own body.

Yet Christ professes that though abandoned, though alone, he is not lonely; the Father is with him. The unshakable, the unbreakable bond that Jesus had with his Father can never be described in written form. Jesus who would be abandoned by his own would eventually cry out several times on the cross to his Father. “Forgive them Father” and then again, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” And yes, there is that moment on the cross when he will say, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” In that one moment of apparent abandonment; like a creature abandoned by his creator, he calls out to his God not to his Father. Yet even in his agony he says, My God, my God and not Oh God!

Look at the sensitivity of the heart of our Lord; he is consoling the apostles when he should have been consoled. He knows the apostles will be scattered and run to their homes, that they will leave him alone. He does not speak of their abandonment in order to rub salt into their failing wounds but he says this to them so that when this happens, they “may have peace.” He wants them to understand that he understands their frailty and when, as we now know, he rose again, he told Mary to tell his BROTHERS to go to Galilee. He loved them and forgave them through it all.

His last words as he taught them were words of strength. His words to them are also his words to us, “take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John16:33b)

As you read this reflection be blessed and be assured that Jesus loves you. Take Courage!

Spread the love ♥
       
Continue Reading