Greetings on this Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16; Jn 14:21-26
Notes
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “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.
Summary
Sacred Scripture is filled with the usage of “Progressive Elaboration”.
As a student cycles through kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school they receive the same topics over and over again but each time with progressively more detail, depth and span within a given topic. In kinder you learn addition and subtraction in small numbers and by the end of high school you are rocking Calculus.
The question posed to Jesus is at two levels. The first is the obvious: Why tell only us? The second is revealed in the first answer: How much more is there to know?
Reflection
Why tell only us? “Only” may be an overstatement. Why us “first” – is a more refined question about what happened?
Jesus answered and said to him, “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.
The answer is the Gospel story of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection of Jesus is about relational insight. The “what happened” of Judas, not the Iscariot, is the love of Jesus. You are the first to receive the Resurrection because you have loved me, follow the commandments as best you can and you want the Father and I to dwell with in you (although you would not think to use that language as of yet).
This is not precluding others from love. It is the recognition that love is the only way to see the Father and the Son in their proper light.
The second level question: How much more is there to know?
Even love which is the realm of the affect and spirit must be accompanied by intellect and knowledge in its greatest depths. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name — he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
To complete the Last Supper discourse, Jesus gives the final and completes the answer to Judas, not the Iscariot, which I think he was most happy to realize what Jesus is saying.
The world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go (Jn 14:31).
- I tell you first because you love me.
- The Father and I will dwell with you.
- The Advocate will teach and remind you.
So, YOU can tell the world the Good News.
Get up, let us go!
Personal Reflection
On the last day of my life I hope I continue the practices of faith and encountering sacred Scripture and the healing power of the Lord. I look at Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor, whom we celebrate today. She had the Good News deep in her heart. She preached peace between cities, spiritual renewal and obedience to the Roman Pontiff. See https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-catherine-of-siena/
She can only be understood in love:
- Obedience to the Roman Pontiff – perhaps we have a BIG problem here. Pope Francis is different but he loves the Lord, the Father/Son dwell in him and the Holy Spirit teaches and reminds him.
- Peace between Cities – here too the inter-State fighting is awful. Sharing water and the immigration burden are shared burdens but easily resolved by prayer. In USA and Israel.
- Spiritual Renewal – More vocations to a holy life!
For me – I go to the margins. I don’t fit neatly in a box. The Bishop doesn’t yell at me. I belong at the periphery, on the trail and on the camino. Saul’s trip to Damascus was radically altered once he fell in love with Jesus. Paul (Galatians 1:15-18): But when [God], who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days.
In my life, the Lord has not finished his progressive elaboration.
Get up, let us go!
First Reading
We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”
Responsorial
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
Gospel Acclamation
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you.
Gospel
I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name — he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry