Greetings on this the Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; Jn 15:26—16:4a
Summary
In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
Reflection
Opposition to holiness takes its most stringent form when murder is done as a offering of worship to God. In today’s gospel portion the the warning from Jesus is about those who oppose Jesus and his disciples. Jesus forewarns them that they might not lose hope.
In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.
The mission remains the same even in the face of severe opposition.
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
The key to understanding these things is to be sure not to substitute your own beliefs and ideology upon the Cross. All week last week we cataloged the ways to understand, know and express love. Your testimony is not about your theology. Your testimony is about love not dogma. Right-wing and Left-wing Catholics are arguing dogma absent the witness of love. It is a tragedy.
The same can be said for the slogan “from the river to sea“. It has two different and opposite meanings. For Palestinians it means the Jordan in the east and the Mediterranean in the west. For Israel it means differently (River to the River).
To your descendants I have given this
Land, from the river of Egypt to to the
Great river, the River of Euphrates”
As you can see, these groups are willing to do territorial war in the name of God.
Personal Reflection
When discussing the issues of the day, I am left without more recourse than the Cross. The witness of love (Christ’s and my outflow of his love) is the only real agent of change. I must remind myself that Jesus spoke in the gospel of John about Love and in his dialog persecution was secondary and subordinate to love. The Spirit comes from both Jesus and the Father in mission and that mission is to make perfect our witness in love.
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love!
First Reading
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
Responsorial
The Lord takes delight in his people.
Gospel Acclamation
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.
Gospel
In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
It really bothers me how easily some Christians are supporting genocide just because of their interpretation (in my opinion, misinterpretation) of a few Bible verses. My heart hurts for the Israelis that were hurt during the Hamas attack, but it doesn’t justify the blank check to slaughter indiscriminately.
You are correct. Evil is evil under any national banner. Israel is losing the moral high ground.