Overture of Love

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Conductor leading symphony orchestra with string, brass, woodwind, and percussion sections in concert hall
A symphony orchestra performs under the direction of a conductor in a concert hall filled with an attentive audience. Jesus introduces in the Overture the marvelous Divine Love.

Greetings on this the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21

Summary

The Sixth Sunday of Easter functions in part as an Overture, in both senses of the word.

  1. In music, a single movement in sonata form – to Sound Out that which is to come.
  2. In life, it something that is offered or suggested with the hope that it will start a relationship.

In our sacred readings the 6th Sunday announces the last Three movements of Easter and the First Movement in the return to Ordinary Time:

  1. Ascension
  2. Pentecost
  3. Trinity Sunday
  4. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi (“Body of Christ”).

Jesus does this in a marvelous way! He Sounds Out what is to happen to strengthen the faith of his apostles.

  1. In a little while the world will no longer see me – Jesus is indicating his Ascension.
  2. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth. The gift of the Holy Spirit – Pentecost.
  3. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. The nascent revelation of Trinity.
  4. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live.

And all of this sounding out with the hope of faith and the start of a new relationship … Love. Jesus wants us to understand the Ascension is for love, Pentecost is for Love and the Solemnity of Corpus Christi – the Remaining with us – is based in love.

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Reflection

Easter doesn’t end in a whimper. But is a marvelous explosion of divine grace and divine presence! Today’s gospel reading is the overture of these events and intended to begin a deeper soul conversation centered on revealed love for you, about you, with you.

Personal Reflection

I offer what Jesus offers, proclaimed and made present in the Church.

[We send you…] Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Come.
Be Baptised.
Receive the Holy Spirit.
Come, even daily, to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051026.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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