Deacon Matt's Reflection

Reflection for 5th Sunday of Easter:  May 15, 2022
 
Acts 14:21-27:   One of the underlying themes of this passage is that being a follower of Jesus sometimes requires us to defy our fears in order to follow Jesus and spread the faith, by sharing it with others. Paul and Barnabas, at risk of danger to themselves, were returning to towns that had been hostile to the Christian message; sometimes even kicking them out. Here, they risk being harmed to comfort and encourage the new Christians of those towns, to persevere in practicing the faith, despite sometimes violent persecution. As an added comfort and effort to strengthen these new Christian communities, they ordained local leaders (priests), to lead them. Ponder the struggles of the infant Church and the bravery of its first members. Are we willing to defend our faith, even when doing so will make us unpopular or even outcasts?
 
Psalm 145: “I will praise Your name, forever, my King and my God.” This song of praise and worship encourages us to proclaim how approachable our God is: He is gracious, merciful, kind and patient. In the second stanza of this psalm, we’re called anew to show gratitude to God; to proclaim to others, God’s glory and might. We’re called to be courageous in sharing our faith and evangelizing others, like the early disciples in today’s first reading.
 
In the last part of this psalm, we’re called to enthusiastically celebrate the fact that God’s Kingdom transcends time and is eternal. Are we encouraging others to embrace the faith by proclaiming it with enthusiasm, or are we “hiding our Light under a bushel basket?”
 
Rev 21:1-5a:  In this awe-inspiring passage, we see John’s vision of a new Heaven and a new Earth, being brought down from Heaven. Some interpreters believe that this refers to the current Earth’s being cleansed, re-formed or transformed into the pure and glorified state in which God has intended it to be. The very thought of this invites contemplation and meditation. Picture an earth purged of pollution, illness, decay and all kinds of sin. What beauty and harmony await those who are saved! Recall that when Jesus appeared in His glorified body after the Resurrection, He was not immediately recognizable to the disciples. He had to show them His wounds and recall for them intimate moments He’d had with them, in order for them to recognize Him. We can assume that such will be so with us, as well. We’ll be transformed into holier, healthier beings, but some characteristics will still be familiar to those we love and to those who have loved us. Isn’t that a comfort? Ponder the new Heaven and new Earth!
 
John 13:31-33a; 34-35:  Now that Judas has left their midst (in order to betray Jesus), Jesus proclaims that the hour for the Sacrifice of His Holy Passion has come. Jesus proclaims that He will be glorified in the Father and that His Father will be glorified in Him, (via the recognition of Jesus as Divine via the wonders and miracles that occurred surrounding His death and Resurrection). Contemplate Jesus’ tone. It’s serious, but it also communicates powerful faith and strength and confidence in God’s protection and provisions for Jesus and for us. In the midst of affliction and persecution, and even with the knowledge of His impending death, Jesus models for us the courage and strength promised to us in today’s previous readings.
 
Contemplate this week how we must pray for courage and strength in times of physical, emotional and spiritual distress. God will surely supply it.
 
Pray for strength!  
Deacon Matt