Pentecost Sunday Yr A
Pentecost Sunday Yr A
04 June 2017
Homily
Today, we mark an end, a continuation and a beginning. It is the end of the story of Jesus of Nazareth, the continuation of the story of Jesus mission to humanity and the beginning of the story of the Church.
In our first Reading, the writer is keen to bring out the universal nature of the call. While ways and means may vary from culture to culture and over the centuries, our calling is not restricted within time or place, but is one we are called to share in all places and occasions.
Three things strike me as I reflect on the Gospel. “Peace”, the showing of the hands and side by Jesus, and finally the sending.
Jesus first words are of peace. His call is one of peace – peace given and peace sent. His message, accepted fully is one that brings to all who take it up, peace. This is not a peace that means a lack of conflict, it is shalom the peace that comes to one in right relationship with God. And if we are in a right relationship with God, that is going to bring us into conflict with a culture which considers other humans merely as means to an end or as consumers or living machines.
Sometimes to be at peace with God calls us, summons us, demands of us to challenge what our culture may expect. Such is the story of the martyrs, both past and present.
Here is the third part that strikes me –the sending. We are sent – it is not a request, not maybe. But it is sent as Jesus was sent. To bring people to a right relationship with God, not by judging or condemning people, though we may need to judge or condemn behaviours and attitudes, including not least our own. But if or when we do, it must not be out of a sense of superiority but of calling someone. Calling them to be the best person they can be.
The second part I referred to was Jesus showing them his hands and side. His wounds are still there. He has “moved on” from being who he was. He has’nt lost the wounds gained for us. His humanity, our humanity is what can and should lead us to God and to lead others to the peace, the “shalom” to which we are called. The “shalom” that ought to be our natural state.
The wounds we carry should not keep us from God, they should help us come to God – if we let them.