Reflection for Sunday – June 2, 2019

Readings: Acts 7:55-60; Revelation 22:12-14, 16, 17, 20; John 17:20-26
Click here to download a PDF of this homily.
Preacher: Sr. Kay Heverin

We can hear the strength of these readings as we come closer to the celebration of Pentecost. In the Acts of the Apostles we have been hearing how the teachings of Jesus began to touch people and draw them into communities of believers and into one larger community.

As we look at the community of our world we see war, torture, violence of every unimaginable kind, people out for revenge, bullying in our schools, and the highest suicide rate in military.

Into this world we hear Jesus call us to “be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in You.” He really means it and it is so astounding that we find it almost impossible to believe. Jesus wants us to be one in the same way that he and the Father are one. We cannot even begin to imagine this closeness—much less with someone with whom we totally disagree.

Our Gospel readings over the past several weeks have come from Jesus’ Farewell Discourse to his Disciples at the Last Supper. It is the prayer of Jesus, commending himself to the Father and expressing his care and concern for his disciples and for us.

We are invited to spend some time today thinking about how different our world would be if we recognized that we are one! Most of the time we only want to be one with those who like us and who appreciate us.

According to Jesus’ prayer, it is the union of believers with God, with Jesus and with one another that renders us capable of doing their mission in the world. In a culture that glorifies independence and self-sufficiency, Jesus invites us to another manner of living, one of mutual interdependence among all peoples.

The life to which Jesus calls us is based on gratuitous love, mutual forgiveness, the willingness to make the needs of others our own agenda and the dedication to rise each day with a desire to make the world a better place for all, especially the poor, refugees, the lost, etc. The realization of Jesus’ prayer remains a constant challenge for those who profess to love and follow him.

The only way that leads to unity is the way of love. For us who follow Christ, the way of love means to follow Him. He is the greatest teacher of love and compassion. May our hearts be moved today to seek Him more and more and to strive to live as He lived.

May His word be a light to our paths.