From our Director of Adult Faith Formation                                           
April 27, 2008

 Scripture Reflections for the 6^th Sunday of Easter

 1^st Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

 

The readings for the 6^th Sunday of Easter are a great preparation for the powerful feast of Pentecost in just two weeks. We hear on this 6^th Sunday of Easter about Jesus’ promise of an advocate after he has gone, and we hear of some of the fruits already seen by those who have embraced this advocate. This “life in the spirit” is so crucial to our Christian living that when the apostles hear that some converts in Samaria were baptized only in the name of the Lord Jesus and not that of the Holy Spirit, they immediately send two of the leading figures in the early Church, Peter and John, to confer the gift of the Spirit. “Life in the Spirit” is not just an aspect of our Christian life – it IS our Christian life.

 

2^nd Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18

 

One of the fruits of the gift of the Spirit is the ability and desire to share the good news of Jesus with others, what is sometimes called “evangelization”. While this may be a term that many Catholics shy away from, the reality, as described here by St. Peter, is something all of us, with the Spirit’s prompting, should be able to carry out. As Peter writes, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence… .” In other words, to evangelize does not necessarily mean to knock on doors or wear “Jesus Saves” t-shirts. It means, instead, to live your life in such a way that people will naturally be curious. That is, when people see the joy and peace you routinely demonstrate, they will inevitably be led to ask, “How do you do it?” or “Where does this come from?”  And then “gently and with reverence” you can tell them your good news.

 

Gospel: John 14:15-21

 

Perhaps every Christian who has ever lived, at one time or another, has speculated about what it would have been like to live during the time of Jesus and seen him face-to-face. This is only natural. But the surprising thing is, as we learn from today’s gospel, is that there is an experience of Jesus that surpasses this. And that is having the indwelling Spirit of Jesus within us. This is what establishes that intimate union with Jesus that far surpasses simply seeing him in the flesh. This is what allows us to know the Father. This is what allows us to bear fruit in God’s name.

Let us pray fervently these next two weeks for a new outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit this coming Pentecost.
 

Of other things….

 

I would like to personally thank the 68 parishioners who took the time after last weekend’s Masses to sign the petition in support of House Bill 333 which would place a cap on the interest rates charged by Payday Lending Institutions. I have sent your petitions to Columbus. Together we can make a difference.

 

Next weekend we will celebrate First Communion with 35 of our young people. The children, under the instruction of Cindy Bernsten, Sandie Hoy, Debbie DeBrosse and Carolina Van Luvender, have been preparing for months. They will all participate in Jesus Day this Tuesday at the United Theological Seminary as a special retreat day in anticipation of this sacred moment. Keep them in your prayers.