SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
17 MAY 2020
The
First Letter of Saint Peter provides a catechesis on Baptism. It includes teaching, homilies, and hymns
used in the ancient celebration of this Sacrament. Not directed to a specific congregation, this
letter is intended for the Church in general.
By the time this letter was written in the name of Saint Peter,
disciples of Jesus Christ found themselves living in many different
cultures. These cultures provided no
support for the faith of believers. In
many cases, disciples were persecuted, causing them much suffering.
Today’s
selection tells disciples how to respond to this suffering. Instead of responding with anger and
vengeance, disciples should respond with kindness and compassion. If others are baffled by their response,
disciples can give the reason for their hope in enduring suffering. Their hope is rooted in the love of Jesus
Christ, who suffered greatly himself, even unto death. In their suffering, they share in the
suffering of Jesus Christ. In suffering,
they also hope confidently to share in his resurrection.
Sadly,
disciples continue to be persecuted in various parts of the world today. Persecuted disciples can take courage from
the words of the Letter of Saint Peter and know that many disciples who have
gone before them are interceding for them.
In our country, we are fortunate that we have the freedom to practice
our faith. Even so, we share in the
suffering of Jesus Christ when others question us or cannot understand the
choices we make in being faithful to our baptismal promises. We can be criticized for our insistence on
the sanctity of human life from conception through natural death. We can be mocked for trusting when God seems
absent. The Letter of Saint Peter advises us to respond to criticism and
skepticism by giving reasons for our hope.
We can do so, not with defensiveness and anger, but with gentleness and
reverence.
In one way
or another, all of us have been sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ during
these last few months. All of us have
been isolated. Some have been infected
by this virus. Others have lost their
jobs and worry about supporting their families.
As we begin to emerge from our isolation, we are faced with divisions
and challenges about the best way to begin our return to a communal life. It is fine to express our anger and
frustration in healthy ways. But the
Letter of Saint Peter challenges us to remember our baptismal promises and
avoid responding with bitterness and vengeance.
We can reaffirm our faith in the power of the Resurrection, which we
have been celebrating these last five weeks.
We can also recognize the ways we have experienced the Resurrection already,
in the time spent with our families, with more time to pray, and growing in the
knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.
We can
react positively, because the Holy Spirit is working in our midst. The Holy Spirit was with the Greek speaking
disciples when they fled Jerusalem after Stephen was martyred. They recognized in their pain and suffering a
new opportunity to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Philip cooperated with the Holy Spirit and
brought the Gospel to the people of Samaria, long enemies of the Jewish
people. Peter and John confirmed their
unity with the mother Church of Jerusalem by giving the Holy Spirit. The Church grew, even in the midst of great
suffering.
As we
continue to hear the farewell address of Jesus at the Last Supper, we are
reminded that he has given that same Holy Spirit to us. The Holy Spirit advises us, comforts us, and
mediates for us. The Holy Spirit strengthens
us to keep the commandments of Jesus to love as he loves us. The Holy Spirit can guide us through these
times and make us more faithful and fruitful disciples.
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