During these last few Masses of the Easter Season we hear a kind of summarization in the two readings at Mass. The summarization of Paul's journeys with its powerful message of salvation to those elected by God to receive his word and his gifts: who were not originally of Jewish origins: the Gentiles. And the summarization of Jesus' thoughts to his Apostles – delivered as his Priestly Prayer after the Last Supper before he entered the Garden of Gethsemane.
Paul, speaking to the priests at the Church of Ephesus, tells them to keep watch over themselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed them overseers, in which you attend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. He tells them that savage wolves will come and they will not spare the flock; they will try to twist and distort the truth and try to lead the faithful astray. Work hard to guard the flock and never lose hope!
Then there was a very moving scene when Paul knelt down and prayed with them all – and the wept and threw their arms around him and kissed him! They knew they would never see his face again – and they were very distressed.
In the gospel passage Jesus in his summary prayer asks the Father to keep his Apostles united and loyal to one another – in much the same way that the flock itself must become one and composed of those who are loyal to one another. They would not have an easy time in the world, but Jesus tells his Father to arm them with the truth that would see them through difficult time: the truth being: "to know God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son is eternal life!"
May we, this day, remain loyal to the flock of Christ – either as sheep or as a shepherd – and may God protect us all from the wolves that will try to scatter the flock until the very last day! Let us with Christ conquer the world through faith: faith in God, and faith in Jesus!
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth!
No comments:
Post a Comment