Homily – May 25, 2009 – Seventh Week of Easter - Monday

We have a very powerful gospel passage today – and a very comforting one: finding peace in Jesus is possible, even while in the world. You will have trouble and find all kinds of opposition because you believe in me and what I have to say. Comfort comes, though, in believing that I truly do know everything because I am God! Take courage, Jesus tells his disciples of that, and every generation: I HAVE CONQUERED THE WORLD.

The "alleluia verse" puts it quite summarily: if then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. If you have been baptized into the name of Christ (as were the Gentiles in the first reading, and confirmed in the Holy Spirit) then believe that you are an entirely new creation!
Your primary citizenship and allegiance and loyalty lies in heaven; the world in which you simultaneously live only a temporary, passing and not-always-friendly place in which you happen to reside.

However, it is one of your primary duties as a citizen of the Reign of God to help transform the world, transform the darkness in it, transform the ugliness and disdain in it – by the life and freedom and joy that comes from participating fully in the life-of-Christ as he provides it and gives you the privilege of doing so!

And when you hear the voice of God speaking plainly to you, and you recognize it – you will know you are on the right track – and will have what is needed to proclaim the Reign fearlessly!

It is the time to debate boldly and with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom – as Paul discovered in the first reading today. He did it with the help of the Holy Spirit; so can we, because we have the same Spirit with us!