Homily – May 28, 2009 – Seventh Week of Easter - Thursday

We have in our gospel passage today that very familiar, almost circular, double talking of St. John the Evangelist and Beloved Disciple of Jesus. A lot of times it sounds like John is just rambling on to himself about this or that theological point. But on more careful inspection we can see that there really is no other way to express the almost inexpressible realities involved.

Today, and in fact any day, it's all about UNITY! "In the beginning" there was UNITY, then came Sin and DISunity! Jesus came specifically to restore the lost UNITY and to bring the PEACE and JOY that result from UNITY!

Jesus, in the gospel passage is telling us about the unity: he is talking to his Father with whom he is essentially united – sharing a marvelous life of love and friendship: this unity he wants to share with any who will have it so that the three might be united and experience almost incomprehensible peace and joy: the Father, the Son, and those whom the Son wants to share the unity and peace with – and that would be those who are willing to simply receive these gifts. He will not force the gift, even of unity and peace, on anyone who does not want them.

Jesus goes on: since it is your desire Father that we all be one, I am looking forward so much to having these people with me where I am – in Paradise; not those of the world, who never knew me or us, but the ones you have chosen from the world and given to me: your faithful, responsive, loving people. They know that when they remain loving, then the experience of us in their lives only grows daily – and of course the opposite is also true – when they insist on being unloving, then our presence in them only diminishes.

Jesus, prior to the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost, is moaning in his prayer and crying out to his Father: may they be ONE as you, Father, are in me and I in you; may they be ONE so that the world may believe that you sent me, and more and more in the world can be saved from a sure and certain negative fate (of their own making). MAY THEY BE ONE!

The first reading today shows how God protects those who bring the Gospel to others according to his plan. You and I are called on today, as was Paul, to "preach unity and peace in Jesus, Risen" whether it is easy or difficult, whether it is raining or the sun is shining. That is the rub: anyone can preach and promise unity and peace; but only few can preach and promise unity and peace in someone who is truly risen from the dead: the Resurrection, and the Resurrected One makes it all entirely different: it gives it all an added dimension that makes it supernatural, wonderful and glorious – the UNITY AND PEACE OF THE REIGN OF GOD is something to preach about and to experience!

Keep us safe, O God in your truth; you are our hope, our joy and our peace!