Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR C SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 15,1-2.22-29; Apoc. 21,10-14.22-23; Jn 14,23-29 Different to different people Our
Spirit-filled life.
Today’s Gospel is from John. We know he wrote it in 2 sections: ‘Book of
Signs’ detailing Jesus’ ministry & miracles aimed at bringing people
to belief. & ‘Book of Glory’, preparing the disciples for
Jesus’ Passion & outlining the events of Jesus’ Death &
Resurrection. Horrific as they are, these are presented as ‘Hour of
Glory’ for both God the Father & Jesus his Son. In today’s reading,
Jesus spends his final night with his disciples, telling them how they are to
continue his mission after he is gone. Jesus is to send the Holy Spirit, who in
turn is to instruct, inspire them, & speak for them. Today, we are invited
to reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in our life -as he inspires us to
become what God calls us to be-, & to form a community of love in Christ.
Western society, trains us to value our personality, speak our mind, follow our
insights & feel unique - different - gifted - empowered. Now, while
self-fulfilment is important, it’s also important that we value one another,
not just as neighbours, but as Christ values us, and become a community of love
in Christ. Specific to the Holy Spirit is a yearning that we uphold the
giftedness of each independent personality and at the same time, nurture each
other in forming God’s family -the Church-, where members love one another as
Christ has loved us. Without the Holy Spirit’s discernment, we hurt &
destroy each other. Questions: How
much disagreement is healthy in the life of a family, a group, a parish? How
many different groups, spiritualities, cultural traditions are to be allowed? Is
multi-cultural Australia the richer for its variety of origin, orientation and
mindset? In what way does our understanding of ‘Catholicos’ imply a sense of
‘universality’ at all levels?... World
Communications: risk & richness. At the end of their National Conference, the Bishops of Australia, ask
us to consider the Message of Pope John Paul II for World Communications Sunday,
which is celebrated worldwide, today: on May 15th, 2004. He asks us to consider the topic: Media are a risk & a richness for
our families. Reflecting on our families, the Holy Father invites us to pray and
support those who are experiencing breakdowns in family life. Here, many
children are growing in a culture that is selfish, pleasure-seeking, permissive.
Here, our legal system is toying with redefining family life to include any sort
of relationship, making all family relationship very fragile. The Pope points
out that the Easter Season is a time of hope, a time when -even in the turmoil
of modern world-, we confide in the guidance & strength of the Holy Spirit.
In themselves, all Media of Communication are an asset & a risk. It’s
great to say that in Australia, nearly each home has Radio, TV, Computer &
access to internet. But for the sake of children it is not easy to control the
messages that bombard us. Parents are not able to monitor their children’s TV
viewing and their teenagers’ use of internet. We can’t assume that every
opinion in talk-back radios, or in newspapers is valid. Still, like it or not,
Mass Media are shaping our social values & our attitudes to family. Today,
let’s consider the Pope’s practical advises: ‘Parents, monitor &
regulate the use of media in your home. - Plan, schedule & limit the time
children spend in front of TV. - Create your family entertainment. - Give good
example to your family by your own thoughtful & selective use of Media. - Be
outspoken in telling public authorities what you like & dislike. -Ask the
Holy Spirit to inspire you and acknowledge your Christian dignity. - Seize
opportunities to report or suppress evil. - Alleviate suffering & encourage
good’. ______________________________________ |
