April 6, 2008

Luke 24:13-35

3rd Sunday of Easter

Today’s third reading is from the Gospel according to Luke. It is a story recorded only by Luke of a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus.

In each of the four Gospel accounts, there is an “appended” resurrection narrative. None of them ends with the death of Jesus. Instead, the message in each Gospel is the same: Jesus is alive! God has resurrected Him!!! Each Gospel writer has his own resurrection narrative with its own style and purpose. Each narrative has its own richness and theological implications.

The Resurrection Narrative in Luke’s Gospel records three post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ – designed to draw attention away from the empty tomb and place the emphasis on these early experiences of the Risen Lord.

The second such appearance in Luke’s Gospel is today’s reading. It is a very famous story called “one of the immortal short stories of the world,” “an undisputed jewel in the treasure of the gospels.” It is the story of the encounter between the Risen Jesus and two disciples who were returning to Emmaus on Easter Sunday morning. We mention “Easter Sunday morning” only to point up the proper time in our own understanding. Actually, it was the next morning, Sunday. It was no sacred day at that time. It was the day after the big Passover Sabbath, a rather business-as-usual kind of day.

Apparently, these two disciples had been attracted to Jesus and had begun to believe in Him; but now He was gone. He had raised their hopes for a better life and now their hopes were shattered. Downcast, despondent, and disappointed, they were making their way to Emmaus, a town some seven miles from Jerusalem. Jesus, the Risen Lord, appeared to them as a stranger, and “began to walk along with them.”

We need not recount the details of the story, as they are most familiar. What becomes important is what Jesus did as He revealed Himself to them and how He did it. After the two disciples express to Jesus their own hopes and disappointments in the events of those past few days, Jesus responds. In the face of such despair, he begins to teach and show them how all those events concerning Him were founded in the Scriptures, from “Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to him.”

By this time, it was getting late, and the disciples invited Jesus to “stay with us, the day is nearly over.” At the supper table, Jesus the guest, assumes the role of host. He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to the disciples. It was not the Eucharist. This “breaking of bread” was the common expression for the taking of a meal. Nevertheless, the actions and words He used, the sharing of a meal, the whole ritual of the breaking of the bread opened their eyes in recognition of the living presence of the Risen Christ. The mysterious stranger becomes their Risen Lord as they experience His Risen Presence. They recognized Him in his eucharistic actions of blessing, breaking and giving. He disappeared from their sight, they recognized Him in the words He had spoken. “Were not our hearts burning inside as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” They were moved to a deep profession of faith. They returned to Jerusalem, only to have it affirmed. “The Lord has been raised! It is true! He has appeared to Simon!” The Risen Lord now lives among them.

The Emmaus story, designed for readers and believers of all times demonstrates the reality of the Resurrection. The Jesus of history was truly bodily present, but also “absolutely and gloriously resurrected as well.” The Risen Lord, then as now, is to be sought and found in the Book (Word), in the Bread (Eucharistic meal), and in the Brethren (each other).

Rev. Mr. Carlo Cannatella

Opelousas, LA

April 13, 2008

John 10:1-10

4th Sunday of Easter

Today’s third reading is again from the Gospel according to John. It is a passage that reveals something more about the person of Jesus. This new revelation about Jesus is told within the beautiful imagery of the sheep-shepherd relationship. In context, today’s passage comprises the first two parts of John’s beautiful Good Shepherd discourse.

The first part of Jesus’ Good Shepherd discourse is a kind of parable. It is a story, which describes the shepherd who enters by way of the gate, the only true way into the fold. Only the true shepherd enters the sheepfold openly, and only he is recognized by the sheep.

The sheepfold is an enclosure designed to hold the sheep of several shepherds at night, with an appointed gatekeeper watching over them. In the morning, as the sheep are taken out to pasture, each shepherd would separate his own sheep from all the others, calling each of them by name with his own unique whistle or sound. Each sheep responded only to its own shepherd because it had come to trust in him. In Jesus’ story, that shepherd is contrasted with the stranger who is not recognized. The sheep “will not follow a stranger; such a one they will flee, because the do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

As Jesus tell his story, the Gospel writer says, “They did not understand what he was trying to tell them.” The rest of his discourse becomes Jesus’ explanations. Jesus declares himself to be the gate. “I am the sheepgate.” In doing so, He addresses the question, “How does one find access to God?” He declares himself to be the door for the sheep. Only in and through him are we able to enter into the divine life into which He came to lead us. He repeats, “I am the gate.” Jesus becomes the one way to salvation, the only access of life, salvation and safekeeping. As one enters the gate that is Jesus, that is, into relationship with Jesus, he enters a life of intimacy and freedom with Jesus. He can “go in and out” as he pleases. Obstacles are removed. He is free now to respond in faith to the call of the Shepherd.

In the past several weeks, we have discovered many images to describe the mystery of Jesus:

Jesus is the water of life,

And the bread of life

And the light of life

And life itself…

Now Jesus becomes the gate of life…

Good Shepherd Sunday

- a reflection –

Shepherds play an important part in the Old Testament. Shepherding was Israel’s earliest way of life. Abraham, Moses, Jethro, David were all shepherds. Theirs was indeed a glorious tradition of shepherding. Very early on, the Israelites used shepherd as an image for their God. The Old Testament abounds with such imagery.

Even more significant, in their faith experience, the chosen people knew God as their shepherd who watched over them with utmost care and attention, dedicated to them and lived for them. Most importantly, God Yahweh was their shepherd who went out to them. He sought them out, loved them, and called them to Himself. He was no static god. He was actively present to them.

In God the notion of shepherd was at the divine level. In time the idea of human shepherd was applied to God as different peoples were called to shepherd his flock. In the 34th Chapter of Ezechiel, the shepherd concept reaches its peak and the standard is set for all shepherds. The Messiah will tend the flock of Yahweh! The human shepherd and the divine shepherd meet in Jesus, and He becomes the Shepherd of the early Christians. Indeed, the image of the Good Shepherd was to the early Church what the crucifix is in our own times.

In John’s Good Shepherd discourse, Jesus reveals startling things about Himself and about God as shepherd.

Jesus says, “I AM the sheepgate.” I am the gate through which the shepherd comes to his people. I am the Father’s access to you, his flock. Through me, the Father comes down to you.

Jesus says, “I AM the gate.” I am your way to the Father. I am the way into the pasture, the way to safety, shelter and peace. Through me, you go to the Father!

Jesus says, “I AM the model shepherd.” I pay the price for true shepherding. I lived for you and died for you. Even now I feed you with my own flesh. I lead you to the Father.

Jesus tells us that, as members of the flock, each of us has an individual and personal relationship with the Shepherd. “He calls his own by name” – “I know my sheep.” In that relationship, He calls to each of us, Lovingly, to know him, Tenderly, to accept him and Persistently, his love calls us to unstop our ears and listen to his voice.

April 20, 2008

John 14:1-12

5th Sunday of Easter

Today’s third reading is from the Gospel according to John. It begins the Last Discourse of Jesus before going to his death and resurrection. It is a further revelation of who Jesus is. In context, Jesus has just shared the Last Supper with his disciples and has washed their feet. In what turns out to be an introduction to the Last Discourse, Jesus tells his disciples that his moment of glory has arrived. He will be with them only a little while longer. “My children, I am not to be with you much longer. You will look for me, but I say to you now, ‘where I am going, you cannot come.’”

The disciples are distressed over his words about going away. So, Jesus begins his discourse with a message of comfort and consolation. “Do not let your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe in me.” He calls them to have faith in him. To reassure them that they will not be separated from him, Jesus tells them that there are many dwelling places in his Father’s house. He is going to prepare a way for them and will return to take them to Himself. The “many dwelling places” are not different degrees of perfection, higher or lower places in heaven. The “many” simply means there is room for all. The Father’s love is so immense that there is enough room for all who seek him.

For all his comforting, the disciples don’t seem to know where he is going or how he will get there. Thomas expresses it well, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus explains clearly that he is going to the Father. He will soon enter a deeper life of communion with the Father. He only is the way into communion with the Father. Jesus reveals further who He is; “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

He is the WAY, the incarnate revelation of the Father; the Channel by which the Father comes among us. When we know Him, we know the Father. When we see Him, we see the Father. He came into the world to testify to the Truth that is God. He is the way we came to know God, the Truth.

He is the Way, because He is the life. He lives in the Father and the Father lives in Him. Life with God our Father is our destination, our purpose for existence. Jesus came into the world that we might have this life with God.

He is the Way, because He is the avenue to salvation. He is the only way to the Father. To know Jesus is to know God.

At this point, the disciples still misunderstand. They ask to see the Father, “Lord, show us the Father.” One can almost sense the weariness, the sense of failure in Jesus’ voice. “Phillip, after I have been with you all this time, and you still don’t know me?” He proclaims again his absolute unity and unique identity with God, the Father. “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me.” In seeing Jesus, one sees the Father. To contemplate Jesus with the eyes of faith is to see the Father. Jesus’ words are the Father’s voice, and Jesus’ works are the Father’s power.

April 27, 2008

John 14:15-21

6th Sunday of Easter

Today’s third reading is from the Gospel according to John. It continues Jesus’ Farewell Discourse to his disciples and reveals something more about who Jesus is. Jesus has told his disciples, “I am going where you cannot follow me now.” Lovingly he has said to them, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, now believe in me.”

As today’s verses continue the discourse, Jesus makes an appeal to his disciples to love him. Indeed, “love me” dominates the whole reading, just as “have faith in me” was the theme of last Sunday’s reading. Jesus makes three “love” statements that become a magnificent love poem. In each statement He promises that a Divine Presence will come to those who meet his demand.

His first statement is a demand to love him and a challenge to obey him. “If you love me and obey the commands I give you …” and the first Divine Presence he promises is “another Paraclete.” “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Paraclete.” With that statement, we have the first of five “Paraclete” passages in the Last Discourse. Perhaps observations about this Paraclete are in order.

Paraclete – the word means Comforter, Advocate, Helper, Mediator between God and man. He is someone to help in time of trouble or need, to guide, to enable, to do.

This Paraclete is “another Paraclete” indicating that Jesus Himself has already fulfilled the same role while he was with the disciples. The Paraclete will differ from Jesus, in that He will not be bodily visible. His presence will only be by indwelling in the disciples.

This Paraclete will be the “Spirit of Truth.” He will help the disciples grow in the “truth”, the revelation of who Jesus is – His Person, His works. Just as Jesus the Paraclete revealed the Father, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me,” so now this Paraclete will reveal Jesus. Through this Spirit, we will come to know Jesus. Through this Spirit we will be able to reveal Him to others, this Paraclete/Spirit will be the continued Divine Presence helping the disciples and us to continue the message of Jesus in the world. He will remain with them and teach them everything.

In the second “love” statement, Jesus repeats his demand, simply using different words, “Whoever obeys the commands he has from me is the man who loves me …” To those, He promises the second Divine Presence, Himself. Again, very lovingly, Jesus says, “I will not leave you orphaned; I will come back to you.” He promises that he will not leave them without someone to take care of them, without a Father, without a brother. This Paraclete will function as the continued presence of Jesus with the disciples. He is not a substitute for Jesus, but only the means by which He will return and remain always with them. The whole tone of his words speak of a continued, on-going presence, with the ring of permanence about it. Again, his presence will be in-dwelling, invisible to the world, but visible to the eyes of faith in the working of the Spirit. When that happens, His life in them will impart new life. They will know that it is a life mutually shared with Father and Son. “He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him too.”

The third “love” statement of Jesus is not a part of today’s reading. To complete the theme as we have presented and developed, Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” To those, he promises the third Divine Presence, His Father. The conditions are the same: Keep the great commandment of love. “My Father will love him; we will come to him and make our dwelling place with him.”

In some way, today’s reading presents us with a theology of “in-dwelling.” As a result of Jesus’ going back to the Father through the Paschal Mystery, to those who believe, accept and follow His way, there will be an indwelling of the Father and the Son in a living and life-giving relationship, made active by the presence of the Holy Spirit

Rev. Mr. Carlos Cannatella.

Opelousas, LA