Acts 9:26-31
Ps 22
1 Jn 3:18-24
Jn 15:1-8
The readings we hear from Acts are an important window onto the history of the Church, detailing how the groups of believers came together into what became Church, a Church that was soon identified by the name "Christian" as we heard in the reading on Tuesday. We see ways of thinking and behaving in the apostles identical to ours. They argued among themselves. There were disagreements. But, they came together when they had to and responded to what was going on around them. They were not pious fools. They were believers who realized the importance of prudent action.
Today's reading brings to mind Frank Loesser's WW II jazz-inflected patriotic song with the hymn-like title: "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition." The song's underlying message is that while praising the Lord we simultaneously must act in our own interest. One of the best lines in the song is:
"Praise the Lord and swing into position.
Can't afford to be a politician."
It appears that those who can't do campaign for congress and higher office. The apostles acted prudently here. When the Greeks got touchy and threatened to kill the newly converted Paul Barnabas got him out of danger by sending him home to Tarsus where he would be safer, and perhaps where he could be observed for a bit.
The former persecutor of followers of The Way, the man who stood by and silently assented to Stephen's martyrdom, had to learn prudence himself. His reputation precede him and the others were a bit wary.
We need more than good intentions, enthusiasm, and a pleasant demeanor to succeed in any work of the Church. Chrysostom notes in his 20th homily on Acts that in addition to grace, human resourcefulness and sometimes caution are important when engaged in apostolic activity. He wrote, "You see, God does not do everything directly through his grace. He frequently compels the apostles to act in line with the rule of prudence."
While the first reading impresses on us the need for prudent action the second reading repeats a version of the two great commandments, "And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us." The first part of this double command is not difficult as worded. The second part is a real challenge at times. Ideally our love for others should emerge from frequent reception of the sacraments and from regular prayer.
Preaching on John's Gospel is never easy. The Gospel is dense with little overlap with Matthew, Mark, or Luke. The farming images are a challenge for us who live in an east coast industrial society rather than on farms. We don't have much experience with sheep, goats, or grape arbors. Lamb comes shrink wrapped. Goat cheese comes in a little tub. Wine is poured from a jug with the Gallo label on the side. In the end it is our loss.
The image of Jesus as the vine is prominent in John. In the second volume of his study of Jesus, Pope Benedict discusses the principle images of Jesus in John's Gospel, including the image of the vine. He wrote, "The vine is a title that embodies" a whole understanding of church. The vine signifies Jesus' inseparable oneness with his own, who through him and with him are all "vine," and whose calling is to "remain" in the vine. Jesus is inseparable from his own and his own are one with him and in him." The word "remain" appears eight times in the few verses of John that were just proclaimed. That frequency highlights its importance.
What does it mean to remain in Jesus;
He who is The Way?
What does it mean to be steadfast clinging to Jesus:
who is The Truth?
What does it mean to be consistent in one's faith
that Jesus is The Life?
What does it mean to stay, to remain, to engraft oneself on the vine?
It means a mix of prudence, love, and unwavering commitment.
We are living in an era of unprecedented divorce rates. Professional sports contracts mean nothing. Vowed religious life is afflicted with broken promises and commitments. What is difficult about understanding the word forever? Initial enthusiasm is easy. There is a rush of something enthusiasm in the first bloom of romance, there is euphoria during the first months after pronouncing vows. The challenge in both marriage and religious life--and probably in professional sports as well--comes when things get mundane, monotonous, routine, frustrating, infuriating, and difficult. The challenge begins when reality rears it head. That is when the enthusiastic high has to be replaced by perseverance and prayer. Only perseverance combined with prayer allows us to remain part of the vine that is Christ who instructs us to remain in Him as He remains in us.
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Spring is exploding at BC. Wandered with camera using a 70-300 mm lens for all the shots. Some cropping. Glorious weather.
First two shots are reflections of the tulips in front of Saint Mary's Hall, blowing in the wind and reflected through distorted old glass.
+Fr. Jack, SJ, MD
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