Feed My Lambs
by Bishop
William K. Weigand
April 19, 2008
As living stones, we confront life with hope
Because the Risen Christ has triumphed and breathed his Spirit upon us, we are people of hope. “Praised be God…who in his great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Pt 1:3)
The first Letter of Peter (2:4-9), read on the fifth Sunday of Easter (April 20), tells us: “Come to him (Jesus), a living stone…and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house…” For Jesus is the cornerstone, “rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God.” Vivified by the Risen Christ, and given a new birth through Baptism, we are incorporated into Christ and form a spiritual temple in the Spirit. “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own — so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Pt 2:9)
Not that there won’t continue to be difficulties, even sinfulness, in our lives. “You may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials.” (1 Pt 1:6) But we know the final outcome. If we keep coming to our victorious Savior, Jesus will be fully victorious in us and in the world. His kingdom will come. Ultimately, ours is a birth to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.” (1 Pt 1:4-5)
This victory and new life begin now. The light of Christ is already shining forth in our lives and in the darkness of the world. Not fully, not perfectly, but shining, yes — and increasingly.
Then, from Acts 6:1-7 (first reading), we get a glimpse of the disciples striving to live a communal life, centered on God, and with mutual love and sharing, but experiencing “growing pains” and complaints. The Holy Spirit guides them to appoint deacons and to organize better. Both then and now the tendencies toward selfishness, discord, and isolation are overcome by calling on Christ’s risen life through the Holy Spirit.
Even when we fail to live up to Christian ideals, when situations of sin, injustice, and disharmony persist in society, we are people of hope. We do not give up. We refuse to lower the goals. We push forward because the Risen Lord accompanies us on our journey, loving us totally, even when we fall short.
Remember, it was on Easter that Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. In a sense, God can “live with” our sinfulness and brokenness. He does not condone sin, but he loves the sinner. Nor does he want our limitations and faults to discourage us. God knows the radical goodness within us and the potential for holiness in the power of his Holy Spirit. A fall is not the end of the journey. We acknowledge our guilt, allow God to free us from its burden through the Sacrament of Penance and continue on, trying to do our best.
In like manner, we challenge the negative values in our culture. We refuse to give up on marriage as God established it. We refuse to accept that chastity before marriage and fidelity in marriage are impossible. We refuse to accept that corruption in politics and dishonesty in business are inevitable. We refuse to give up on youth, consigning them to the inevitability of drug abuse and sexual promiscuity. We refuse to believe that people are no longer capable of selflessness and idealism. We refuse to believe that peace between peoples is impossible. In short, Christians refuse to give up on humanity. In Jesus, we always have hope.
In the Gospel (Jn 14:1-12) for the fifth Sunday of Easter, the sadness and confusion which the disciples experience when Jesus talks about leaving them, is read in the light of Christ’s Easter victory: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith in me, as well.” Jesus comforts them and us: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places…I am going to prepare a place for you…so that where I am, you also may be.”
And so, the church prays on the fifth Sunday of Easter: “God our Father, look upon us with love. You redeem us and make us your children in Christ. Give us true freedom and bring us to the inheritance you promised.” But let us be ready and willing to share our faith with the world around us. “Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply.” (1 Pt 3:15) With Thomas, we cry out with Easter faith, “my Lord and my God,” (Jn 20:28), and continue our best to live Easter to the full.
