When I made my first will as a young priest, I was asked if I wanted to add a testament. It took a moment to realize that the lawyer wondered if I had any words of wisdom to impart. I did not and alas still do not, but others have both in American history and in the Bible. We have been reading the most famous biblical example for the several weeks at Mass. It is usually called the Farewell Discourse, but it follows the form of a classic testament.  

These were given by a teacher or patriarch to those whom he is leaving behind. It includes the announcement of departure, final instructions, warnings about the future and advice about potential dangers. The most important section was, then, as now, his legacy to those he left behind.  What would comfort and support his family or followers? That was what the disciples were waiting for, and we hear it today. 

The Sunday Mass readings after Easter challenge us prove that we know that new life is given to us through Jesus’ resurrection. This newness should be seen not only in our personal lives and within the confines of our Church but in the world around us. The recent nationwide discussion on abortion has shown how little effect the resurrection has had, although not perhaps for the reason we might think. 

Jesus has given us the commandment to love one another. This sounds warm and comforting until we read the next sentence;” As I have loved you, you should love one another”. This makes this a new commandment. He is telling his disciples this in the upper room at the last supper. He has just washed his disciples’ feet, a sign of unimaginable humility. As we read last week with the good shepherd, he has told us that putting the needs of others ahead of our own is so important that it may require giving up our lives. This he, God himself, will do after he leaves the room and goes to his death. The new commandment is to love like Jesus, to assume sacrifice and suffering for the good of others. 

Continue reading “5th Sunday of Easter – Homily (Fr. Smith)” →

This year Mother’s Day occurs on the 4^th Sunday of Easter. It is often called Good Shepherd Sunday. Every year we read about the Good Shepherd from the 10th Chapter of St John’s Gospel. This is fitting as the closest example of Good Shepherding is Mother love. To see this, let us examine the text itself and although we will begin in the ancient holy land we will end in contemporary South Asia.

This section of John’s Gospel follows a dispute between Jesus and the Pharisees. He has cured the man born blind on a sabbath. Covering their jealousy with piety they condemned Jesus for breaking the sabbath. Indeed, they not only threaten Jesus but also the cured man and his family. Jesus tells these enlightened leaders that they were blind. He then talks about shepherds.

Continue reading “4th Sunday of Easter – Homily (Fr. Smith)” →

This section of John’s gospel is an epilogue. It is clearly added on to the body of the gospel by a disciple of John’s. Let us call him the evangelist. Virtually all scholars think that he got he got the theology right but some think that he lost the tone. It is admittedly anti-climactic. In just the past few weeks we have read the washing of the feat, the Passion, the resurrection, and last week the extremely dramatic appearance to St Thomas. Yet the Gospel will end with a fish fry and a gentle rebuke of Peter. This is intended and perfect.

No matter how dramatic the events of our lives, there comes a time that we must get back to work. This is what Peter, and the others are doing today. It is in the middle of their regular work that Jesus calls to them. He changes this common task into an opportunity for spreading the good news or more simply to evangelize. At his word and instruction, they filled their nets to overflowing but as John mentions the net did not break. Responding to Jesus is always fruitful but never more than what we can handle. He then invites them to join him for a meal. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish: we are meant to see a connection with the multiplication of the loaves and the fish and overtones of the Eucharist. Continue reading “3rd Sunday of Easter – Homily (Fr. Smith)” →