John’s Gospel – which is the last of the Gospels written, at least that we have recognized – is unique in its presentation, in the sense that John is not so much detailing the events from Jesus’s life, as he is explaining the meaning of Jesus’s life and its impact on the world at large. And one of the places that I think you can go to find the best of what I would consider to be that presentation or that explanation is actually in the Last Supper.
As we know, John’s Gospel does not record the institution of the Eucharist as the other Synoptics do, but has two critical events: one, the washing of the feet of the disciples – that sense of service as the essential Ministry of Jesus. But then following that in Chapter 17 there is the explanation that Jesus gives, in what’s called the Last Discourse: the explanation of the events that will be taking place, as He in a sense tries to prepare the disciples for what will be occurring in the in the coming hours. And then He goes from the Last Discourse goes to priestly prayer – the great priestly prayer where he prays to the Father that all may be one.
I think that when you look at John’s Gospel, Chapter 17 is the best way to understand this particular selection of the gospel that’s presented to us on the second Sunday of Easter. Jesus in those last moments talks about mercy – the great mercy of God which will be manifested in the giving of the Spirit. And in the giving of the Spirit, all will be made one, in a sense. [The] point being that through the gift of the Spirit, God will recreate the face of the earth. Continue reading “Divine Mercy Sunday – Msgr. LoPinto homily”→
On behalf of Msgr. Al, Fr. John and of course myself I would like to wish all of you a most blessed Easter and assure you that although we are appearing to you virtually, our prayers and best wishes are as Pope Francis says “close and concrete”.
Easter is always a celebration that requires a bit of temporal sleight of hand. We say that Jesus offers us new life, but that new life comes with baptism, which most of us received as infants. We simply do not have much experience of the old life without Him and none of that with much consciousness. That is why Lent is so important. The church over the years has created many exercises and customs which allow us to imagine what life without a relationship with Jesus would be like. A good Lent is one in which we experience at least in our hearts some sense of what Jesus has done and is doing for and with us. Continue reading “Easter 2020 – Fr. Smith Homily”→