Reflection for Sunday, June 4, 2000: 7th week in Easter.
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Authors
Gillick, Larry, S.J.
Issue Date
2000-06-04
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
This Sunday, the last before Pentecost, we might call, "Election Sunday." In the First Reading for today's liturgy, we see the first apostles working out how to replace Judas who, "turned away to go to his own place." Two men who had been with the early followers are presented as candidates, another Judas, who is also known as Barsabbas, and Matthias.|What we see is not a study in democracy nor tyranny, but "spiritacy." They prayed first, and trusted that God's Spirit would decide the matter and it did. Matthias is declared, no not the winner, but the successor and there is a difference.|In the Second Reading, we will hear that God is love and that love demands of itself, a doing of something, a presentation or revelation of some kind. Here it is that Infinite Love sent an Infinite Presence into our midst. We are encouraged to continue that revelation by loving each other in doing something, making a presence which makes a difference.|The Gospel continues the theme of election without winning. Jesus is praying for and over His first graduating class and seems a bit worried about and protective of these fragile vines.|We listen in on His prayer that those whom His Father has given to Him may be kept safe. They are not of the world, but in the world which seems to be or is going to be, a dangerous place for people of faith like these.|The "politics of revelation" is not about winning, but rather about being chosen or elected to succeed Jesus and the Apostles and succeed in being a loving presence right in the middle of "the world" which Jesus loved enough to die for. The Spirit called Matthias in the same way the Apostles were called by Jesus. They were all invited to make a difference by being a presence.|Jesus was the "Real Presence" and we are preparing to celebrate next Sunday, the coming of the Spirit which continues Christ's real presence within us who believe.|Christ's joy is completed by our living and loving into the same mysteries, which the early Christian community faced. The "world" will hate us as much as that "world" hated Jesus because we refuse to dance to its insulting tune, refuse to be seduced by its "cotton-candy-like nourishment's nor violently grab for the love and peace only Christ can give the early Church. That "world" is disappointed|By the way we live, we politic for Christ. Like Matthias and his early companions, we campaign with our signs of faith and love. We are elected so that Jesus might be the winner. The world tries to destroy and belittle our signs, celebrations and fidelity. Jesus has also prayed for us that we might be kept safe even from ourselves. There is a part of this world in each of us that says, because we aren't perfect or totally into Christ, then we really ought to be more authentic and hang it all up until we can do it all right. Jesus has prayed that we be guarded from that spirit of self-winning and in truth continue the politics of grace.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 60