Remain in Him

We continue in this season of Easter to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord. The Mass readings during the upcoming 4th and 5th Sundays of Easter invite the faithful to discipleship, particularly when faced with opposition, as well as the joy of knowing salvation through Jesus Christ, an eternity with God.

In the name of Jesus (Acts 4:8-12)

The Acts of the Apostles reveals the mighty deeds of the disciples soon after Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Here in this passage, we read of the reaction of those holding high positions in the temple as they learn of the healing of the crippled man by St. Peter and the teachings by he and the other disciples in the name of Jesus. They, similar to Jesus, are placed in inquiry before the “leaders, elders and scribes with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and all who were of the high-priestly class, and questioned them, ‘By what power or by what name have you done this.’ ” (Acts 4:5-7). St. Peter, with great confidence and by the power of the Holy Spirit, boldly testifies to the truth of salvation alone through Jesus Christ, the one whom they rejected. We will see in the upcoming readings how similar statements and many other deeds resulted in the imprisonment of the disciples, even to the point of martyrdom. What am I proclaiming in the name of Jesus? How do I proclaim the truth of Jesus in the face of opposition? Do I stand firm on the foundations built by the apostles or do I remain silent? Do I understand that salvation in Jesus Christ begins at my baptism? St. Thomas Aquinas writes, the “effect of baptism is the opening of the gates of paradise” (Catechetical Instructions of St. Thomas Aquinas, by Bandas and Collins, Joseph F Wagner, Inc, 1939, pp. 123.).

Children of God (1 Jn 3:1-2,18-24)

We read in St. John’s first letter that by our baptism we become children of God. As a result, the world looks upon the joy God’s children with bewilderment since the world does not know Jesus Christ. Yet, it is by this adoption that we know and live the truth of God revealed by his son and filled with his Spirit, same as St. Peter and the disciples. We live in truth through a loving response to God’s commandments and our love of neighbor. Expressed is a confident faith, anchored by hope in sacrificial charity. Our obedience to the will of God is witnessed by others as we testify our belief and love as he loves. Since we are children of God, we are also brothers and sisters in Christ with one another. 

Conversion (Acts 9:26-31)

It is by the radiant light of Christ shining forth that sparks the fire of faith in others. If open to grace, they can choose the path of truth and love trailblazed by those who have come before. In addition, it is the witness of our lives, actions, hospitality, presence, compassion, joy and love whereby an invitation to conversion may occur. Even those who vehemently deny Christ may one day discover the freedom of truth in him. Take for instance the conversion of Saul. This man murdered early followers of Jesus, experienced an extraordinary encounter with the risen Lord that not only transformed his life, but also the lives of the Gentiles and us still today. Here in this passage, post-encounter, Saul desires to be with the disciples, who want nothing to do with Saul for fear he will kill them. Yet, after careful inquiry by Barnabus (one of the Twelve), Saul was able to share his transformation, assure them he was no longer a threat and was welcomed into the followers. 

Shortly thereafter, because of death threats against his life while debating the Greeks who had no belief in Jesus, Saul was sent home to safety. How ironic it is that the one who condemned others was now being condemned for his belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite the threats, conversions continued to occur by the thousands, “as the (church) was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers” (Acts 9:31). What is my conversion today? When do I encounter the Lord in my life?

Encountering Jesus (Jn 10:11-18)

The Gospel of St. John reveals the seven “I AM” sayings of Jesus. Two are within the readings for these Sundays. We hear, “Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd.” During his homily on Good Shepherd Sunday in 1999, St. John Paul II expressed “Christ is the Good Shepherd who, by dying on the cross, lays down his life for his sheep. Thus, a profound communion is established between the Good Shepherd and his flock. Jesus, according to the evangelist, “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (Jn 10:3-4). Sheep and shepherd are united by long familiarity, real knowledge and mutual attachment: he takes care of them; they trust him and follow him faithfully” (homily of his St. John Paul II, Sunday, April 25, 1999, vatican.va/content). 

Jesus never abandons his flock. Rather, he always remains with us. We know his voice by our encounters with him in sacred Scripture, in the Eucharist and the sacraments, in our families, in our prayers, by the work of our hands and in our deep awareness of who we are and who we belong to. We belong to Jesus. We have an innate longing to be with God because we belong to him. And it is through the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus that this union is possible. Thus, when we hear Christ calling, do we respond as Mary Magdalene responded outside the empty tomb as she recognized the risen Lord after he called her by her name?  Do we hear  and recognize the voice of our Good Shepherd calling our name?

I am the vine (Jn 15:1-8)

Speaking again with analogy, Jesus explains our dependence upon him saying, “I am the true vine, and my father is the vine grower. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing” (Jn 15: 1, 5). God grows the vine, Jesus. The fruit we produce comes not from our own making but from being attached to the vine, for without Jesus, we are fruitless. While we remain in Jesus, his words remain in us. Hence, being nourished by Jesus, we are able to bear much fruit and become his disciples to glorify God with our life. There are times when branches require pruning to promote a more fruitful plant. Same as with life in Christ, when pruning occurs, perhaps times of great change or suffering, we will become more fruitful for the glory of God. We must trust in God’s mercy. We must remain in him.

Year of St. Joseph

In this Year of St. Joseph, we ask for the intercession of our beloved Patron of the Universal Church to strengthen our faith so that we may be instruments of Jesus’ love. Amen.

Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of  Baton Rouge.