May 22, 2011 – 5th Sunday of Easter

Acts 6:1-7 1 Pet 2:4-9 Jn 14:1-12

The following is part of a series of reflections in which first century catechumen, Respecta, talks with her teacher, Petras, about the meaning of the Christian life.

“Oh, Petras!” Respecta exclaimed while leaving church after the readings. “My heart is almost flying after listening to Peter’s letter. He confirmed what I’ve been sensing over the past few months: that the Christian community is the New Israel. We’ve been chosen by God to be His voice to the nations and offer our lives as a living sacrifice while Christ makes us a holy people.”

“How right you are,” Petras responded. “While the Christian life can be very challenging, it is also a high calling to be the voice and hands and heart of God reaching out to others. Each time we extend compassion, understanding, consolation and material help to others we are the priestly people whose lives are given totally for Jesus and the Good News. When we are able to forgive another for wronging us, we conduct God’s ever-present mercy to that person. When we walk with someone who is suffering, we are God’s healing grace. When we can announce the Good News that we are redeemed by Christ and now live in the gift of grace, we are prophets announcing the reign of God right here!”

“But, isn’t it sad, Petras, that so many find Jesus to be stumbling block? It worries me that there are so many, even in my own family, who do not accept the revelation of God in Jesus. I mean, how will they ever be saved? I hate to think that they could be lost forever.”

“Dear Respecta, do you think God’s hands are tied—that there is only one way for God to save us? We are so blessed to understand the greatness of God’s mercy in knowing that Jesus is the full revelation of God. And we are the most fortunate of people because we believe that Jesus is our salvation. We must not imagine that this great gift of our faith makes us the only ones saved by God. Quite simply, we are twice blessed because we realize and rejoice in salvation through Christ Jesus. However, God is able to save people even without their knowledge because Jesus died for all people. If anyone sincerely seeks God and does what is right to his or her neighbors but does not know Jesus Christ, God can save them by the more limited gift of faith that they’ve received. We need to remember that faith is God’s gift to us. We cannot give faith to another and we cannot earn faith, either. It is God’s pure gift. Each person is accountable only for the faith that has been given her. What is unique for Christians is that we believe that we have the full revelation of God that we know through Jesus, the incarnate Son of God.

In fact, we must not worry about others who live good lives. Jesus commanded us to not worry. Did you hear today’s gospel reading? John wrote, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me.’ Even if we love others and are concerned for their salvation, we have to trust that God loves them even more and has a plan for their salvation.”

“I understand that, Petras, but I worry about them anyway.”

“Perhaps your trust is not great enough, yet, Respecta. When we worry about things that are not in our hands, we demonstrate our lack of trust. Jesus told us that he is preparing a place for us in heaven. At the same time, he told us that there are many mansions in the Father’s house. I am sure that as you continue to grow in your awareness of the height and depth of God’s love for you, you will also come to believe that this immeasurable love is given to everyone. God will do everything possible to bring each person to eternal life.”

“Well, I have to confess, that is not all that I worry about, Petras. I also worry that my children will be harmed or killed for the faith. I worry that they will not grow to adulthood. You know that over half of children die before their fifth birthdays. There are so many things that I worry about.”

“I understand your worries, Respecta. I have had many of my own over the years. All I can tell you is that when I’ve turned my worries over to the Lord, I have learned that everything is in God’s hands. And, yes, some of the bad things I worried about actually did happen. Yet God is able to bring something good out of every suffering. I hope that you will be able to trust the Lord Jesus so much that you can give him all your worries and see what he can do with them. Worry robs us of the peace and joy that God wants us to live out of every day. Worry shows that we still do not trust God to take care of all things. Worry actually wastes our time because it does nothing to avoid the things that we worry about. Trust in God acknowledges that we are not in control of our lives but we know the one Who is in ultimate control. Trust frees us to be the priestly, prophetic, holy people that God desires us to be in the world.

Perhaps this week would be a good time to take each worry as you experience it and firmly place it into Jesus’ hands. Tell him that you trust him to do what is best for you and those you worry about. Then proceed each day as if you already know how God is doing everything possible to bring about your best good. That way you’ll be able to live in the peace that surpasses understanding. Can you do that?”

“I will try. Pray that I grow a deep trust, won’t you Petras?”
“You bet. I look forward to seeing you next week”

*************
Reflection question: What are those worries that I need to confidently place in Christ’s hands?