5th Sunday of Easter

by Fr. Devaraju Gangolu  |  05/04/2023  |  Images of Faith

The early church in Jerusalem had two groups of Jewish Christians: the first group lived in and around Jerusalem and spoke only Hebrew and Aramaic. The second group had lived elsewhere among the Greeks but now returned to Jerusalem and knew Greek rather than Hebrew and Aramaic. The complaint that quickened a kind of tension between these two groups is that the widows of the immigrants were neglected in the daily distribution of food. Such neglect was an honest mistake, as no one apostle was accused of this. Perhaps the existing system broke as Jews embraced the faith so overwhelmingly that it was impossible for the Twelve to keep an account of distribution, especially considering the language differences. The apostles solved the problems by ordaining seven reputable men who were selected to distribute food. Though these seven men started their ministry by serving food, they too will end up preaching the gospel. The whole incident shows that the church alone has the power to conquer prejudices through reconciliation, and it has power to adapt its ministries so that the risen Lord does his ministry in and through the church.

In the second reading, we see that Jesus said to Peter, “You are rock and upon this rock I will build my church.” Peter realizes that he is rock, not on his own, but through the risen Lord. He describes the risen Lord at the right hand of God and what the Church is. First quoting Is.28:16 and Ps.118:22, Peter presents the risen Lord as the Living Stone, communicating a share in God’s life and thus making Christians as “living stones.” Then, borrowing the titles from Ex.19:6, he describes the Church: the Church is a “chosen race” because of its divine election. It is a “royal priesthood” to offer “spiritual sacrifices,” meaning its worship of God in spirit and truth and praises for God’s wonderful deeds. It is a “holy nation,” since God claims it as his own. Peter’s descriptions help Christians transcend all sorts of socioeconomic, racial, geographic and natural divisions among them.

The gospel is a part of the long conversation Jesus had at the Last Supper, and it is about his departure to the Father. The theme of departure and the approach of Ascension are the reasons why this gospel is given this Sunday. The disciples are greatly troubled at His departure. In the gospel, Jesus consoles His disciples by assuring that they are going to be with Him in a manner that surpasses their present experience of Him. The consolation includes Jesus’ assurances: first, He will see to it that His relationship with them is not terminated. He will come back to them, so that they are where He is (the Father’s dwelling). It means that He, glorified in human nature, is going to live His personal life with the Father, and He is going to draw them to the life that He lives with His Father. The “many dwelling places” point out the reality of the shared life they are going to live with the Father and the Son, in the Holy Spirit who will shortly arrive. Sharing the divine life, the disciples will come to know where Jesus has gone and the way to reach the Father. Second, Thomas and Philip intervene with their questions, only to make Jesus further reveal that He, being glorified on His return to the Father, will be one with the Father, the fullness of life, and will become the source of life for his disciples. If they share life with Him, then they know the Father as well as the Son, who is the way to the Father. Further, they accomplish “works” (even greater works) such as He accomplished in union with His Father during his earthly ministry. But all must begin with His personal return (being glorified in His human nature) to the Father.

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