Fifth Sunday of Easter_A - All is Well_050326

 

 

Deacon Tom Writes,

“All Is Well”

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A

 

The first lesson we hear in today’s readings gives us profound insight into a distinguishing characteristic of the calling we have received. The Apostles find themselves in a crisis. The material needs of some of the members of the fledging community are being ignored. It just so happens (doesn’t it always seem to be the case!) the needs being overlooked are those of a minority group composed of Greek widows. At that time, you may recall, widows were outcasts; they had no standing in the community and were left on their own to fend for themselves and their children. They were reduced to beggars, dependent upon the good-will and generosity of others. This was a horrible situation, of course. We read today that this did not sit well with the Apostles and the community! They knew they had to respond in a way that was consistent with the teachings Jesus had left them. Their logical solution...get some help. And thus, we read that after some discernment, the Apostles chose the first six deacons upon whom they imposed the laying on of hands. The word deacon is derived from the Greek word diakonos, which literally means “through the dust” and is often translated as “servant” or “waiter.” This ministry arose out of need to provide for both the spiritual and material needs of the community. Overcoming our worries about our temporal needs provides much comfort for our anxious and troubled hearts. A concern that is as old as time itself!

 

In the gospel, Jesus aims at soothing a much deeper worry that troubles our hearts that comes with the death of a loved one. I find this particular passage we hear today utterly amazing. This is part of the “Last Discourse” of Jesus we find in Chapter 14 of John’s gospel. Take some time to read it and reflect on it with this thought in mind: Jesus knows he is about to die. His own words to his disciples that he was going to Jerusalem where he would, “suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised” (LK 9:22) were coming to fruition soon. Yet, with this unimaginable, overwhelming burden plaguing his own spirit, Jesus comforts his disciples. He tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” These are powerful words from a man who is facing his own death whose concern is not about his own bleak situation, but about the well- being of his followers. Jesus’ hope is that his words put our troubled hearts at rest. We do not have to worry or be concerned about what will happen to him...or us when we face the most significant worry of our lives... what lies in store when we die.

 

There is no taking away the heartache we experience when someone we love dies. These words today are a comfort to east this grief by teaching us that God’s plan is to bring us home. Home, such a comforting word, symbolizes where we are all headed when this earthly life is over. In our recent Holy Thursday – Good Friday experience Jesus teaches us to follow His example. From his washing the feet of his disciples as a humble act of service to his placing his trust in and surrender to the Divine Will of His Father, to his death upon the Cross, Jesus, the consummate teacher, gives us the best example possible on how to live life to the fullest, as we read last Sunday. In his last gathering with his friends, he teaches us how we are to approach death: by placing our trust in God and living each day with the certainty that we are all on a journey and our final destination is our heavenly home.

 

So, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” All Is Well! Even during these crises-filled days. If we look, there are people literally following Jesus’ example: healing the sick, caring for the well being of others, being compassionate and sympathetic to those who have been affected by war, natural disaster, community tragedies and mass killings. We continue to pray for those who are working in so many ways to help us all through these tragedies and ask God to bless the work of their hands and guide us in ways that we can help.

 

 

Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

 

 

Please Visit www.deaconspod.com where you will find contemporary conversations with several Paulist Deacon Affiliates and their guests exploring the treasures our Catholic faith has to offer to those on the threshold of our church… those thinking of joining our Catholic Community or walking away from it.

 

OTHER RESOURCE

 

Recommended Reading: The Gospel of John - In this addition to the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, two well-respected New Testament scholars interpret the Gospel of John in its historical and literary setting as well as in light of the Church's doctrinal, liturgical, and spiritual tradition. They unpack the wisdom of the Fourth Gospel for the intellectual and spiritual transformation of its readers and connect the Gospel with a range of witnesses throughout the whole history of Catholicism.

 

Recommended YouTube Video:  Praying with the English Mystics From the visionary optimism of Julian of Norwich, to the contemplative guidance of The Cloud of Unknowing and the encouraging words of Evelyn Underhill, England has been home to a rich lineage of spiritual teachers. These great mystics have shared their timeless wisdom through a treasury of poetic and inspirational writings that continue to point us to a joyful and prayerful spiritual life. Our time together will include three conferences where we will explore the life and teachings of the English mystics, with an eye to applying their wisdom to our daily life. We’ll explore their practical instruction for meditation, and contemplation, and reflect together on how their down-to-earth methods of prayer can transform our spiritual practice today.