As the Sixth Sunday of Easter marks our progress through this season, we continue our journey to the celebration of the Ascension of Our Lord and then the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In our secular calendar, we are marking the days and weeks that will see the end of classes and the celebrations of graduations, of spring to summer.
Within the reality marked by religious and secular calendars, it can be tempting to “rest” on our ability to say “we have it” or “we have done it.” But every ending or transition is a new beginning. And every moment worth celebrating is never really just about us.
What we owe to God never diminishes because of what we have done or completed – what we truly owe to God only becomes more apparent to us at each stage of growth and gratitude. What we have learned and how we have been helped in the lessons of life, from shop to classroom, from stage to playing field, from home to where we go to hang out, are the basis from which we appreciate what we have to offer so all are included, no one left behind.
Our willingness to help and the gifts we have to offer are easier to put in gear, of course, when we have reason to believe that they will be wanted and appreciated. Nothing makes for a cheerful giver like a cheerful receiver! But Jesus died for human beings who by and large were not convinced. Incredibly to us, Jesus was prepared to die without any guarantee that we would use our greater freedom to embrace him in wonder and gratitude. He did this all for the simple reason that we are loved – by God.
It is easy to see and to say how another is “out there” or claims values – even one value - I cannot tolerate. This can blind me to who she or he really is, and to who I am called to become. God will not be blind …