Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
Acts: 22:30, 23: 6-11; John 17: 20-26
Dc. Larry Brockman
Christian Unity, Jesus is praying that we will be one in spreading His word to all –people. It is all over Jesus comments in this morning’s Gospel. He says: “I have given them the glory that you gave me so that they may be one as we are one.” And indeed, we are all part of the body of Christ, those of us gathered here this morning.
But there are so many so close to us that are not part of the Body of Christ- those who have never heard of Christ; those who don’t believe in anything; those who believe, but are weak; and those who have fallen away. They all need our help. They are our brothers and sisters, our extended family, our co-workers, our community at large. How do we evangelize them in this year of evangelization?
Well consider this: What do they perceive when they think of Holy Family, because, perception is reality is to them. Are we a loving, welcoming, community?
I have to tell you that the men’s club fish fries this year really impressed me. My wife and I attended most of them and what struck me was how ecumenical they were. Our parish succeeded in attracting lots of folks from the other churches in the area. It seemed like we were seated next to Presbyterians one week; Lutherans the next, and so on. I thought it was wonderful that so many diverse groups were attracted and felt welcome. It gave us all the opportunity to mingle, and to show our brothers and sisters in other churches just how wonderful the people of Holy Family are; and welcoming, too. And I think the Fall Festival provides a similar opportunity. So yes, there are times when we are a very open and welcoming community. We need to more of these kinds of events. And we need to be united and truthful about our faith when we relate to our visitors
Secondly, our first reading addresses another element of what it means to evangelize. Notice that Paul is brought before a hostile group and cleverly uses the absolute truth to escape. He is direct, uncompromising, and very truthful when he says that he belongs to a group that believes in the Resurrection. Paul doesn’t make excuses; he doesn’t deny his affiliation; he doesn’t try silence. Rather, he speaks up boldly what he believes- and speaks the truth.
But you know, we have to be as clever as Paul was about the way we do it. Perhaps an example would help. Many people deny the real presence in the Eucharist or the reality of the Resurrection. Well, in the last month alone our Parish has hosted the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit and a very fine detailed presentation on the Shroud of Turin. The evidence in favor of the Real Presence is very strong in the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit; and likewise, the latest developments on the scientific analysis of the Shroud are extremely powerful arguments that literally imply that the shroud is a pictorial proof of the entire Gospel- the death and resurrection of Christ. We can invite others to events like these. Challenge them with the truth; and at the same time project our belief in the truth.
Christian Unity is a major problem today. Jesus Christ is still calling his faithful to spread the Gospel and the truth.
Tags: Christian Unity, Evangelizing