Fr Swann Continues Preaching
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Why did Jesus leave his apostles and disciples for heaven? Did he have to? Why did Christ promise to send the Holy Spirit while he departed from the earth? Could he not stay forever to govern the Church? I think that he ascended to heaven because it was the best for his people, his Church to receive salvation. Every way the Word of God chose on earth was for the best and easiest way for man. He could have saved man without the Incarnation, the Passion, and the Resurrection. But the Son of God chose these ways because man could access the work of salvation with human senses and mental capacity. He chose the ways a man can see and hear and touch and understand. By becoming a true man, he opened the way a man can participate with his human faculties. Then, what about the Ascension? We do not like to say goodbye. We have a hard time losing our beloved ones. However, to become an independent and complete human person, one needs to be alone. The apostles and disciples could not have matured if they could have always depended on the Lord. They would not have become his witnesses if Christ had been on earth forever. But more seriously, they could not have interiorized the faith if Christ had remained as an external subject while the Holy Spirit had not descended and dwelled within them. Ironically, for Christ to dwell in every Christian, he had to depart from them into heaven. Then, the Holy Spirit could come down and accompany every Christian. Do we stand only looking up toward heaven? Now is time to witness Christ. It is time to grow and bear fruit.
Today’s first reading from the Acts confirms the two deposits of Christian faith – they are the Scriptures and the Tradition. A preacher named Apollos knew the Scriptures very well. And his knowledge enabled him to speak about Jesus accurately. It is because the Old Testament is in fact a preparation for the coming of the Messiah and Saviour. To know the Scriptures well means to know God’s promise to send the Messiah and Saviour. From the fall of the first parents of mankind, the Scriptures speak of the Saviour of mankind from sin. To know the Scriptures well grows and matures the faith in the Messiah and Saviour, who is Jesus Christ. In the meantime, the first reading also introduces an interesting episode. The same Apollos, though well-versed in the Scriptures, had to learn more. Priscilla and Aquila, Christian laymen, taught Apollos more about the Gospel of Christ beyond the baptism of John. The Christian couple handed him what they received from the apostles – that is the Tradition. Only with the comprehensive Tradition, Christians can mature in faith and share their faith according to the teaching of Christ. Reading and reflecting on the Bible is critical in our faith. But learning and studying the Bible with the help of the Tradition is as much vital because without the teaching authority of the Church people may fall into errors.
The occasion of electing the 12th apostle demonstrates a few principles of administration or decision-making in the Church. First, it is the Holy Spirit who decides and operates. Peter or the assembly of the apostles and disciples could select the 12th apostle. But they submitted their will to the Holy Spirit. The Church does not operate by one human person or an assembly. The Church is not a monarchy or democracy. Christ is the Head, and his Spirit governs the Mystical Body, the Church. Second, the Scriptures and the Tradition are the two sources of the faith. Peter quotes the Scriptural prophecy for its fulfillment to replace the place of Judas. And he presents a qualification for the replacing apostle. It was a disciple who witnessed all the ministry of Jesus but also the resurrection and ascension. From these eyewitnesses, the Church received her Tradition. And the apostles received all from Christ Jesus. Third, then, why the apostles and disciples gathered for the election? The gathering warrants the transparency of the process to remove any doubt and suspicion. But to gather in his name is what Jesus commanded for the guarantee of his presence. The Holy Spirit is present in the Church assembly. And he reveals his divine will in the Church gathering. Jesus called us as his friends to whom he let his will known. Although Jesus had ascended to heaven, his Spirit governed the Church. It has been the same ever since. The Church is never a human institution. When we gather, Christ is with us.
Like the disciples in today’s gospel, we might have wonder why Jesus had to come and go and come back and go back again. Without those tiresome travelling and terrible suffering, could he not save man? Why did he take all toils of birth, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension? Indeed, God could have saved us in different ways beyond our imagination. However, he chose a human way by which he became man. Because the Son of God chose to share the human toils of birth, suffering and death, we humans can hope that we can become like him. His resurrection gives us the sure pledge of eternal life. And his ascension and sitting at the right side of the Father brings us constant joy because he now cares for us with his Spirit regardless of time and place. Thus, God chose to take the human toils and sufferings because it was the easiest way for man to understand and partake and receive salvation. And the resurrection and ascension give us sure hope and joy while we have our earthly life.
From today’s first reading, we hear St Paul’s long speech to the Athenians. But towards the end of his discourse, Paul proclaims the Christian kerygma – the brief proclamation of the key elements of the Good News. “While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” The Christian message is simple. It is time to repent. Why? Because the judgment day is set. And the judge came to the world. Who is he? He is Christ Jesus who died and rose from the dead. He will come and judge the living and the dead. Christians do not lose sight of the final judgment at any moment. The end of the world and its judgment is the foremost and most urgent reason for the Christian faith. Christianity is not a philosophy to explain the universe and man. Nor is Christianity a system of morality. Christianity is not a charity campaign. Instead, Christians urgently prepare for the end of the world and its judgment. If we lose this element, we miss the most critical calling from the Lord. Of course, the Athenians' reaction was not enthusiastic. What about us in our times? Not much different from the Athenians. The Christian kerygma calls for radical changes. Repentance should not remain as remorse in the heart. It must bring about life changes. Few people respond to this call as we see only a few believed after Paul’s proclamation in Athens. Do I carry the message of the end of the world and the final judgment in my mind and heart? Or do I think and act as if my life lasts forever on earth? St Paul is still waking me today.
“When the Holy Spirit comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment because the ruler of this world has been condemned.” The Fathers of the Church and many commentators consider this passage from St John we just heard from today’s gospel as one of the most obscure in the New Testament. And they avoided commenting on it. How are sin and the faith in Jesus related to each other? What about righteousness and Jesus’ ascending to heaven? And judgment and Satan? We can only speculate on it. What is clearly stated is the Holy Spirit will convict the world of its falsity over sin, righteousness and judgment. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we understand with God’s eye. And then we realize how the world is wrong about sin, righteousness and judgment. The world does not believe in the forgiveness of sin. The world even denies sin. Since it does not believe in Christ, it does not believe in the forgiveness of sin, which is the very mission of Christ. Only with the Holy Spirit, we can recognize our sinfulness and repent but also forgive others. The world ridicules man’s duty to worship God. Righteousness Jesus speaks here is not social justice or distributive justice but giving thanks and praises to God for his goodness, i.e., religious duty. As Jesus has risen and ascended to God the Father and sits at his right hand, we are to worship Christ as God. But the world, especially the modern world, refuses and ignores this duty, this justice, this due to Christ. The world thinks it can save itself. Look at secular humanists and materialists. They enslave themselves to power and wealth, which become their gods. But Jesus warned, “You cannot serve both God and money.” As soon as we put our faith in human power and material wealth, we fall into the self-condemnation of submitting to the reign of Satan, the ruler of this world. Only with the Holy Spirit, we will see this reality. Then we can see who the true judge is for both this world and the next. It is hard grasping the meaning of this passage. But what is clear is the need of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask Jesus to give us the gift of understanding. Perhaps only with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we may understand the profound meaning of this passage.
As we listen to the first reading from the Acts, we wonder how those Gentiles opened their hearts to the gospel of Christ. But the Acts does not give much explanation except saying, “The Lord opened” their hearts. Probably that is the most precise explanation. It was not the Gentiles who opened their hearts. It was not their work or to their credit to recognize and accept the divine voice and message. It was the Holy Spirit who exposed them to a favourable disposition to welcome the apostles. And it was also the Holy Spirit who made their souls and spirits desire for the truth and wisdom of the Lord. And it was also the Holy Spirit who opened their ears to the voice of Christ. I have never met a Christian all whose family or friends faithfully practice the faith. All of us have more than one family members or friend who does not go to church anymore. I am no exception here. All of us have tried to encourage them to go back to church. And all of us pray for them. But our efforts and prayers often seem futile and useless. Were the apostles discouraged and disappointed at ridicules, hostility, or ignorance from their audience? Although the apostles brought many Gentiles and Jews to the Lord, I am sure more people rejected the gospel. The apostles knew that it was their responsibility to preach the gospel. But they also knew that it was the Holy Spirit, the Lord, who prepared and opened people’s hearts. It is why they could keep preaching without despair and frustration. We do not know how the Lord opens people’s hearts. Ask ourselves. How did he open my heart? Even I have a hard time explaining. Sometimes it remains a mystery. However, when we trust the Lord and keep praying and proclaiming the gospel, we will see the wondrous fruit of the Holy Spirit among people.
Most Christians in our times are the Gentiles to Jewish people. The first reading of this Sunday from the Acts shows the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit. The Jewish Christians of the earliest Church did not even imagine it would happen to uncircumcised people. But before their eyes, the Holy Spirit came down upon those foreign people. Moreover, even to our surprise, the Holy Spirit came down on the unbaptized Gentiles. The unbaptized pagans spoke in tongues and praised God! Some might misunderstand this episode as a demonstration that everyone and anyone can receive salvation outside the Church. But remember that God can make a donkey speak a human language as in an episode of Balaam, a Gentile prophet from the Book of Numbers. And that Gentile prophet Balaam delivered prophecies of God of Israel. The Holy Spirit may use animals and the Gentiles for his instruments. However, that does not prove that animals and the Gentiles receive salvation. Those non-Israelite people who received the Holy Spirit were sincerely looking for God. As St Peter says, they feared God and did what was right before God. These foreign people were not modern-day self-righteous secular humanists who believe they can save themselves here on earth. Cornelius and the other Gentiles people welcomed Peter and the gospel message when they heard it. And they willingly received baptism to become members of the Church. Fearing God and being righteous before God are required not only for the non-baptized but also for the baptized Christians to receive salvation. It is because God is impartial to everyone. Fearing God contains many meanings. As a disposition of a soul, it means humility and love for God. And as knowledge, it means knowing God as the Judge. People fearing God seek God’s will for their life. They desire God’s words and messages. They are ready to listen to God and to follow his will. Being righteous before God by doing what is right also means many things. It means to listen to their conscience and follow it. It follows the commandments of God in moral and social life. It also means to offer thanksgiving and praises to God through religious rituals and devotions. For Christians, it means to participate faithfully in the Sacraments of the Church. We are waiting for Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit, which comes in two weeks. During Lent, we prepare for the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord. Likewise, we should prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit, too. I think we can examine those two requirements. Let us ask if we carry the fear of God in our hearts. And ask if we can say we are without faults before God’s eye.
The world will be delighted if a pastor preaches that we should strive to enjoy material success and wealth because God created all these good things for us. But if the pastor encourages people to share their riches, the world will not be so excited. And if he preaches the spirit of poverty, even Christians wonder what it means in our times. If the pastor urges self-sacrifice and abandonment, the world will scorn him. Jesus warns us of worldly delights. Why? It is because the prince of this world, Satan, deceives us with false promises of worldly delights. First, there is no true satisfaction in worldly delights such as wealth, fame, power. People become thirstier like narcotic addicts. Second, chasing worldly delights deprives spiritual growth. Therefore, souls become unhappy and further away from salvation. If you want to be happy, spend your riches for others. We already have enough to share with others. You will find true joy in wasting your riches for Christ, like Mary, sister of Martha, who wasted the costly perfume to anoint the feet of Christ. You might think you can make a substantial donation only after you win a lottery. No, you can make a difference now with what you have. The spirit of poverty is not in downsizing to save but in sharing to offer. Jesus warns us not to make us poorer but to make us happier and save us from the deceits of Satan. He admonishes us to save our souls.
Christian love Jesus gave his disciples as a commandment is self-giving or life-giving sacrifice. This love goes far beyond being together with someone. Even thieves and robbers spend a lot of time together and enjoy each other’s company. But Jesus teaches us to abandon ourselves for the sake of the good of others. This love is selfless. One denies himself to give himself to others. Have you seen this kind of love? I have. I guess all of us know someone who always gives but never expects any reward. It could be your parents or a sibling. It could be a sacristan who does more work than the pastor of the parish. Do you feel warm and fuzzy when you witness self-emptying love? No, I do not. On the opposite, I feel upset. The people who give their life to others seem too naïve and almost foolish. Yes, I know what they are doing is good and noble. But most times, they are never acknowledged for their sacrifices. Instead, so often, other people take advantage of their good hearts. Sometimes they even seem to expose others to temptations to exploit them. However, God’s foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom. Human wisdom and knowledge cannot save man from sin and death. Christ’s foolishness to give his life to those who do not appreciate his sacrifice opened the gate of salvation. Our life and this world can go because of someone’s sacrifice. Thanks to those abandoning their life for others without any reward, our life, our Church, and our world are sustained and become better than yesterday. If you are giving yourself out but never acknowledged, please do not be dismayed. Jesus had it first. So, instead, be joyful because no one knows what you are doing. But be assured that our Lord knows better than anyone. Let our Lord be our only consolation. And he will not refuse to give indescribable joy to all who self-sacrifice for others’ good.
One of the constant temptations for pastors in our times is to keep silent on moral issues, especially concerning life and family. It is not because Christ or the Church does not have clear teachings on those issues. But it is because pastors have a fear that laypeople will reject them if they speak up. For example, many surveys on the practise of artificial contraception among Catholics in North America indicate that an absolute majority over 95% (often higher than 98 or 99%) have used contraceptive methods. Knowing this reality, pastors have not many diplomatic approaches to dissuade lay people from contraceptives. It does not feel easy to bring up the issue because it will make all people feel convicted of mortal sins. However, St Paul says, “I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable.” St Paul knew what would happen. He continues, “For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.” I sincerely ask you to pray for our pastors that the Holy Spirit pours courage into their hearts. And please pray for yourselves too so that the Holy Spirit grants you the spirit of truth. We all need the spirit of truth to discern and accept the will of the heavenly Father.
We all have heard we need to abide in Christ Jesus as branches in the vine. Branches are physically attached to a vine. Then, how do we abide in Christ Jesus? How do we draw spiritual nutrients from Christ? Of course, nothing is impossible for God. He can provide spiritual nutrition in the most unbelievable ways. We cannot deny that God may nourish a person with spiritual grace and blessing while he is isolated from the world. However, for most of us, Jesus gave us means of easy access to him. These usual and regular channels are the seven sacraments of the Church instituted by Jesus. It is absurd to look for alternatives to the sacraments when they are available. It is not only foolish but also arrogant to think that we can devise better or easier alternatives to the sacraments. It is because Christ instituted the sacraments. It is offensive to his benevolence to think he reserves and hide better ways to his grace. But now, under the pandemic, many of us find it hard to approach the sacraments. Because each one’s perception of the danger and threat of the pandemic is not the same, the Church cannot declare an environment is safe enough for all to approach the sacraments. There is always a risk in any activity. However, the pandemic does not remove the need to remain in Christ, either. If we think we do not have to do anything about our souls because the Sunday obligation is lifted under the pandemic, we will see unfortunate consequences to our souls. Like branches severed from the vine, our spiritual life will wither away, and worldly cares and temptations will choke our souls. Brothers and sisters, please do your best to abide in Jesus. It can be the Rosary, the Bible, the online Mass, or the weekly Communion service. When we try to help ourselves, the Holy Spirit will not leave us alone.
Today’s first reading from the Acts briefly describes the second half of the missionary trip of Paul and Barnabas. Because we do not know the lands and seas of Asia Minor or the cultural details of the time, it is challenging for us to feel or understand what the apostles had to suffer during their trip. Moreover, because Catholic Christians of our time rarely have firsthand experience of evangelizing non-believers, we do not share their fatigues and frustrations, either. However, lots of efforts, trials and errors, sufferings and sacrifices are compressed into this short passage. Imagine somebody throws something at you because you speak of Jesus. Would that be a lifelong trauma? What if a group of people lynched you? I would have a hard time even stepping out of my home due to the trauma. But, almost humorously, immediately after Paul was stoned by the Jews, he got up and resumed his missionary journey. It sounds unbelievable. St Paul does not say much today. He only says, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” One thing that stands out to me is that St Paul focuses on salvation instead of evangelization here. It would make perfect sense if he had said, “It is through many persecutions that we must bring the Good News to the Gentiles.” However, St Paul seems to avoid giving an impression of praising his effort for evangelization. Evangelization was not the ultimate goal of his sufferings. It was to be with Christ in heaven. Receiving persecutions becomes worthwhile only because we can be with Christ. It is not to elevate our sense of self-esteem as martyrs and witnesses. Indeed, to be with Christ, to enter the kingdom of God, to receive eternal life does not come without persecutions. Some might think we could avoid them and remain good Christians. But that is not the reality. Because Satan pervades all times and places, whenever and wherever we testify to the Gospel, we face resistance and persecution. I often find this resistance even within my soul. To live according to the Word of Christ accompanies sufferings from resistance and persecution. It is not pleasant to our weak human nature. It is only possible when we abandon ourselves to Jesus.
The Apostolic Tradition and the Bible are the two deposits of the Christian faith. These two sources of faith have authority not from any human origin but the divine. In other words, the Christian faith comes from divine revelation. When St Paul explains what Christians received from the Apostles in his letter to the Corinthians, he explains the divine origin of the Apostolic Tradition. It was Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, who handed down what the Apostles received. And Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that all he spoke came from his Father in heaven. Thus, his teaching is not human wisdom but divine revelation. Throughout history, the Church carefully guarded and preserved the purity of the divine revelation. At the same time, the Church explained the revelation and gave specific guidance to the current challenges of the times. Unfortunately, some Christians fall into a fundamentalist stance that refuses to explain the spirit of the revelation but wants to apply the Scriptures literally. On the other hand, some think Christianity can and should adjust its doctrines along the times and places. Orthodoxy demands pastoral generosity and vigilant perseverance. In our times, when all traditional values and virtues are challenged, bishops and priests face an onerous task of balancing between embracing confused Christians and proclaiming authentic revelation. I sincerely ask all Christians to pray for our clergy that the Holy Spirit may guide our bishops, priests, and deacons. I pray for them that they may teach what they received from the Apostles with boldness and clarity and gather the scattered sheep of Christ with their generosity and sacrifice.
Where do we draw our daily nutrients for our souls? You probably heard these sayings: You are what you eat, You are what you read, You are what you love and so on. Because we cannot exist on our own, we need nutrients. And the kinds and qualities of nutrients have a significant influence on our health. This truth is also applied to our souls. What we read and listen affects the disposition of our soul. Furthermore, what we share through mass media and social media shapes the spirit of societies. Under this pandemic, we spend more time with our phones and computers. There are too many junk foods readily available for our souls on social media, internet entertainment platforms, all kinds of websites. While they take our time and money, they also made us addicted to them. We all know what consequences it brings about to eat junk food constantly. But we seem to care much less when it comes to spiritual junk food. Jesus presents himself as the vine in the gospel today. And we are his branches. When we are attached to Jesus and draw our spiritual nutrients from him, we will bear the good fruit of the kingdom of heaven. Then, we should ask ourselves whether we actually draw our spiritual nutrients from him. Do we read the Bible every day? Do we say the Rosary every day? Do we spend time in personal prayers every day? Do we go to confession as soon as possible when we commit any sin? Do we put any effort into going to Communion? Christians cannot stay in grace by the one-time profession of faith. We must nourish our souls with life-giving food and water. Otherwise, we will be pruned away, bundled together and thrown into the fire. This pandemic becomes a time of trial for many Christians. Let us faithfully attach ourselves to Jesus, the life-giving vine. He is the only one who gives life.
Only about two hundred years ago, most of the world's population was under hereditary class systems. The value of a person was determined according to his social class. We all agree that a hereditary class system is not the best way to promote human equality or dignify human labour. People wished for a society where individual abilities are rewarded, and human dignity is respected regardless of social status. And we have modern societies now where class systems are abolished. But have we realized our wishes? Indeed, we do not have visible social classes. All modern states declare equality of citizens. No social device stops people from choosing their work as they wish. However, in place of royals and nobilities, it seems that money has now become our authority. There is no master of money. Money itself seems its own master. All people work for money. It seems we do not work for ourselves but money. People who have more than what they can spend for the rest of their life still work hard to make more money. Poor people work hard but are never respected because of their poverty. Honest work is not rewarded for its effort, while fraudulent schemes bring profits. St Joseph was a poor carpenter. Although he was on the lineage of King David, he had no social status. St Joseph was nobody. However, he became the foster father of God’s only begotten Son. And he was the chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin. No social class or power of money supported the holy family. It was St Joseph’s honest work that nourished Jesus and Mary. The world tells us we need bigger houses and cars to keep our human dignity. In contrast, the poor carpenter’s honest work protected God’s Son and his Blessed Mother. The Incarnate Word of God and the Immaculate Conception did not demand social status and wealth to survive in this world but only a poor carpenter’s honest work. Indeed, St Joseph is to be called the Worker.
Recently I received a question concerning the necessity of Christ for salvation. The question was whether God gave all people to Jesus or only some people. The answer to this question may be found in the last statement of Jesus in today’s gospel from St John. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” To go to the Father means to go to heaven. And to go to heaven is understood as salvation. Then, Jesus is declaring that salvation is possible only through him. When we ask questions of the necessity of Christ for salvation, we think of those who never heard the Gospel or Christ Jesus. It is understandable to raise questions about their final destinies. How could they receive salvation if they never knew Christ Jesus? But Jesus clearly states he is the way, the truth and the life. But we often forget who created all universe when we ask those questions about salvation. As St John’s prologue tells us, without the Word, nothing came into being. The Second Person of God is not only the Savior and Redeemer but also Creator first. Christ Jesus knew first all those who never heard of him. Since the Word was eternal with God and he himself is God, Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Word, cannot but be related to everyone who exists or existed. When Jesus spoke of the other flock than his disciples and followers, he might have meant those who never knew him. They did not know him, but Christ knew them. We would not know how he would call them for salvation. It is beyond our imagination. However, it is also Christ Jesus who is their salvation, no one else. Christ is the way, the truth and the life. No one can be saved without through Christ Jesus.
When we think of religion, we might associate it with rituals, devotions, or moral codes. However, generally, at least, half of the religious practice is about words or scriptures. In other words, proclamation, teaching, discussion and understanding take a fundamental role in religion. All major religions of the world such as Buddhism, Islam as well as Christianity share this characteristic. Why? It is because man does not accept religion without intelligible knowledge. Of course, we see agnostics and esoteric cults. But do they last or gain wide acceptance? Superstitions do not develop into a religion because of the lack of intelligibility. As we see in the ministry of Jesus, Jesus proclaimed the Good News and taught his disciples and people. He was called “Teacher” or “Rabbi”. And we see in the Acts how the first Christians shared the Scripture and teachings. In the early Church, the bigger part of the Eucharistic celebration was the liturgy of the Word. They used to proclaim and read substantial parts of the gospels and epistles during the liturgy. It was not like us reading only one episode or a short passage. Because of this current practice, our understanding of the Bible is fragmented. Some Catholics come to the Mass merely to receive Communion. Indeed, Communion is critical. However, without any interest and devotion to the Word of the Lord, our faith is likely to fall into a lifeless cultural habit or even a superstitious practice. However, many Catholics now find joy in reading, studying, sharing thoughts on the Bible. Under this pandemic, the work on the Word not only maintains but also rejuvenates and revives our faith. A true sacrament is made up of words and sensible actions or symbols, not of actions or symbols alone. It is because the words invoke the Holy Spirit and sanctify actions and matters. I wish that we spare time to read, study, and share the Word of the Lord so that we may truly sanctify our life under this pandemic.
In the first reading today from the Acts, we see how Paul and Barnabas are selected for the evangelization of the Gentiles. It was the Holy Spirit who commanded evangelization. As Jesus commanded all his disciples to go out and proclaim the Good News and baptize, evangelization is a divine commandment for his disciples. And what are the Gospel and baptism for? Today’s gospel from John declares its purpose: salvation. However, we so often encounter these questions about evangelization: “What about those who could not have heard the Good News? And what about those with different faith and religions?” I will not discuss how to answer those questions. Instead, I would like to ask another question: “Why do people ask those questions?” Do you think they ask those questions because they are so worried about the final destinies of others? Or is it purely out of intellectual curiosity? When a person encounters God, almighty but merciful, he is overwhelmed with fear and joy. And when a person accepts Christ into his life, he follows Christ’s commandments without reservation. Then, look at those who ask those questions. Do they recognize divine omnipotence? And are they willing to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to those who do not know Christ and help their conversion? In short, do they actually believe in Christ? Why do they suggest preconditions for evangelization? Why do I feel it is difficult to accept that Christ is the only way to salvation? Why does it feel exclusive that there is no other name on earth and under heaven except the Name of Christ Jesus that brings salvation? If I feel this way, do I have faith in Jesus? I hope not any of us feels hard to believe Christ is the only way to salvation.
Leaders of the Church daily have to make judgments for practical matters of the faith. And it is not always clear to discern according to the will of the Lord. As we heard in the first reading from the Acts, the first Jewish Christians did not understand how the Gentile can receive God’s grace. Thus, when Peter had been with the Gentile Christians, the Jewish Christians criticized Peter, the first chief shepherd of all the faithful. Now, Peter needed to explain how and why the Gentile received the grace of the faith. But his explanation had to be of the divine origin. And Peter shared his vision while he was praying in the city of Joppa. This vision shows an example of how the Holy Spirit endows divine knowledge and empowers with the right judgments. With the divine knowledge and counsel, the chief shepherd of the Church teaches and admonishes the Jewish Christians. And they recognized the authentic teaching and rejoiced and praised the Lord. Today the Church commemorates Our Lady of the Good Counsel. As a person full of grace, Our Lady loves to give good counsels to our priests, our shepherds of the Church. Since the Our Lady of the Good Counsel devotion developed from the 15th century, starting at a small Italian town called Genazzano, many popes visited the place and prayed before her image in the church of Genazzano. Those popes asked her for good counsels to make judgments for the Lord’s people. But anybody, who oversees the wellbeing of any, should ask for the gift of good counsel. Parents, teachers, lay leaders of the Church should speak to Our Lady for their right judgments. Surely Our Blessed Mother will help us receive the gift of the counsel and give us good advice for difficulties.
Leaders of the Church daily have to make judgments for practical matters of the faith. And it is not always clear to discern according to the will of the Lord. As we heard in the first reading from the Acts, the first Jewish Christians did not understand how the Gentile can receive God’s grace. Thus, when Peter had been with the Gentile Christians, the Jewish Christians criticized Peter, the first chief shepherd of all the faithful. Now, Peter needed to explain how and why the Gentile received the grace of the faith. But his explanation had to be of the divine origin. And Peter shared his vision while he was praying in the city of Joppa. This vision shows an example of how the Holy Spirit endows divine knowledge and empowers with the right judgments. With the divine knowledge and counsel, the chief shepherd of the Church teaches and admonishes the Jewish Christians. And they recognized the authentic teaching and rejoiced and praised the Lord. Today the Church commemorates Our Lady of the Good Counsel. As a person full of grace, Our Lady loves to give good counsels to our priests, our shepherds of the Church. Since the Our Lady of the Good Counsel devotion developed from the 15th century, starting at a small Italian town called Genazzano, many popes visited the place and prayed before her image in the church of Genazzano. Those popes asked her for good counsels to make judgments for the Lord’s people. But anybody, who oversees the wellbeing of any, should ask for the gift of good counsel. Parents, teachers, lay leaders of the Church should speak to Our Lady for their right judgments. Surely Our Blessed Mother will help us receive the gift of the counsel and give us good advice for difficulties.
Many Christians feel that St John’s gospel is difficult because it has more theological discussions than the other three gospels. And St John uses many symbolic languages and abstract ideas. As we read in today’s gospel, the discourse of the Eucharist sounds not so much related to our daily life. For it speaks about life eternal and the resurrection of the last day of the world. However, when the matter of life and death is at hand, St John’s gospel feels truly real. A person’s eternal destiny depends not on anything in the world but the faith in Christ Jesus. And Jesus reminds us of the critical importance of the Eucharist for eternal life and the resurrection of the body. The question is simple. Do we faithfully receive Communion? The qualifier ‘faithfully’ does not mean a habit. We cannot make a judgement on how faithfully we have received the Body and Blood of Christ. It is only Christ who can judge us. That is why we cannot be overconfident of the state of our souls. It is why we offer prayers and Masses for the deceased souls. We need to examine ourselves if we worthily receive Christ. In many places in the gospels, Jesus warns us that it is never easy to enter heaven. I just heard my father had passed away. And I wonder. Where is he now? It seems the last time he received Communion was at the Mass at home when I visited Mom and Dad towards the end of the last year. I do not know. He might have been in the Church recently, but I doubt it because of this pandemic. Did he receive the Lord worthily, then? I cannot answer this question. But the will of our heavenly Father is clear. Let us listen again to Jesus. “This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.” I pray that our eternal destiny is our daily concern. I pray that we receive Christ with worthy hearts so that he may receive us in his Father’s house.
John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the Messiah. He prepared the way for Christ. But his voice and word alone did not accomplish the preparation. It was his blood that finished his witness to the Saviour. And the precursor’s martyrdom suggested the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before his birth, people regarded John the Baptist as a prophet. People respected and feared him. Even Jesus praised the greatness of John the Baptist. However, his martyrdom was too simple. He did not resist. Nobody stopped his execution. There is another martyrdom in the New Testament. It is of Stephen. In fact, the New Testament reports only these two martyrdoms. It does not say anything about how Peter or Paul or other apostles were martyred. Stephen is the first martyr of the Church and the prime example of all martyrs of the Church. Like John the Baptist and Christ Jesus, Stephen did not resist his execution. He was full of the Holy Spirit and caused many signs but did not do anything against his execution. Instead, like Jesus, Stephen prayed for his executioners and asked for their forgiveness from the Lord on behalf of them. Man has a right to defend himself against unjust violence. John the Baptist and Stephen could defend themselves. However, they chose to suffer violence to witness the truth and bring grace to others. As Jesus willingly chose the crucifixion to bring salvation, these martyrs chose violent deaths to join him to glorify the Lord. Their deaths were not their defeats. On the contrary, their deaths won the best way to witness the truth. Indeed, martyrdom is not an end but a birth.
“We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” These are the accusations the Greek Jews falsely made against Stephen. Do you not find them familiar? Where have you heard them before? Yes, they are like the accusations against Jesus. The first martyr of the Church follows the footsteps of his Lord. Jesus had already told his disciples that his followers would be brought to the court with false accusations. But let us take a moment to see the nature of those accusations. Because there are no victims found, the false witnesses allege that the divine authority, the temple, the law, and their customs have been threatened. The followers of Jesus do not injure or harm anyone. But they are accused because they have allegedly expressed their thoughts. Now, does it not sound even more familiar? Those who experienced any fascist regime would notice right away this is how fascists oppress people. Since fascists cannot find real victims, they accuse their opponents of having threatened the state, the law, the social structure, or the good customs. But the reality is that fascists violate the freedom of expression and speech. And they also deny the freedom of religion and thought. Christians are destined to suffer under fascism. It is because a fascist regime cannot admit another ultimate authority, namely God. When Christian doctrines and teachings are suppressed, it is also an indication that natural freedom and rights are under attack. Stephen was brought to court not because he did something criminal but because he spoke the truth. Can we Christians stop speaking the truth? If we stop, we give up not only being the followers of Christ but also exercising natural human freedom.
Our generation thinks man can define his nature. I do not think so. However, in the sense that man shapes the state of his spirit, a man prepares his nature for the life to come. It depends on him how to build virtues or vices. And according to the last state before his death, God will judge and grant salvation or condemnation. And then, when Christ Jesus comes again at the end of the world, man will receive his body according to his judgment. The saved ones will receive a glorified body like Christ’s. The damned will also receive a body. But what would it be? When God created Adam and Eve, they did not know any sin. Their souls were not tainted with sin. Therefore, their body did not have to bear the consequence of sin, namely death. But when they sinned by disobedience, they disfigured their spirits. The original sin severed the relationship with God, and thus, it deformed their souls. As a result, as God had warned, their body had to bear the ultimate consequence, death. In a sense, Adam and Eve defined their nature – into a degenerated one. The body no longer enjoyed eternal life. Human nature without God’s grace resulted in death. Jesus did not have to die. He was like us in all respect except sin. His body before his death did not have to bear the consequence of sin. However, Jesus chose to accept his heavenly Father’s will to sacrifice for the sin of all men. Through his death, Jesus opened the way of salvation by the forgiveness of sin. But he defeated death by His resurrection. He demonstrated how the saved would be like by his resurrection. They will be reunited with their body. But this time, thanks to the purified and sanctified spirit and soul, the body does not have to suffer, not alone death! Then, we might speculate how the damned will be like at the resurrection of the body. One of the properties of the glorified body is its radiant beauty. Then, the damned body will suffer the exact opposite. If we disfigure our spirit and soul with sins and vices, we will receive an indescribably horrific body. Many contemporaries attempt to define human nature in sinful ways against Christ’s teachings, against God’s will. Saints who had visions of hell say they would rather die than see it again. The risen Jesus shows his wounds to his disciples, who still doubt. But why does he still bear those scars in his glorified body? They are not only the remedy to his disciples’ disbelief. But they are also the hiding places for the faithful, who desire his mercy. His wounds are for his glory and mercy. We will recognize Jesus in heaven by those wounds! In this life, we will build either virtues or vices. Virtues demand sacrifice and suffering. We may also bear marks of sacrifice and suffering at our resurrection like Jesus. But by them, we would recognize each other. Perfect beauty in the resurrection would be the perfection of sacrifice.
Christians wish and pray that the Holy Spirit always accompanies them. However, we do not have a simple method to tell his presence quickly. When we experience mysterious blessings, we may contribute them to the work of the Holy Spirit. But we cannot prove it. Jesus said, “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nevertheless, there is one occasion we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is present and works on earth. Jesus first prefigured it when he multiplied the bread and fish to feed the thousands of people. Also, he demonstrated it by changing water into wine. Later, when he instituted the Eucharist, he finally revealed the work of the Holy Spirit by giving his body and blood in the forms of bread and wine. When a priest offers a Mass, the Holy Spirit is present and consecrates and transubstantiates bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. We might not be so sure of the presence of the Holy Spirit everywhere else, but in the Eucharist, we are guaranteed to be with the Holy Spirit and receive the work of the Holy Spirit. The invocation of the Holy Spirit (Epiclesis) is a necessary part of the Eucharistic prayers. It is not a wish of the priest or a spiritual blessing. Through the invocation, the Holy Spirit becomes present and changes the Eucharistic elements. It is a fundamental truth of faith. However, Catholics often forget or ignore it. They like to be with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Then, the Mass is the best and surest way to be with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is why many Catholics come to Communion even under the pandemic. The disciples in today’s gospel find themselves in trouble. They are in the rough sea with a strong wind and high waves. Then, Jesus appears to them. And, immediately, they reach the land which they were going. When you find yourself in trouble, come and receive Christ with the Holy Spirit at Communion. There is no better way because Christ himself with his Spirit comes to you in body and soul. And he will save us from our troubles because being with Christ is salvation.
The episode of the council of the Jews in today’s first reading from the Acts sheds light on Christian struggles in our times here in Canada. Here in Canada, Christians or even other traditional religions are threatened to abandon religious truths and teachings, particularly about sexuality, life, and family. Christians are not merely opposed but also threatened not to express or teach their religious views. Many activists, academics, and elected officials try to ban Christians from expressing and teaching their religious truths. They want Christian views outlawed. In other words, they want to criminalize Christian ideas. Either in public or private, expressing, teaching or advising Christian truths may well become a criminal act soon. The Church presents her teaching as divinely revealed truths, not arbitrary or artificial opinions or agreements among men. And she teaches the Christian truth is objective and transcending times and cultures. However, the Church does not force her teachings. She does not even persuade people on her teachings. Instead, she explains and teaches. Two thousand years ago, a council of the Jews made a prudential decision about Christians. They let the truth speak for itself. God’s truth proves itself. As Gamaliel, a renowned Pharisee, warns, it is foolish to fight against God’s truth. The apostles continued to proclaim Jesus. They did not because the Jews permitted them but because Jesus mandated them to do so. As St Peter expressed, they chose to obey God rather than human authority. Christians in the 21st century may well have an honour to testify to Jesus and his teachings by losing their livelihood. That hour may come much sooner than we imagine. Then, once again and as always, the Holy Spirit will reveal his presence in many blessed ones in our times.
John the Baptist gives us a simple reminder today, which is fundamental to the Christian faith. It is this: what Jesus speaks, teaches, and acts are heavenly revelation. That is, what we read in the Bible is the divine revelation. And what the apostles and disciples of Jesus received from Jesus is divine guidance and teaching. Does this surprise you? It should not. However, so many biblical scholars treat the Bible as human literature or cultural heritage. And many Christians look for answers to their life not in the Bible nor in the deposit of faith in the Church. Instead, they try all kinds of novel substitutes. They think the Bible is not good enough. They believe the Church cannot provide a guide to modern life. But do they realize they are practically saying Christ is not good enough for them? What Jesus speaks in the gospels, what the Bible teaches and what the disciples of Jesus received from him are the word and guidance from heaven. That is why we continually study the Bible. That is why we still follow the teachings the apostles received from Jesus. Beyond time and culture, what Jesus speaks and teaches is perennially valid and effective in our life. It is because his words are from eternity. Therefore, Christ’s revelation is not an option. And St John the Baptist concludes, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.”
“Those who believe in him are not condemned,” Jesus says in today’s gospel of John. Immediately after this statement, Jesus continues, “but those who do not believe are condemned already.” These two statements need qualification. First, what does it mean to believe in the Son of God? Satan recognizes Him, although he hates Him. To believe in the Son of God is much more than to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. As Jesus explains in the same passage, those who believe in the Son do things in God and in his light. In other words, those who believe in Christ keep the commandments of God and stay in the state of grace. Second, when Jesus says the believers are not condemned, does he mean they have already been saved? The Church has been teaching otherwise. Indeed, those, who do the will of God and stay in the sanctifying grace, are not condemned at the moment. But that does not mean their salvation is guaranteed. Third, those Jesus calls “condemned already” are not necessarily deprived of any hope, either. Those who choose to remain in sins choose condemnation for themselves. However, when they turn away from sins and ask for God’s forgiveness, they may hope for salvation. Now, some people may presume that they can ask for salvation at any time since God is merciful. They think, ‘I can enjoy a sinful life as much as I want for now. Later, I will say to God, ‘I am sorry,’ and He will forgive me. Then, I will enter heaven.’ This plan might work if God could not see and hear the human heart. But He knows our hearts. If someone harbours this intention, does he have any love for God? Is not this intention diametrically opposing the love of God? Is not it blasphemy against God’s love? In our times, Christians tend to be overconfident of salvation. The presumption of God’s mercy deprives Christians of true conversion from sins. I do not want to stir up anxiety about one’s salvation. However, I would rather become anxious about my salvation than fall into a false sense of security. I trust in Jesus and his mercy. But I do not trust my human heart, which too often betrays me.
Regarding today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, some commentators point that the first Christian community members shared their properties because they thought the end of the world was coming soon. That is why they sold and entrusted their properties to the apostles, those commentators suppose. Similar behaviours are shown among modern-day religious groups that believe in the imminent end of the world. Followers sell everything and give it to their community while they stay together in a commune. If this speculation were correct, the first Christians would have lived a life of illusion. For the last two thousand years, Christians did not see the second coming of Christ. It seems that following generations of Christians realized the end of the world was not coming soon and started building cathedrals and basilicas that would last hundreds of years. And it seems that Christians no longer practiced communal ownership of properties but turned into private ownership and accumulation of personal wealth. However, I do not think the presupposition about the end time led the first Christians to sharing properties. The Acts of the Apostles, in fact, tells us why they were willing to share. “The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul,” it says. The first Christians were in complete union by the Holy Spirit. When Christians live by the Holy Spirit, they recognize Christians as families in Christ. Since the Holy Spirit is love, it was natural for them to share everything as an expression of love. Moreover, when the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians, they no longer worship money and wealth. Instead, they can utilize them to promote the gospel and give thanks and glory to the Lord. That is how the first Christians were happy to share everything. When the Christian faith was no longer under persecution, Christians expressed the faith outwardly. They did not spare and save when they built the house of the Lord. That is why we inherited awe-inspiring basilicas and cathedrals from our ancestors of the faith. Whether poor or rich, common or noble, everyone was equally God’s child and shared the most advanced parts of culture inside those churches. When Christians no longer live by the Holy Spirit, their society suffers polarization of wealth. They forget the joy of sharing. Instead, everyone is unhappy because everyone wants more and feels wanting. People live a life of mortgages for bigger and nicer houses. But they cannot spend much time in their homes with families because everyone must work for more money. As homes are getting empty, so are churches. Empty church pews are a sign of our times. It is a sign that many Christians are not with the Holy Spirit. Christians do not share. Maybe some money, but not much of their time. The first Christians’ sharing was not an economic system. It was sharing their life. I pray that we may live once again by the Holy Spirit. Then, no one will be in need, but everyone will be fulfilled.
