Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

May 21, 2003

Every Monday afternoon I attend a prayer meeting of priests held at the Cathedral in Providence. This week there were philodendron and ivy plants climbing the raredos and cascading the stairs. It wasn’t something you would ordinarily see; but it was pretty and of course, it reminded me of today’s gospel.

This section is part of the lengthy Last Supper homily, in which Jesus continues to talk about the "Promise; the promise of abiding presence, never abandoning presence, which is our life our breath, our Spirit, His Spirit.

But today he uses another metaphor: that of the vine. As the branches belong to the vine and the vine to its branches; so we belong to Him and He belongs to us. In our business, in our trials, in our moments of critical decisions; even if we turn away from Him; he remains, inviting us back like the prodigal sinner, into a relationship that is unconditional, a relationship that is life giving and fruitful, only as long as we stay connected.

Sometimes the pressure can be overwhelming to disconnect, to cut the tether and go it our own way. In the first reading from Acts, the early Church faced a crisis. The Jewish Christians wanted to require Gentile converts to be bound by the laws of the Old Testament as they were. This brought forth a very serious issue, not just for that day or century, but the whole future of the church. It called for a radical interpretation of thee gospel.

Was Jesus ministry sufficient for our salvation? Were we saved by the blood on the cross? Or do we need to do something more? Do we need to add to Jesus’ work to make it complete? Self-examination and deep prayer were essential before making this decision.

And one of the signs of a true decision was unity. It could have been very easy for some to get up and walk away and take their followers with them. Instead they took the time and effort to confer with one another and be willing to submit to the consensus, which ever it might be.

How often are we faced with discouragement when things don’t go as we would like? And do we seek out other belly-achers like ourselves, or do we seek out persons known for their spirit of encouragement?

You know those kinds of people who somehow always have the right word to say. They remind us that life is worthwhile even in the midst of pain and failure. They know how to inspire hope when there seems nothing to hope for. The very name, Barnabas means son of encouragement. It is probably accurate to say that Barnabas changed the course of church history and the shaping of the New Testament by his strong encouragement.

Encouragement, literally in the heart, the abiding place of Life and Love. Is it at times difficult for you to continue to love someone after they repeatedly hurt you?

Is it difficult for you to forgive the wrongs that have caused you to suffer much pain?

Of course it is. Unconditional love is not human love, it is the gift that only God can give, and it is always waiting for us. All we need do is open the door of our heart like the gas cap on your car and fill it up with God’s abiding presence. Allow him to nourish you just as the branches and leaves take nourishment from the vine.

God will enable us to meet our deepest needs and overcome our most powerful insecurities and share that good news with one another.

Each of us has a part to play in advancing the Kingdom of God. Not one of us was born without reason. Not one of us is without worth. But we must remain connected with God and one another or we’ll dry up like last winter’s Christmas trees.

It’s your decision. No one can make it for you, not even God. Beg the Lord today and every day to overwhelm you with His presence and to deepen your capacity to abide in Him.