The Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 25, 2025 (Year C)

This Sunday, we sing out 'O God, let all the nations praise you!', and yet do we mean it?  We see the struggles to include "outsiders" in the first reading as some are upset with how the newly converted gentiles are worshiping and practicing their faith.  This is less than a generation removed from Jesus, the apostles, those who walked and heard the words of Christ, are there.  And yet, there was a desire to hold on to the old ways.  But Jesus did not come here to reinforce the Old Testament covenant with a select group - He came to renew that promise with all the nations and all the people.  And so, guided by the Holy Spirit, the early Church dramatically reduces the rules of the old Mosaic laws and reduces the "barrier to entry" to be one of God's people.

With all of humanity now able to partake in the New Covenant, the big question is how?  How do we join this special relationship of Jesus and His Father?  Well, I may be stretching my license here, but in reading Revelation with the Gospel, I see the parallel in that each of us are that city that John sees.  Rather, each individual has the potential to be that city, the New Jerusalem.  Jesus says that if we love Him and keep true to His teachings and word, both He and God will make their dwelling within us.  From Revelation, we see that God will be the light, the guiding beacon to fill the whole of our city, and we will need no other light, not even the sun.  But God can only come to be in place that is ready, willing, and able to accept Him.  So how to prepare for him?  Well, in looking at the other parts of this passage from Revelation, we need to be good people exhibiting virtues and we need to follow the core tenants of the faith.  The Angels guarding the gates are those virtuous acts that help build our soul, our character, into a house worthy of God's dwelling.  And in listening to and heeding the advice of those who have come before us and been anointed to serve God (the inscriptions of the twelve tribes), we will have a compass for those actions, orienting ourselves to best serve others.  


Disclaimer: This will be at the bottom of all reflections, but I’m not intending to put out any sort of professional critique, attempt at a homily, or investigation into the historicity of the readings, but will “let the Spirit move me” as some say, to share what has spoken to me in my reading and reflection on the set of Readings for each week.  

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