21 April 2024

Congratulations to all the kids who are receiving the Holy Eucharist for the first time today. This is great cause for us to rejoice as you continue the process of your initiation into full Communion with the Catholic Church. May you experience the grace and gifts that come with this unique opportunity of receiving the Lord. We welcome to Saint Patrick Parish your guests, family members and friends who have traveled to be with you on this special day.

This Sunday is also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because that is the theme of this week’s Gospel reading. A bit of history, this Sunday used to be one Sunday earlier, celebrated on the third Sunday of Easter. When the lectionary was revised in 1986, today’s gospel was moved from the third Sunday of Easter to the fourth Sunday. This was done so that we could hear an additional account of Jesus making an appearance after the resurrection. With this Sunday, we notice a shift. Rather than hearing concrete examples of Jesus appearing after his resurrection, we hear readings that are preparing us for his glorious assumption into heaven and sending down upon us the Holy Spirit to be celebrated at Pentecost.

You should also notice that the first reading at Mass during the Easter Season is not from the Old Testament, as it typically is throughout the rest of the year. Rather the readings are taken from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. Thus they tell stories of the early church. These readings are particularly important for us to hear at this time. As you have hopefully heard, as a Diocese our Bishop is directing us to move from a maintenance centered Church to being mission focused. A mission driven church is a church that follows what we hear in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. We ought to genuinely seek to follow the example of the Early Church.

What example is given to us in this week’s first reading for us to emulate? First, Peter and John are speaking about Jesus. We are often told that we should not bring up religion or politics, especially at family dinners. What would have happened if Peter and John had taken this advice? How many children would be making their First Holy Communion this weekend if parents or another significant adult had not spoken to their children about Jesus? Peter and John were standing before the Sanhedrin (a combination for the Jewish people of the Supreme Court and Congress). We cannot be afraid to mention the name “Jesus” or speak about our faith in him. This is missionary.

One fear many of us have is that if we speak about our faith, we may come across as being exclusive, snobbish, judgmental, or in some other negative manner. The Christian message is actually highly inclusive. Dr. John Bergsman, a scripture scholar and Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in writing on this passage from the Acts of the Apostles, points out that in Christian terms “is to share in the very life of God. It is to participate in the divine nature, to become a ‘child’ or ‘son’ of God, and enjoy him forever.” Peter tells the Sanhedrin that Jesus is the only way to salvation. If you understand how both Jesus and the Church define “salvation”, this statement which on the onset can sound quite exclusive, suddenly becomes entirely inclusive. It is inclusive because Christianity offers a pathway to salvation, something, as Dr. Bergsman points out, that is not offered by any other religion of the world. Jesus is the one, and the only one, who offers a way to the Father. A journey anyone can embark upon. Most of us just need an invitation (and maybe a little nudge). The work of offering an invitation is the work of a missionary church.

It doesn’t work for an institution to offer the invitation. Invitation must be offered by individuals. Invitations offered by institutions often fall under the title “junk mail.” An invitation offered personally is harder to refuse. Even if we don’t attend the event to which we’re invited, our heart is warmed by the thoughtfulness of being personally invited. And we often commit to ourselves to make a mental note to say “yes” next time.

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