Abundant Life and No differences

Today the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to consider the Mission of Jesus and the community to which it is addressed. The proclamation in John 10:10 that “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” is a statement which can resonate to clarify the direction of those who may be seeking a How and Why of the relationship with the Divine. It is one of the phrases which stick in the mind and which may come to mind in the way that Acts describes Peter’s inspiration to bring the Message to Gentiles and “not to make a distinction between them and us.*” The ‘they’ for whom Jesus brings abundant life is everyone. These texts and Paul’s teaching are exhortations to move, like Peter, inspired by the Spirit to break down the obstacles of human origin which block our witness of the “Baptism of the Spirit” in all races, tribes and communities of the Creator.