Walk in the light

The Easter Season is celebrated in the North during the time of restoration of life to nature after winter. The texts of the Roman CatholicLectionary use profound symbols to illuminate the experience of early Christians with the Presence of Christ in their lives. The Light of Grace guides them and us to lives which proclaim that Jesus is risen. The passage from the Acts of the Apostles which details the conflict between the religious authorities, the Sanhedrin, and the Apostles over preaching in the Name of Jesus concludes with the praise to God by the followers of Jesus for the opportunity to suffer public dishonour in His Name. The graceful living of believers today continues to be counter cultural and will attract ridicule and abuse for which we also have the opportunity to be thankful. The visionary John of Patmos presents a detailed image, in the text from the Book of Revelation, of all the universe, wild beasts, domestic animals, birds and humans in worship of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Friar Jude Winkler explains the significance of the choice of numbers and symbols by the author to convey the perfection and completeness of Jesus about Whom we come to understanding through the tradition and creation. The instruction of Christians about the Sacraments of Initiation is facilitated by the episode from the Gospel of John.  This passage is appended after the first ending of the Gospel of John (John 20, 30-31). Father Larry Gillick SJ sees the Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation in the experience of Peter who is invited to “Come and See”. This opportunity for Peter to be recreated and reconciled is our continuing invitation from Jesus who waits to serve us breakfast to sustain our lives. Father Larry comments that the “Sacraments in the Church are for our going out into life, for this we jumped into the water, were fed, forgiven, had our ears cleaned for better listening”. Friar Jude and other commentator have noted the use of two different Greek words for love in the three tiered dialogue between Jesus and Peter. Jesus questions Peter about his “agape” and Peter responds that he is able to live as “philia”. The deep intimacy of agape is the relationship perhaps of the beloved disciple in the Gospel. We are invited to this relationship. The Lord accepts and works with the ‘philia’ or brotherhood with Peter offers. Our position is not important. We are welcomed to the meal from where we are!