Faith Transforming Life
(Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34; Jn 3:31-36)
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We are invited by today’s readings to allow our faith in the Risen Lord transform our life.
One consistent theme running through all the liturgies since Easter is transformation. The disciples were transformed by the resurrection of Jesus and the reception of the Spirit from a fearful, timid band into bold, courageous followers of Jesus ready to take on the whole world and speak truth to power. Our Eastern cousins call this theosis, divinization, becoming more God-like, and it is the core of our Easter faith.
Yesterday’s reading informed us the high priest, the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel had assembled to deal with the upstart apostles. Today, the temple police bring the miraculously released prisoners, Peter and the apostles, into their intimidating presence.
Were they intimidated by this show of institutional religious force? Not at all – they used that turn of events to proclaim fearlessly the Jesus whom they had crucified was Risen Lord and Savior, and he was now offering new life to all, even them, through repentance, forgiveness of their sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the gospel, John the Baptist speaks words to his disciples that seem more like what Jesus would say to them – about the mystery that was to unfold through the ministry, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. He had been sent by God, was the Word of God made flesh, would rule over all creation, and pour out the Spirit on those who believe without measure, filling them with eternal life, the very life of the Triune God-head itself.
There is a critical pattern here. Faith in Jesus risen from the dead opens us up to receive the Spirit of Jesus generously poured into our hearts, stirring up within us the priceless gift of repentance that opens us up to receive the unconditional love of God as pure, undeserved forgiveness. That forgiveness and healing constitutes a new reality, a new way of being, a new way of living, of peace, wellness, justice and freedom from sin and sinfulness that is eternal life, the very life of God.
The pattern concludes with the reality that we are not to sit on this gift but like the apostles, fearlessly proclaim it, witness to it, to the whole world. The catch is that witnessing means more than simply announcing – it means manifesting this new reality by our lives. As one person put it, if Christians want others to believe in their redeemer, they better start acting more redeemed!
John Allen Jr., Vatican correspondent and regular speaker at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, shared his experience of interviewing Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. He asked one woman in Africa who witnessed most of her family being massacred by Boka Haram, how she could be so buoyant and full of life. She replied, “The most precious gift God has given me is my faith. They took away most of my family; I will not let them take away my faith, and my faith asks me to be like Jesus, to love my enemies by forgiving them.” Hers is transformative faith.
The Eucharist itself is an experience of transformative faith. Humble gifts of bread and wine are transformed by the prayer of faith and the power of the Holy Spirit into the very body and blood of Jesus Christ.
LA Rel Ed Congress
We who receive are in turn transformed into the body of the Risen Christ, empowered to go out and be leaven for the world, bestowing on it the unconditional love of Christ.
Well today’s message is similar to yesterday’s readings and homily. Every other day is pretty much the same when talking about the risen Lord and spreading the Good News about him. Once Jesus is resurrected and appeared to some of us and we experience God , we were also instructed to share the news and preach in his name. There is still some people that do not believe in us and wanted to take away this gift. I also had this experience last 2 years , when I had the gift of tongues and the shaking their were people who tried to block me from using this gift . But, I kept on using this present on my own time and when I was praying in the chapel. I was singing in tongues during special celebrations and speaking in tongues I use it to pray on own time. I would use it to help people if I am by myself. I was already transformed into the body of Christ. Now This time I am renewing this gift and using it more often , nobody can take it away from me. Amen
My parents tried to prevent me from using this gift , but they cannot after seeing the experience at the Easter vigil and using it to help people. Also there is a priest and deacon asking certain people to find a big cross and hit your fingers and hand with the cross until you feel the pain. They do not believe these people experience the Holy Spirit and instructed by God to spread the word. Thanks for the homilies and inspiring messages about Jesus Christ. Bishop Lavoie
I meant what I said, I am not making it up. There is some people who have these gifts already and they were being told not to use it . Did you really have an experience with God? Did you really have an experience with Jesus Christ? Bishop I always start my day with your homilies and teachings , they are inspiring messages we should follow as apostles of Jesus Christ. Thanks Bishop Lavoie for the homilies. and sharing the convocation with us. I am glad it is successful. Enjoy your day .