Pastor's Letter 20230507 - 07 May 2023 - Kairos: A Time of Favor

Father Michael · May 6, 2023

May 7^th, 2023

Fifth Sunday of Easter

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A Message from Father ^†Michael

Today’s Theme: “Kairos: A Time of Favor”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(Acts 6:1-7) Our First Reading relates the growth of the first Christian community, and how they sorted out problems that inevitably rose, in a peaceful and just manner. Called together in one hope, by their faith in the one Lord, believers learned the responsibility of respecting the variety of believers’ opinions, lifestyles and theologies

From the very beginning, the community of Jesus’ followers was “heterogeneous,” mirroring modern day believers’ pluralism and diversity. The various people who came to Jesus brought with them their cultural influences, ideals, motives and visions, which were not automatically eradicated by Baptism.

“The Seven Disciples" who were appointed to minister to the needy were termed, “Diakonia,” from which our word, “Deacon,” derives. These men preached, evangelized, baptized and ministered much in the same way as did the apostles.

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(1 Peter 2: 4-9) In today’s Second Reading, we read of the responsibility and special dignity of the members of the Christian community. It became an institution of “living stones,” welded together in visible union by the Holy Spirit, without Whose influence, we would be merely a “pile of pebbles.”

Jesus, the principal “Living Stone,” invites nearness, gathering believers unto Himself to become the living stones of the new covenant—to form an entirely new system of religion, in which the entire people of God is a “royal priesthood.” Instead of animal and grain offerings— the norm in the Old Covenant—the new liturgy of God’s people was celebrated with “spiritual sacrifices,” and has become what we know as today’s Holy Mass. Our “unbloody” sacrifice has been made acceptable to God through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of His Son, Jesus.

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(John 14: 1-12) Jesus consoled all those who were distressed at His leaving earth, assuring that all who believe in Him as “Way, Truth and Life—and work for the present and coming kingdom—are called to faith.

Jesus’ formula for success did not involve material gain or fame. Instead, He charged anyone who has faith in Him to do the same works He did—even far greater ones. This legacy of faith is the “oil that greases the machine,” and without it, even the most extensive and organized religious programs are doomed.

Jesus returned to His Father’s House, becoming “One” with the Father. Because of the Spirit, Whom He bestowed upon us, each believer is called to proclaim in both deed and word: “I am the Way (not a detour or dead end;) …the Truth (not a lie; ) …and the Life” (to give life and not take it,) in the manner of Jesus, Himself.

Faith in a Time of Crisis

Sometimes, life can get “very dark.” When this happens, we might struggle try to believe things that we cannot prove and accept the reality of the situation—even though we cannot understand it—in order to make sense of what is happening. At such times, strong faith is needed…but it’s precisely then that our faith can fail us. Without faith, life can be unintelligible and unbearable.

Faith provides a source of comfort and inspiration, especially in trying times. We must always remember that “It’s not we who keep the faith…but faith that keeps us” (Ephesians 2:8.)

When things are going well, it’s easy to convince ourselves that we have strong faith, but when a crisis arises, we discover how strong it is…or, whether or not we have any faith at all….

Some people think that if God is with them—if He really loves us—then no harm would ever befall us, and life would always be “smooth sailing.” So, when a storm does hit, we may experience a crisis of faith, thinking: “God has abandoned us.”

During the Last Supper, the apostles were thrown into such a crisis when Jesus talked about his imminent death. Their hearts were troubled, and filled with fear. This was a particularly “teachable moment,” or “Kairos”—a time of favor—for them. Knowing they had doubts, Jesus consoled them, saying: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, and believe in Me.” In doing so, Jesus assured them at a time when they were most vulnerable. To help them believe in Him and in the Father, He bestowed upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit. So, no matter what happened, no matter how difficult life might become, they would have within them an “Advocate.” Of course, we know that when crises occur, having faith is easier said than done. We are, after all, human beings, with fragile psyches.

But really, enlisting the help of the Holy Spirit, and stubbornly continue to trust God and His providence is the only thing one can do, in times of trouble. It’s then we must believe that, somehow, there is a purpose to life, and that some “good” will ultimately result from the “bad” in which we find ourselves.

Trust is the greatest gift one person can give to another. When times get tough, it serves as the glimmer of hope enabling us to “get through.”

The Importance of Home

In today’s Gospel, Jesus told His disciples, “There are many rooms in my Father’s House. I am going to prepare a place for you. I shall return to take you with Me, so that where I am, you may be too.”

It’s impossible to exaggerate how important “home” is to us. It’s been proven that if prisoners are given a choice between going home or staying in prison—in a luxury suite, complete with all the creature comforts—every single one of them would choose to “go home.”

When we feel sad and lonely, most of us yearn to “go home,” where we know we’ll find a safe and warm place, filled with love. If we know we’re going home, even the longest trips seem bearable—never too long or too difficult. Remember the last time you returned from a vacation—that “tug” you feel to return home is almost palpable, isn’t it? And that’s returning from an experience that was, in all probability, quite enjoyable. But imagine, if you can, that you had no home to which to return….

A home is not simply a nice “house.” “Home” means a place with close ties to people who accept us for who we are, and who give us a feeling of belonging. However, no matter how many buildings we construct, and roots we plant, we can never have a lasting home. All we have, as ^†Paul put it, is “a kind of tent” (2 Corinthians 5,) that is folded and put away when we die.

Therefore, we not only need a home “on earth.” We also need one when death brings down the final curtain. Without such a home, life would be a journey to nowhere—making our lives empty and meaningless.

We see this in the case of children, for whom home is not so much a place, as a relationship of love and trust. A child can move around many times and not feel “homeless,” as long as their parents are near. It’s the same for those who have a close relationship with God. We spend our lives searching for Him, and groping our way towards Him. To die is to find Him; to meet Him; to see Him; to go to God; and to go to God is to go home.

May God Richly Bless You!