May 7, 2023: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Addressing the spiritual needs of those lacking permanent housing: https://ispretreats.org/
Readings
First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Psalm: 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Second Reading: 1st Peter 2:4-9
Gospel: John 14:1-12
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church “a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are “consecrated to be . . . a holy priesthood.” (1546) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
John 14:6
The Church moves further into the Third Millennium of the Christian era as a pilgrim people, guided by Christ, the “great Shepherd” (Heb 13:20). He is the “Holy Door” (cf. Jn 10:9) through which we passed during the Great Jubilee of the year 2000. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6): contemplating the Lord’s face, we confirm our faith and our hope in him, the one Saviour and goal of history.
The Church continues to speak to all people and all nations, for it is only in the name of Christ that salvation is given to men and women. Salvation, which the Lord Jesus obtained “at a price” (1 Cor 6:20; cf. 1 Pet 1:18-19), is achieved in the new life that awaits the righteous after death, but it also permeates this world in the realities of the economy and labour, of technology and communications, of society and politics, of the international community and the relations among cultures and peoples. “Jesus came to bring integral salvation, one which embraces the whole person and all mankind, and opens up the wondrous prospect of divine filiation”. (1)
Fostering a social and political culture inspired by the Gospel must be an area of particular importance for the lay faithful. Recent history has shown the weakness and radical failure of commonly held cultural perspectives that prevailed for a long time, especially on the social and political levels. In this area, particularly in the decades following the Second World War, Catholics in different countries have been involved at high levels, which shows with ever greater clarity today the consistency of their inspiration and of their heritage of values. The social and political involvement of Catholics, in fact, has never been limited to the mere transformation of structures, because this involvement takes place at the foundations of a culture that receives and listens to the reasoning made by faith and morality, including them as the basis and goal of concrete planning. When this awareness is lacking, Catholics themselves are condemned to cultural dispersion and their proposals are rendered insufficient and limited. An urgent priority today is also found in the need to present the patrimony of Catholic tradition, its values and content, and the entire spiritual, intellectual and moral heritage of Catholicism, in culturally up-to-date terms. Faith in Jesus Christ, who described himself as “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6), prompts Christians to commit themselves with firm and ever new resolve to building a social and political culture inspired by the Gospel. (555)
John 14:9
The benevolence and mercy that inspire God’s actions and provide the key for understanding them become so very much closer to man that they take on the traits of the man Jesus, the Word made flesh. In the Gospel of Saint Luke, Jesus describes his messianic ministry with the words of Isaiah which recall the prophetic significance of the jubilee: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk 4:18-19; cf. Is 61:1-2). Jesus therefore places himself on the frontline of fulfillment, not only because he fulfills what was promised and what was awaited by Israel, but also in the deeper sense that in him the decisive event of the history of God with mankind is fulfilled. He proclaims: “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). Jesus, in other words, is the tangible and definitive manifestation of how God acts towards men and women. (28)
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
The early Church had a problem. While they devoutly celebrated the Word, the basic needs of the least in the community were ignored. A concern raised by the Hellenists, Greek speaking community members, who probably grew up outside Palestine and emigrated in contrast to the native Aramaic speaking community. As a clan of the faith confirmed archeologically by Greek language in first century synagogues, the Hellenists spoke out because their widows were ignored in the daily distribution of food, be it a lack of resources for all in need or a contrived oversight against perceived outsiders. Raising this concern caused the Twelve apostles to ponder a remedy. Realizing they could not do everything, without sacrificing an authentic devotion, commitment and sincerity to ministry, they proposed others be appointed for the task. A resolution agreeable to the whole community and allowed the Word to spread and number of disciples in Jerusalem increase greatly. A visible manifestation influencing even a larger group of priests to become obedient to the faith. An overall expression of synodality and a reminder, from the roots of our faith, that we must listen to people and authentically address their needs. Otherwise they will feel neglected, trivialized and seek nurturing elsewhere. A reality so evident today, as Church affiliation, especially among non-culturally affiliated Catholics, dwindles dramatically, as people see the hypocrisy manifest in clericalism unwilling to allow co-responsibility among all the baptized, to hinder lay ecclesial leadership in sharing the Gospel. A ethos where Jesus is the cornerstone and we are all called to be living stones, vibrant participants embellishing the Word in the world to do the works the Lord did, honed in the reality of our day by the Holy Spirit. To dismiss, mock and ignore the full spectrum of the Word, will cause the legalistic persecutors of the Word to stumble from the grace of welcoming all, sharing in all the gifts brought to the table and the ensuing works manifest. A legacy from Old Testament thought, manifest in the new household of God. Dignity by Divine election defining a holy nation, chosen people, royal priesthood. Avoiding spiritual famine, our hearts will not be troubled by the chaos brewed in current Church disunity, but God’s mercy will be upon us as we place our trust in the Lord, who in kindness loves justice and right. The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Individual Reflection: Acts 6:1-7
In the spirit of synodality, how can your parish address the needs of the marginalized in the parish and margins of society? https://futurechurch.org/justice-in-the-church/synod-on-synodality/just-church-with-dr-phyllis-zagano/
Family Reflection: 1st Peter:2:4-9
How do you live as a living stones to be part of the spiritual house?
Prayer:
An Easter Prayer
Good and gracious God,
Our most glorious Creator,
As we greet the signs in nature around us:
Of Spring once again regaling us in bloom,
In the songs of returning birds and fields soon to be planted,
We give you praise for an even greater sign of new life: the resurrection of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, that we especially celebrate at this time.
The sadness and despair of his death has given way to the bright promise of immortality.
For the Resurrection is our guarantee that justice will triumph over treason, Light will overcome darkness, and love will conquer death.
As we celebrate, we also dare to ask for your grace that we may live the promise given to us,
By imitating the life of Jesus in reaching out to the poor, the marginalized, the least among us,
As we strive to be neighbor to all those we meet,
We ask your special blessings each and every day on our President.
Working with him may we strive to make this great country of ours a beacon of hope and justice in a world hungry for peace and so in need of your love.
We praise you in this Easter season. Change our lives, change our hearts to be messengers of Easter joy and hope.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever.
Amen.
– Fr. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, offered at the fourth annual White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on April 8, 2013
https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/easter-prayers
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
Link: https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born May 8, 2023 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.