"The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb." (Revelation 21:23)
Reflections on the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 22, 2022): ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29; PS 67:2-3,5,6,8; REV 21:10-14,22-23; JN 14:23-29
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
It may feel overwhelming to think about allowing the Almighty to use us to fulfill His purpose. We tend to want to hang on to our own plans, our own desires...
The Book of Revelation reminds us that the New Jerusalem needs no temple. The temple, the dwelling place of God, is Christ Himself. Jesus, who gave up His life for His people, is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. And because He lives in His Church, He lives in us as well. He is with us in a special way here on earth, and He will lead us to unending life in heaven. “Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Whoever loves Me will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to Him and make our dwelling with Him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words; yet the word you hear is not Mine but that of the Father who sent Me” (John 14:23-24). God loves us and God is with us. Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard for us to grasp this for ourselves. We know the rules we are supposed to follow to be good Catholics, to live a Christian life. But too often, we put our spirituality into a different category. Yes, it colors our daily decisions and activities to varying degrees, but do we understand there is no real separation between spiritual life and what is physical, material, emotional, rational, or anything else. We have been given one life by God and while we are now temporal beings we are also spiritual ones -- intended by Him to be His now and in heaven, both in time and in eternity.
It may feel overwhelming to think about allowing the Almighty to use us to fulfill His purpose. We tend to want to hang on to our own plans, our own desires. We don’t want to lose ourselves. But, by cooperating with His grace and embracing His love, we will more truly become our best selves. We will not disappear. We will more profoundly come alive.
Suggested missionary action: May 22, 2022 is the 200th anniversary of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith. More than that, its founder, Pauline Jaricot of Lyon, France (1799-1862) is being beatified today. She was in her twenties when her intense desire to serve Christ and His Church by supporting missionaries through the prayers and regular contributions of laypeople took hold. The Society has advanced evangelization around the world for all these generations. Let us ask the intercession of Blessed Pauline Jaricot for the Society, missionaries and those they serve, and our own intentions.
