Scripture:
Acts 5:27-33
John 3:31-36
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading from John, Jesus testifies about Himself: "The one who comes from above is above all…He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy…The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…"
Very often in John’s Gospel we hear Jesus contrast what is from above with what is earthly. I don’t think the intention is for Jesus’ disciples to have their "heads in the clouds" all the time, as it is for His disciples to follow the ways of God rather than the ways of the world. As Peter and the Apostles say to the Sanhedrin in our first reading from Acts, "We must obey God rather than men." In the Gospels, Jesus often goes contrary to worldly wisdom. His Passion and Resurrection are proof of that!
As disciples, we are called to testify to what we have seen and heard. In the upper room, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20:21) If we look at our own lives, we have experienced Easter in many ways – when a loved one recovered from illness, or was relieved from their suffering and taken home to God; when one job was terminated and another one opened up; when an obstacle was overcome, or when a crisis led to something better on the other side. All these things tells us, those who are attuned to things "above," that God is trustworthy, and that Jesus is risen! We have been sent to spread the hope we have in Jesus’ Resurrection. As Jesus also says in our Gospel reading, God "does not ration the gift of the Spirit." May we follow the Spirit given to us, and share the Good News of Easter!
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, Fairfield, Alabama.