Scripture:
Acts 18:23-28
John 16:20-23
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus continues to talk to His disciples about His leaving them to go to the Father. One of the things He says is, "I have spoken these things to you in veiled language. A time will come when I no longer do so, but shall tell you about the Father in plain speech."
In His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Jesus has spoken to us "in plain language" about God. He has told us that God’s power is not in violence or domination, but love. He has told us that God loves us to the point of sacrifice for us. He has told us that God goes beyond what is reasonable and safe in dealing with His children. He has told us that above all, God loves us.
At times when we may have difficulty hearing God speak to us, we need to look again at the Cross, and remember again the empty tomb, and realize once again the immensity and depth of God’s love for us all. And if we can accept that love, we are called to share it with others, speaking in the same kind of "plain language" that Jesus used, the language of action and sacrifice.
When we go outside of ourselves to serve others, we are speaking to people about God. When we live with integrity and honesty, we are speaking to people about God. When we carry our own crosses in faith, we speak to people about God. And when we have joy and peace even in the midst of chaos, we witness to our trust in the love and power of God.
In an era of "spin" and so many different ways of communication, the world needs the "plain language" of Christian witness. May the language of Jesus’ love be spoken through us.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P.([email protected])is the pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, Fairfield, Alabama.