Easter 5, Year A, 10 May 2020 (Mother’s Day)
Today’s Gospel is an invitation to know more deeply who Jesus is; and as we know more and more who Jesus is, we come to know who God is; and as we come to know and experience who God is, we come to know our own deepest and truest Self.
During this time of pandemic, physical distancing and economic uncertainty, many things are changing. We are missing our friends, our families, our church, and of being able to hold each other and simply enjoy each others presence. This is affecting us. We are uncertain about many of our institutions, organizations and businesses. This is affecting us. All of these things come and go as time marches on. But there is something that remains the same - our deepest identity in God, our “unbirthed” self, our “uncreated” soul, our divine self. And in our Christian context, it is Jesus who shows us where we have to go spiritually and how to get there.
“where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father.”
As we come to know the real relational Love that we are, and as we surrender to that Love, we consciously “become” that Love. As we discover that deep Unitive Love, we awaken to our deepest identity. So that even in the midst of such social and economic upheaval as in this pandemic, we can become more grounded and secure in who we are.
As Christians become more grounded in their deeper Love identity in God, the Church, even in a pandemic, can grow in spiritual depth and numbers. The Acts of the Apostles tells us how the early church was open to the Holy Spirit and grew in faith, love and good works.
Why was the early church growing? Because disciples of the Way said “yes” in both their minds and hearts to the Love of Christ and saw and loved Christ in every person.
The early church cared for those in need. In addition to being excited about their new found faith, active caring about people also made an impact on what others thought about the early church.
During this time of pandemic and physical distancing, how are you as a Christian reaching out to and caring for Christ in the other? Especially the vulnerable and marginalized?
Even during this time of pandemic and distancing, this parish as a whole continues to reach out and connect in meaningful and relevant ways. What are you doing to help support the work of this faith community?
Today is Mother’s Day, a Mother’s Day like no other. A Mother’s day in the midst of a global pandemic. We remember the mother’s of young children who are trying to cope with a hectic life at home with no school, and restrictions around socializing. We remember mothers of older children and adults at home, and the challenges that it brings. We remember mother’s of adult children who cannot hold their adult children because of the Covid distancing restrictions. We remember older mother’s living at home alone or living in Seniors residences, who are isolated from their families. Every family is challenged this Mother’s Day in this season of Covid Pandemic. Let’s simply do what we can to connect and to love with much compassion.
No comments:
Post a Comment