Homily, May 25, 2025
From The Pastor
Love is the power that secures faith and inspires hope in good times. In times of uncertainty and fear, faith and hope can waver if the power and source of love is threatened. Love always holds an element of faith with proportionate hope. In the face of the Cross even Jesus knew the pains of uncertainty and resistance. In the power of the Father’s love, Jesus persevered.
Different expressions of fear are found over three hundred times throughout the Bible. For instance, in today’s gospel Jesus says to the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” The words are an expression of kindness knowing the fear and concern of the fearful disciples.
The setting is the Last Supper. The Apostles have not yet encountered the trauma of the Lord’s death on the Cross, but they know something critical is on the horizon. In the mutual love shared between Jesus and his followers the fear of losing Jesus is thick with fear.
In today’s reading, even before the Crucifixion, Jesus talks about his departure. Still unaware of the Cross, the disciples fear that Jesus will be leaving them. The death of Jesus will have its own trauma, but now in these words Jesus is referring to his Ascension after the Resurrection. Consider the fear and uncertainty of the disciples who think Jesus will be leaving them.
At this point in his human-divine journey, Jesus knows all that will take place in the will and intention of the Father’s work of redemption. He is preparing the disciples for his departure which are never words loving friends want to hear. Separation from loved ones creates fear and uncertainty about the future. Quite aware, Jesus prepares these early believers for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The conundrum of the Christian life is that the peace of Christ promised us by Jesus stands in close relationship with suffering. The peace of Christ is not the peace of the world. The peace of Christ is the promise and surety of the presence of God within the believer. The peace of Christ is Christ himself in the constancy of his presence in each of us through the Holy Spirit. The disciples could not know this before the Holy Spirit had descended upon them. In the reception of the Holy Spirit their lives are transformed. No longer afraid, they are able to find courage and peace in the surety of the Lord’s power in them through the faith and love they hold in his name.
This does not mean happily ever after. Human love and Christian love must persevere through the trials and sufferings of this life. Love is self-giving and self-giving is rarely a bed of roses. Yet, in the surety and commitment of the love modeled by Christ, we can persist through the fear, uncertainty, and sometimes critical irritations to be faithful to the love we profess. Isn’t love purified and strengthened through times of crisis? Love in times of fear and uncertainty is the balm that calms the agitations that demand a quick fix. Suffering in love for the good of others is evidence of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus offers the commitment of the Father’s love. In another verse, Jesus says, “the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. We will love him and make our dwelling in him.” To have faith and love for Jesus unites the believer in the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit.
This is the peace Jesus gives. In two weeks, we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Yes, love comes with suffering, but those who profess the love and Lordship of Jesus will be given the Holy Spirit. We become temples, a dwelling place of the Spirit who will animate and strengthen us in every trial as we seek to put into practice the way of Jesus.
This is not an if or a when. In Baptism, we are already temples of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ dwells in us. In times of fear, uncertainty, weariness, or doubt, we can turn inward and call forth the Spirit of God to strengthen us through every trial.
As recently read in Jesus Calling, do not work for an easy, problem free life. It is not reality. In times of trial or distress, turn to the Lord with trust and anticipation seeking his guiding help. You are never alone. Jesus in the Spirit is always present. Stressful time? Intentionally give praise to God.
Father John Esper
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