Dear Friends,
The Gospel readings during the Easter Season focus on relationships – the relationship between Jesus, the disciples and the women at the tomb; Jesus’ showing himself to the disciples on the shore of the lake; shepherd and sheep; the community of the Trinity; love as the essence of discipleship; and today our being drawn into the hospitality of God’s own life – the remarkable promise that God will come to us and make his home with us.
Each of us knows well the need to feel at home. Much as I have enjoyed my periods of overseas study in the US and Ireland and participation in conferences in Rome and the Philippines, returning home brings a sense of relief - even boarding a Qantas flight with its familiar décor and Aussie crew. In our time as we offer a new home to those from overseas, we should not underestimate the effects of dislocation on migrants and refugees, especially those from the Ukraine escaping the trauma of the war, and the demands on us to extend ‘thoughtful hospitality’.
Our sense of ‘being at home’ suffered a jolt during the pandemic, particularly the separation from family members and community. The impact on various groups is currently being documented, particularly school children. While efforts to help people remain connected have been very important, we are now in the process of rebuilding our families and communities, including our Parish Community.
Thankfully, year groups from St Kieran’s School and St Cecilia’s School are able to gather once more for Family Masses in each of our churches. Last Sunday, Year 1 families gathered in St Kieran’s while St Cecilia’s welcomes Year 1 families this weekend. Our celebrations always have plenty of energy and a strong sense of being ‘at home’ as we strengthen relationships and celebrate our Faith.
The New Testament writers are very conscious that not all of Jesus’ teachings and miracles are recorded in the Gospels but what is there helps us believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. We are blessed to have so many accounts of Jesus’ appearances after his Resurrection. So many occur in a ‘homely’ setting – with the disciples in the upper room, walking with the 2 followers heading back to Emmaus, and cooking breakfast by the lake. The original prophecy of Jesus’ coming was as Emmanuel - ‘God-with-us’ – a strong focus at Christmas but perhaps not so much in this Easter Season. Yet the Risen Jesus is more than ever God-with-us, Jesus’ message in John 14:23, how Jesus’ Father will love us and they shall come to us and ‘make their home’ with us.
The Hospitality of God is a strong theme in Luke’s Gospel but no less strong in Jesus’ lengthy discourses in today’s excerpt from the Gospel of John. This invitation is not just about the hereafter but about what happens now in our awareness of Jesus’ inner presence, in how we pray. God ‘at home within each of us’ is offered as a very rich prayer focus for each of us! Fr Dave