Fifth Sunday of Easter A April 20, 2008

John 14:1-12 Here at the Last Supper the hearts of Jesus’ disciples are understandably troubled. It was no secret that the Jewish authorities had been looking for a way to squelch the preaching and ministry of Jesus. Jesus had created a lot of friction with them by clearing animal sellers and money changers from the temple area claiming the space for his preaching during the busy days leading up to the celebration of the Passover. They sensed that things were about to come to a head. Now Jesus speaks of going away. The phrase “I am the way, the truth and the life”, so full of meaning for post-resurrection Christians, did not satisfy the disciples that day. They had not yet grasped the message of Jesus’ divinity and oneness with the Father, the central teachings of the Gospel of John.

Reading I, Acts 6:1-7 The word ‘Hellenists’ means ‘Greeks’. This does not here refer to people born in Greek territories or converts to Judaism (only one of those selected had been a convert) but to Jews who spoke Greek as their primary language and were influenced by the Greek culture. For nearly a century, descendants of Jews who had escaped foreign takeovers Israel and Judah centuries ago (the ‘diaspora’) and resettled throughout the Mediterranean region had been returning to Jerusalem, some to visit during major festivals and some to make their home there. As with the Hispanic community here in Northfield, these people probably settled in neighborhoods where they retained their familiar Greek language and customs. Among the apostles Philip may have been fluent in Greek (some Greeks approach Jesus through him in Jerusalem, John 12:20), but their primary languages were Aramaic and Hebrew. Their dress, diet and lifestyle were those more common to Jews of the homeland. Although some passages in Acts reflect the early Christian community in its more ideal moments (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35), they had their challenges like any other community. Sensitivities between the Greek-speaking and Aramaic-speaking elements of the community required expanding leadership to represent both groups. Note that, although the passage alludes to the apostles “serving at table”, this probably refers more to the headaches of administrating food distribution and other services throughout the growing community. The ministry of the seven (note the Jewish number of perfection) deacons would include preaching and healing (consider the example of Stephen, Acts6:8, ff.) as well as administrative responsibilities.

Reading II, 1 Peter 2:4-9  The temple of Jerusalem would have been numbered among the most impressive and beautiful buildings in the world of its day. The reconstruction begun by King Herod the Great was still continuing during the public ministry of Jesus (John 2:20 indicates that it had been under construction for 46 years). Peter uses the image of temple construction to express the unity of Christians as a living temple built up for God’s glory. Into this living temple people may enter and experience the presence of God. Paul uses this same image in Ephesians 2:19-22. The quote from Psalm 118:22 about the rock rejected become the cornerstone recalls the purpose of a cornerstone as the one with which all the other stones in the building will be aligned or oriented. So it is with us in relationship to Jesus Christ. The stone rejected calls to mind the stone from which Michaelangelo carved his famous sculpture of David. Due to numerous irregular veins that rendered it prone to fracture easily, the huge block of marble had previously been rejected by many more-experienced sculptors. Michaelangelo ‘saw’ David in the stone and then ‘freed’ him with his carving. Sadly, many of Jesus’ contemporaries could not see God present in him, but those who received the gift of spiritual vision would be freed by him.

Comments

[Cathy Stepanek]

Hi Fr. Denny,

Even though I've now officially moved out of Northfield and away from St. Dominic's I enjoy staying in touch by reading your weekly blogs. I really appreciate the historical background and your interpretation on the readings.

Thanks!