Sixth Sunday after Easter

Stuart Rees recently wrote: ‘In the grinding weeks of an Australian Federal election, something needs to happen to change the language, to prompt debate, to craft vision, and even generate excitement. That something could be the goal of peace with justice.’ (Stuart Rees ’Reporting about Ukraine: peace difficult, war easy,’ Pearls and Irritations, April 20, 2022). There is increased cynicism and abuse in the electioneering as we saw in debates between the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader with fearmongering, lies, name calling, misinformation, dirty tricks, and media ’gotcha moments’. 

Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Easter readings have been about creating community where God’s/heaven’s priorities of peace, justice, equality, and healing are enfleshed, beginning with those nearest to us. The life we are called to does not remove us from the world but directs us toward a new community - new way of relating - that includes all people.  In the second reading we hear, ‘You see this city? Here God lives among humankind. God will make a home among them, and they shall be God’s people and God will be fully present with them. The Most High, will wipe away every tear from their eyes. And death, mourning, crying and pain will be no more, for the old order has passed away.’  We must ensure that Gospel values penetrate the very fabric of society if it is to be transformed to reflect God’s Reign where God is seen to identify with the vulnerable, the afflicted and disadvantaged.

Fourth Sunday of Easter Year

In the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus’ inclusive message provokes both faith and hostility. Following Jesus’ crucifixion, his followers were suffering persecution and hardship. Faith and hostility often come after Jesus’ inclusive message. Rejection and hostility caused the disciples to reach out to new audiences – moving outwards to new relationships and new ways of engagement. John was reaching out to them Jesus was the good shepherd; that he is trustworthy; that he is willing to give his life for them; and that we can safely follow his voice – "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me" rather than the voices that can very often lead to a sense of hopelessness, despair, or emotional or spiritual trauma in directions not conducive to peace, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, compassion and kindness.