MAY 4 - 5, 2019
4:30 PM (SAT), 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES
The traditional rhyme: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” is pretty much known to every wedding couple.
Its origins are lost in antiquity, but it seems to have come out of England and Wales as a response to superstitions about curses being placed on brides and grooms by jealous spinsters and jilted suitors.
In a more contemporary way, it is symbolic, and reminds a couple entering into marriage to remember where they have come from, to look forward with eager anticipation to the future, to share their joys and sorrows with friends and family, and that the sky is the limit in regards to their dreams and aspirations.
This is good advice for anyone, really, who is embarking on any new endeavor. And is something we should all remember as we journey through life.
Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter.
And as we progress through the Easter Season, we have been “channel surfing” through the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. Today, we find ourselves just past the middle part of Acts, and almost at the end of the Book of Revelation.
In today’s reading from Revelation, we hear about “a new heaven and a new earth” and the
holy city, [the] new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And how “God’s dwelling is with … his people” … as “the old order pass[es] away … [t]he one on the throne … make[s] all things new.”
It is important for us to not only remember the symbolism of Revelation, but to recognize that this is a living part of the “consummation” and “accomplishment” of Christ’s mission – what He spoke of from the Cross, and what he will speak of in the next few verses in Revelation.
This is the “becoming” that we experience every day as we allow God’s grace, mercy, and love to “dwell with [us]” more and more.
This comes about in us through the “strengthen[ing of our] spirits” and our “persever[ance] in … faith” as we recognize that despite “many hardships” in this world here and now, our ultimate goal is “to enter the kingdom of God” and to reign with Christ for eternity.
We do this by seeking, not our own glory, but the glory of God. And in today’s Gospel we hear that “God is glorified” through, with, and in Christ Jesus when we “love one another” as He has loved us.
Not a schmalzy love. Not a selfish love. Not a shallow love, or cheap love. But a sacrificial and a divine love. A love that perseveres from all eternity and for all eternity. A love that shares itself without reservation. A love that sets no limits and knows no limits.
Difficult? Yes. Impossible? For human beings, yes. But with God, all things are possible. And we must allow God to always dwell in us.
Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist are the Sacraments of Initiation … the Sacraments that incorporate us into the Body of Christ … as the Church … the Bride of Christ … in the Kingdom of God.
We must never lose sight of what these Sacraments are – living signs of our union with Christ – and sources of divine grace for us to transcend our human weaknesses … to live as the sons and daughters of God.
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ … let us never let go of the infinite and transforming graces … which give us the power to live out that “new” commandment … which identifies us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
“As [he has] loved [us], so [we] also should love one another.”
