Sixth Sunday of Easter Yr C

A group's losing control leads to conflict. We see this worked out in Acts via trying to resolve control and conflict issues by referring the matter to a council, which both makes a decision and finds a way for the "winning" side to live with the "losing" side in love. We see it in Jesus who refers all control issues to himself and his teaching which was to love one another and the presence of the Triune God within us with the Spirit teaching us and mediating Jesus' peace. This is not the world's way, but it is God's way and actually resolves issues.

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Title

Conflict, Control, and Peace

Outline

Control is a human addiction, even in our chaotic world

We often do this on a group level, circled around a leader who makes us feel safe

But this creates conflict with whatever other group or groups there are and in such situations reason and dialogue shut down - slogans prevail

This can happen in a school when things are changing

This can happen in national and international politics

This can happen in the pro-life movement - slogans and judgments and “we win - you lose” mentality perpetuating conflict

This can happen in the Church - I think of the “liturgy wars” or, even more extreme, those judging or defending Popes

When it happens, we do not have peace

Therefore, Acts describes the need to resolve such conflict, which will mean some or all giving up control

Judean Jews insisted on circumcision (certainly in addition to baptism) for salvation, probably including Sabbath and purity laws as well, for their party withdrew from eating with Gentile believers. Certainly the Judean party had precedent on their side - Jesus and all apostles were circumcised; Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the Torah show its importance.

Argument (such as Paul would write in Galatians) did not work, so both parties had to give up control and submit the issue to a council of apostles and elders in Jerusalem chaired by James.

The conflict was laid out before the council and was resolved when Peter pointed out that God had made a decision in sending the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his companions. Peter was not in control, God was in control.

This led to Paul and Barnabas being allowed to share what had actually happened in their ministry and James as presider making a summary statement and decision.

The letter that is the second part of our reading affirms Paul and Barnabas’ position, but limits the freedom of the Gentile converts in areas that would affect the common meal that was part of the Eucharist (would pollute the “Judean” party). Two Jerusalem leaders are sent along so that it was clear that the decision really did come from Jerusalem.

Notice that this is not a compromise, for the decision favors Paul and Barnabas, but a making sure that the decision did not break the bonds on peace and love, which is Paul’s message in 1 Cor 8 - 10 and is pictured in Revelation in which the “Jewish gates” lead into a city built on the apostles.

Jesus explains the theological actuality

First, we are not in control; he is. Therefore, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”

His word, of course, is that we love one another.

His promise is not power and authority but the presence of the Father within us.

Second, the Triune God will resolve conflict (and a lot else) through the Spirit: “The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

The Spirit will both remind us of Jesus’ words and will teach us further.

The leaving of the Spirit is the leaving of peace, shalom, well-being. But it is his peace, his well-being, not the power-enforced peace of the world. We rest and experience well-being in his government.

Sisters, that is our way forward to peace

I do not expect the world to follow it; we have peace in rejecting the world’s methods for the words of Jesus and the Spirit and realizing that God is in control.

Within the Church we have the way forward: choose not to be in conflict but appeal to higher authorities to resolve the conflict through their Spirit-given wisdom. (Which is what makes the conflict over Vatican II so serious.)

But ultimately we abandon ourselves to the will of God, looking to the Spirit to mediate Jesus’ peace to us and show us how to seek the good of the other, that is, to walk in the way of love.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 5-22-2022: Sixth Sunday of Easter

FIRST READING

Acts 15:1–2, 22–29

1 Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” 2 Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question.

22 Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. 23 This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some of our number [who went out] without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, 25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: 28 ‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, 29 namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’ ”

Catholic Daily Readings 5-22-2022: Sixth Sunday of Easter

RESPONSE

Psalm 67:4

4 May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you!

PSALM

Psalm 67:2–3, 5–6, 8

2 May God be gracious to us and bless us;

may his face shine upon us.

Selah

3 So shall your way be known upon the earth,

your victory among all the nations.

5 May the nations be glad and rejoice;

for you judge the peoples with fairness,

you guide the nations upon the earth.

Selah

6 May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you!

8 May God bless us still;

that the ends of the earth may revere him.

Catholic Daily Readings 5-22-2022: Sixth Sunday of Easter

SECOND READING

Revelation 21:10–14, 22–23

10 He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, [the names] of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. 13 There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. 23 The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.

Catholic Daily Readings 5-22-2022: Sixth Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

John 14:23

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

GOSPEL

John 14:23–29

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

25 “I have told you this while I am with you. 26 The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 5-22-2022: Sixth Sunday of Easter

SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2022 | EASTER

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Acts 15:1–2, 22–29

Response Psalm 67:4

Psalm Psalm 67:2–3, 5–6, 8

Second Reading Revelation 21:10–14, 22–23

Gospel Acclamation John 14:23

Gospel John 14:23–29

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