A (brief) homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 8, 2022
Acts 13:14, 43-52, Rev 7:9, 14b-17, Jn 10:27-30
The Apostles headed out to spread the Good News, traveling mostly by foot from town to town, telling people they met about everything they had heard and seen during their days with Jesus of Nazareth.
Some people listened and followed. Some people heard but turned away. Some people ignored them completely.
Some people ran them out of town.
No problem.
The Apostles shook the dust off their feet and moved on.
(I love that image, knowing that the dust they were shaking off contained all sorts of mean, nasty, ugly stuff. Much more powerful than rude hand gestures.)
And then the same happened in the next town, and the next, and the next. Always mixed results.
Always no problem.
Because God has this.
Always has. Always will.
Jesus and the Father, who are of one being, one substance, were there to keep a hand in the Apostles’ backs whenever those evangelists needed support.
The kind of hand only a loving shepherd can provide.
We, the new evangelists, the inheritors of the Apostles’ mission, the disciples of Christ in the 21st Century, can spread the Word of Truth by living the Gospel, and by testifying when asked, because a loving shepherd is always there to guide us and support and sustain us.
Yes, God has this.
And knowing that, we have every reason to leap like lambs, as the Psalms say.
Jumping for Easter joy.
Thank you Bill. Perfect day for me to hear HIS word. God bless us all.
A sister in Christ, Jeanie Giegerich.