Sunday Readings for May 9-10, Sixth Sunday of Easter
By Fr. Jack Treloar, SJ | For On Mission
As we move more deeply into our celebration of Easter, it is helpful to pay attention to the tone of both the daily and Sunday readings assigned for our Eucharistic celebrations during this season. The picture of Jesus that the Church asks us to reflect on is quite different from the one presented to us during the other parts of the liturgical year. This resurrection picture moves away from the Jesus who seems to be reluctant to have people acknowledge that he is the Messiah to a new picture of a self-assured Jesus, fully alive and confident of his identity as the Risen Christ. The readings not only tell us something of the risen Christ, but they also tell us how different our discipleship has become from the original invitation to follow him as a carpenter from Nazareth.
The first reading from Acts portrays Philip proclaiming the Gospel to the Samaritans. They are outcasts and unacceptable to the observant Jews of the time. There is a boldness about this preaching, miracle-working, and driving out of demons. This certainly is not the pre-resurrection Philip who Jesus originally called to follow him. The effect of the new Philip’s teaching is summarized by the author of Acts with the words, “There was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8).
The confidence expressed by Philip is echoed in the reading from 1 Peter, which begins with the boldest of words, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear (1 Pt 3:15-16).
What is the explanation for all of the exuberance and confidence? The answer to that question is simple. “Christ is risen from the dead.”
What we have learned from these two readings becomes evident in the brief section from Jesus’ discourse at the Last Supper in the Gospel according to John. In the Gospel reading, Jesus gives a series of instructions to the disciples concerning how they are to lead their lives after his Passion, Death and Resurrection: “Keep my commandments.” “The Father will give you another Advocate.” “I will not leave you orphans.” “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.”
Jesus is preparing them for their lives after his Resurrection. He has given them a set of commandments that builds on — but far exceeds — the commandments promulgated by Moses. He announces the abiding presence of the Spirit in the post-resurrection lives they will lead. Most astounding of all is his claim of the most intimate relationship with the Father. We are genuinely living in a new creation.
Joy, exuberance, and confidence are marks of the post-resurrection life of Jesus’ disciples. If we truly believe that Jesus is the Christ and we are his disciples in this new creation, we have nothing to fear even in troubled times. For as Jesus tells us, “ … whoever loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and reveal myself to him” (Jn 14:21).
The readings for Sunday, May 10, can be found at Sixth Sunday of Easter | USCCB.