Father Rick Bolte's Homily

C: SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

In today’s second reading, John, the author of Revelation, falls on his face when he sees God. This is a typical reaction for anyone we read about in scripture who encounters God. We can relate as we are aware of our profound unworthiness compared to God. But it is interesting to note that when God calls someone, God doesn’t take away their limits, give them superpowers, or stop them from being sinners. They are “justified” (as Paul speaks of Abraham) by their faith in God who is loving and merciful.

John of Revelation is to write down what he sees and hears. His mission is not about his power and abilities but simply a conduit of God’s message to his people. In today’s gospel Jesus commissions the Apostles to carry on his mission in the world. Nothing here takes away their limits or sinfulness. They are called to receive the Spirit who will work through them.

The power that Jesus mentions when he sends the Holy Spirit is the power over sin. They have the power to forgive or retain sin. This, of course, is critical. To be justified is not what we gain by our own merit but rather what we receive by having faith in God. In our calling it is not about whether or not we are worthy (we never are), it is about having enough faith in God to know that we are justified and acceptable because of the love and mercy of God. Just as with the Apostles, we decide who is forgivable and who is acceptable by how merciful and forgiving we are to each other. We help or hinder one another in our quest to know experientially (as opposed to just intellectually) the mercy of God.

Many of us do not hear God’s call because we presume God does not call us. How could he, we are too unworthy? We need to help one another dare to believe that God values us and can work through us despite our sin and limits. We help one another have the faith that leads us to recognize the righteousness God offers us.

Each of us indeed is called by God. Each one of us is needed by God for the work of the kingdom. Too many of us do not realize we are called and limit our notion of being Christian to following a code of conduct. We play by the “rules” but otherwise continue to pursue our own interests in the world much the same as anyone who is not Christian. Our values are not really different; we only imagine we are true Christians because we think we are behaving better. To be called by God is to have a new purpose. In Baptism we are called to die to this old way of living, living in sin. No longer are we to live in the world as if it is all that really matters. We are to be about the mission for which Jesus was sent into the world, the work of the kingdom.

Though each of us is unworthy, God can work through us. God calls us to a new way of living. We are to no longer live our lives for what this world has to offer. We are to live as Jesus did. We continue his mission when we commit our lives to the spread of the Good News. The Good News is the mercy and love of God which can transform our lives. It is not something we earn but something we accept by faith. As we surrender our will to God’s, we are transformed and God’s kingdom grows in our world.