Homily: Fourth Friday of Easter

Fourth Friday of Easter (Jn. 14:1-6) “Which Way Do I Go?”

We might at times wonder how we know if we are being faithful to our Christian calling. We usually think that this revolves around having achieved a certain knowledge about our faith. Some people may feel if they graduate from the 8th grade of some Catholic school and if they are confirmed that somehow, they have arrived as a disciple of Jesus.

Other people who were not baptized as infants but have gone through the OCIA process later in life feel that they have arrived as disciples of Jesus once they are baptized and completed the process. None of this is true.

If we think we have achieved full stature as followers of Jesus, then it shows that we have learned very little. The person who realizes that they have not arrived but are only on the way to being apostles of Jesus is the one who understands the Christian life.

Someone once said that religious education lasts from womb to tomb in a Christians life. There is always one more thing to learn about Jesus. Our spiritual growth continues throughout our life.

I like to compare it to a plant that we might have in a pot in our home. Living plants are kind of a bother. We know they need to be watered and fed. Also, they make a mess dropping needles and leaves. Sometimes they look good. At other times they don’t.

A silk plant is easier to take care of. You just knock off the dust once in awhile and they look fine. But the fact is they are dead. Nothing is happening. It is better to evolve and change.

Jesus said that he is calling on us to follow his way. He does not say much about arriving. To live as a Christian, we must be content with a sense of incompleteness in this life. We only will fully arrive when we unite with Jesus for all eternity.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I enjoy having answers? Do I enjoy searching for answers?

2.   What would Jesus say to us about this? Am I spiritually alive?

Dear Parishioners,

          We are coming to the end of the OCIA process for this year. I am always surprised that when we come to the end of this program where we bring new members into the church there are people who contact us who want to be Catholic. Usually, I try not to say, “Well you missed out. Wait until next fall.” That is not very encouraging.

          When people ask to become Catholic this time of year, me or a member of our OCIA team, try to interview the person and meet with them periodically until the fall. We extend the Inquiry process.

          If someone asks you about becoming Catholic, please have them contact our office and we can show them the way.

          May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,

          Fr. Mark