OMELIE / Omelie EN

25 mag 2025

25/05/2025 - 6th Sunday of Easter - year C

25/05/2025 - 6^th Sunday of Easter - year C

Reading 1 ACTS 15,1-2.22-29 Psalm 65 Reading 2 REV 21,10-14.22-23 Gospel JN 14,23-29

We have heard someone trying to describe the heavenly city, the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, gift from God to men. It is encircled and protected by tall and formidable walls, but it is not closed. We can enter from all sides, only through the gates. These are watched by angels and carry a reference to the twelve patriarchs of the people of Israel, while the whole city is built on foundations which remind us of the Twelve apostles. The contemporary and future citizens of this city are taking advantage of the patriarchs’ obedience to God and of the apostles’ obedience to Jesus, their Lord.

They who enter and live in this city receive the fruit of the life of the people of Israel and the Church. Therefore, they also accept the rules, which the gates are referring to, that the Church establishes for them to offer them guarantee of safe and longstanding protection and peaceful and happy coexistence. The rules of the city are those the apostles are showing with their life: unconditional love for Jesus, their unity in the Holy Spirit, which is the gift given by the Father who is listening to the Son’s prayer, reciprocal service, constant effort to preach the Gospel, which is the truest and deepest love for all humankind.

This city has its own internal light, like a sun, like a fire: the Lamb is a light which is always shining so everyone can find the way and enjoy their own and other people’s identity.

The light of the Lamb is the one which has guided the apostles in order to make difficult choices, but precious for the community of the brothers and sisters. The reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives an example of this. Problems of coexistence and understanding have arisen between Hebrews and Pagans who have found the faith. The Hebrews wanted first that also the Pagans followed Moses’ laws before receiving the Baptism. The apostles had to decide, letting themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit. And, after recognising that Jesus had brought to completion Moses’ Law, they decided that faith in the Son of God, lived in unity with the Church, did not need anything else to obtain salvation for us. Jesus is our only Savior: He is the one who has saved us with His death and resurrection.

The Holy Spirit has made the apostles capable of making brave and wise choices. Jesus, before leaving, had promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit, and He had said that the Councillor would have guided them to the perfection of truth, to be aware, then, of the ever-new dimensions of the Father’s love in all the situations they would have to face.

Today as well the same Spirit enlightens and guides our shepherds, the Bishops, to tell the truth, so to speak about the need of God’s love in the new and intricate situations which the world makes us live in. In order for the Holy Spirit to be always in us and in the Church, we need to always keep alive a simple and steadfast love for Jesus. He Himself has recommended it to us: «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».

By loving Jesus we will enjoy in ourselves His presence and the Father’s presence. They will be in us in all their richness of light, life and truth, with the strength and the wisdom of their Spirit, with the power of their love.

Loving Jesus is the warranty of the stability of our families. He insists so much in telling us that we need to love Him, because He knows that in the true and deep relationship with Him is rooted the beauty of our life. When we love Him, all the power of God’s love is operating in us and is spilling out of us to reshape and change the world.

Lord Jesus, I love you! You are my life, you are the foundations and the light of the men’s city. May I be allowed to enter it and dwell forever in it to enjoy your peace and the unity with all your faithful people!