Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14a - -36-41 Psalm 23 1Peter 2: 20b-25 John 10: 1-10
This Sunday there is no post-resurrection appearance as there have been in the gospel readings since Easter. The gospel today is a teaching that the people of Jesus’ time, as well as our present day Christians, can relate to.
Unfortunately today it is the very humanity of millions who are being robbed of basic rights by unjust neighbors and the very government that should be protecting them. Gatekeepers today work to protect borders with lethal weapons and, properties of the wealthy are guarded by alarm systems and cameras in order to keep out the poor who struggle and would be satisfied if they could only rob them of what they waste each day.
The world God sent Jesus into had the same classes of people and the caring, as well as harmful citizens living under government control, the helpful versus the harmful, is the fodder for media attention. What keeps the caregivers going are the artists who lift the spirit and the very beauty of the creation provided from the beginning of the world.
This Easter Season, our spirits are lifted as we again rejoice as Jesus rose from the dead, and this could be the time we recall the words of John Lennon, who also lives on today in the gift of a song paraphrased below.
“Imagine no Heaven, only sky above, no hell below us, no countries, nothing to kill or die for, no religion, all people living in peace, no possessions, no greed or hunger, all people sharing all the world. You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday, you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”
What is apparent today is there are millions imagining a better world by helping those in need, and calling on government officials to stop the oppression.
As the people who knew the real Jesus who rose from the dead went forth to continue humanitarian works, so now we are disciples who desire life more abundantly for all continue His mission as gatekeepers of justice and peace.
Sister Dorothy Maxwell, OP
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