God is as near as we wish Him to be

By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J

April 25, 2013

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C) May 5 (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29)

What are the basic entry requirements for joining the people of God? This is an age-old question that continues in our own day. In the reading from Acts, we can eavesdrop on a debate that tore the first Christian community apart: does one have to first become fully Jewish, observing all of the elements of the Law, in order to become a follower of Jesus? There were those who interpreted the Law and tradition very strictly and those who were more flexible. The hardliners from Jerusalem had unsettled the community of Antioch and upset the delicate balance between Jewish Christians and gentile converts. Some community members refused to even eat at the same table as gentile Christians. Old ideas die hard, especially those involving separation and difference.

The Christian Church has struggled over the centuries with its own versions of racism, exclusivity and ethnocentrism, and the battle is far from over. In Luke’s view, the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost meant that the human-made barriers that separated people from one another had to be dismantled. At the prompting of the Spirit, Peter and others began to realize that the gift of inclusion was now being bestowed on all people — even Roman officers! It was a huge change in spiritual consciousness and not easily assimilated. An intelligent, compassionate and balanced decision was rendered at the Jerusalem meeting. No unnecessary burdens were to be placed on gentile converts — only the bare essentials were imposed: avoidance of idolatry and fornication.

Standing behind that decision was the principle that God desired the salvation of all. Because of this, great care had to be taken not to place obstacles and difficulties before people in their journey to God. Echoing the Gospel, it was a case of easing burdens rather than imposing or increasing them. God’s requirements are very simple (not easy). God asks us to be just, humble and loving, and to rejoice in serving others. We humans complicate things in our efforts to evade or compromise what God asks of us.

What and where is the New Jerusalem? It is not a place or an object but a state of spiritual awareness that God desires for all people. In John’s vision, the city was described in terms of precious jewels and the sacred number

12. This rich number — the number of the tribes of Israel and the apostles of Jesus — signifies among other things the fullness of God’s governance and rule of His people. In this promised future, there will be no need of temples for God will dwell among and within all people. The lack of sun or moon indicates that the light we need will come from within — Christ Himself will be our lamp. The text is a gentle suggestion that we look for the light of God within ourselves.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus affirmed this promise of a close and personal experience of God and once again, the demands are simple (not easy). Those who claim to love Jesus keep the word of God that He taught His disciples; namely, the commandment to love selflessly and to continually abide in Jesus. God the Father and Jesus will come and make their home with those who follow this path — truly stunning words! If that were not enough, Jesus even promised to send the Paraclete — the Spirit — so that believers can continue to experience His presence.

Have we ever considered what it means to dwell with the Trinity in this life? The result of this gift of immediate presence is twofold. First, we can experience peace — not worldly peace, but God’s peace. This sort of peace can only occur when we feel infinitely and unconditionally loved. Secondly, we are relieved of the gnawing fear that afflicts so many and is at the root of so much of the world’s violence, injustice and hatred. Is God as distant and unknowable as so many people believe? The fundamental message of all three readings is that God is only as close or as distant and unknowable as we want God to be. Keep it simple: love and dwell in the Lord.