Divine Mercy Sunday
There is a continual discussion in our country over a strong centralized government, where our needs are determined by a few for the good of all or decentralized government whereby the people determine their needs by individual community and address those needs based upon their ability to do so. In our first reading, the early Church communities decided that Gospel values dictated that they care for one another’s needs based upon the community’s ability to provide for all.
“There was no needy person among them” is how the writer of Acts described the functioning of the community. However, there is a caveat. The Apostles proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection powerfully and living in accord with the commandments and belief in Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection.
Several years ago, there was a senseless shooting of children in the Amish community around Lancaster, Pa. A go to fund was established to help the people in need. The Amish community thanked the contributors but stated that they cared for their own and elected not to take the contributions.
What happens when we abandon the will of the people to the will of a few? If the few are God fearing people who profess Jesus crucified and risen and live by the decrees of the Gospel, then there is the possibility that the endeavor will succeed. However, we can never rule out the sin of pride that once given power, the few will want absolute power to determine everything that happens in our world and our society.
The new reset or a new world order are not Christian community in action. Instead, it is the will of the few declaring themselves better equipped to decide for the many their needs and how to meet those needs. The will of the few is not based upon Gospel values but is a manipulation of the will of people for power and control. The Gospel is a stark contradiction to the new reset and new world order and is rooted in the love of God for His people and our response to love God with our whole heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated into complacency and indifference. We must stand on the one truth of Jesus Christ crucified and have eternal hope in the resurrection. Otherwise, we will find our God given freedoms taken from us like a thief who comes in the middle of the night to steal what we own.
We must be vigilant in prayer, call on God’s faithfulness to His people, and invoke the Holy Spirit to guide us in the path of righteousness. We must build community that mirrors the community of the Trinity and we must be one in Spirit and Truth as the Eucharist calls each of us to be.
May God continue to bless you,
Deacon Phil