Sunday reflections

Who is Jesus Christ for us? An older woman called Jesus her mate. A priest once said, ’When the chips are down, there’s only Jesus and me. He’s my rock.’

The Eucharist not only keeps alive the memory of what Christ has done by giving his life for us. More profoundly, the Eucharist manifests the ever-present experience of what Christ and the Spirit continue to do for us throughout our lives.

The feast of the Holy Trinity is a wonderful celebration of the three persons of the Trinity. Indeed, St Therese of Lisieux saw the Trinity as the essence of God’s divine loving presence which draws us into life with God.

At Pentecost, Jesus’ confused disciples were gathered and locked in a room. Fear and suspicion filled the air. There was more perspiration than inspiration! The disciples were afraid that they would suffer the same fate as their Master. They listened and waited for the mob to arrive. They hoped that no one would discover their hiding place.

I once watched Andrew Manchini, an Australian who appeared on the TEDx Talk at Hobart High School when he discussed the significance of aligning one’s corporate vision with one’s personal vision.

This week’s readings prepare us for Ascension Sunday next week, as they instruct Christians on how to live in the world while we wait for Christ’s return. Although Jesus’ defeat of death has forever transformed what it means to be human, we live in this waiting period where salvation has already been won for us but is not yet fulfilled.

What’s all this about living stones and stumbling stones and cornerstones in the second reading (from the First Letter of St Peter)? Let’s take a deep dive.

One of the most memorable moments in the Australian film Babe comes when the sheep explain that all border collies and kelpies are wolves. The dogs chase, nip, and intimidate. They move sheep by pressure and fear. Babe, however, learns another way. He listens. He speaks gently. And, astonishingly, the sheep follow him because they recognise that he means them no harm

Let’s take a few moments to imagine ourselves living in Jesus’ time: knowing him, following him, loving him. There was something unimaginably wonderful about being in his presence, listening to his teaching and learning from him. No one was excluded from his company and conversation. Everyone was welcome, even those who had previously been shunned or excluded or abandoned by the community, such as the tax collectors, the sick or disabled, or the no-hopers. It was so very good to be with him.

Everything depends on the Resurrection, which is why there is no other Feast in the Church’s calendar which is celebrated with such solemnity. Each day of the Octave is treated as another Easter Day.