Saturday word, 23 May 2009

Sixth Easter Saturday (23 May 2009)
Ac 18.23-28; Ps 47; Jn 16. 23b-28
Homily of Fr. Paul Panaretos, S.J.
The Asking Hour

In the Fourth Gospel, the word hour fell from Jesus’ lips with a particular meaning. His hour was the time of his glorification on the cross, of being lifted up to draw all people to himself./1/ That was the time when Jesus no longer spoke in figures but most clearly about [his] Father and his vocation.

The gift of Holy Spirit made the disciples representatives of Jesus and empowered them to continue his ministry in different places and different times. One thing, though, would not be different. Jesus’ disciples would encounter opposition even to death./2/ An hour would come for each disciple; and that would be the time to ask the Father for anything, which would strengthen the disciple’s resolve and keep the disciple single-minded in serving in Jesus’ name.

Chances are that we hear Jesus say anything for any time. That is not faithful to Jesus’ words; we will share, each in each one’s way, in Jesus’ hour. Our share in Jesus’ hour seals God’s love for us. Our share in Jesus’ hour makes God’s love visible to others.

How do others see God’s love? Faith in God and union with Jesus in his church enlightens eyes. Yet, even people without faith or reject it and the church are not unmoved when disciples make God’s love visible. For some it may take a long time to come to faith or to the church of Jesus. Sharing Jesus’ hour is never done in vain. It is the most powerful way that we bring strength to other disciples.

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1. John 12.32.
2. See John 13.36.
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