One of the turning points in the life of the early believers in Jesus occurred when the issue about what was to be expected of the non Jews who had been baptized. Remember the Gentiles; the non Jews had neither tradition of certain dietary practices nor the custom of circumcision. There were those who insisted if they were to be followers of the Gospel the Gentiles must observe these Jewish practices. Paul and the Gentile believers refused. There was an appeal to the mother church where it all began to the believers in Jerusalem. The decision was a compromise that called each groups to do a little bending. Their decision held the church together when it could have been torn apart from the start. We hear the rendering of this decision in the midst of the crisis.
We continue to listen to the highly symbolic teachings of the book of Revelation. The image we heard last week was that of a New Jerusalem. The believers in Christ make up this New Jerusalem. Today’s passage teaches about the city coming down from heaven. The church, the believers, have as their foundation the teachings of the Jewish tradition, the twelve tribes of Israel and the teachings of the twelve apostles. What gives life and light is the presence of God among and within the followers and believers of the gospel. The lesson in this passage is that God is present within us as the heavenly Jerusalem. We are the sign of God’s presence.
The time of the risen Lord being with the disciple is coming to an end. Our season of Easter will conclude with the feast of the Lord’s return to the Father next week with the feast of Ascension and the following week with the feast of Pentecost. This passage from John is preparation for these events as Jesus reminds His followers of the gift of Peace, forgiveness and mercy, we have received from the Risen Lord. The Paraclete the Holy Spirit will continue that gift within us and among us.
Like many of you, I have read some articles about the birth order of siblings in a family. I especially pay attention to what is said about where I fall in the order of birth within a family. There are supposed to be certain characteristics about the oldest child the youngest child and those in the middle. Since I am the second of three boys I fit into the quintessential description of the middle child.
There is evidence that the middle child is in touch with what it means to be younger so he or she can be sympathetic to the younger children. The middle child also knows what it is to be older than others and has the responsibility that the oldest child often assumes. There is also the possibility that the middle child is the forgotten child because of the reliance on the oldest with responsibilities and the youngest because of need to be cared for. The middle child is the one who is supposed to be the peacemaker because they are in touch with the issues the oldest and the youngest have to face and they do are not compromised by being the oldest or the youngest. No doubt there is validity in what is written about birth order.
I especially want to highlight the ability and sensitivity of being a bridge or peace maker that falls to the middle child. There is the characteristic of the middle child to be an instrument of peace within the relationships of the family. We all know that peace makers are necessary ingredients for all groups. If everyone has his or her own way there will be no unity or piece or tranquility, only a chaos. From the very start unity was an important focus of the believers. Rather than making a decision that would see half the church walk away the leaders in Jerusalem decided to try to hold the divergent parties together. Their decision allowed for differences in order to avoid division or chaos.
All have had to face situations of conflicting points of views. Such conflicts are found within sports team, at places of work, parishes and most of all within families. How many decisions to keep peace in the family have to be faced and made in every family each day?
It seems that the mother of a family is the final arbiter of family disputes. I remember vividly whenever my brothers and I were of divergent points of view and we were creating a major disturbance within the home my Mother would either intervene to break up the fight or we would appeal to her. I often thought she made unsatisfactory decisions because she did not take my side. Invariably she would remind us that it takes two to make an argument. Or that other famous maternal decree of hers “Two wrongs never make a right.” Neither my brothers nor I were satisfied with such a decision but after it was leveled it seems the fight or the arguments was ended. We realized none of us were going to get what we wanted. Yet again the family was held together when it could have been torn apart.
Even today when issues within a most families need a solution the wisdom that has been passed on by our parents serve as the foundation we turn to for guidance. Think of how often the very same words that our parents told us when we were growing up are coming out of our own mouths as we try to pass on wisdom and teach the next generation or end a skirmish. Many have served as wisdom figures in our lives.
They have taught us truths. They have been examples to us as to how we can deal with certain issues or problems. They also have mentored us in our relationships. Today we observe Mother’s Day. Most of us have grown in an appreciation and respect for our mothers. We have caused their hair to turn prematurely grey. We thought that what they said or the freedom they deprived us of was unfair and unreasonable at the time. I remember so vividly saying time and time again to my parents.” You just don’t understand”. We have come to realize over the years that they understood a great deal more then we understood at that time. To all the peacemakers, to those who kept it all together when it could have broken part, to all who taught us by example and discipline and love be they an aunt, a grandmother, a teacher, a coach a neighbor an especially our mothers we extend a heartfelt wish of gratitude for a Happy Mother’s Day.
Homily preached at the 5:00 Saturday and the 8:00 Sunday liturgies May 12/13 2007
Reverend William D. Mannion