When I came to the Kimberley, I was told to listen a lot and say very little. It was crucial advice, and advice I share with newcomers. To engage effectively with others we need to hear what they are saying and meet them on common ground. Yesterday I was asked about m,y views on a particular topic and I realised that I had been listening about it for enough years and now it was time to start talking about it, hopefully with some knowledge and wisdom.
During Eastertide we are listening to the experience of the disciples and their encounter with Jesus after his resurrection from the dead. Slowly all of the scriptures have come together and they fully realise who has been in their midst. Their reflection on their time spent with Jesus takes on a new meaning and is seen in new light. The experience of faith suddenly has flesh, has direction and has meaning. For the apostles it is time to act. So it is no coincidence that throughout Eastertide we read from the book called Acts of the Apostles.
Up until this time, the apostles had been very good at staying in the shadows of Jesus, soaking up the wisdom, knowledge and hope. Now they are called to share it with other people. Jesus tells them that he will be departing soon. This is too much for Thomas. Remember Thomas? He had to eat his words, apologise, and in doing so he shared his wonderful faith when he said: “My Lord and My God.” He was the most disappointed. None of us like change, especially just after we have had to change recently against our will. Jesus task was to reassure them. He said: “You know the way to the place I am going.” So do we? Thomas did, he just did not want to admit it. He had everything he need to go forward, but he was confortable and did not want to move.
You and I have everything we need to move forward in faith. Through our baptism we have the gift of God’s Spirit and call God our Father. Through Jesus we have the gift of salvation, the redemption won for us by the sacrifice of the Cross. The problem is that often we don’t really believe in this or don’t use it.
Recently, I was asked to explain a Church teaching to a third person. Why can’t you do it? I said. No, she said: The priests and the nuns do that. That’s how we were brought up. I think St Peter would have a great answer to that one, far better than the one I gave. It comes from our second reading:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
We are all called to take our part I proclaiming the resurrection and the reason for our hope. Eastertide is our season of hope. Christ has conquered death and eternal life is our reward. Now is the time for us to speak from our wisdom, our knowledge. We have listened, heard, taken it into our hearts and declared our faith in the risen Christ. We are called to bear this witness to others and talk about it in our lives. The first reading tells of how the apostles shared their ministry with others so that everyone is able to take part. That is the mission of the church. We all have a role and a part. My friend was wrong, we cannot leave it all to the priests and the nuns, for in doing so we are negating the power of our own baptism.
If we allow the Word and sacraments to work through us, the faith will spread, love and respect will be given and received, and hope will conquer the sadness and despair enslaving many in our society. May the word of God, alive and active, find a place in our hearts.
Homily, Broome, Fifth Sunday of Easter, 22nd May 2011
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