Cycle C Sixth Sunday of Easter

ln the first reading we hear, “Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Throughout the history of our church there have been those who believe in a rigorist, law observing, behavior. In our times we have those who want to throw out the mercy of God in favor of the judgment of God. Without strict guidelines and mles and regulations from which one cannot waver, they seem lost. They forget that life is messy and not always bound up in a neat little package.
Of course, they see themselves as the true observers the ones who have everything right, even at the expense of declaring fellow believers to be going to hell because they don’t practice as they do. The second reading continues a vision by John written to encourage the faithful to hang on to the faith despite persecutions and difficulties. Each of us in our own way need to remember that our ultimate goal is not to live here forever but to join Jesus in heaven. When we have difficulties, we need to remember what Paul says in Romans: “we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope.” Like the readers of Revelations let us continue to hope in the future promised us by God and remain faithful in our trials and tribulations. Following on the heels of Revelations the Gospel reminds us that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” We say we want peace, but do we want earthly peace or the peace that comes from following Jesus. Jesus said, if we follow him, we need to pick up our cross each day. Does that sound like peace? It does if we seek the peace from God not the peace from the world.