Fifth Sunday of Easter [B]

 


FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER


Imagine that you are channel-surfing. You pause at the Cartoon Network, to check in on Bugs Bunny. He’s not up to his usual antics; rather, he’s sitting beneath an apple tree, reading about the Knights of the Round Table. The pace picks up, however, as he finds himself being transported back to that original period. He’s no longer reading about the world of King Arthur; now he’s actually experiencing it first hand. Through the course of this episode he will be challenged to a joust, he will have to escape from a fire-breathing dragon, and he will have to match wits against a devious court magician [an episode titled “Knight-Mare Hare”]. As the story comes to a conclusion, Bugs convinces himself that it was all just a dream. And yet, at the very last moment, we will see evidence that maybe it was more than just a dream. 


Why open with this particular illustration? We’re spending time in the Acts of the Apostles. We hear about the issues that were being faced by the early church, and we also hear about how the church was able to respond. The church responds by becoming galvanized and by continuing to add new members (Acts 9:31). In other words, these were the days of vitality and growth. We get to read about it as we navigate our way through this Easter season. And yet, wouldn’t it be nice if we could do more than just read about it? Bugs managed to enter into that narrative about the days of the round table. Is that option being made available to us? 


Evidently, we get there by way of the grapevine. If you want to experience the energy and the vitality, you get there by way of the grapevine. We become enhanced through our relationship with the Lord Jesus, who identifies himself as “The True Vine” (John 15:1). We in turn are being referred to as the “branches” (15:5). This begs the following question: as a branch, are you attached to the vine? Or have you become disconnected, such that you are no longer attached to the True Vine? If you are not in communion with the Lord, then you’ll have to settle for reading about the abundant life. You’ll have to read about it, rather than experience it. 


Our second reading places a certain amount of emphasis upon the Ten Commandments (1st John 3:22-24). This is to be expected. And yet, along with the Commandments, we’re also being directed to believe in “the name of” the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 23). The point is to believe, not just in the person of Christ, but also in his holy name. By honoring the Commandments and by believing in the name of Jesus, you will place yourself in communion with the Lord. It’s our way of “remaining in him” (see 1st John 3:24 & John 15:4). Through the Commandments your behavior comes to be elevated. Likewise, through believing in the name of Jesus, your soul comes to be elevated. 


If you’re wondering about the significance of “the name,” it helps to remember that the name “Jesus” derives from the Hebrew language; it means: Yahweh saves. Appreciate furthermore that the salvation he offers begins in the here and now. It’s not reserved exclusively for the next life. Value your communion with the Lord. Allow yourself to experience the gift that is being extended to you. He wants you to live the abundant life. Don’t just read about it; commit yourself to actually living it.  

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