Sixth Sunday of Easter [C]

 

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [C]


How will the disciples respond when Jesus ascends to the Father? Jesus explains that it should be understood as a cause for joy, not a cause for grief (John 14:28). A new chapter will soon be underway: we’re transitioning from the Age of the Son to the Age of the Holy Spirit. The Age of the Son was something to appreciate. Nevertheless, Jesus insists that a greater benefit will be brought about when the Holy Spirit takes center stage. The Divine Presence will no longer be concentrated within the form of a lone individual; instead, it will be dispersed liberally, across every boundary: every geographical boundary, every ethnic boundary, and every generational boundary. 


We can say that the Age of the Spirit will feature the manifestation of various gifts. For example, the Spirit provides you with the gift of wisdom. It’s a sought-after gift, especially if you happen to be in a position of leadership. Note the dilemma being faced in our first reading: those who lead the early church suddenly find themselves navigating through a period of controversy (see Acts 15). The Holy Spirit is called upon, they are endowed with a sufficient measure of wisdom, and soon the issue is being properly resolved (15:28). 


Furthermore, the Holy Spirit also brings you peace. We’re not talking here about “peace” as the world would define the term. Rather, Jesus portrays it as a peace that is  “heaven-sent” (John 14:27). In other words, when you are tapping into the Holy Spirit, you are being treated to an actual “foretaste” of Heaven. And yet, at this point, it has to be regarded as an outside resource. You have to look beyond yourself if you want the Spirit to be a part of your life. Still, the day is approaching when we won’t have to consider anything that comes from Heaven as an “outside” resource. 


You will be able to learn all about this prophecy by spending time in the Book of Revelation. As we reach chapter twenty one, it is anticipated that our communion with God will someday be pronounced as “complete.”  Miraculously, all of our needs will be satisfied—and that includes our need for sunlight (Rev. 21:23). Through God’s supernatural radiance, we will receive all necessary illumination and all necessary warmth. The “citizenship” Paul describes will be fully realized, fully consummated (see Phil. 3:20). 


The literary character, Charlie Bucket, will follow a very similar path. Initially, he can hardly afford the purchase of a single candy bar. By the time this Roald Dahl story concludes, however, Charlie Bucket has earned himself a lifetime supply of chocolate. Additionally, we hear that he is in line to inherit Mr. Wonka’s celebrated chocolate factory. Charlie’s world has become a world of chocolate. It’s a world of chocolate for him. For us? For us it will be a world of glory—a world of ABSOLUTE, UNPARALLELED GLORY. 

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