Sixth Sunday of Easter [A]

 


SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [A]


Imagine an egg that has been laid. The egg, at least initially, belongs to a mother eagle. We say “initially” because the egg ends up being separated from the nest, as the result of a major storm event. After the storm subsides, a prairie chicken takes custody of the egg—and subsequently, the hatchling to be produced from it. From a genetic standpoint, the hatchling can be categorized as an eagle. And yet, it will be reared as a prairie chicken. It grows up, believing itself to be an authentic, certifiable prairie chicken. 


Of course, it’s just a matter of time. Eventually, the pseudo-prairie chicken will look up into the sky and see an eagle that’s “being” a genuine eagle.  Nevertheless, when the day does arrive, it feels nothing more than a sense of admiration. Technically, it’s an eagle. But it’s an eagle that will never reach its full potential. For all practical purposes, it might as well be classified as an actual prairie chicken. It remains earth-bound. It identifies itself with the earth and not the sky. 


What’s the point of this illustration? You live in the world. But where is it that you really belong? The scriptures make it clear: you belong to Heaven. Essentially, we are called to be “in” the world, not “of” the world. When you allow yourself to be “of” the world, then it means that you are an eagle masquerading as a prairie chicken. The problem with the world, according to Jesus, is that it simply cannot abide the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). Therefore, we need to be detached from the world. 


Perhaps this explains the “follow-up” effort outlined in Acts 8:14-17. The people of Samaria have already been ministered to by the apostle Phillip (Acts 8:5-8). They’re initiated. Right? They can be regarded as sufficiently detached from the world’s contrary influence. Right? Why then do we have another delegation being sent to them? Apparently, if the world lets go of you, don’t expect it to do so without some measure of struggle. 


A similar tone can be found in the First Letter of Saint Peter. Why include this message about the heart? He is writing to a Christian audience. Shouldn’t we just assume that they have already “consecrated Jesus as Lord of their hearts” (1st Peter 3:15)? It’s something that should go without being said—one would think. Still, Peter chooses to say it, all the same. He understands the “prairie chicken” principle. 


Having Jesus in your heart represents a good beginning. Consecrating him as “Lord” in your heart represents an even better beginning. It’s not easy, detaching yourself from the world. The world wants to hold on to you; it wants to saturate you with its “terrestrial” philosophy. It doesn’t want you to be exposed to a philosophy that derives from Above. The world begins to lose its grip when you give Jesus a place within your heart. The grip breaks COMPLETELY—when Jesus becomes consecrated as “Lord” within your heart. 


This is how you reach your full potential. Now you are transitioning from one status to another: from the status of prairie chicken to the status of eagle. In other words, you continue to be “in” the world. But you’re no longer “of” the world. 

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