Acts 15.1-2,22-29 | Revelation 21.10-14,22-23 | John 14.23-29

We are in the final stretch of the Easter Season. Next Sunday will be the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord and, the following Sunday, will be the solemnity of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, concluding this liturgical season.

Today the evangelist John tells us about the sending of the Holy Spirit, through whom the Father and the Son come to dwell in the disciples who love Jesus and keep His word.

The context of today's passage is the Last Supper on the night before Jesus' crucifixion. He said that He would go but that He would return to the disciples - a reference to His death and resurrection. Jesus told them that they should rejoice because He was going to the Father, who was greater than He.

Jesus said that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to His disciples in the Name of the Son to teach them everything and remind them of Christ's words.

Jesus left His peace to the disciples, so that their hearts would not be troubled or intimidated. This peace (shalom) was not that of the world, the Roman peace (pax). While pax was a prohibition of social demonstrations through the use of military violence (or the result of omission and cowardice in the face of social injustices), shalom was absolute trust in God that leads to courageous resistance in times of persecution.

Let us rejoice in the risen Jesus who, on the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, returned to the Father. Let us also rejoice in the Holy Spirit who, on the solemnity of Pentecost, was sent to the Church by the Father in the Name of the Son. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to teach us everything and remind us of the words of Christ. Let us love Jesus and keep His word, in the joy of being the dwelling place of the Holy Trinity. Let us not exchange the shalom of Jesus for the peace of the world, working for the Kingdom of God without omissions or cowardice.

Today, the evangelist Luke speaks to us in the Acts of the Apostles about the first council of the Church in Jerusalem about welcoming non-Jewish Christians. Paul and Barnabas argued with some Jewish Christians who had come from Judea to Antioch because they taught that, in order to be saved, Christians should be circumcised, according to the Law of Moses. 

After much prayer and conversation, the apostles in Jerusalem, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, decided not to impose circumcision on non-Jewish Christians, prioritizing faith in Christ for salvation, and not the Law of Moses, confirming the teaching and practice of Paul and Barnabas. 

Times have passed, but the Church today still has many relevant issues to reflect on and take a position on, which affect the lives of many believers. It is essential that the Magisterium of the Church (formed by the Pope and the bishops in communion with him) allow themselves to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, in order to make the right decisions, even if they do not correspond to the expectations of the conservative or progressive wings. May this practice also inspire families and communities to solve challenges.

Today, in the Book of Revelation, the evangelist John speaks to us about the heavenly Jerusalem, illuminated by the glory of God with the light of the Lamb, who is the risen Jesus. This was a mystical vision of John, transported by the Holy Spirit. The number twelve is repeated (the twelve gates at the four cardinal points, the twelve angels, the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve foundations, and the twelve apostles of the Lamb). John was struck by the absence of a temple in the heavenly Jerusalem, justified by the fact that Almighty God himself was the temple with the Lamb.

The vocation of the Church is to be this holy city, with many open doors to welcome people of all races, languages, and nations who accept the salvation offered by God through Jesus Christ; a Church that inherits the promises made to the Jews and that reaches out to non-Jews, extending salvation to all in the present and in eternity.

Long live the risen Christ, the slain Lamb. To Him be all honor and glory now and forever!

Local: Praia Grande - SP, Brasil

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