Download pdf: 5th-sunday-of-easter-yr-b
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Going Deeper: getting a bit more radical
The pattern of Easter-tide is the movement from the crucified Christ to the risen Christ gifting the presence and power of the spirit and at work in his disciples. Jesus reveals God, now the Church is called to reveal Jesus.
Today we have the incredibly important figures of Barnabas and Paul (Saul). Both filled with the spirit and disciples who pushed the church forward in mission. What went on in Barnabas that he was not afraid and frightened of Saul? What went on in Paul that almost everywhere he went, his zeal caused him to get in debates with the consequences that people ‘tried to kill him’? The movement of the Holy Spirit met with the courageous obedience of a disciple who has allowed himself / herself to be completely won over by the message and now mission of Christ.
Radical discipleship means saying yes to a bit more intensity of obedience. The Holy Spirit is allowed to make a claim on our timetable, our daily decisions, our middle class life-style. Perhaps this Easter-tide and in the year of St Paul its time to get a bit more radical in our following of Jesus. As an elderly American Bishop wrote a number of years ago while reflecting on his life: how is it that everywhere I go I get offered cups of tea, everwhere St Paul went he was stoned, chased, lowered down in a basket in the middle of the night to get out of some village before he was killed! The Church requires, in fact has always depended on, disciples radical in following and living Jesus’ message. What will it mean for you to take a few more steps in radically following Christ?
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