{"id":1089,"date":"2013-05-16T13:11:47","date_gmt":"2013-05-16T17:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/?p=1089"},"modified":"2013-05-16T13:11:47","modified_gmt":"2013-05-16T17:11:47","slug":"7th-sunday-of-easter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/7th-sunday-of-easter\/","title":{"rendered":"7th Sunday of Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"

7th<\/sup> Sunday in Easter, Year C<\/a>
\nActs 7:55-60
\nRevelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
\nJohn 17:20-26
\nMay 12, 2013<\/p>\n

The standard to be a disciple is set pretty high.\u00a0 First, there is Jesus himself who literally gives his life up for us and calls us to do the same.<\/p>\n

Today we hear about Stephen, one of the first deacons in the church and identified as the first martyr.\u00a0 He is stoned for his faith.\u00a0 As he is being stoned, does he lose his faith?\u00a0 No.\u00a0 In fact, he \u201cimitates\u201d Jesus.\u00a0 First, handing his spirit over like Jesus did to His Father but then asking our Lord to \u201cnot hold this sin\u201d against those who stoned him.\u00a0 What a powerful image of forgiveness he offers.<\/p>\n

Would you be willing to do the same?\u00a0 If persecuted and your life is threatened would you abandon our faith?\u00a0 If someone takes your life, would your dying words be words of forgiveness?<\/p>\n

Something to ponder \u2026.<\/p>\n

Of course, in our country we are not likely to have our lives threatened because of our faith but there are still parts of the world where people are thrown<\/i> simply for believing in Jesus.<\/p>\n

We might not face physical life or death decisions about our faith in the United States but what about spiritual life and death decisions?<\/p>\n

Spiritual life and death\u2026.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m willing to beat most of us don\u2019t talk about our faith much.\u00a0 I\u2019m not talking here about going door to door here.\u00a0 I\u2019m more concerned here about how we avoid <\/i>talking about our faith.\u00a0 If you want to avoid an argument, people say don\u2019t talk about religion or politics.<\/p>\n

Why don\u2019t we talk about our faith?<\/p>\n

Are we avoiding confrontation?\u00a0 Are we afraid to speak up?\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Living here, we probably don\u2019t have to worry about losing our physical lives.<\/p>\n

How about our spiritual lives?<\/p>\n

If we never talk about our faith, is it really that important to us?\u00a0 By not talking about our faith, are we saying it isn\u2019t important?<\/p>\n

Do we go so far as to give up our spiritual lives, seeking a simple (non-confrontational) life?\u00a0 In doing so, are we giving up on our faith, dying a spiritual death?<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think that is our intent.\u00a0 We don\u2019t want to give up on our faith but do we accept the challenge of living our faith?<\/p>\n

What are you willing to give up for love?<\/p>\n

If we only think in terms of \u2018giving up\u2019 something, we forget to see what we gain.<\/p>\n

For instance, I think there are people who think of parenthood in terms of what they must give up in their life to be a parent.\u00a0 They don\u2019t want to give up the \u2018fun life.\u2019\u00a0 Children are an inconvenience to them, something to be avoided.<\/p>\n

Thank God that not many people think like that.\u00a0 Life is a gift.\u00a0 Parents need to be willing to make sacrifices.\u00a0 Yes, life changes when children are born but children are not an inconvenience but a gift.<\/p>\n

Today, of course, is Mother\u2019s Day.\u00a0 It is a day we honor our mothers for all they do for us.\u00a0 We might give gifts as expressions of our thanks and love.\u00a0 It is a day to tell our mothers we love them and to thank them for what they do for us.<\/p>\n

Giving up our lives isn\u2019t something we do in a life and death way for our faith but we give up some of our lives, seeking something greater.<\/p>\n

In parenthood, in motherhood, we can find fulfillment, we can find what we are created for.<\/p>\n

Today, Jesus speaks about unity.\u00a0 Finding unity with God, we find love.\u00a0 To find this unity, means giving up earthly things and lifestyles.<\/p>\n

Mothers are important.\u00a0 If they won\u2019t, Jesus\u2019 final words on the Cross won\u2019t have included his Mother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

7th Sunday in Easter, Year C Acts 7:55-60 Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 John 17:20-26 May 12, 2013 The standard to be a disciple is set pretty high.\u00a0 First, there is Jesus himself who literally gives his life up for us and calls us to do the same. Today we hear about Stephen, one of the …<\/p>\n

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