Word to the Wise
Saturday, May 22, 2021 - 7th Week of Easter - Sat morning
[Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 and John 21:20-25]It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. [John] [Paul} retained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts]
These two passages from the Gospel According to John and the Acts of the Apostles bring to an end the particular scriptures for the Easter liturgical season. This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and after that celebration the church and the lectionary will return to Ordinary Time with scriptures from the Book of Sirach and the Gospel According to Mark. These two passages also bring an end to the Gospel According to John (the second ending!) and the Acts of the Apostles. Chapter 21 of the Gospel According to John is considered to have been added later than the rest of that gospel and is called "the Appendix." Chapter 20 ends with the words: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. [John 20:30-31]
Paul is depicted as living under house arrest in Rome for two years before his presumed martyrdom around 64 A.D. To the very end, he "proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." That's our job, too.
The gospel scripture from the Gospel According to John records a bit of dialogue just before the concluding words in which Jesus tells Peter not to be concerned about the fate of the Beloved Disciple but to focus on following Jesus. Our job is to proclaim the Kingdom and leave salvation to the Lord. We have received the same Holy Spirit the disciples received at Pentecost. The result of their preaching is the Christian faith which is handed on to us to hand on to others. AMEN