Our readings for this Fifth Sunday of Easter are here. (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042824.cfm). Again, these are the poems, my notes, and interpretations of Fr Dennis’ homily from the Mass of:
- May 3, 2015 10AM
There is a brief cameo from a Fr Joe Wagner, SJ, homily as well.
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The poems Fr Dennis referenced are:
- April Prayer by Stuart Kestenbaum, 10AM Mass, May 3, 2015
- From the Garden by Anne Sexton, 10AM Mass, May 3, 2015
In 2015, we reflected on —
This is one of the I AM gospel passages of Jesus. Recall in the Hebrew Scriptures when Moses is called to lead the people, he is unexcited about this change of direction. He tries to convince God otherwise (I stutter; my brother, Aaron, is the real deal; and so on). If you send me (Moses) — who should I say sent me so they’ll listen?
“Tell them I AM WHO AM sent you. [Alternative Translation: The I AM sent you.]”
So in today’s gospel, John 15:1 (“I am the true vine …”), Jesus is very consciously echoing God’s conversation of yore, and in so doing, identifying himself closely with God.
The vine is also an important metaphor as vines are/were close to the people’s lives. It also captures and reaffirms that growing and cultivation are part of our relationship with God.
A brief cameo from Fr Joe Wagner, SJ who offered: We owes so much of our Christian Theology to Saul / Paul, the person who first viciously persecuted Christians through imprisonment and more, and then, after his God moment, is on the doorstep of the new Christian communities, purportedly converted and requesting to be let in. Can people change? If our answer is “no,” this isn’t just pessimistic, it is a kind of “no” to God’s Grace.
In his homily, Fr Dennis used both of the following poems. In April Prayer — Stuart Kestenbaum writes about spring and growth; an easy match to our season, Easter season, and the gospel’s vine metaphor. He switches to the pledge drive metaphor for imagery of connectedness, participation, and spark of growth.
In From the Garden by Anne Sexton, she notes how “We talk too much. …” to consider the lilies of the field! When we fill every moment with talk, it becomes more difficult to rest in life itself, rest in the I AM.
D2 thought our best gesture is at Communion when we place our hands out simultaneously in the offering of ourselves and anticipation of receiving. It is a putting away of words so that we may fully abide in the I AM.
As someone listening, this image would linger with me, and soon enough I’m focusing inward and outward with my heart in my hands waiting for the Host and my best friend. It’s hard for me to convey how his homilies helped me believe in a living Loving Love who only desired closeness with me … and everyone around me, equally and uniquely. Communion then became the beautiful fusion or manifestation of the sacred secular that we hope it to be, so we dismiss to the world with Jesus inside us and ready to help. … even in the growth and change I was trying to avoid!
The Surest Sign 