COMMENT ON THE LITURGY OF THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
Collect
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings
1 Gv 5:4-12; Gv 20:19-23
Comment
In the Gospels, the world is that force that opposes Christ and his saving action. It is a force that resides not only outside of us, but also within us. It is an obstacle to the advent of the Kingdom of justice, peace and charity. The fear of the world, the fear of the hostile forces that put the author of life to death is well represented by the locked doors, behind which the disciples took refuge after the terrible epilogue of Jesus' earthly life.
But the Risen One, who "stood among them" (Jn 20:19), is capable of entering our hearts even behind closed doors, to give us his peace; not as the world gives it, but as a gift of the Spirit, that peace which is God himself. Jesus invites us to become bearers of peace ourselves, first of all through forgiveness: " If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (Jn 20:23).
God is peace. This is why Jesus exhorts us: "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (Jn 14:27). Everything that causes disturbance, in us and outside of us, is not of God, even if it hides behind the appearance of religious piety.
The world arouses in us a continuous state of turmoil with commitments, deadlines, and solicitations of all kinds. Most of the time it deals with things distant from the necessities of the Kingdom of God. But we must be able to become aware of them and shift the center of our attention to the stillness that God places in the depths of our hearts.
On the other hand, the world must not upset us to the point of turning our backs on it and closing the door of our room behind us. We have been sent to it to announce the good news of Jesus Christ (Jn 17:18). An attitude of simple "contempt for the world" cannot be considered evangelical.
The Christian does not belong to the world but he is sent into the world. Having the Son, possessing Jesus, making him ours by listening to his Word and following his example, means possessing life, living fully, enjoying the profound meaning of our existence. And we are called by the Risen One to share this fullness of life, firm in our faith. Because "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" (1 Jn 5:4).
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
