We are drawing towards the conclusion of the Easter Season in 2019. Next Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord which brings our Easter journey to a close. It has been a season during which we have celebrated our belief in resurrection. This celebration has been a journey of discovery and every year we make new discoveries. This 2009 year has been no exception but it has probably been different for each and every one of us.

Some of us have discovered a resurrection to new life by encountering new people who have now become very special to us. They have helped us see our world in a new way; like the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Some of us have discovered a sense of purpose and new life, in spite of depression and sadness, because someone has shown they care for us; like the Good Shepherd described by Jesus in the Gospel of St. John.

Others among us have discovered that our vocation in life, at work or at home, is not fruitless. It is wonderfully to discover that we do bear fruit in everything we do. We have heard the invitation of Jesus to bear fruit and to ensure that everything we do is worthwhile.

Yet, maybe for some of us the Easter discovery is much less dynamic. Maybe some of us are still grieving, or some of us are still sad, or even felling a little empty. Today’s Gospel message could be the turning point for some of us. It is a message of hope. It is a message about our specialness as “chosen ones” of God. The Son, sent by the Father, has chosen us as his own. No matter what happens to us, or fails to happen to us, we are ultimately safe and that’s an amazing discovery.

 

Rev Fr Tom Stevens