4th Sunday of Easter C - Homily 2

Homily 2 - 2013

Today two young children will be baptised into this faith community.  Their baptism provides the invitation for us to think again about our own baptism – many long years ago, for most of us.  Does baptism make any difference? And, if it does, What is the difference? and, Is it worth it?  Not: Will it make any difference – perhaps, after I die? But: Does it now?

In today’s short Gospel, using the image of a shepherd and his flock of sheep, Jesus says that he knows us; he gives us eternal life; and we are safe in his hands – he will never let anyone drag us away.  All this, of course, is presuming that we say “Yes” [or, as  the Gospel put it, we follow him.]

What is it like – Jesus knowing us? I don’t know what it’s like for you – though I do know what it is like for me, and what it could be like for you.  There are, as we know, different degrees or levels in knowing people.  There are some things about me that no one knows, because I have not told them.  There are some things about me that I don’t know – some of which others know better than I.  But when someone knows me well, knows me deeply, their knowing me confirms my sense of who I am.  Indeed, it can tell me more than that: It can tell me that I am loved – all that I am just as I am.  When Jesus tells me that, it is quite powerful.  This side of the grave, I know it only on faith.  On the other side, it will be face to face.

Jesus also says he gives us eternal life - a wholly other way of living and of experiencing.  This side of the grave it takes shape in faith, hope and love.  On the other side, faith and hope will disappear because no longer needed, and love will be lived on a wholly other, unimaginable plane and intensity.

Yet even now I know on faith where I come from [or whom I come from]; where I am heading [or whom I am heading for]; and, at least in general terms, how to get there.  Together, all those things give meaning and purpose to life.  They put things in perspective, and provide the possibility to know what is worthwhile and what isn’t.  Along with hope, they put a spring in the step and a sparkle in the eye.

The third thing that Jesus mentioned is that we are safe in his hands – no one will steal us from him.  This is supportive because life brings its share of unanswered questions, of things we can’t work out, of things that don’t seem to make sense.  I find it encouraging to know [on faith, certainly] that he is around – not pulling strings, but empowering me nevertheless to grow somehow – noticeable sometimes only in retrospect.

The condition for all this is, as he put it, that we follow him.  We need to hang around together, he and I; we need to waste time together – as all true friends do. For me, that means that I have to pray, somehow - to listen to his voice and to come to recognise it easily.

I need to let life touch me, and raise its questions, push my boundaries and challenge my assumptions.  I need to ponder it in my heart [as Mary had a habit of doing].  

Please God, the children baptised into our community today will have the chance to follow Jesus, will be supported to follow him, and will follow him.  To the extent that they do, the adventure of life is at their feet.