Reflections

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK FROM ST. AUGUSTINE SPIRITUALITY CENTER

Laredo, Texas May 22-28, 2022

Sixth Sunday of Easter. Acts of the Apostles 15:1-2, 22-29. Psalm 67. Book of Revelation 21: 10-14, 22-23. John 14:23. Laudato Si Week.

Sirach 6: 32-37 has an excellent reference for education – “If you wish…you can be wise; if you apply yourself, you can be shrewd. If you are willing to listen, you can learn; if you pay attention, you can be instructed. Stand in the company of the elders; stay close to whoever is wise. Be eager to hear every discourse; let no insightful saying escape you. If you see the intelligent, seek them out; let your feet wear away their doorstep…”

Jesus offers us peace  in today’s Gospel from John. This thought partners nicely with John’s description of heaven in the Book of Revelation. We see a glorious vision of the holy city Jerusalem coming down from God decked with untold beauty – jewels and gold and the names of the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles inscribed on its foundation. There is no temple because God is everywhere at all times. We each have some vision of heaven – a happy place, a place with no pain or suffering, a great meeting place with all our relatives and friends or some other description. As such, heaven is not a place but a condition or atmosphere or environment, which can even be experienced now. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to be our teacher to show us how to love one another, as Jesus loves us. Peace follows on love of God and neighbor. That is heaven on earth and hereafter.

Sister Rosemarie Goins, a Felician Franciscan