Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

 Lectionary: 300

I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.

As I have reflected on these weekday readings of Easter season this year, I have been struck by the story of Christianity becoming a gentile religion. It's hard to say that Jesus foresaw or expected this development; it seemed to surprise the Apostles even as it happened. But between his sending them out from Jerusalem to all parts of the world and their return to discuss what was happening, an influx of Greek-speaking gentiles had changed the shape and texture of the movement for ever. Clearly, the Holy Spirit was in charge, and not the fading memory of Jesus. 

Just as the scripture scholars among the converts studied the ancient texts for prophesies concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples recalled the words and prayers of Jesus for hints of his openness to gentiles. What would Jesus do now? Well, he'd probably be glad of their desire and their enthusiasm. And, yes, he would want them baptized. 

As Saint John describes Jesus's farewell discourse during his last supper, his prayer includes everyone who "will believe in me through their word." There would be no absurd superiority of Jew over gentile, all would be one. 

The Church has often been confronted with the unexpected desire of strangers. Even when European missionaries arrived in African countries, some had not quite imagined that the natives would want to be priests. Although the believers were baptized, confirmed, and receiving Holy Communion, and they demonstrated a pious love for Mary and all the saints, a pale imagination could not see dark faces above a Roman collar. They should always be the white man's burden. At least until the Holy Spirit took charge and freed their minds of European racism.

Jesus had prayed to his Father, that the world may believe that you sent me. The world will not be impressed by miracles. Every religion boasts of its miracles. The world would not be impressed by logical arguments about faith and reason, that they are indeed compatible. Roman orators were trained like today's lawyers, to persuade anyone to believe anything. The world would not be impressed by Christian charity since there's always a hidden agenda; that is, to win converts. 

What does impress them is the readiness to set aside cultural biases, prejudices, and predilections and recognize the Spirit of Jesus in the minds and hearts of new people. They must be initiated into the tradition, learning of it Jewish ancestry and historical development just as children must be educated and formed by the faith, but the tradition will be renewed and refreshed as it assimilates the history and culture of the nations. 

Occasionally, the missionaries will be astonished as they see converts suffering martyrdom for their new faith. I think especially of tomorrow's feastday, the Ugandan martyrs. They died a horrific death while the European missionaries watched helplessly. There is no greater honor than to suffer martyrdom for the faith, but not everyone is invited to do so. The death of these young men led to a flowering of the faith in Uganda; everyone claims a familial connection to them. 

Jesus's prayer is answered as we honor the faith and enthusiasm of fellow Christians, especially in a politically polarized environment where devout believers seem to have totally opposite opinions. In reverence for the Holy Spirit we listen to one another and watch for the prayer of Jesus to be fulfilled.