Third Sunday of Easter

Lectionary: 46

If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one's works,
conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished lamb.

Saint Peter, writing to gentiles of their new faith in Jesus Christ, urged them to remember and reflect upon the "futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors." People who maintain antique traditions even as the world changes around them might not welcome the Saint's admonition. 

But he wasn't simply urging them to get with the times and embrace the latest fashions. When the world adopts new, unprecedented, and sometimes bizarre solutions to ancient problems, we recognize and honor that innately human passion for setting things right. We too suffer violence in our families, crime in the streets, disappoint and futility. But we don't look for solutions like abortion or suicide. They only make matters worse. 

We adapt to the times without compromising our faith or human dignity. The Spirit of God, guides us through our liturgy, scriptures, magisterium, and apostolic authority. 

Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. 

Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,

and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:6)

In today's letter, Peter brings to the gentile converts a Jewish awareness of the sins of their ancestors. The Apostle knew that his Jewish ancestors were no better than than those of his time, nor were their gentile ancestors better than them. 

We're sometimes horrified today by ancient stories of cruel treatment of slaves, children, women, the sick, prisoners, and enemies. Many people today regard Bernard of Clairvaux's preaching of the Crusades as unforgivable, a damning blot on his character. Wasn't Christian Europe's assault on African Islam a crime against humanity? But the Church regards the abbot as a saint and studies his writings. 

But then again, if they see us today, our ancestors must be equally sickened by outrages we take for granted. Why do we accept public nudity, encourage drug abuse, and waste human and natural resources? Why do we manufacture weapons designed to kill soldiers, and sell them willy-nilly to any consumer with the cash? What can be chic about a killing machine? Must we compete to survive? Where does that doctrine come from? 

Our descendants too, living in a remote future, if there is one, might also be appalled by our habitual waste of resources and our culture of death? They'll ask our grandchildren, "Didn't they see what they were doing to the earth, air, and water? Did they really expect violence to end violence? Did they expect more laws to control evil without a culture of virtue? How did that make sense?"

The Gospel announces in every age and to all the nations a "wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age." It is scandalous to the hypocritically pious, and utter nonsense to the wise of this world who know only their so-called common sense. But to those who are called, our way -- the way of sacrifice and simplicity and the cross -- is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

We know that God's grace is just as persistent as Sin, and more so! If the news media survive by entertaining us with outrageous stories, and persuading us that we're all doomed, the Gospel celebrates the mighty works of God, and the blessedness of a pure heart. Strangers help one another; parents sacrifice for their children; and children honor their parents by worshiping the God of our ancestors. Young people aspire to religious life, sometimes over the objections of family and friends. 

Like Saint Peter in today's first reading, we see God's hand in things the world cannot see. Where they see trouble, we see the Messiah. Where they see an empty tomb we see and believe the Lord has been raised from the dead. Where they see exaggerated enthusiasm we celebrate a resurrection that won't stop raising our eyes to heaven. 

And finally, as we look with expectation we can see deep into the future,

…the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62