Fifth Sunday of Easter / Msgr. Owen F. Campion
The Sunday Readings
Once again this season, the Acts of the Apostles provides the first reading for Mass this weekend. The early chapters of Acts vividly reveal to us the lives led by the early Christians. Obvious in this glimpse into events so long ago is the primary place of the Apostles, and the superior position among them of St. Peter.
The Apostles led the Church because the first Christians recognized the Apostles’ special relationship with and calling from the Lord. Indeed, reverence for the Apostles was so deep that the people placed their possessions at the Apostles’ feet, allowing the Apostles to control even the material assets of the faithful.
In this part of Acts, the Church was situated in Jerusalem. Although the very heart of Jewish life and a city supremely symbolic for Jews, Jerusalem was not Corinth. It was not Antioch. It most certainly was not Rome. In the total scheme of Roman culture, it was not a great city.
Even in Palestine, Caesarea, a seaport on the Mediterranean Sea, was more important. In Caesarea, the Roman governor resided, and the Roman armed occupation had its headquarters. Jerusalem was secondary.
(The ruins of Caesarea now are in the suburbs of modern Tel Aviv. It is interesting, incidentally, that the only relic of the administration of Pontius Pilate as governor, aside from mention in the Gospels, is a stone carved with his name. The stone was found at the site of ancient Caesarea.)
The way of life of the first Christians is clear. Care of the needy was their priority. This especially included widows, who were ordinarily very needy. Evidently the Apostles directed such care. The Apostles also taught the Gospel, with Peter as their spokesman.
To assist in providing this care and to proclaim the Gospel, the Apostles chose seven holy men to be deacons. Calling deacons was an exercise not just of organization, but also of the Apostles’ authority to act in the name of Jesus.
The First Letter of St. Peter provides the second reading, centering Jesus as essential in salvation. The reading urges Christians to be true to Jesus.
St. John’s Gospel supplies the last reading. Not a resurrection narrative, it recalls the Lord’s discourse with the Apostles, telling them what to expect in the future. As it looks ahead—and frankly suggests that obstacles await them—it is an appropriate reading now as people contemplate Christian living amid modern troubles.
Reassuringly, Christ says that he will be with us always. He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” which belongs only to the Son of God (Jn 14:6).
Reflection
Almost a month has passed since Easter. For weeks, the Church joyfully has told us of the Resurrection. Christ lives!
Before long, the season will end. We will return to life in 2026, with its burdens and rewards.
The Church tells us that Jesus still is with us as Savior, teacher and guide, our rock and our shield. We today compose the community of Christians that is the Church. But to be authentic, the Church of today must mirror the community described in Acts.
Applying the picture in Acts to the present is interesting. Which Christian community reflects the gathering of Christians in Jerusalem long ago? It must be the Catholic Church, precisely because the Church still relies upon the Apostles with Peter clearly and actually as their head.
The nascent Church in Acts showed profoundly its dedication to the Lord, caring for the sick and the needy. Ever since, care for others has been no charming sideline for Christians. It is of the essence of their faith.
Finally, the Church tells us, as the Easter season concludes, that Christ is with us. In turn, we must cooperate with God’s grace that draws us into the Church that the Lord created.
Being in this community of faith is more than joining a club. We must give our hearts to the Lord freely and totally. †