Gospel Reflection

The gospel readings for this week and next week shift the focus away from the resurrection and begin to set us up for the departure of Jesus from the earth – the Ascension – and the sending of the Holy Spirit – the Pentecost event.

Today’s gospel passage comes from the very long Last Supper discourse in the gospel of John. When Jesus speaks about ‘going away’ for a time it could be interpreted as the period of his death and rising that are about to occur in the chronology of the story. However, the gospel of John is written a very long time after the death of Jesus; perhaps as much as 70 years after Jesus. Given this period of time between the events and the writing, we know that the writer was also referring to this longer time of Jesus ‘going away’. By the time of the writing of this gospel the early Christians were starting to come to terms with the fact that Jesus probably was not going to return in their lifetime. They had seen the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans in 70CE which they thought had signalled the end of all time. However, here they were, still alive and still no sign of Jesus’ return.

The theme of being present and being absent is very strong in this gospel. The discussion about Jesus and the Father being one is part of this theme. Jesus is God present in the world. God has come to dwell among the people. When Jesus speaks of preparing rooms in the Father’s house, it is a reference to preparing the disciples to ‘live’ in God; to dwell in God just as God has dwelt in the people.

Historical Context – It is for the best…

At the time of this gospel’s writing, some 70 years after the events it describes, amazing things have taken place in the early Christian community. Rather than everything falling apart with the death of Jesus, the message of Jesus has spread further than he himself could ever have accomplished. It is the departure of Jesus from their midst and the sending of the Spirit that really prompts the disciples to act on what they had experienced while Jesus lived among them. The gospel writer has Jesus saying that he has to go away so that the disciples can reach their potential.

Scriptural context – The gospel of John

The gospel of John is very different from the other three ‘synoptic’ gospels. The other three have a very narrative style and can be seen together as different recounts of the same events. Whilst the gospel of John also has some beautifully narrated stories, it is better known as a more theologically reflective piece of writing. It assumes that the readers of this gospel are already familiar with one or more of the others, so it does not need to tell the story again. Rather, it presents a sweeping image of God, through Jesus, reaching out, in, through, and with love to the people.

Living the Gospel – The Way, the Truth and the Life

When Thomas asks, ‘we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answers by saying, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.’ The reader of the gospel has known this truth all along from the opening line of the gospel, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ Our aim, as Christian people, is to be one with God, not only by sharing in the resurrection but also in the way we live. Jesus makes clear that the way to be with God is by following his example.

We begin our lead-up to Champagnat Day

Champagnat Day is one of the special Community days at the College. We focus on the importance of St Marcellin Champagant, and his special message about education and faith.

This year our fundraising efforts for Champagnat Day will be for the Marist communities in Bougainville.

Out College has a special connection to Bouganville, as Br Clarence, the first College principal spent some of his time in Bougainville. It is said that the names of "Clarence" and "Cunningham" became very popular with the locals - such was the impact of Br Clarence.

The theme for this Marist Asia Pacific Solidarity - MAPS is  Called. That is we are called to support fellow Marists.

As we lead up to our big celebration on Friday, June 9th, each week we focus on one of the Marist Characteristics. There are five characteristics - Family Spirit, Presence, Simplicity, In the Way of Mary, and Love of Work. Each of these will be explored through prayer and activities.