Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

“I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”—John 6:37)
 
    If we ever have any doubt that God loves us unconditionally, the two Scripture readings today should prove us wrong. Saul blazes a trail through Jerusalem and its environs in an effort to imprison anyone who preaches Jesus Christ. Later in the Acts of the Apostles, we read of Saul’s conversion. He accepts Jesus as his God and experiences a total conversion. Perhaps, this third week of Easter is a good time for each of us to assess our own conversion, our own full acceptance of God in our daily lives.

    We know from biblical history that the people of Jerusalem were always rich in religious practices and symbols. The people of Samaria, on the other hand, were the religiously neglected and oppressed. Jesus’ resurrection brings to light which group has the eyes of faith. The Samaritans are open and spontaneous to whatever the apostles preach. They accept their miracles. They respond with faith to Jesus’ teachings as the apostles spread the good news.

    Saul and the Sanhedrin adhere to the letter of their laws without human consideration. We witness this lack of understanding when they scold Jesus and his companions for picking wheat on the Sabbath because they are hungry. The religious authorities leave no room for human error. They continue to rely on social status and their position in the religious community. We see that they violently reject Jesus’ teachings as expressed by his first disciples. On the other hand, the Samaritans, the foreigners have accepted Jesus’ teachings and way of life.

    Sitting with these human dynamics can be quite overwhelming if we didn’t have the assuring words of Jesus. I often wondered why the Easter season is so lengthy in time. Each of us needs time to marinate in Jesus’ words and actions, as well as evaluate our own beliefs and relationships. 

    Jesus always spoke of honoring the dignity of everyone in society: “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” Being in the company of Jesus can change us dramatically—if we allow him. Of course, the operative word here is “allow.” As we re-trace our steps through Jesus’ life, we recall his relationships with the Samaritan woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and many others. All of them allowed Jesus to draw them out of their comfort zones to a life rich in love for him and reaching out to those in need.

    So, what is the take- away here? The daily Loyola reflections offer us various perspectives on Scripture. We all come to God in a different way. We are all loved unconditionally by our God. Jesus’ words today advise us to share our experiences of God with those who feel alienated from God because of past sinful deeds; those who feel a “cold shoulder” from God because of a harsh portrait of God that others have painted. 

    Our baptismal commitment challenges us to reach out to people-- in our own families, in our parishes, in our work sites—and show people that justice and kindness are a way of life. Will that way of life pull us out of our comfort zones? Probably. But what a way to be like Jesus! He tells us: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”