I’m still learning
Homily for Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Acts 14:5-18, Ps. 115, John 14:21-26
I’m still learning
Most of us are not attending school anymore. Some of us might be. It amazes me that with a life span of nearly 80 years we tend to focus education mostly on the first 20. At least formal education for the first 20. Like that is enough. I wonder if we are even developed enough under the age of 20 to understand everything we need. Some teenagers or 20 year olds will confirm, they know it all. Many people in our society and generations before us thought they knew it all. We know that’s a mistake.
In looking back at all history we see that God is most always misunderstood. Jesus, same boat, even his disciples didn’t quite understand. Most everyone we talk to at some point states, I don’t understand. Fascinating. The truth is, we really don’t understand.
This is the perfect spot to begin. Please help me understand. Holy Spirit. Come. Jesus, help me. God, I need you. I’m in need of you. I’m lost. The Holy Trinity responds, perfect, I can work with that. Thank you for getting over yourself. Listen now. We have much to say.
For thousands of years God has been trying to share one message. The Shema. Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. Jesus says this is the greatest commandment. We still struggle with that one. We love many things besides God. It is self evident by our behavior and our possessions. Jesus tried to build upon this by saying likewise love your neighbor as yourself. Look around, how’s that working out? God and Jesus are not the problem in this equation. The problem has always been humanity. Humanity stuck in original sin. This is the core. This is where we begin saying, Come Holy Spirit, Jesus I need you, God help me. I’m lost without you.
With this mindset and placement of our heart and soul, we can receive and learn from Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. In this position of need we receive what we lack.
If there is anything we should learn in our 80 years on this planet it is that we do not quite fully understand. It is that we should go to the beginning, admit our need, and go to the source of all knowledge. It's a lifelong journey. The wiser we become the more we should admit how deeply we are in need of understanding.