6th Sunday of Easter, 2023 - Fr. Leo
Cardinal George once said, “We are more connected in today’s world, but we are less relational.” Covid exasperated this condition as we all practiced distancing ourselves from each other to stay well. Even after “Covid” working at home is much more common than it was before. While this may keep us physically well, it also isolates us from one another, which is deadly to the soul!
Today’s gospel puts light on the relational aspect of spirituality. First, we see that our God is relational, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him, as we reflected on last Sunday. The Holy Spirit is the relational energy between Father and Son and is God’s gift to us that we may live in an intimate relationship with God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Living in the Spirit requires a deep relationship with Jesus who shows us how to live in the Father and the Spirit. It also requires us to be in relationship with God in creation and in the people of the world, especially those around us. This is what it means to be a Church. We are to be a community of people sharing our journeys and doing for each other so that we will not become victims of isolation that can kill the soul, mind and body.
Let us pray to be open to the Spirit’s promptings in our lives and when we feel there is an opportunity to reach out, or let others reach out to us, let us follow our conscience, the voice of God and open the door in us, so that we can become “In relation” with God, others, and ultimately our true selves.