Factions

The story of this First Sunday after Easter took place on the same day of the Resurrection (John 20: 19-23). It is the continuation of the account of the Resurrection. It happened on that first day of the week, our modern time Sunday. Jesus, the Risen Christ appeared to his disciples. It was him not a ghost. He is truly alive. We need reflect on two aspects of the story that I found important for every follower of Jesus: (1) All doors were shut for fear of the Jews; (2) Jesus was the reason why the disciples were gathered.

All doors were shut for fear of the Jews

The Sentiments during the week of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus:

            All the Jews were in town for the Passover; the Pharisees, Scribes, Jewish leaders were strictly attached to the observance of the Law; the political power represented by Pontius Pilate took all necessary precaution to prevent any trouble; and the disciples were afraid of Jesus because of the brutality of the Jews against Jesus. All this leads to the idea of “faction”.

James Madison argues in Federalist #10 that the formation of factions is the natural behavior of men. Whether the group is a majority or minority faction, the goals they pursue may be counter to the good of other factions, or society as a whole. 

According to Madison, there are two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.

Jesus and his followers were seen as a faction against the Jewish and Roman establishments: they must be eliminated. Hence, the fear that came upon the disciples.

Jesus is the reason of their gathering

They made the difficult choice to stand for Jesus. They had the choice to compromise but they didn’t. They had the choice to go back to their own families, but they didn’t. They had the choice to run for their lives, but they didn’t. They stayed in the game with Jesus. It is true that they shut their doors for fear of the Jews, but we have to keep in mind that they gathered together for Jesus.

How about you? Where do you put Jesus in your life? Does He occupy the first place? When it comes to choose between your relations, your friends, your families, your relatives and Jesus, what do you choose?

To overcome the world, we cannot support or please the world, friends, families or relatives for no reason at all. For God to do what he promised in Isaiah 43: 1-12, you must make a choice, a clear choice, which is to be on the right side, his side.

As Christians, we are not going to join the world. There is nothing that can justify our choice of the world, families and friends over Jesus, the Bible, the Church, the Kingdom. Nothing!

Be in the same faction with Jesus!

Peace and blessings!

Fr. Thierry 

Easter Letter from our Bishop

Dear Diocesan Family:

Why do you seek the living among the dead? Those startling words puzzled the women at the empty tomb. They went to announce all these things to the disciples. In one extraordinary moment, this Good News changed human life and human history. Peter and John ran to the tomb. Thomas doubted. But it is true! Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Jesus nailed sin and death to the
Cross. Death is defeated and we now share in His Divine life.

In the Easter Season, we proclaim Jesus as Lord and rejoice that because of His life we have the promise of immortality. May all mankind recognize their Savior and proclaim His Resurrection. Let every heart be renewed and every life transformed. He is risen as He said. Let Alleluia be our song!

In a particular way, Peter becomes a model for all of us. Once he understood the truth of the Resurrection, he went forth to tell the Good News that God had raised this Jesus up. Peter was transformed from a frightened man with no hope to a witness to the Resurrection. His witness reminds us that we too are called to be witnesses to the same truth, the same Good News, the same radical transformation that is offered to every man and woman who believes and professes that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Ours is a faith that leads to action. We are called to belong more deeply to Him and to His Church so that we can be effective servants to one another, effective bearers  of Christ’s love. May the love that burst forth from the tomb that first Easter live in our hearts and be expressed in our lives.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Bishop Bill

Easter Sermon 2014