Homily Seventh Tuesday of Easter (John 17:20-26) “Knowing God” 2020

Homily Seventh Tuesday of Easter (John 17:20-26) “Knowing God”

If we know God, we will have eternal life.  What does it mean to know God?  We can think of this in two ways.

We can know God intellectually.  We probably have met people who can quote scripture.  Perhaps they can embarrass us by asking us questions about the Bible we are not sure of.  Some of the experts on scripture have a Bible verse for every occasion.  But the fact is that there are many atheists who have read the Bible from cover to cover and can cite scripture verbatim. 

Some people may also know Catholic doctrine.  Maybe we have encountered men and women who can quote the Catholic Catechism chapter and verse.  Such people can be intimidating and maybe they make us ill at ease because they seem to know about God and religion so well. But we can also observe that some of these people behave no more ethically than anyone else.  Do the people that I just referred to “know” God?

We can know God in a deeper way.  The Bible has a rather interesting way of speaking about knowing God.  When the scriptures talk about men and women knowing each other they often speak of it in sexual terms.

Who can forget Mary’s question at the Annunciation?  When she is told that she is to be the mother of God’s son she asks, “How can this be since I do not know a man?”  The sexual act is a very intimate encounter.  To know God is to have a deep intimate relationship with God.

Jesus takes that line of reasoning one step farther when he says that if we know God, we will have eternal life. We could also say that if we “know” God we will not be worried about whether we will enjoy eternal life or not.  If we “know” God, we cannot imagine not being with God for all eternity.  We are at ease with the Lord.

Reflection Questions?

1. Who have I known in my life who has understood all about the tenants of religion, but who has not really seemed in love with God?  Is there something different about really knowing God?  What is it?

2. How do I feel about my death? Do I believe I will have eternal life with God?  Am I afraid?  How would becoming intimate with Jesus help?

Dear Parishioners,

          Please remember that we will be offering the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation this coming Saturday. Parishioners can come and park by the East door of the church at 1 p.m. and we will let ten people into the church at a time for Reconciliation.  Perhaps this will be another sacramental encounter that may be helpful as we struggle through the present crisis.

          Also remember that we will be live streaming Adoration and Benediction this Wednesday after our 8 a.m. Mass and we will be having a rosary on Friday before our 8 a.m. Mass.  We also continue to distribute communion approximately 20 to 30 minutes after every live stream Mass in our church parking lot.

          We are working on plans for reopening our church for worship.  We hope to be ready when this is possible.

May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints be with you today.

Fr. Mark