We Are the Dawn

May 17 Saturday of the 4th week of Easter: 

A thought for those who want to reveal the risen Jesus in their lifestyle.

Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 98:1, 2-3-4; John 14:7-14

“The Father who dwells in me is doing his works... Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” John 14:10

Jesus claimed his actions revealed that the Father was in him, acting through him. He proclaimed that our actions should reveal Jesus present in us, acting through us.

Jesus was divine, so his actions were divine. By grace we are divine, so our actions should be divine. Christ’s New Law is a set of guidelines—principles—for living on the level of God. Christian morality begins where the Ten Commandments leave off.

Christians are called to give a new response to the needs of our times: a divine response; the response of Jesus risen from the dead and living in us.

Christians are called to create the future by responding to the present in the light of a past that is “ever ancient, ever new”: the “everlasting light” of Christ—the “same yesterday and today and forever”— that nevertheless shines as the “rising dawn” with new colors every day (Confessions of Saint Augustine, X; Isaiah 60:20; Hebrews 13:8; Luke 1:78). Christ’s message is always news, always Good News awakening us to new life.

By our baptismal anointing as prophets we are committed to be the dawn of each new day. “Let your light shine… and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

PRAY: “Lord, send forth your Spirit. Renew the face of the earth.”

PRACTICE: Reveal Jesus as new and the same in you.