Fifth Sunday of Easter

The word "new" is found in the Readings today. "New commandment", "new heaven", "new earth", as well as "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev 21:5A). During today's Homily, Father told us that the Gospel demands detachment of the modern world. Not that we should become hermits or hole up somewhere. Rather, I take it to mean that we should detach ourselves from revenge or material things. 

Father posed this question to us: What are you willing to give up, offer, sacrifice? Not as in, giving up chocolate, but rather, giving up our private, secret sins. Those things that we don't want anyone to know. We all have them. Those masks that we wear to coworkers, friends, children, even our spouses. As Father said, if left unchecked, these become our master by first becoming a friend; something we can't do without. We need to give up grudges and animosities towards others and let the new creation begin with us. 

This is so very difficult for me. I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt; I'm a very trusting person. As soon as someone wrongs me, I give them another chance; but, if it happens once more, then forget it. Do I believe people can change? Absolutely. Will I ever be able to trust them again? Well, that's questionable. They definitely have to prove themselves to me. I have an enormous amount of difficulty seeing Jesus in them. Yet, I know that I need to have them see Jesus in me. In order to be created new, I need to set aside these grudges and animosities and trust. 

Grudges can eat you alive. They can make you feel horrible about yourself and the people around you. Not only that, but they can also affect the people around you. Your home environment, work environment, or wherever it is occurring will be affected. It's a poison that can suck the life out of the very heart of you. But, how do you trust them? How can you truly love them as Jesus wants you to? If I only knew how to do that, then perhaps I would be worthy of being made new.