A sermon on John 14:15-21

Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist

For 21 years, I preached at Mother of Christ Catholic Church in Winton Terrace. The majority of the worshippers were African Americans who did not have many material possessions but had plenty of spiritual gifts of faith in God. They really loved worshipping Jesus. 

Their Gospel Choir was so electrifying even the most shy person would sing and clap, praising the Lord. At one Mass, I was so filled with the Holy Spirit I was compelled to dance in the aisle. Others joined in. King David also danced before the Lord. According to 2 Samuel 6:14, David “danced before the Lord with all his might." 

(If I did that today, I would probably throw out my titanium knee.)

I remember having a conversation with one of the parishioners in the church parking lot before the Mass began. I jokingly asked, "Are you going to church today?" 

He replied, "I am going to 'do' church today. When I do church, Jesus tells me what to do and I do it." 

I asked him, "What does Jesus tell you to do?" 

He answered, "To put Christ in my Christianity."

How do you put "Christ in your Christianity?" Jesus tells us what to do. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15.) Which of God's commands are the most important to follow?

1) Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34-35.) The bible says, “serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13.)
 
What draws me to minister at Children's Hospital is that I see everyone there fulfilling so well God's command to serve. It is beautiful to behold. Jesus reveals Himself through the sacrifices made by many to make a child happy. God says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40.) 

Making a child happy makes God happy. A little baby who is so small he or she could fit in your hand is directly connected to the all powerful God. Society considers them the least because they are weak and vulnerable. God says they are the greatest in His Kingdom. "For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48.)

2) Forgive one another. God says, “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32) God reveals His mercy when you show mercy to others.

3) Have faith in Jesus and obey Him. "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ." (1 John 3:23.) But faith is more than belief. You must reveal your faith through action. Small acts of kindness have eternal consequences. Acts of kindness to the sick, the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the mentally ill, the rejected directly serves God Himself. Obey God by practicing compassion daily.

4) Pray a lot...then pray some more. I have a sweatshirt that reads, "Prayer is the first wireless connection." Prayer is your connection between God and you. The Holy Spirit reveals through your prayer what God wants you to do. About one week before my ordination, I was attacked with doubt. Does God really want me to serve Him in priesthood? I prayed a lot asking God to reveal His will to me. God did not disappoint. 

He told me through a dream. In this dream, I was transported to my grandmother's house. I saw her as the way she was. An old woman with gray hair in a bun, wearing a flowered dress covered with an apron. I remember my first words to her, "What are you doing here? You're dead." She moved closer to me, becoming younger with every step she took. She whispered into my ear. "I have prayed for you. You must be a priest." I woke up so agitated my foot kicked the dog out of my bed. Yet, I felt great peace. I knew what to do. June 13 will mark 45 years of serving the Lord that has brought me joy this world could never give. Bringing others to follow Jesus has brought me untold blessings. 

I'll be 75 on May 15. Three quarters of a century is a long time. Time goes so fast. Soon I will have to stand before Jesus and tell Him what I did with what He told me to do. When I stand before God, He will say, “Let’s review your life.” 

I will ask, “Can we skip to the blooper reel? That’s where I really shine!" I hope God laughs. 

Happy Easter.