The need of looking at the things in New way

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : Fifth Week - Sunday*

*The need of looking at the things in New way*

*“Behold, I make all things new.*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35*

*FIRST READING - Acts 14:21-27*

*SECOND READING - Rev 21:1-5a*

*1) Newness in Life*

Newness is something which makes us happy and attractive. 

For example, when we build a new house, we are thrilled and have so many dreams about the life in New house

Like wise when we purchase new vehicles, mobile, or things we feel happy 

When we get new responsibility, new position or new status to our work we feel happy and joyful 

So Newness is something which makes us happy and joyful.

*2) Newness or New is the main theme of today's liturgy*

The Liturgy of the day speaks about four new things 

*New Earth*

*New Heaven*

*New Jerusalem*

*New commandment*

So these are the new things which are spoken in today's liturgy

*3) New Earth*

Earth is one of wonders of God to us 

Earth has variety of things and known for changes and Newness

Each day we see something new in the nature and Earth has the capacity to bring variety of Newness in various things 

Like new Earth there should be Newness in my life. Like Earth my life should be a place where the Newness appears and attracts everything

*4) New Heaven*

Some times we think that heaven is somewhere in above 

But heaven is not somewhere outside of us. Heaven is amidst us 

That is why it is our responsibility to create this this heaven where we are 

Our homes can be a heaven, our work place, our praying places, playing places, and the various activities can contribute to create a new Heaven. 

*5) New Jerusalem*

For Jews Jerusalem was everything. It was a place of God's Presence, place of religious activities, place of identity and everything. 

When Jesus came Jerusalem got new meaning that is Jerusalem is for everyone and not only to Jews 

Jerusalem means *City of Peace*

New Jerusalem calls us to make our life new through peace in the family, peace in neighbourhood, peace in our surroundings, and peace within ourselves. 

Unless we look at these realities in a new way, we can't bring peace. 

*6) New Commandment*

Jesus' new commandment is the commandment of Love 

We should have Newness in Love, only then love becomes meaningful and creative in Life 

All of us experience Love,  but as Jesus says, New commandment, can we find new ways of loving? 

New ways of expressing our love towards others? 

*7) Behold, I make all things new.*

In today's 2nd reading God says that *I make all things New*

God is always creative, full of life and attractive. 

Like wise we too are called to, see things in a new way. 

*8) Newness implies Two things*

Newness means *change*

Change in everything. It starts from our life, and it should go to every other areas of our life 

Newness means *Development*

Newness is from development and for growth. 

If there is no growth and progress, then there is no meaning for our life. 

*9) “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”*

This is also equally true in bringing about the Newness in Life 

In the journey of Newness, be prepared for challenges, problems, hardships etc 

Am I ready for bringing Newness in Life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*