From Transaction to Mutuality: Living the Fullness of Life
Fourth Sunday of Easter – April 26, 2026
The Second Reading reminds us of the difficult moments when we do good and get criticised or cheated! It is very difficult to bear. We feel hurt and desire to fight back. But God reminds us, through Peter, to be patient like Christ and, in good time, the truth will raise us up.
This, perhaps, is an opportunity to become a more authentic disciple; to be totally dependent on God for our defence: welcome to the world of the men and women living in poverty. Injustice and false claims fill their lives on a regular basis. It is sobering to think about that, instead of the occasional injustice we suffer.
And how do those people living in poverty survive? Through community. Through community. And that community is built up around a shepherd. For us, as Christians, that is the person of Jesus Christ. And why Jesus Christ? Because he is a Shepherd who does not run away when danger comes, but shares the dangers and joys of the community.
“I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold… Anyone who enters through me will be safe: …I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
But what does that have to do with us: I’m OK; I’m in my community?
Well, today we are called to reflect on our community.
There is an interesting phrase in ACTS, today: perverse generation. The dictionary says:
Contrary to what is right or good; wicked or depraved;
Wilfully opposing or resisting what is right, expected, or reasonable; or
Having an effect opposite to what is intended or expected.
Are we really happy with the way things are going in my life? Or is my life having an effect opposite to what is intended or expected? Talking to the youth last weekend, we discussed the importance of giving a bit extra when we get a job; of offering ourselves to help the community when I don’t have a job or have spare time.
Some youth members were surprised. It doesn’t sound right! But, truly, this is what Jesus did: he helped people without payment. What God tells us through the “Bread of life” and “Bread from Heaven” texts in John’s Gospel, is that to enter into Heaven on earth, or after death, we must stop living a transactional life and live a life of exchange.
That means, as we give our lives to help others “so that they may have life,” God is able to give God’s self to us so that we might “have it to the full”. When we feel life is not “full” then it might mean that our role models and way of life are not the best.
That’s why the Responsorial Psalm is given to us: “The Lord is my shepherd and there is nothing I shall want.” If we have the right attitude – ie. not being perverse! – we will have the right life. But, sadly, many people have a rough start to life, and grow up into a perverse person. That doesn’t mean they are bad. It means they have the wrong shepherd!
St Peter is asked a challenging question by the people: “What must we do, brothers?” People, today, also ask the question. St Peter encourages the people by saying that God is ready to forgive our past behaviours and help us start again. We can do the same, and more by actions.
We, who have the faith, can be the positive spark, like St Peter, which calls people to a more authentic Shepherd. Through the Shepherd of Jesus Christ, our past mistakes or habits can become the source of healing for others. For example: Around the world, there is a pandemic slowly being realised in some countries: the issue of consent in relationships.
Daniel Principe, shared on SBS News (Australia), that he had developed a pornography addiction from the age of 11. By age 22 he realised his core values were being changed by what he watched. SBS News – From the age of 11, porn distorted my image of women. Now, I’m a consent educator?
Daniel now does public speaking at schools encouraging everyone to go beyond simply asking for consent, to develop a mentality of mutuality: what will make the other person happy.
That sense of mutuality is exactly what Jesus came to call us to: relationship where we exchange all that we are with the other, rather than a transactional relationship of, this for that. Which is rarely fair: one person ends up being a loser.
God is offering us “life to the full”. All we have to do is choose Jesus Christ. Which means more than just turning up to Mass: it means making sacrifices to empower others;
to give them life. Happy Easter!
By Gerard Conlan, OMI