Courage Conviction Community

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the qualities that are essential for our continued connection to the Author of Life.

Life Connection

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Saul in Jerusalem.

* [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18.

* [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:1–7 (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 22 is a plea for deliverance from suffering and hostility.

* [Psalm 22] A lament unusual in structure and in intensity of feeling. The psalmist’s present distress is contrasted with God’s past mercy in Ps 22:2–12. In Ps 22:13–22 enemies surround the psalmist. The last third is an invitation to praise God (Ps 22:23–27), becoming a universal chorus of praise (Ps 22:28–31). The Psalm is important in the New Testament. Its opening words occur on the lips of the crucified Jesus (Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46), and several other verses are quoted, or at least alluded to, in the accounts of Jesus’ passion (Mt 27:35, 43; Jn 19:24). (Psalms, PSALM 22 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the First Letter of John exhorts us to confidence before God and to love in truth and action.

* [3:19–24] Living a life of faith in Jesus and of Christian love assures us of abiding in God no matter what our feelings may at times tell us. Our obedience gives us confidence in prayer and trust in God’s judgment. This obedience includes our belief in Christ and love for one another.

* [3:19b–20] This difficult passage may also be translated “we shall be at peace before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for…” or “and before God we shall convince our hearts, if our hearts condemn us, that God is greater than our hearts.” (1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John declares Jesus as the True Vine.

* [15:1–17] Like Jn 10:1–5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Is 5:1–7; Mt 21:33–46 and as a vine at Ps 80:9–17; Jer 2:21; Ez 15:2; 17:5–10; 19:10; Hos 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Ps 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sir 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf. Mk 14:25, “the fruit of the vine.”

* [15:2] Takes away,prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs.

* [15:6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Sherri Brown comments that some of us have made some major changes along the way. Such changes may be denominational, ethical, theological, or practical, but they may have major impacts on our lives. It is not possible to quantify the difficulty of taking stands against the family lore or staid family positions on theological or political issues. Indeed, relationships have been torn asunder for such and much less.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus ultimately proclaims to his disciples, “I am the true vine, my Father is the vine grower…you are the branches” (John 15:1–8). One doesn’t have to love wine to appreciate this metaphor that, let’s be clear, also includes pruning unproductive branches. We are called to be our best selves, but we are not called to make this effort alone. Jesus needed his disciples for the good news to be what it is. Paul needed Barnabas to become the timeless apostle to the Gentiles. We need each other to be our best selves. Never hesitate to seek out mentors and companions along the Way. The Bible tells you so. (Brown, 2017)

Don Schwager quotes “Cleansed by Jesus' word,” by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.

"So the world - life enslaved by carnal passions - can no more receive the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye can look at the light of a sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples' lives through his teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot receive him, because it neither sees him nor knows him... You know him, for he dwells with you' (John 14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who settled the earth and the things in it; and gives breath to the people on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5). From this we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above them become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53) (Schwager, 2017)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:1-8 comments that even as we strive to align ourselves with God’s will, we should still keep bringing our needs or desires to Jesus. We should always come to him with the confidence of children who trust in their loving father. After all, we have a good God who wants to give us good things. But in the end, prayer is not an exercise in trying to get him to bend to our will. It’s a process of freely embracing his will.

Jesus is promising us that we can ask and receive as we align ourselves with him and hold onto his words. He himself will dwell within us and lead us to our heavenly Father. And that’s not an empty promise!

“Jesus, help me to abide in you!” (Meditation on John 15:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the trepidation of the apostles in Jerusalem about the visit of Saul. Barnabas introduces Saul but opposition from the Hellenists force Saul to return to Tarsus. Luke expresses the growth of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit from Jews in Jerusalem, then heretical Jews in Samaria, and finally to Gentiles in the whole world. The proclamation of the Love of the Son of God in 1 John is connected to the battle against the heresy of Docetism that did not accept Jesus as the Son of God. The image of the vine and the branches in Jesus' Last Supper discourse resonates with our need to choose life by unity with Christ or bear the consequences of separation from Him.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, finds a model of simplicity in Jesus’ single-mindedness and purity of heart. Like Jesus, my spiritual father Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) was connected to the Source. He truly experienced radical participation in God’s very life. Such practical knowing of his value and true identity allowed Francis to let go of status, privilege, and wealth. Francis knew he was part of God’s plan, connected to creation and other beings, inherently in communion and in love. Francis taught his followers to own nothing so they would not be owned by their possessions. Francis said: 

My brothers! My brothers! God has called me by the way of [humility] and showed me the way of simplicity…. And the Lord told me what He wanted: He wanted me to be a new fool in the world. God did not wish to lead us by any way other than this knowledge. [4] 

If we don’t live from within our own center of connection and communion with God, we’ll go spinning around other things. The goal of all religion is to lead us back to the place where everything is one, to the experience of radical unity with all of humanity and all of creation, and hence to the experience of unity with God, the Great Includer of all. [5] (Rohr, 2017)

We ponder the Way that connects us to the fullness of life and we invoke the Spirit to guide us to attend to the Will of God for our journey.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9?26 

Brown, S. (2017, November 9). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042824.html 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?1 

Meditation on John 15:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/28/944374/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3?18 

Psalms, PSALM 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/22?26 

Rohr, R. (2017, November 9). Purity of Heart. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/purity-of-heart-single-mindedness/ 

Schwager, D. (2017, November 9). Abide in Me, and I in You. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr28 

Inspired to Act

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of our mission, guided by the Holy Spirit, to witness to the Love of the Father through following the example of the Son in our relationships with people and Nature.

Contemplation and Action

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles is an address about Light for the Gentiles.

* [13:46] The refusal to believe frustrates God’s plan for his chosen people; however, no adverse judgment is made here concerning their ultimate destiny. Again, Luke, in the words of Paul, speaks of the priority of Israel in the plan for salvation (see Acts 10:36). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John is from Jesus' Last Supper Discourses.

* [14:7] An alternative reading, “If you knew me, then you would have known my Father also,” would be a rebuke, as in Jn 8:19.

* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Ann Mausbach comments that ours is a faith rooted in action. And Jesus reminds us of this. When we do good works, we develop a deeper closeness with the Holy Trinity.

When we act in Jesus' name we are drawn into a more trusting and loving relationship. The Holy Trinity reveals itself in these acts. It reminds me of a quote from the author Anne Lamott, “Yesterday’s faith does not wait for you like a dog with your slippers and the morning paper in its mouth. You seek it, and in seeking it, you find it.” 

Today, let’s pray that our hearts and minds be captured by the Holy Trinity’s presence in our lives. Let the awe and wonder of this love inspire us to serve those around us, creating a community of people who can see and feel God's presence in our lives. (Mausbach, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The Father's portrait in the Son,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"By means of this image the Lord showed Philip the Father. Yes, he who looks on the Son sees, in portrait, the Father. Notice what kind of portrait is spoken of. It is truth, righteousness, the power of God. It is not silent, for it is the Word. It is not insensible, for it is Wisdom. It is not vain and foolish, for it is power. It is not soulless, for it is the life. It is not dead, for it is the resurrection." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 1.7.50) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:7-14 comments that while speaking at the Last Supper, Jesus urged his disciples to believe that to see him was to see his Father (John 14:9). Even if you don’t believe because I have just told you that I am in the Father, he said, at least believe because of all that you’ve seen me do.

Jesus has done so many marvelous works! Every single day he continues to work in this world and in the lives of his people. That means you have millions upon millions of reasons to believe in him today!

“Jesus, I believe in you! Lord, I love you and I trust in your power in my life!” (Meditation on John 14:7-14, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the success of Paul in preaching to the Gentiles after they are rejected in the synagogue and the joy they express even as they are ultimately forced to leave the town. Joy is experienced, even in difficulty, as we are grounded in doing what we are called to do. Friar Jude reminds us that God is a loving parent, not a miracle dispenser, Who always gives what we need.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Spiritual writer Shannon K. Evans who asks how the Divine might be communicating through the natural world. Most of us have probably had a revelatory moment in nature once or twice in our lives. Maybe we assume such things are rare flukes, an occasional happenstance to treasure but not to expect. But what if we can expect them? What if the lines between the material and the spiritual were never meant to be inflexible? If I told you that were you to step outside your door right now there would be a message from God for you, would you go?…

Carve out time to spend in nature, free of agenda. It might be your own backyard for half an hour or it might be a weekend camping trip at a national park.… Below are a few starting points in case you need some handrails…. 

What is one element of nature that I feel drawn to today?  An animal, tree, body of water, wind? Perhaps that drawing I feel is because it has something to say to me.  

​How might God be answering a quandary in my life through this engagement with nature? 

What do I feel in my body?  

Practice active listening. Expect to be shown new ideas, thoughts, or realizations. (Rohr, 2017)

We are invited to openness to the prompting of the Spirit to act as witness to the Father’s Love expressed in actions of care and compassion for the people on our journey.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13? 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14? 

Mausbach, A. (2024, April 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042724.html 

Meditation on John 14:7-14. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/27/943805/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (2017, November 9). Listening to Creation: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/listening-to-creation-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr27