The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on how we incorporate the relationship we experience with Christ through our journey with the Good News into our daily encounters.
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| Seeing the Father |
The reading from Acts where Paul makes his address to the Gentiles shows both joy and jealousy as responses.
* [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).1
Psalm 98 is a hymn similar to Psalm 96 extolling God for Israel’s victory.
* [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).2
In the Gospel from John Jesus Last Supper Discourses deal today with the apparent inability of Philip to fully appreciate the oneness of Jesus and the Father.
* [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; 33:18.3
Edward Morse comments that today’s readings present a common theme on the difficulties of believing and God’s power to use unbelief to achieve His holy ends.
Jealousy and the quest for position and power often leads to contentiousness and conflict, preventing us from dialogue and contemplation. Social cohesion can be a good thing when we reach out to help others based on compassion and empathy, but it can also become a tool for oppression. Our desire to be part of the “in” group can make us do harmful things. We are likely still learning these lessons. Let us pray for grace to open our hearts and minds to become receptive to the truth, and to have the courage to act on our convictions. Thanks be to God.4
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) 5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:7-14 observes that we inherit our physical makeup from our parents. Even in the case of someone who has never met our family, there’s still some truth to the fact that when they meet us, they are meeting our parents as well.
If this is true about human parents and children, imagine how much more it is for Jesus and his heavenly Father! He even says as much in today’s Gospel: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). All of his Father’s love and power were wrapped up in everything Jesus said and did.
Now for the really good news: because the Spirit lives within us, we too are infused with God’s love and power. We are sons and daughters of God who carry our Father’s “spiritual DNA.” Of course, like any other child, we still have to grow into our inheritance. But isn’t it wonderful to know we have all the tools we need to do just that?6
Friar Jude Winkler connects the kerygma preached by Paul to the rejection of King Saul and the selection by God of King David. Filling up what is lacking in Christ’s suffering (Col 1:24) is a theme inspired by this text. Friar Jude reminds us that we receive the most loving response to our needs from God and that sometimes may be meeting us on the Cross.
(How Do We Fill Up What is Lacking in Christ's Sufferings? By Mark Shea)
Catherine Mulroney, Editor of Novalis Living with Christ, reflects on Pope Francis who reminded the crowds in St. Peter’s Square that Christ himself said that discipleship requires taking up our own crosses.
“Following Jesus does not mean participating in a triumphal procession!” the pope told those gathered. “It means sharing his merciful love, entering into his great work of mercy for each person and for all mankind. And this forgiveness passes through the cross.”7
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, God cannot be known by thinking but by experiencing and loving. As we read about the theological framework and practical implications of Trinity, Fr Richard nudges us to take many opportunities to explore this concept in your lived experience, perhaps through the perichoresis or circle dance like that practiced by Gabrielle Roth, (https://www.5rhythms.com/).
Here’s one way you might play with a childlike spirit and feel Trinity’s flow in your body. You may even lose track of where you, the dancer, end and the dance itself begins.8
Our relationships with people are the opportunities to experience Christ as we explore the connections of those we encounter to the Good News of the Father, with the Son and inspired in the Spirit.
References
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(n.d.). Acts, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/13
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(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 98 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98
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(n.d.). John, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/14
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(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
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(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
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(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/17/
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(n.d.). The Cross as a Sign of Boundless Love and Mercy | Seeds of Faith. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://novalisseedsoffaith.com/2013/09/14/the-cross-as-sign-of-boundless-love-and-mercy/
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8
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(n.d.). Trinity: Part 2: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://cac.org/trinity-part-2-weekly-summary-2019-05-18/
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