The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer reassurance of support through the Holy Spirit to assist us from stumbling as we act to complete our mission.
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| Guides in life |
The reading from the Book of Acts describes Paul who is led into Europe by the Spirit and finds support from the conversion of Lydia.
* [16:10–17] This is the first of the so-called “we-sections” in Acts, where Luke writes as one of Paul’s companions. The other passages are Acts 20:5–15; 21:1–18; 27:1–28:16. Scholars debate whether Luke may not have used the first person plural simply as a literary device to lend color to the narrative. The realism of the narrative, however, lends weight to the argument that the “we” includes Luke or another companion of Paul whose data Luke used as a source.1
Psalm 149 offers praise for God’s goodness to Israel.
* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9).2
In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises the Paraclete will keep us from stumbling.
* [15:26] Whom I will send: in Jn 14:16, 26, the Paraclete is to be sent by the Father, at the request of Jesus. Here the Spirit comes from both Jesus and the Father in mission; there is no reference here to the eternal procession of the Spirit.3
Tom Quinn notes that so often, in Christian history, women have provided leadership, support, and a myriad of examples of faith in action. When we later read, in Acts:16, of Paul’s difficulties with the authorities in Philippi, it becomes clear that Lydia continued to stand by Paul and the Christian faith. She, like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalen, provided an early template for women whose deep faith and strength contributed so much to the growth of the early church. Let us pray that we will have the wisdom to follow the examples of the holy women of the church; be open to the good news that Jesus gave us, and to act on it.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel about the “Spirit of Truth” who will come from the Father to support and to testify to the truth. Jesus assures us that we will not be alone when we too testify to the truth of his teaching. We will be comforted and supported by the Holy Spirit who is our advocate and our paraclete. He is with us always, as are the Father and the Son.
It is easy to despair, especially in these difficult times. It is important to believe that our God will never leave us. His love is always evident if we open our hearts to it. We must have faith, cling to the truth, and let God give us the strength to persevere. We, too, will find the power to “testify”, to bear witness, to the Lord.4
Don Schwager quotes “The Comforter is with us in our troubles,” by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.
"He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:11-15 comments that God wants to open our hearts further as well. He wants us to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are loved, forgiven, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to build his kingdom. As he was with Lydia, he is always at work in our lives, always looking for ways to soften our hearts. But he needs us to be open and willing to listen to what he wants to say to us.
Yes, God works wonders, but we also have a part to play. If you want to hear God’s voice, imitate Lydia’s habit of listening closely. You don’t have to strain anxiously to hear his word. Rather, adopt a position of trust and humility. Be ready to stop whatever you are doing and pay close attention when you think God might be trying to say something to you.
Paul and his companions were just looking for a place to pray when they came upon Lydia and her friends. We never know when or where God will speak to us. May we always be alert and ready to respond when he does!
“Lord, give me the grace to hear what you want to reveal to me.”6
Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out the role of Lydia after her household is baptized. The Advocate teaches us what is Truth. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus has forewarned us that we may be persecuted for our faith.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares excerpts from Pope Francis, Laudato Si′: On Care For Our Common Home that honor his own spiritual father, St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
I do not want to write this encyclical without turning to that attractive and compelling figure, whose name I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected Bishop of Rome… If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously. The poverty and austerity of Saint Francis were no mere veneer of asceticism, but something much more radical: a refusal to turn reality into an object simply to be used and controlled.7
The stumbling blocks of our time include our response to a global epidemic, now, and our action to act on the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor as we confront imminent large scale changes in the ecology of our planet.
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