The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the resolution of conflicts in our journey as the Spirit prompts us to sincere dialogue with those with whom we disagree.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles sets the stage for the Council at Jerusalem.
* [15:1–5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)
Psalm 122 is a song of praise and prayer for Jerusalem.
* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes himself 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.” (John, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)
Chas Kestermeier S.J. reminds us that not all change is growth, for some of the change we choose leads us away from God and towards death. And that is what this Gospel reading is speaking about to him: choosing growth rather than just accepting change.
You have heard the words “Don’t just stand there; DO something,” but when it comes to seeking and accomplishing true growth we must begin, even on a daily basis, to not just do what feels right (contrary to what Nike urges) but to pause and prayerfully reflect on where it is that God is calling us to grow and to what sort of growth. We do need to begin by just listening in silence and humility to hear and discern what God hopes from us; only then can our “doing something” really mean anything. “Don’t just DO something, STAND THERE AND THINK about what is going on.” (Kestermeier, n.d.)
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, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 15:1-6 comments that resolving differences that threaten to cause conflict or division requires patience. It also requires peace and a confidence that God will guide the discussions. And it demands the self-control to listen to another point of view without jumping in to shoot it down.
Ask the Holy Spirit to ripen his fruit in you. Examine your conscience in areas like patience, peace, or self-control. In moments of conflict, pause to ask the Spirit for the grace to bear the appropriate fruit. Listen for his voice through the other person, and try to see them as God sees them. Watch out for critical thoughts, resentment, or self-centeredness. Be slow to judge those who differ with you and quick to forgive. Above all, seek unity, as Paul and Barnabas did, even if it means a long, inconvenient journey to get there. “Holy Spirit, cultivate your fruit in me as I seek unity in my relationships.” (Meditation on Acts 15:1-6, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler recalls the difficulties of the early Church with the practice of Jewish tradition by Gentiles baptized as followers of Christ. The resolution of the disagreement was addressed by discernment of the Spirit by all parties together. Friar Jude reminds us of the Eucharistic gift of Life that unfortunately is sometimes rejected by branches that bear no fruit.
James Finley describes contemplation as taught by the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing. This fourteenth-century work inspired the creation of Centering Prayer, and teaches a way of praying that involves surrendering our thoughts so that we can simply be in God’s presence.
Lift your heart up to the Lord, with a gentle stirring of love desiring him for his own sake and not for his gifts. Center all your attention and desire on him and let this be the sole concern of your mind and heart. Do all in your power to forget everything else, keeping your thoughts and desires free from involvement with any of God’s creatures or their affairs whether in general or in particular. Perhaps this will seem like an irresponsible attitude, but I tell you, let them all be; pay no attention to them. [2] (The Narrow Gate of Contemplation, n.d.)
In our connection with the True Vine, we access the Wisdom of the Spirit through which we work to resolve difficulties with the fellow travelers on our journey.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?1
John, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?1
Kestermeier, C. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051822.html
Meditation on Acts 15:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/18/383819/
The Narrow Gate of Contemplation. (n.d.). CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-narrow-gate-of-contemplation-2022-05-18/
Psalms, PSALM 122. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may18
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