The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our experience of times when disappointment and set back were obstacles to living fully even as the Spirit prompts us to accept the full life offered by Christ.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Saul persecutes the Church and Philip preaches in Samaria.
* [8:1] All were scattered…except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6:13–14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events.
* [8:3] Saul…was trying to destroy the church: like Stephen, Saul was able to perceive that the Christian movement contained the seeds of doctrinal divergence from Judaism. A pupil of Gamaliel, according to Acts 22:3, and totally dedicated to the law as the way of salvation (Gal 1:13–14), Saul accepted the task of crushing the Christian movement, at least insofar as it detracted from the importance of the temple and the law. His vehement opposition to Christianity reveals how difficult it was for a Jew of his time to accept a messianism that differed so greatly from the general expectation. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Psalm 66 offers praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.
* [Psalm 66] In the first part (Ps 66:1–12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Ps 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity [Ps 66:8–12]). In the second part (Ps 66:13–20), an individual from the rescued community fulfills a vow to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. As often in thanksgivings, the rescued person steps forward to teach the community what God has done (Ps 66:16–20). (Psalms, PSALM 66, n.d.)
The Gospel of John continues the Bread of Life Discourse.
* [6:22–71] Discourse on the bread of life; replacement of the manna. Jn 6:22–34 serve as an introduction, Jn 6:35–59 constitute the discourse proper, Jn 6:60–71 portray the reaction of the disciples and Peter’s confession. (John, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)
Tom Lenz did a little research about “I Am the Bread of Life” and found something very interesting. According to an article published online in 2012 by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Sr. Suzanne wrote the song in 1966 while teaching at a Catholic girls' high school in California.
After much reflection on today's gospel, I can now see that singing “I Am the Bread of Life” at those funerals was an experience with God during a time of great suffering. God was not distant but actually closer than I realized. Reflecting on this gospel has made me think about all the times I may have felt like God was distant but was actually closer than I realized. I am grateful for making the time to reflect on today’s gospel because it reminds me that even in times of great difficulty, God is always near, even if I cannot see it that way at the moment. For some reason, many things seem clearer with a second look. I think I am going to find “I Am the Bread of Life” online and play it in memory of my dad. (Lenz, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Possessing the Scriptures,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When you understand anything in the Scriptures, it is love that is manifesting itself to you. When you fail to understand, it is love that is hiding itself from you. Those, therefore, who possess charity possess both what is manifest in the divine words and what is hidden in them." (excerpt from Sermon 350,2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:35-40 comments that just as earthly bread provides strength to the weary, so heavenly bread strengthens us to serve Jesus in his people. As we receive him and adore him, he opens our eyes to his presence in the least among us. He doesn’t just comfort our hearts; he sends us into the world to extend his mercy to those he came to save. And he promises that as we go, we will encounter him even more deeply. His humility, present in the poor, will melt our hearts and fill us with joy.
“This is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day” (John 6:40). Let’s receive and adore Jesus so that we can better serve him in his people!
“Lord, ‘give us this bread always!’ (John 6:34).” (Meditation on John 6:35-40, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that the great persecution after Stephen was against the Hellenists. Rather than depression and fear, Philip responded by preaching to the Samaritans. The Gospel is spread from Aramaic Jews to Hellenistic Jews and then to the heretical Samaritans. Friar Jude notes Jesus' initial presentation and Wisdom Incarnate and points to Eucharistic Spirituality of knowing Jesus in signs becoming in person knowing on the Last Day.
James Finley, CAC teacher, comments that practicing contemplative detachment helps us recognize that our feelings, real as they are, do not ultimately determine who we are. From his work as a psychotherapist and spiritual director, Finley offers a gentle way of understanding this teaching. He offers wisdom he learned from Thomas Merton (1915–1968), who was his novice master when Finley was a young monk.
Often, when I’d go in to see Thomas Merton for spiritual direction, he’d say, “How’s it going?”
And I’d say, “I’m doing well!”
And he’d say, “Don’t make much of it; it’ll get worse.”
And other times I would go in really down about something. And he’d say, “Don’t make much of it; it’ll get better.”
It ebbs and flows, it ebbs and flows. But what is the infinite love that unwaveringly permeates the wavering ways of our heart? And how can we reserve this inner core place within ourself that cannot be accessed by the finite because it belongs completely to God?
By the way, we should even be detached from that by also being aware of our inability to practice that, because we’re just a human being. We know that when we’re down, we’re really down. And when we’re joyful, we’re joyful. So we have to be very careful not to become attached to the goal of becoming detached!
We have to take a deep breath, and roll with the waves of the unfoldings of ourselves. (Finley, 2023)
Even when we are distracted by events and idle pursuits the Bread of Life is present to console and restore our Life in the Spirit.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8?1
Finley, J. (2023, April 26). Don't Make Much of It — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/dont-make-much-of-it-2023-04-26/
John, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?35
Lenz, T. (2023, April 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042623.html
Meditation on John 6:35-40. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/04/26/664595/
Psalms, PSALM 66. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/66?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=apr26
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