The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the practices and rules that we apply in our relationships with others for indications that we are less loving than the Spirit prompts us to be.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the Council’s letter to Gentile believers.
* [15:13–35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)
Psalm 57 offers praise and assurance under Persecution
* [Psalm 57] Each of the two equal strophes contains a prayer for rescue from enemies, accompanied by joyful trust in God (Ps 57:2–5, 7–11). The refrain prays that God be manifested as saving (Ps 57:6, 12). Ps 108 is nearly identical to part of this Psalm (cf. Ps 57:8–11, Ps 108:2–6). (Psalms, PSALM 57, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaching about the Vine and the Branches is to love one another.
* [15:13] For one’s friends: or: “those whom one loves.” In Jn 15:9–13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapaō. In Jn 15:13b–15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileō. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean “to love”; cf. also Jn 21:15–17. The word philos is used here.
* [15:15] Slaves,friends: in the Old Testament, Moses (Dt 34:5), Joshua (Jos 24:29), and David (Ps 89:21) were called “servants” or “slaves of Yahweh”; only Abraham (Is 41:8; 2 Chr 20:7; cf. Jas 2:23) was called a “friend of God.” (John, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)
Mike Cherney is drawn to two somewhat diverse thoughts.
Dear Lord,
Imagining myself as part of the crowd in Antioch, the Church’s messengers gave me a sense of something more than a doctrinal statement; it left me with a sense of empathy on the part of the Church. I know that I am opinionated. I pray that that I am able to both share and continue to experience that same sense today.
Speaking with a “human friend” this morning, I confirmed that I was far from being alone in experiencing a sense of unworthiness in thinking of You as a friend. Like the Psalmist I experience gratitude for Your gifts on a daily basis. I ask myself is friendship something to be sought or is it a gift to be granted. (Cherney, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Love encompasses the other commandments,” by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD).
"This is my commandment." Have you then only one precept? This is sufficient, even if it is unique and so great. Nevertheless he also said, "Do not kill" (Matthew 19:18) because the one who loves does not kill. He said, "Do not steal," because the one who loves does even more-he gives. He said, "Do not lie," for the one who loves speaks the truth, against falsehood. "I give you a new commandment" (John 13:14). If you have not understood what "This is my commandment" means, let the apostle be summoned as interpreter and say, "The goal of his commandment is love" (1 Timothy 1:5). What is its binding force? It is that of which [the Lord] spoke, "Whatever you want others to do to you, you should do also" (Matthew 7:12)."Love one another" in accordance with this measure, "as I have loved you." That is not possible, for you are our Lord who loves your servants. But we who are equals, how can we love one another as you have loved us? Nevertheless, he has said it... His love is that he has called us his friends. If we were to give our life for you, would our love be equal to yours?... How then can what he said be explained, "As I have loved you"? "Let us die for each other," he said. As for us, we do not even want to live for one another! "If I, who am your Lord and God, die for you, how much more should you die for one another." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 19.13) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:12-17 asks what are the different kinds of fruit that the Spirit will bear in us? There’s the fruit listed by St. Paul: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). There’s the fruit of evangelization, as we share God’s love with the people around us. There’s the fruit of godly relationships, where we learn to love one another as Jesus commands us (John 15:12). And there is so much more—all valuable fruit that makes the kingdom of God present in and around us.
Perhaps today you can focus on the fruit of peace. Reflect for a moment about how the Holy Spirit knows every concern on your heart. Let that truth bring you a greater sense of peace and surrender to him. Maybe the Spirit is asking you to let go of some worry and to trust that he is there for you. Or maybe he is asking you to find a little extra time today to be with him. Whatever it is, know that as you respond, you’ll find greater peace, and you’ll become a more visible sign of his love to the world!
“Holy Spirit, help me to bear fruit that remains.” (Meditation on John 15:12-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the compromise reached in Jerusalem on the need for Gentiles to observe Jewish traditions. The details differ in Galatians and Paul and Luke would differ on the importance of Jerusalem as the center of the faith. Friar Jude reminds us that our love is not based on obligation but on the greater fulfillment and joy of following Jesus in love.
James Finley explores how trauma causes us to internalize shame, which keeps us from living from our true identity in God. It’s such a powerful experience to be in the presence of someone who sees our brokenness—maybe because they live with us and it’s obvious, or it’s a therapist, or a friend, or at a recovery meeting—and who sees through the brokenness to the invincible preciousness of our self in the midst of our brokenness. When we risk sharing what hurts the most in the presence of someone who will not invade us or abandon us, we can come upon within ourselves the pearl of great price, the invincible preciousness of ourselves in the midst of our brokenness.
Through a person’s unconditional positive regard for us, we can start to find our footing in an unconditional positive regard for ourselves. And that unconditional positive regard for ourselves is joining God in seeing who God knows us to be before the origins of the universe as invincibly precious, indestructible in God’s eyes. (Finley, 2023)
The Spirit may reveal the obstacles of anxiety, fear, or indifference that decrease our response to Jesus' command to love one another.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?
Cherney, M. (2023, May 12). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051223.html
Finley, J. (2023, May 12). Shame Is an Outside Voice — Center for Action and Contemplation. Richard Rohr. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/shame-is-an-outside-voice-2023-05-12/
John, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?12
Meditation on John 15:12-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/12/676988/
Psalms, PSALM 57. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/57?8
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may12
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