Peace Over Chaos

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today inspire us to work with religious leaders to bring “Shalom” to our environment nearby and in our world living in chaos.

Our Response to Chaos

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the End of the First Mission of Paul and Barnabas.

* [14:23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.) (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 145 declares the “works of God” make God present and invite human praise.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents Jesus’ departure and return dialogue.

* [14:1–31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in Jn 14:1, 27: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

* [14:27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation šālôm; but Jesus’ “Shalom” is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing.

* [14:28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is “a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God” (Jn 8:40).

* [14:30] The ruler of the world: Satan; cf. Jn 12:31; 16:11. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mike Cherney comments that today is Cinco de Mayo, a day that recalls a spirit of resistance against overwhelming odds.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Recalling His promise of the Spirit, I see this peace not as a serene, tranquil absence of conflict, but the support of the Spirit in the middle of the storm. It is the strength to stand up, like Paul, and declare that the power of evil cannot dominate, because there is the Spirit within.

Cinco de Mayo becomes more than a historical remembrance; it serves as a spiritual metaphor. In my trials, I am not abandoned. I have the Advocate. This Spirit can embolden one with a fire in the heart to stand firm in the face of tribulation and can offer a joy that is courageous, persevering, and profoundly hopeful.

My prayer today centers on finding my place within this reality.

Dear Lord, I live in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain. 

Too often, I see decisions driven by self-interest rather than the common good.

 I carry concerns and fears about what lies ahead. 

Yet I trust that Your Spirit is still at work. 

Guide me in my mission, strengthen my resolve,

 and help me recognize the gifts that You provide each day. (Cherney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Following of Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Come, follow Me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, He has flown on ahead. Look and see where. O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow Him there? Through trials, insults, the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you." (excerpt from Sermon 345,6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:21-26 comments that since the world isn’t the source of our peace, the world doesn’t have the power to take it away—even if we feel some agitation from time to time! Peace is not political, so political unrest doesn’t have to overwhelm us. It’s not economic, so we can find Jesus’ peace even in the face of inflation or job loss. His peace is not tied to our ability to control any of our circumstances, so as we trust the Lord, we will find a peace that, as St. Paul says, “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Let that truth sink in: the peace that will bring true rest to your heart is something you cannot accomplish with your own efforts. It comes from God, and he wants to give it to you! Just look at the first thing Jesus says to his disciples after the resurrection: “Peace be with you” (John 20:19).

You can always trust in Jesus, whether or not you feel in control of your life, whether or not you have amassed enough material treasure—no matter what challenges come your way. Because lasting peace comes directly from Jesus.

“Jesus, help me open my heart to the peace that only you can give me!” (Meditation on John 14:21-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments the reading from Acts presents when Paul and Barnabas are thrown out of the city and travel with great success in the Asia Minor. They appoint presbyters, who were elders rather than priests. In the Gospel of John, we learn that Jesus is going to give a different peace. The Peace that Jesus gives is doing the Will of the Father. This is the joy and peace of being where we belong. It is not dependent on happiness. The Peace of God brings comfort that dispels anxiety. Friar Jude reminds us that however a situation turns out, God will be there with us.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces James Finley who lived in a Cistercian monastery with Thomas Merton, where he was steeped in this union and love mysticism,  reflects on the teachings of the twelfth-century mystic and monastic reformer Bernard of Clairvaux, one of the most prolific commentators on the Song of Songs. He comments on the opening lines of the Song of Songs.

Let Him kiss me with the kiss of His mouth (1:1). Who speaks? The bride. Who is she? The soul thirsting for God…. If one is a servant he is in dread of his lord’s face. If one is a hireling he hopes for pay from his lord’s hand. If one is a disciple he gives ear to his teacher. If one is a son he honors his father. But the soul who begs a kiss, is in love. Among the gifts of nature this affection of love holds first place, especially when it makes haste to return to its Origin, which is God. Words cannot be found so sweet as to express the sweet affections of the Word and the soul for each other, except bride and Bridegroom. [2]

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit as we ponder the tension, particularly relevant today between the greed and imperialism of the time of Cinco de Mayo, that continues to resonate today and the Peace beyond understanding that Jesus invites us to present to the world.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14?19 

Cherney, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-5-2026 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?27 

Meditation on John 14:21-26. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/04/1557172/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145? 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Peace I Give to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Where is Our Divine Connection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine how we understand our connection to God.

God with Us

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Paul and Barnabas experience at Lystra.

* [14:8–18] In an effort to convince his hearers that the divine power works through his word, Paul cures the cripple. However, the pagan tradition of the occasional appearance of gods among human beings leads the people astray in interpreting the miracle. The incident reveals the cultural difficulties with which the church had to cope. Note the similarity of the miracle worked here by Paul to the one performed by Peter in Acts 3:2–10.

* [14:12] Zeus…Hermes: in Greek religion, Zeus was the chief of the Olympian gods, the “father of gods and men”; Hermes was a son of Zeus and was usually identified as the herald and messenger of the gods.

* [14:14] Tore their garments: a gesture of protest. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 115 asks us “Where is your God?”

* [Psalm 115] A response to the enemy taunt, “Where is your God?” This hymn to the glory of Israel’s God (Ps 115:1–3) ridicules the lifeless idols of the nations (Ps 115:4–8), expresses in a litany the trust of the various classes of the people in God (Ps 115:9–11), invokes God’s blessing on them as they invoke the divine name (Ps 115:12–15), and concludes as it began with praise of God. Ps 135:15–18 similarly mocks the Gentile gods and has a similar litany and hymn (Ps 135:19–21). (Where Is Your God?, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus introduces The Advocate for our Relationship with Love.

* [14:1–31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in Jn 14:1, 27: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

* [14:22] Judas, not the Iscariot: probably not the brother of Jesus in Mk 6:3 // Mt 13:55 or the apostle named Jude in Lk 6:16 but Thomas (see note on Jn 11:16), although other readings have “Judas the Cananean.” (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tom Lenz comments that initially, it seemed confusing that Jesus was seemingly making a softer version of an Old Testament deal, “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father.” This seemed to imply that, “If you do not love me then neither will you be loved by my Father.” But this is not the message at all.

If you read a bit more from John 14 the entire message is about connectedness. What Jesus is saying to his disciples is that because we are connected here, then you (and me) are also connected to the Father. But this can only be realized if you “have my commandments and observe them” – which are not the same as the “thou shalt not” commandments in the Old Testament. The “commandments” that Jesus is talking about are more like invitations towards love and forgiveness. And, if we can embrace these, we will be able to more clearly “see” that a Great Chain of Connectedness exists between Jesus, us, and God. He explicitly says this in verse 20 (right before today’s reading begins) in the often quoted, “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” And the glue to all this connection and relationship is the Holy Spirit, as Jesus points out several times in John 14. (Lenz, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “God is pleased to dwell in us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God is not too grand to come, he is not too fussy or shy, he is not too proud - on the contrary he is pleased to come if you do not displease him. Listen to the promise he makes. Listen to him indeed promising with pleasure, not threatening in displeasure, "We shall come to him," he says, "I and the Father." To the one he had earlier called his friend, the one who obeys his precepts, the keeper of his commandment, the lover of God, the lover of his neighbor, he says, "We shall come to him and make our abode with him." (excerpt from Sermon 23,6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:21-26 comments that the indwelling of the Lord is not passive. He is an attentive occupant who knows the very structure of your heart—your priorities, attachments, and thoughts. He cares deeply about you. He delights in the parts that are working well, and he calls for improvements to the parts that don’t: the moments when your mouth has run like a leaky tap or your self-control has crumbled like old plaster.

At times these internal repairs may feel like too much. But don’t be overwhelmed; you are not working alone! Jesus is eager to work with you. He’s just waiting for you to invite him to help. So identify one “internal DIY project” you’d like to work on today, and ask him to roll up his sleeves and join you.

“Lord, I welcome you into my heart. Shape it and make it your home.” (Meditation on John 14:21-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in Acts, Paul and Barnabas continue to preach and when successful, the leaders, both Jew and Gentile, hatch plots against them. The healing they present has people conclude “god” has come down to them. How can Paul and Barnabas try to solve this confusion? In the Gospel of John Chapter 14, loving Jesus and keeping His word of the Father is possible as He promises an Advocate, in Greek, a Paraclete. This is an ambiguous word with many meanings fulfilled by the Spirit as the love between the Father and the Son and their love for us.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces the Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis who shares the history of the Song of Songs’ inclusion in the Bible. The scriptural status of the Song of Songs is so questionable that the Talmud actually records the great debate…. It was the declamation of Rabbi Akiba, the great teacher, scholar, and martyr of early Judaism, that finally carried the day:

Heaven forbid! No Jew ever questioned the sanctity of the Song of Songs; for all the world is not worth the day when the Song of Songs was given to Israel. For all the writings are holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies! [1] … (Rohr, n.d.)

Davis describes how the Song of Songs overcomes the separation that began in Genesis between God, humanity, and the earth:

The poet of the Song has a dream, and in that dream all the ruptures that occurred in Eden are repaired…. Following carefully and imaginatively where the words of the Song lead, we can share the poet’s and God’s dream of the original harmony of creation restored…. A woman and a man, equally powerful, are lost in admiration of each other—or more accurately, in admiration they truly find themselves and each other. And the natural world rejoices with them. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to teach us about Love and the transforming power of our focus on how we can bring love, hope, compassion, and joy to our daily journey.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14? 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14? 

Lenz, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-4-2026 

Meditation on John 14:21-26. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/04/1557172/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Holy of Holies. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-holy-of-holies/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). If You Love Me, Keep My Word. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Where is your God? (n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 115 | USCCB. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/115?1 

A Cornerstone of Faith and Works

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to the path of faith and works in Jesus Way as our mission of “diakonia” in the many dwellings of the Father.

Faith Works and Full Life

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents The Need for Assistants.

* [6:1–7] The Hellenists…the Hebrews: the Hellenists were not necessarily Jews from the diaspora, but were more probably Palestinian Jews who spoke only Greek. The Hebrews were Palestinian Jews who spoke Hebrew or Aramaic and who may also have spoken Greek. Both groups belong to the Jerusalem Jewish Christian community. The conflict between them leads to a restructuring of the community that will better serve the community’s needs. The real purpose of the whole episode, however, is to introduce Stephen as a prominent figure in the community whose long speech and martyrdom will be recounted in Acts 7.

* [6:2–4] The essential function of the Twelve is the “service of the word,” including development of the kerygma by formulation of the teachings of Jesus.

* [6:2] To serve at table: some commentators think that it is not the serving of food that is described here but rather the keeping of the accounts that recorded the distribution of food to the needy members of the community. In any case, after Stephen and the others are chosen, they are never presented carrying out the task for which they were appointed (Acts 6:2–3). Rather, two of their number, Stephen and Philip, are presented as preachers of the Christian message. They, the Hellenist counterpart of the Twelve, are active in the ministry of the word.

* [6:6] They…laid hands on them: the customary Jewish way of designating persons for a task and invoking upon them the divine blessing and power to perform it. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 33 invites the just to Praise God.

* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the First Letter of Peter presents God’s House and People.

* [2:4–8] Christ is the cornerstone (cf. Is 28:16) that is the foundation of the spiritual edifice of the Christian community (1 Pt 2:5). To unbelievers, Christ is an obstacle and a stumbling block on which they are destined to fall (1 Pt 2:8); cf. Rom 11:11.

* [2:5] Let yourselves be built: the form of the Greek word could also be indicative passive, “you are being built” (cf. 2 Pt 2:9).

* [2:9–10] The prerogatives of ancient Israel mentioned here are now more fully and fittingly applied to the Christian people: “a chosen race” (cf. Is 43:20–21) indicates their divine election (Eph 1:4–6); “a royal priesthood” (cf. Ex 19:6) to serve and worship God in Christ, thus continuing the priestly functions of his life, passion, and resurrection; “a holy nation” (Ex 19:6) reserved for God, a people he claims for his own (cf. Mal 3:17) in virtue of their baptism into his death and resurrection. This transcends all natural and national divisions and unites the people into one community to glorify the one who led them from the darkness of paganism to the light of faith in Christ. From being “no people” deprived of all mercy, they have become the very people of God, the chosen recipients of his mercy (cf. Hos 1:9; 2:23). (1 Peter, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John continues to present the Last Supper Discourses.

* [14:1–31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in Jn 14:1, 27: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

* [14:1] You have faith: could also be imperative: “Have faith.”

* [14:3] Come back again: a rare Johannine reference to the parousia; cf. 1 Jn 2:28.

* [14:4] The way: here, of Jesus himself; also a designation of Christianity in Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22.

* [14:6] The truth: in John, the divinely revealed reality of the Father manifested in the person and works of Jesus. The possession of truth confers knowledge and liberation from sin (Jn 8:32).

* [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. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth comments that the passage from Acts reminds us that the early Christians had their flaws and squabbled with each other just like we do.She is actually a little surprised that they didn’t turn serving dinner over to the community’s women.

I also think about the prayer/service conundrum that this passage highlights. Isn’t humble service a form of prayer? I think of saints like Mother Teresa working in the slums of Calcutta and the pre-papal pictures of Pope Leo donning rubber boots to aid flood victims in Peru. Prayer and service seem inexorably linked, rather than being an either/or choice.

But we don’t have to go to India or Peru to find people who linked the two. We all have our own local role models. One of mine is the late John Schlegel S.J., who not only served as president of Creighton but spent many evenings inconspicuously serving dinner to the homeless at Siena-Francis House. I suspect this work inspired him to create the University’s day of service to the homeless that brought hundreds to the campus for health checks, job assistance and other aid. (Wirth, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Father Works Together with the Son,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The Father was not born of the Virgin, and yet this birth of the Son from the Virgin was the work of both Father and Son. The Father did not suffer on the cross, and yet the passion of the Son was the work of both Father and Son. The Father did not rise again from the dead, and yet the resurrection of the Son was the work of both Father and Son. You have the persons quite distinct, and their working inseparable. So let us never say that the Father worked anything without the Son, the Son anything without the Father. Or perhaps you are worried about the miracles Jesus did, in case perhaps he did some that the Father did not do? Then what about 'But the Father abiding in me does his works'?" (excerpt from Sermon 52,14) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:1-12 comments that Jesus’ words “Where I am you also may be” (John 14:3) can be reassuring for us as well. He promises to be with each of us always. He dwells in us through Baptism. He comes to us under the appearance of bread and wine in the Eucharist. He is with us through his Holy Spirit. And he is preparing a dwelling place for us, too, in his Father’s house.

This is the good news: Jesus is always present to you—both now and forever in eternity. Whatever trials you may experience, you never have to feel alone or abandoned. You can call on him for his guidance, his wisdom, and his mercy at any moment of the day or night.

So “do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). The One who died and rose for you will never let you go. Even when you can’t sense his presence, know that he is with you. He is interceding for you with the Father. Even now, he is preparing a dwelling place for you, a place so wonderful that it’s beyond anything you could ever imagine!

“Jesus, I praise you for your constant presence in my life!” (Meditation on John 14:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Acts presents the episode where the Apostles are told that widows and orphans are being ignored. The word “diakonia” is a Greek noun meaning "service," "ministry," or "relief," and it occurs in the choice of the first seven deacons. The Apostles lay their hands on them to ordain them to govern through the action of the Holy Spirit. In the Last Supper Discourses, in the Gospel of John, Jesus is the living stone and the people are built into the house of the Lord. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises. The stone is a solid foundation and also a stumbling block. God has consecrated these people who are made into “Church”. In the Last Supper Discourses, Jesus shows them He is way truth and life. In the Hebrew Testament, God is “emet” that means faithful and truthful. The Life of Vitality begins in encountering Jesus. We have seen the Father in the works and words of Jesus. Friar Jude comments that Our Trinity is a community that is not split, but involves service, community, and mutual love as exists between the Father and the Son. 

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces James Finley and Mirabai Starr who describe how the Song of Songs in the Old Testament expresses the soul’s longing for God as well as God’s longing for us.

The Song of Songs is our soul’s quintessential blueprint. We often have this sense that to be born is to be separated from our source. The path of this life, then, is a path of return and homecoming—and it’s characterized in many ways by longing, yearning, and remembering in our bones that we come from Love. The desire beyond all other desires is to return to Love. That spiritual longing is often expressed or mirrored in our human relationships. I don’t see that as a problem. Our human relationships are not illusions that stand in for the real thing, the spiritual longing of our spiritual selves. Rather, our human relationships are the field on which this love dance plays out in this life.

Anyone who’s ever been smitten by love doesn’t need to explain why the Song of Songs is sacred. In other words, love’s the best thing going. It’s way up there with hummingbirds and sunsets. It’s one of God’s better ideas, because a life rich with love is a life rich with meaning. God is the infinity of love; therefore, our love for each other is an incarnate manifestation of that infinite love, which is incarnate in our love for each other.

The Song of Songs expresses this love song of the heart. The rhythms of the poet’s voice are the rhythms of love itself. The language is so poetic because it’s evocatively incarnating the nonlinear realizations of love. That’s why, when we read Scripture this way, it affects us at such a deep level. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the role of the Holy Spirit in opening the Love between Father and Son as the fuel for our service to the “widows and orphans” of our daily environment.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/6? 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14? 

Meditation on John 14:1-12. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/03/1556525/ 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrie ved May 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/2? 

Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love Song of the Soul. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-song-of-the-soul/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, Show Us the Father. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Wirth, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton On line Ministries. Retrieved May 3, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-3-2026