Relationship Qualities

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary focus on an aspect of intimate relationship which has to do which reassurance in the face of trouble or turmoil. The passage from Acts details the actions of the Apostles to reassure the Hellenists that they need not be troubled over the needs of their widows. The psalmist echoes the refrain that the steadfast love of God is an experience from which the people can continue to hope in God. The letter of Peter invites people to see that the “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,” (1 Peter 2:7b). The “Rock”, Peter, is to lead the Church with stability. He points to the Scriptural description applied to Jesus as the security and stability offered in an intimate relationship with the Divine. The passage from the Gospel of John reassures many with the phrases “‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe* in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?*”( John 14:1-2). This portion of Chapter 14 is part of the longer dialogue of Jesus in John chapters 13 -15. The rich context of this message is excellent meditation as the Church will draw test from these chapters on the way to celebrate Pentecost.