Joy is deep for the humble

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary commemorate the response of Mary to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to travel to visit her cousin Elizabeth who, in her old age, has been gifted by God with a pregnancy. This meeting of two specially born, to the virgin and to the elderly woman is a loud proclamation in Jewish tradition that the hand of God is at work in a large way. The shouts of joy in the text from the Prophet Zephaniah are for the coming to Israel of one who will renew the relationship of intimacy between God and Israel, the Messiah. This understanding is expressed in the lives of the humble who have been faithful in trusting that the promises of God to them would be fulfilled. Friar Jude Winkler points out that the occasion of the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth is is used by the texts to celebrate an example of the marks of a true Christian, in the parting words of the letter of Paul to the Romans. The virtues are described as  loving one another, extending hospitality, contributing to the needs of others and being humbly aware of our giftedness which does not raise us in pride but puts us in communion with those who persecute us, who weep and who like ourselves live aware of the great mystery of our journey. The proclamation of Mary in the Gospel of Luke is the mission of believers to magnify the action of God in our lives.  The miracles we have experienced in the action of the Holy Spirit  in our journey which have changed our direction and attitude are to be proclaimed by our lives. The text is a recall of the praise of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2 over the gift of the child Samuel to her whereby the humiliation she had endured as the childless wife is lifted and the people are aware of the action of God to bring joy and support to His people.

Can you do this for me?

The First Letter of Peter is the source of the first reading in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. It tells us that Jesus is our ransom from the futile way of life which holds us at less dignity than we are intended to experience. Our call is to live in relationship with the Divine which will focus us on the faith and hope that enables mutual love for others. Jesus "stands-in" for us and is the power where by we can serve others by standing-in to shoulder responsibility, take the blame, encourage the down trodden, and live generously toward those in our circles. This example of service as leadership is response of Jesus to the bold request of James and John to be given power and authority when Jesus comes to His Kingdom in Jerusalem. Friar Jude Winkler points out that this is the third time that Jesus predicts His passion in the Gospel of Mark and the disciples seem to "not get it". The thought that the Messiah of Israel would not be a David-like king but would stand-in and for tax collectors, prostitutes, hypocrites and everyone else as example of the mercy and compassion of God is the service which is difficult to accept. It is the experience through which we are called to live the dignity of being ransomed by Jesus.

The upside is down

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are both expected and unexpected. The first letter of Peter, which according to Friar Jude Winkler was authored by Peter through his scribe, asserts the fulfillment of ancient  prophesy in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The service of the prophets was not for themselves but for future communities. Their announcements were made in the influence of the Holy Spirit. This holiness is gift from God and like the holiness code from Leviticus, we need to practice discipline which avoids the unholy attitudes and actions in our relationships.The Gospel of Mark today continues the teaching of the difficulty of trying to possess people, property and power. There seems to be a response to the "What's in it for me?" question. Friar Jude explains that this is not "the prosperity Gospel" where the good people are rewarded by God, but is the presentation of the consequence of simplicity in life, like St Francis example. The subversive aspect of living against the accepted flow in society will bring persecution. The freedom from possessions, power, pride and passions may seem to put us last in the society, but the Life which is lived in that freedom puts us first.

Possessed and suffering

The liturgical year returns today to Ordinary Time. The weeks of the the liturgical calendar are "counted" using ordinal numbers. There is nothing "ordinary" about Ordinary Time. The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary indicate that in the course of our lives we all experience suffering and trials. The first letter of Peter, which Friar Jude Winkler comments may have been dictated by Peter to his secretary because it is written in very good Greek, acknowledges that we can find ourselves in times of tribulation where we are being tested in fire. Peter proclaims the promise of life which we know in our relationship with Jesus as imperishable, undefiled and unfading. Many spiritual authors, including Richard Rohr, have reflected on the deepening of the love of God which is experienced through suffering. The Gospel of Mark  illustrates in the encounter of Jesus with the rich young man searching for more to complete his salvation how the message even if it is lovingly presented may be rejected by our person if we are enslaved by our possessions, attitudes or addictions. The suffering of holding ourselves back from the invitation to grow may be difficult to address. Jesus declares that the very relationship with God is the power to make our growth possible. Persevere.

Life ordered by Light wants to burst in

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today celebrate the mystery of the great feast which sanctifies the whole Church in every nation and people. This phrase from the Collect prayer for the liturgy today points at the component of mystery which Father Larry Gillick SJ identifies as a vital component of a living relationship. People strive to solve the mystery of their loved ones and of themselves. Gillick is in accord with Paul as he asserts that this is not a time for philosophers to navel gaze. The violent, driving wind of the Pentecost description in the book of Acts is a "kick in the backside" for the followers of Jesus to be the Life in the world which is the continuation of His mission. Friar Jude Winkler points at the references to the many philosophies by which people have attempted to guide their ethical and moral direction yet have lacked the Peace which Jesus fills the room in the Gospel from John. This Passing of the Peace is the witness to be modeled by those now stirred by the Spirit and gifted as detailed in Paul's letter to the Corinthians to manifest the Lordship of Jesus for the common good. The Babel of our confusion is replaced by the order of Pentecost whereby the indwelling Spirit, the Love of Father for Son is resonant with the "breath" of Genesis which created and gave life to Adam and which commissions Christians as Fr Larry puts it, " Whose chaos you order there will be order and those who retain their chaos as a way of living, their chaos is retained." Friar Jude highlights the elements of tension and disagreement between Gnostic, Stoic, mystic John and historian Luke which is supernaturally resolved in the "Yes" for Jesus in Pentecost.

Endings and misunderstandings

The texts today  from the Roman Catholic Lectionary bring us to think about endings and misunderstandings. The end of the Book of Acts tells of Paul in Rome where he was imprisoned for two years. He was eventually martyred in Rome and Friar Jude Winkler reveals a traditional story that he travelled to Spain from Rome. His pattern of proclamation of the Good News, first to Jews, and then to Gentiles is repeated. This message was more important to Luke, who according to Winkler, is attempting to present Christians as "good citizens" to Rome and details of the execution of Paul is not going to support that position. The audience and authorship of the Sacred Texts is important research. This does not threaten their role in Revelation but it provides even more awe and wonder in the accounts. The end of the Gospel of John is a second ending which Friar Jude notes was written to address two misunderstandings in the early Christian community.  The Johnian Christians would be open to charismatic direction of the disciples, but the need for authority in the line of Peter is indicated. The death of the Beloved Disciple, before the return of Jesus caused some disruption in the community who misunderstood the teaching prior to the completion of the Gospel. The misunderstanding of teaching and motivation is on going and an area where the faithful need to continue to ask questions and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the resolution of contradiction in harmony with our experience of the Life in Jesus.

Two different powerful responses to the call

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer two episodes in the lives of the two most significant figures in the spread of the following of the Way in the early Church. The Book of Acts relates the action of the Roman provincial governor, Festus, who acts on the assertion by Paul of his rights as a Roman citizen to be tried for crimes in Rome. Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul was likely keenly aware that if he were sent to Jerusalem for trial, as his accusers wished, he would likely be killed en route. Father Robert Barron in his brilliant video series "Catholicism" profiles Paul and Peter as the pillars of the development of the Church in the first century. He traces Paul's high energy and commanding message as he moves through the middle east to Europe and the capital of the empire. Barron has advocated that the move of the leadership of the Church to Rome was an intentional "in your face" to challenge the Roman Emperor with the new King of the Universe. Peter is chosen by Jesus as the "Rock" upon which the leadership of these followers would rest. Barron comments that the relationship between Jesus and Peter is one of deep faith and trust. The revelation of the Holy Spirit to Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, is the gift of the Father to Peter that equips him to be the holder of the "keys of the Heaven". The passage from the Gospel of John occurs after the Resurrection when the Apostles have returned to their trade of fishing in Galilee. The opportunity given by Jesus for Peter to affirm his love for Jesus three time to mirror the three denials of Jesus before His crucifixion is a liturgy of reconciliation.  In this dialogue, Friar Jude notes that Jesus is using the Greek "agape" in his questions to Peter. Peter cannot respond in this episode with agape but replies with "filia" or "I am your buddy" love. The acceptance by Jesus of Peter and by extension everyone where we are is one of the outstanding lessons of this encounter. We are called as we are and equipped by the Spirit for the Mission. "Yes" is the response to our invitation.

Tension and Unity

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer reflection on the power of difference of religious opinion in the affairs of the world. The paradox which plays out daily is the pitched battles between groups in the name of religious traditions which profess some experience with Divine peace. The arrest of Paul in the Temple in Jerusalem is described in the passage from the Book of Acts where it seems that he uses the difference of belief in the resurrection of the dead between Sadducees and Pharisees to spark a riot and, according to Friar Jude Winkler, to proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus. The consequence of this discord is the dispatch of Paul to Rome where the Holy Spirit advises him that he will need the courage provided by God to bear witness in the capital city of the empire. The Gospel of John is noted by Friar Jude to present a very dualistic case about the choice and affiliation of people. Those who accept the Divinity of Jesus and follow Him are in intimate communion and "oneness" with the Father and Son. Those who reject the invitation, the world in John's terms, are aligned with the Evil One, the Prince of the World. The prayer of Jesus in the text is that the world will come to know Him and the Oneness with the Father through the selfless love and service of the ones given Him by the Father to share in the Word. Tension and dualism are defeated in selfless love and service. The contrast speaks to the evangelists of today about how to bring people to Christ.

Wary of heresy in the world

The Collect prayer for the liturgy celebrated today using the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary asks for devotion of the whole heart of the Church to God and unity in purity of intent. The text from the Book of Acts is set in the advice of Paul to the Ephesians as he leaves for Jerusalem to be wary, as Friar Jude Winkler comments of heresy which may come from inside or outside the community. The warning of Paul to be alert is very relevant today as the Church continues to seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and witness so that we may live the Word which Jesus proclaims He has given us in the passage from the Gospel of John. We live in the world, to John those who have decided not to accept the invitation of Jesus, and we need to be on guard not to accept the heresy of the world. The practices of our community of faith, particularly the celebration of the Eucharist, bring the reseting of the vision of our heart on Jesus and what He sees in our brothers and sisters. Acting in love for the world is the mission. The prayer of Jesus that we accept being sanctified, set apart and joyful in persecution as we live this truth is our link to the transformative power of the Spirit to make it so.

Moving on to Glory

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are set in the context of parting teaching to sum up in the Book of Acts the work of Paul with the Ephesians and in the Gospel of John, the ministry of Jesus in the Final Discourse before His crucifixion. Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles who is led by the Spirit to proclaim boldly the Good News of repentance and life to both Jews and Gentiles. He being led now by the same Spirit to imprisonment and persecution in the cities he visits as he makes his way to Jerusalem. He prays to finish the course and is convinced that he has declared to his audiences the whole purpose of God. This purpose in Paul's witness and certainly in Jesus mission includes witness to love which transcends human need for safety and security. The intimate relationship offered to those who the Father has given to Jesus from the world is the protection of that Love through all persecution including death so that they may be one as Jesus and the Father are one.

Power to Witness Love

The psalmist in the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary compares wax before fire to the wicked before God. The Gospel of John tells of Jesus assurance to His disciples before His crucifixion that the Father is with Him and He will conquer the world which chooses to persecute and reject Him. The conquering power for the followers of Jesus is described in the Book of Acts as Paul lives as witness to Jesus life in him and in Jesus name invokes the Holy Spirit upon those who were growing in their experience of the Way. The response of being overwhelmed by the spiritual resonance with the Spirit of Love between Father and Son creates speaking in tongues or glossolalia. Friar Jude Winkler gives some thought to those situations in life where words are not enough. What is the power that overcomes the world of hatred and persecution. It is peace and love. It is the peace power that inspires witness and perseverance as Paul demonstrates in the synagogue at Ephesus. The power to Love is the essence of the proclamation by the Evangelist John that the hour of glory for Jesus is His death on the cross. We are heirs to riches of the Holy Spirit to love, persevere and conquer the world in our lives in witness to Jesus.

Launched to witness with power

The commemoration of the Ascension of the Lord by Roman Catholics in North America can take place, this year on Thursday May 17 or Sunday May 20. The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Ascension are alive with hope and the promise of power in tension with the closing of Jesus Presence in human body form in the temporal realm. The challenge of what to do now is indicated by Jesus as being witness to the ends of the earth. This task is both geographical and temporal. The launching of the mission of the Body of Christ is accompanied with the gifts which Paul proclaims to the Ephesians and which sustain witnesses to this day; hope in the mission and vision of the Good News; the spiritual riches which have been and are continuing to be visible in the lives of His witnesses; and the power of the Holy Spirit to transcend all material, temporal, political and cultural obstacles to being His witness. Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the growth which we experience as people when the "boss is not around". The marvelous relationship of the Teacher to His disciples is that He allows us to live and make our own mistakes. We learn and grow and develop the needed empathy for our brothers and sisters through our joyful struggle to carry out the Great Commission. As the words of the psalmist continue to ring true today "God is king over the nations... the princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham" (Psalm 47)

Leveling Up

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary strike a chord with the concept of "leveling up" which is well known to video game players. The Acts of the Apostles tells of the travel of Apollos from Alexandria to Ephesus where he is fearlessly instructing the Jews in the synagogue about the Scriptural revelation that Jesus is Messiah. Priscilla and Aquila, companions of Paul, explain to him the Baptism of Jesus for forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as an invitation to understand and experience greater intimacy with God than he was preaching based on the Baptism of John. Friar Jude Winkler comments that some scholars attribute the authorship of the Letter to the Hebrews to Apollos. Our call from God to even greater intimacy, to be more fully connected is sometimes resisted by our false humility which might be a reluctance to trust that the deeper path is also the the most loving direction. The Gospel of John proclaims that the deepest level of intimacy with the Divine, sometimes referred to as heaven, is the level to which we are invited now. Jesus instructs the disciples from the Last Supper Discourse that the life lived in the Name of the Father, that is in harmony with His will is fruit of the love of Jesus and trust in His union with the Father. The Divine intimacy level described by Jesus is that complete joy when the desire of Creator and Creature are one. Level Up?

Good people struggle

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present some insight into the response of the world to the witness of Jesus and His followers. The Book of Acts tells of the lengthy stay of Paul in Corinth which Friar Jude Winkler dates to 51-52 CE. The Jews at the synagogue in Corinth react to expel Paul and his followers in a violent manner. Luke presents the decision of the Roman proconsol, Galio, not to become involved in religious disputes as wise judgement because the Christians are good citizens. The call to be "good citizens" is sometimes in tension with the point of view of the nation state that it is supreme god for people. The "world" of the Gospel of John consists of those who have rejected Jesus message and who rejoice at Jesus apparent defeat on the cross. The pain of the persecutions and exclusions of life is compared by John to birthing pain which is the precursor to the great joy of birth. Friar Jude reminds us of the truth that much spiritual growth comes in the throes of struggle. We persevere to the time of praise we trust will follow as our intimacy with the Divine deepens.

Love is steadfast and faithful in trial

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today is different for those Catholic jurisdictions, many in Canada and the US,  who will celebrate the Ascension on Sunday. The passage from the Book of Acts recounts the efforts of Paul, while living in Corinth with Aquilla and Priscilla tentmakers like himself, to proclaim his message to the Jewish community. Paul visits the synagogue weekly in an attempt to connect the Jews of Corinth with the invitation to follow Jesus. The rejection of our good efforts by those who we try to reach is difficult. The decision of Paul to shake off the rejection and preach to those outside of his people and comfort made him the instrument of the will of God which brought many conversions as he proclaimed Jesus as the Apostle to the Gentiles. The text tells that Paul took up residence near the synagogue after this change of direction and continued to be open to receiving Jews into the community of the Way. The fear of change is perceived by Jesus in the text from the Gospel of John as He reassures His disciples that the mourning they will experience at His death and departure from them in His present form will be short lived as He returns to them in a glorious form which will continue their intimate relationship in joy. The psalmist summarizes the message of the texts today as the Lord will make known His victory in the sight of the nations. The joy of this victory is in God's love is steadfast and faithful. 

Philosophy lacks resonance

The Roman Catholic Lectionary presents texts today which identify the passion of people for philosophical probing of the great questions which surround our existence. The book of Acts recounts the experience of Paul in Athens in discussion with Greek philosophers in front of the Areopagus. Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul presents an understanding of Stoic philosophy, an important element of Greek spiritual thought. Paul has difficulty with these thinkers when he introduces the idea of Resurrection in the midst of those convinced that our existence is that of soul trapped by the body. We can, at times, be less appreciative and thankful for our body than followers of Jesus who took on human form should be. The truth about God is a pursuit which according to the Gospel of John requires the assistance of the Spirit of God to create a resonance with us which is greater than words or philosophy can express yet is the Life which brings Father, Son and Spirit to abide, Present, in our humanity.

Patience in trial evangelizes

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are set in circumstances of doubt confusion and extreme concern for the future. This experience is an occasion for many to become aware of the peace which is offered in trusting God to be in charge of the unfolding of events. The jailer is distraught in the passage from the Book of Acts. The earthquake has destroyed the building and the Paul and Silas, his prisoners, will escape and he and his family, according to Friar Jude Winkler will be severely punished. The Presence within Paul and Silas is witness to patience and joy in trial and the reaching out of the jailer to accept the invitation to Life results in the celebration of his new Baptism as a Believer who bears fruit in many as his story continues to set example. The Gospel of John presents dualistic comparisons between Life with Jesus and death as a consequence of rejection of Jesus invitation. As Jesus is preparing for His Passion, He advises that the Spirit, mystically the  Love of Father for Son and Son for Father, will be the experience of His followers and the Spirit will testify to the truths that failure to believe in Jesus is rejection of the Divine, the Father and the Son are one and the Evil One is condemned by God. The strength of these assertions are the needed support as we suffer through the times of confusion, doubt and deep concern.

Friends Know

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary visit the nature of the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. Friar Jude Winkler sets the place of the reading from Acts as the Upper Room after the Resurrection as the eleven remaining apostles and Mary act to replace Judas and return the ranks of those who are especially called to serve and witness to the life, love and teaching of Jesus to twelve. Friar Jude comments that the restoration of "twelve" Apostles was very important to Acts author Luke. The twelve is the same number as the ancient tribes of Israel and the "casting of lots" is a traditional means for the Jewish High Priest to invoke the assistance of God in making decisions. The portion of the Last Supper Discourse from the Gospel of John today emphasizes that the intimate relationship with Jesus experienced by the Apostles and to which we are invited today is a one where our friendship with Jesus makes us aware of the mission to love without condition and without limit. Mathias is chosen by the Spirit to be among those, as it turns out, who are martyred as they live as friends of the master. Jesus asserts that we too have been chosen. The "why" of our lives is in the mission to which Jesus calls us whereby we bear the fruit desired by the Father.

Love is not about us

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are appropriately over filled with the word "love". The learning about the love which is described by Jesus to His disciples in the text from the Gospel of John is done by living or abiding in the stepping out for and being brother and sister to all. Jesus describes His disciples as friends. The friend understands. In the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, Cornelius is described as a friend of the synagogue. He was a Roman Centurion and his profession as a soldier from the pagan oppressing society did not prevent him from seeking God in association with the Jews. Peter, who according to Friar Jude Winkler is important to Mark as the representative of the hierarchy, is drawn by the Spirit and  his experience abiding with his Friend Jesus to baptize the Gentiles and members of the enemy society as branches into the same community as the Jewish followers of the Way.  The decision to step out like God, as Fr Larry Gillick SJ comments today, is love. This decision to act to include and give up our comfort, greed, position, power, expectations and pleasure for the other and be joyful in rejoicing at the opportunity to abide in the world as "friend" Jesus is the Christian message. Abiding in Jesus is living fruitfully and joyfully with the tensions from the world which are appear in the texts today as the hierarchy leading Christians (Peter) versus the Spirit leading individuals (Paul) and the inclusion versus the rejection of the enemy for the protection of the Friends of Jesus. The witness of giving of self to death is the model for our stepping out to the other.  

Moving in the Tradition Expectantly

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer a picture of contradiction which for many is a difficulty. The desire for the right answer, one direction and a final plan is strong in human nature. The Acts of the Apostles tells of Paul and Timothy who want to go out to bring the Good News to regions of present day Turkey. Friar Jude Winkler explains that because Timothy's mother was Jewish, he would be considered Jewish and therefore Paul adheres to the Jewish custom and has Timothy circumcised before they set out. Their plan is modified by inspiration from the Spirit their designation reflects the will ofGod. The disciple is aware of and is moving in respect of the Tradition and experience which precedes the current mission. At the same time, the will of the Father to witness to love will be expressed in the resonance of the indwelling Spirit with the Divine Spirit. When acting on this inspiration brings supernatural giving and the hatred of the takers we can feel the power our actions are having to enflesh His Word.

The quality of Love

The Texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage consideration of the depth of our commitment to live for others life and growth. The passage from Acts which summarizes the approach the Church would take after the Council of Jerusalem concerning the Jewish customs, which would be observed by Gentile converts, is according to Friar Jude Winkler, a later set of restrictions than the direction given by Paul in his letter to the Galatians. These later rules address the need of Christians to be seen by the non believers as not being associated in any outward way with idol worship or sexual impropriety. The witness of the Christ follower to others is not a personal matter and none of the business of the world. The fruit which John proclaims as the will of the Father be produced by those who abide in Love, which like the model given by the Love between Father and Son, is attractive to the world as it is shown to be unconditional and without boundaries. This is Love which transcends. It is only lived through the Presence of God in the indwelling Spirit of people called to intimacy with the Divine.

Conversion membership and witness

The journey toward greater intimacy in our relationship with the Divine can involve navigating through some customs and traditions which seem to be obstacles to our progress. The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present the struggle of the early Church to encourage perseverance by those called to the Way by the gracious movement of the Spirit in resonance with their indwelling Spirit. The Collect for the liturgy today proclaims that it is the grace, blessing and works of God whereby we stand on the road to justification. This tension between the conversion of those without understanding of and adherence to the tradition is resolved according to Luke in the Acts of the Apostles by the proclamation by Peter of a limited set of behaviours which would be expected of these converts. The exhortation of Jesus from the Gospel of John seems far simpler. The deep profound joy of peace and wisdom is found by abiding, living in Jesus who does the will of the Father. Those who abide in God keep His commandments. The concern of Luke expressed in Acts about the observances of converts is more detailed than Paul reports to the Gentiles in his letters. Friar Jude Winkler comments that Luke was addressing the concern that the witness given by the followers of Christ in the Gentile communities specifically exclude pagan practice and sexual immorality. For Luke, to whom hierarchy was important, this directive should come from the head of the Church and be rooted in the early decisions of the Apostles. The need for witness to living in the Spirit of God is essential to show by action the Good News. This attentiveness to what might cause scandal in the population is a deep respect and thanksgiving for the experience of intimate relationship with God. The focus on what might diminish the authenticity of the relationship in the opinion of the uninformed and yet to be called is a desire like Apostle Paul to "be all things to all people" so that they might come to know the unsurpassed joy simply expressed in the Gospel today.

Change is contradiction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer some apparent contradiction. In the passage from the Book of Acts, we see that Paul is traveling to Jerusalem in hopes of resolution of the dilemma among early Christians about the practices required of Gentiles who were baptized into the Way of following Jesus. Friar Jude Winkler explains that these Gentile converts were joining a group of Jews who had accepted Jesus as Messiah. Many, especially converts from the Pharisees, expected that the practice of circumcision and observance of Jewish dietary laws would be required of these baptized Gentiles. The Gospel of John is Jesus characterization of the relationship between Himself and people as that of vine and branches. This is a picture both of the intimacy desired by the Divine with people and the surrender of the branch to the pruning of the Vinedresser to bear fruit. Does this pruning mean adherence to the orthodoxy of practice within the rules and regulations of the religion? The great joy brought to the believers, testified in the Acts of the Apostles, is evidence of the movement of the Spirit in the changes of first century Christian practice. The Spirit continues to lead to Life today. The path to bearing greater fruit depends on living in the Presence of the Vine. The direction to joy in the life will contradict our current concepts and practices.

Reflection on the log

Often we can deepen our understanding and appreciation of events by reviewing the essentials in our mind. The written record of such a log might read like the texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.  Paul and Barnabas live the experience of joyful persecution which is presented as a log of their travel to different cities and the conflict, sometimes physical, which resulted as the Word to which they were witness called many to become disciples of the Way. The joy they live is that understanding we have when we have given all in work that produces fruit in the growth of people. Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the Gospel of John "Last Supper discourse" are many important teachings of Jesus  placed there to gather in the sacred event the most important guidance. The passage emphasizes the Shalom which accompanies life in intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus. The ancient deep peace will be the gift to the indwelling Spirit of disciples so that even though Jesus will go from their midst, in the act of being evidence of the will of the Father to have no barrier or limit to the Divine desire to be in intimate communion with people, He will remain in eternally present in the Body of Christ as witnesses to His Word as we continue to journey like Paul and Barnabas among the communities of the world.

How to seal the deal

The stories which we hear of the conversion of other people as they encounter the Life of the Divine as an interruption to their normal pattern are brought to mind today by the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. Paul and Barnabas encounter a man crippled from birth, as they flee from those who seek to maltreat and stone them, in the passage from the Book of Acts. Friar Jude Winkler comments that this text is very likely an authentic account because there seems to be no other reason for Luke to include it. Through the misunderstanding of the people, Paul and Barnabas are treated as gods on earth after Paul calls the man to health through the power of the Hoy Spirit. Today, people who have known the dramatic intervention of the healing power of the Spirit of God are witnesses to this great Love revealed through the Spirit. The Gospel of John presents the response to the incomplete notion, among some communities of disciples of John, that we need only love Jesus and do what we want to experience the intimate communion with the Divine. Jesus instructs Judas (not the Betrayer) that the experience of loving Jesus is witnessed by those who seek to know and keep His commandments. Those who are living the movement toward greater intimacy with God offer the world the witness of Word, Deed and life in the Spirit. The humble life of service allows the Word to be enfleshed and the deeds of transcendence and transformation to be visible in the lives of the disciple, like Paul and Barnabas,  and those to whom they minister. John proclaims the authority of God to intervene through the activation of the indwelling Spirit to bring knowledge and Life to people as witness to Divine Love.

Our Way and the High Way

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer many points to ponder. Our words and speech about love may not be getting translated into action. That is the truth which the First Letter of John presents to the community.  According to Friar Jude Winkler, they may not have chosen to be the branch bearing much fruit grafted to the vine of Life which Jesus declares as one of His "I am" proclamations in the Gospel of John. The recommendation to the community is to obey His commandment to believe, trust, be true to His mission and to love one another. Father Larry Gillick SJ ponders about " Spirituality is actually living with the tensions caused by our Theology; that is, what we believe." The lessons we learn from our mistakes are reflections of the pruning we need to bear more fruit. Luke reveals his Stoic ideas that the community of the Way must be united because the connection to the Divine and Friar Jude suggests that he does not report the all the encounters of Paul with the other Apostles, some of which were struggles for both sides. The community of the disciples of John were not moving to the action of loving neighbour as true witness to their intimacy with Jesus in the Eucharist. This Union is the nourishment to provide the growth, in tension with our desire to do it our way, that produces the fruit of loving action in our communities.

Not what we expect

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for today offers passages from the Scripture which underline the difficulties that our expectations can present in our quest to be more intimately related to the Divine. The Acts of the Apostles today , according to Friar Jude Winkler shows the method used by Paul in preaching the good news to the communities he visited. The first place he visited was the synagogue where the ancient call to the Israelites to be light to the world through their relationship in Covenant with God is extended to Jesus mission. This is not what the Jewish audience expects. When Paul then brings his message to the market place the invitation of Jesus to know the Father through relationship with Him draws large crowds. Friar Jude comments that the demographics of those attracted are the lower classes and slaves. These people, who have nothing to loose, seem less likely to be affected by the need for God to meet their expectations. The Gospel of John relates the dialogue of Philip and Jesus and the difficulty of Philip to trust that the Father and the works of Jesus are calling on Philip to move forward with faith, which is the ancient trust that God's love is leading you on the most loving path. It is often not the path we expect to greater intimacy with Him

Thankful for full free lives of joy

The Collect (prayer to gather the focus of the Mass for today and introduce the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary) petitions God, the author of our freedom, for life. We often celebrate and are thankful for the fullness of life we may be experiencing or we may witness that another has or is experiencing. The Gospel of John today opens with words frequently used in funeral liturgies. These are comforting to the bereaved. Fulfillment of our life plan is a source of joy for people. Paul addresses the synagogue in Antioch with the proclamation of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and in the words of the psalmist proclaims Jesus as Divine Son of God. Friar Jude Winkler comments that the mission of Paul was to go first to the Jewish people with the message of joy in the on going Covenant with God through Jesus and then to bring the message inviting all to full life to the Gentiles. Joy is an indicator of full life. Fr Robert Barron, in the Catholicism video series, teaches the joy understood by Thomas Aquinas as freedom from the "addictions" of power, pleasure, honour and possessions. The Gospel of John answers the query of Thomas about living in one of the "many dwelling places". Disciples of Jesus follow Him as the Way or path to intimate relationship with God as growing in this relationship reveals Truth and the freedom from Aquinas four addictions brings the vitality of life of which being in God consists.

Why not be what we expect?

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary offer opportunity to consider how our expectations can be impediments to our growth in our relationship with the Divine. The resurrection of Jesus presented difficulties to the ideas and philosophies of the Greeks in Corinth  because they considered the Spirit to be confined by the body. Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Greeks could not appreciate that a resurrected body would be a means of life after death. Friar Jude asserts that Paul is "gutsy" to cite the many eye witnesses to the Resurrection to a skeptical audience who could verify his claims by communication with the witnesses. The thought that God could be as the Corinthians expected and He would have made more converts is quickly dismissed as we consider the phenomenal growth of the Way in the time of Paul and his disciples. The Gospel of John, which is strongly opinionated and often dualistic proclaims Jesus as Way, Truth and Life. The dialogue with Philip reminds us that we still like to "tweak'" "our God" so that the direction or way is more in line with our desires, the "truth" accommodates  what we know and the life to which we are invited to be the Body of Christ must be too holy for our aspirations of intimate communion with the Divine. We expect the eternal, infinite and transcendent to be something familiar? What's with that?

Tension is in the choice

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today offers texts which are summaries of events and teachings. The Acts of the Apostles relates the travels of Paul and Barnabas among the synagogues of the region after they are commissioned by the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands in the church at Antioch. The order of things is perhaps strange in a venture of the Spirit. There is a natural tension in human affairs between being spontaneous, going where the spirit leads, and acting with restraint, planning and order. The orthodoxy calls the Apostles to go first to the the Jewish community before bringing the Good News to the world. In some sense, the example of Israel praised by the psalmist is given opportunity to be restored if that is the choice of the those who live the ancient Covenant. Friar Jude Winkler points out the strong dualism in the Gospel of John whereby we are offered a choice between light and dark, between belief in the life in relationship with Jesus and the Father or the isolation and death of rejecting that relationship. The tension of a dualistic choice presents the urgency to move in a direction and to continue a process of growing in holiness through a developing relationship with God. The reality of growth is not an on/off switch but the choice becomes which direction in which to move at this moment of our life.

Visibility near and far

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer some reflection on how we react sometimes to what should be clear messages and invitations to grow. The Jewish people who are attending the Festival of the Dedication of the Temple are celebrating in their traditional way the intervention of God to maintain the Hanukkah lights. Jesus is queried about the His claim to be Messiah. He cites the works He is performing and states His origin as being one with the Father. Is this too close? We know that most of the Jewish people reject Him. After the Resurrection, the Acts of the Apostles tells of the miraculous spread of the Way among Jews of the cities of the region. The apparent reluctance to bring the Good News to the Gentiles may be an attitude familiar to modern Christians who are comfortable presenting Jesus to Christians but we need the openness and faith of the men who went to Antioch to be purposeful about our witness to others. Those close appear unable to see and those at a distance are not considered when we are spreading the light. John expresses the trust that the sheep will hear the voice of the Shepherd and is certain as we should be that the will of the Father is being done!