Spirit as intimate teacher

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today point to how we are taught by the Spirit.

Encounter the Spirit

In the Acts of the Apostles, Paul argues for the recognition of God’s existence and presence through His activity in natural phenomena.

* [14:15–17] This is the first speech of Paul to Gentiles recorded by Luke in Acts (cf. Acts 17:22–31). Rather than showing how Christianity is the logical outgrowth of Judaism, as he does in speeches before Jews, Luke says that God excuses past Gentile ignorance and then presents a natural theology arguing for the recognition of God’s existence and presence through his activity in natural phenomena.

In the Gospel from John, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will be a teacher and One who reminds us of Jesus.

The Paraclete in John is a teacher, a witness to Jesus, and a prosecutor of the world, who represents the continued presence on earth of the Jesus who has returned to the Father.

Howard Carter comments on the Holy Spirit as teacher and rugby coach.

In fact the passage we are looking at Illustrates that process (midrash) very well. Jesus says something and we have the rest of his teaching in response to his disciple’s questions of clarification. In this case, the other Judas… and I’m sure he must of got fed up with having to differentiate himself from the Judas who betrayed Jesus, in fact in the other gospels he is identified with Thaddeus…asks Jesus why he is only going to reveal himself to his disciples not the world? The answer that Jesus gives is that he will reveal himself to those who love him by keeping his commandments. It is in this relationship carried on by the Paraclete that Jesus will be revealed.

Mike Cherney is reminded of the idea that an understanding of Jesus’ message flows from the insight and change of heart that the Spirit brings.

My prayer today focuses on an understanding of the Christian message from the change of heart that the Holy Spirit brings. I pray for the strength to overcome the limitations brought about by my personal disposition.
Dear Lord,
Help me to open my heart to Your words and to Your Spirit.
Free me from my existing biases and misunderstandings.
Give me the direction in my actions that wisdom can bring.
Support me with the endurance needed to properly invest my time and effort.

Don Schwager comments on how Saint Augustine says the Lord loves us.

Saint Augustine says the Lord loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love. God’s love for each of us is as real and tangible as the love of a mother for her child and the love of a lover who gives all for his beloved. God made us in love for love - to know him personally and to grow in the knowledge of his great love for us and to love him in return.

Friar Jude Winkler suggests that the crazy consequence of Paul healing the man in Lystra is proof that the incident really happened. He notes the strong sense of predestination in John’s Gospel and compares the view of Calvin and Catholics on this. The Holy Spirit will teach and remind us by generating a resonance within when we encounter word and deed in harmony with Jesus Way.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that it is our lonely and fearful illusion of separateness that makes us do sinful and selfish things.

Sin is a refusal of mutuality and a closing down into separateness. In his classic book, The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis has a ghostly soul in hell shouting out, “I don’t want help. I want to be left alone.” [1] Whenever we refuse mutuality toward anything, whenever we won’t allow our deep inner-connectedness to guide us, whenever we’re not attuned to both receiving and giving, you could say that the Holy Spirit is existentially (but not essentially) absent from our lives.

We are not alone. We are intrinsically like the Trinity. We are called to live in an absolute relatedness of self-emptying and infilling.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/14:3

(n.d.). John, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/14:21

(2013, April 21). HOW IN THE WORLD!!: The Paraclete as Teacher (John 14:22-31 .... Retrieved April 30, 2018, from http://howard-carter.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-paraclete-as-teacher-john-1422-31.html

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 30, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2018, April 28). Daily Meditations Archive: April 2018 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved April 30, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2018/04/

Becoming connected disciples

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the depth of our commitment to a journey that calls for courage, confidence and charity.

Disciples on the journey

The Acts of the Apostles describes the suspicion of the Jerusalem disciples toward Paul and the rejection of his teaching by the Jewish Hellenists who sought to kill him.

* [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18.

The First Letter of John calls us to be confident disciples.

* [3:19–24] Living a life of faith in Jesus and of Christian love assures us of abiding in God no matter what our feelings may at times tell us. Our obedience gives us confidence in prayer and trust in God’s judgment. This obedience includes our belief in Christ and love for one another.

In the Gospel from John, Jesus reminds us of the intimacy with Him that brings us Life.

* [15:1–16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus.

Fred Hanna asks what keeps us from being courageous?

The unknown.  Disappointment.  Fear of finding out what we don’t really want to know.  Failure. This is the time to be courageous, and I find it best to ask the Lord to do his best work on me.

Don Schwager shares a quote by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D., on being cleansed by Jesus' word.

"So the world - life enslaved by carnal passions - can no more receive the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye can look at the light of a sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples' lives through his teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot receive him, because it neither sees him nor knows him... You know him, for he dwells with you' (John 14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who settled the earth and the things in it; and gives breath to the people on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5). From this we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above them become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53)

Friar Jude Winkler is reminded of the awe we should have at the mystery of the action of the Spirit in the growth of the Church. He cites Augustine and notes how obeying the Commandments is done in the attitude of respecting the dignity of the One who Loves. He connects the nourishment we receive and need connected to the Vine to the Eucharist.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) to note that the physical structure of the universe is love.

St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) called the Trinity a “fountain fullness” of love. [2] God is unhindered dialogue, a positive and inclusive flow, an eternal waterwheel of self-emptying and outpouring love—that knows it can completely self-empty because it will always be filled back up. This is the very definition and description of divine love; all human love merely imitates, approximates, and celebrates this same pattern.

The deep commitment of the disciple is the consequence of the decision to remain in Love connected in the Vine.

References

(n.d.). Acts, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/9:26

(n.d.). 1 John, chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1john/3

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/15:1

(n.d.). Creighton's Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

More and Deeper

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today show a path that leads to greater intimacy in our relationship with God.

Path to more

In the Acts of the Apostles the rejection of the message of Paul and Barnabas by the Jewish leadership precedes the calling of Gentiles to hear the life giving Good News.

* [13:46] The refusal to believe frustrates God’s plan for his chosen people; however, no adverse judgment is made here concerning their ultimate destiny. Again, Luke, in the words of Paul, speaks of the priority of Israel in the plan for salvation (see Acts 10:36).

The declaration of Jesus in the Gospel of John that He and the Father are One challenges the disciples and us to understand what is possible through living in that relationship.

* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18.

Tom Shanahan, S.J. asserts that we need to grow in our understanding of this magnificent truth: our unity with God and His Son as we respond to our calling to be like Christ.

And "poor us!" As we continue to let Christ come ever more deeply into our hearts and lives slowly (like Philip), but we hope surely.  Can we truly believe that The Father is in Jesus and that I am in Christ in the same way – as the source of my own Christ life? I am one with Christ as he was one with the Father, and, like him I am invited to live for and with others as Jesus taught us.

Don Schwager quotes The Father's portrait in the Son, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D. to deepen our exploration.

"By means of this image the Lord showed Philip the Father. Yes, he who looks on the Son sees, in portrait, the Father. Notice what kind of portrait is spoken of. It is truth, righteousness, the power of God. It is not silent, for it is the Word. It is not insensible, for it is Wisdom. It is not vain and foolish, for it is power. It is not soulless, for it is the life. It is not dead, for it is the resurrection." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 1.7.50)

Friar Jude Winkler confirms the pattern used by Paul when his teaching is rejected by the religious authorities. We have not to fear to ask God as a consequence of the intimate relationship into which we are called.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, turns to the prologue to The Spiritual Canticle of John of the Cross (1542-1591) to summarize his contemplation topic of gender and sexuality in our relationship with the Divine.

“it would be foolishness to think that the language of love . . . can be at all explained in words of any kind.” Words fail to describe human and divine intimacy, and yet all mystics, poets, and wisdom teachers use words to point to the ineffable.

The truth, righteousness, the power of God as cited by St. Ambrose are revealed in our relationship with Jesus.

References



(n.d.). Acts, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/13:44

(n.d.). John, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/14

(n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Son and Way

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today allow us to consider the preaching of Paul

Finding the way

in Acts to a Jewish audience not living in Jerusalem.

* [13:31] The theme of the Galilean witnesses is a major one in the Gospel of Luke and in Acts and is used to signify the continuity between the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the church and to guarantee the fidelity of the church’s teachings to the words of Jesus.

We also contemplate the declaration of Jesus in the Gospel of John to be the Way, Truth and the Life as He concludes the Last Supper Discourse.

* [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).

Diane Jorgensen identifies that when we are confused, troubled and fearful we tend to want answers to provide clarity. We want the when, where, how all spelled out.

Today Jesus tells us our clarity, our security, our safety is only in relationship with him, and through him, with God. At these times we need to be still and listen for the voice of Jesus - whether in prayer or in the words of a faithful companion - reminding us, “hey, you know Jesus, you know the way, you know to whom you belong, so trust the process; trust that you will be led and given all you need.”

Don Schwager quotes Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D, to remind us that we walk by faith in the truth.

"Persevere now in walking by faith in the truth, that you may succeed in coming at a definite and due time to the sight of the same truth. For as the apostle says, 'While staying here in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we are walking by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). We are led to the direct sight and vision of the Father by Christian faith. That is why the Lord says, 'No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (excerpt from SERMON 12.5)

David James critiques Brian D McLaren’s claims concerning John 14:6. “... a careful reading of the verse (“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”) shows that its most likely meaning is almost the opposite of the way it’s commonly used.

Friar Jude Winkler explains the audience that attends to Paul in the synagogue. The Way is the path to the Father through the Cross. The truth is the eternal Word of God and the Life embraces and fills us with vitality now that will eternally continue.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes modern culture’s preoccupation with the physical body and the exploitation of the body as soulless matter reflects the deep human disconnect from self, neighbor, earth, and God. Sister Ilia Delio, a Franciscan professor and theologian, has a wonderful way of making the brilliant writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) accessible.

The love between persons creates a thread of passionate energy that winds around the embrace of persons and enters into the heart of the cosmos, contributing to the energetic movement of universal convergence. Love is what “makes the world go ‘round.” It is fundamental to the forward movement of evolution and cosmic personalization. It is the whole of every whole, the open, dynamic field of energy that seeks greater wholeness within every star, leaf, plant, and galaxy.Love, sex, and cosmic evolution are intertwined in a field of integral wholeness; to deny, avoid, or negate any of them is to thwart the process of deepening life.

By the sheer power of its energy, love draws everything into an endless depth of greater wholeness.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/13:26

(n.d.). John, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/14

(n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/ 

(2009, August 28). Does “I am the way…” Teach Universalism? – The Alliance for Biblical .... Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://www.biblicalintegrity.org/2009/08/28/i-am-the-way-teaches-universalism/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 27, 2018, from https://cac.org/richard-rohr/daily-meditations/daily-meditations-archive/

Telling the story

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer an opportunity to contemplate how we carry out our mission as messengers of the Good News.

A Franciscan approach

The passage from the Acts of the Apostles describes the kerygma message to a Jewish audience and establishes humility as the attitude of Jesus messengers.

* [13:16–41] This is the first of several speeches of Paul to Jews proclaiming that the Christian church is the logical development of Pharisaic Judaism (see also Acts 24:10–21; 26:2–23).

The Gospel from John resonates with our recent call from Pope Francis to commit ourselves, body and soul, to living as disciples who live as those, who having received Jesus, have received the Father.

* [13:16] Messenger: the Greek has apostolos, the only occurrence of the term in John. It is not used in the technical sense here.

Eileen Burke-Sullivan concludes that our invitation is to tie up our sandals and walk with Jesus his mission and his manner of fulfilling it.

All this talk of feet and sandals is to awaken in us the humble and exalted truth that at one and the same time we are to exercise the power of God – but as Jesus did – only according to God’s will, not our own. We are not worthy to touch his sandal strap, no matter how wealthy, intelligent, or talented we might be. But we are capable of raising the dead to new life, loving and forgiving in the face of hatred, calming the various storms of life and so on, if we do so in Jesus’ name and according to the Father’s Will – because whoever receives Jesus receives the Father.

Pope Francis says that what we call “holiness” is living this truth of the Spirit’s role in our daily lives: “Your identification with Christ and his will involves a commitment to build with him that kingdom of love, justice and universal peace. . .  You cannot grow in holiness without committing yourself, body and soul, to giving your best to this endeavor.” Gaudete et Exultate #25

Don Schwager reminds us of the great honor and the great responsibility a Christian has is to stand in the world for Jesus Christ. As his disciples and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are called to speak for him and to act on his behalf. He quotes Origen, 185-254 A.D., that the Master wants his servants to reach their potential.

"The Savior, who is Lord, does something that surpasses all other lords, who have no desire to see their servants rise up to their level. He is such a Son of the Father's goodness and love that, although he was Lord, he produced servants who could become like him, their Lord, not having the spirit of bondage, which comes from fear, but the spirit of adoption in which they too cry, 'Abba, Father.' So then, before becoming like their teacher and lord, they need to have their feet washed because they are still deficient disciples who possess the spirit of bondage to fear. But when they attain the stature of master and lord... then they will be able to imitate their master and wash the disciple's feet as the teacher. (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32.120–22)

Friar Jude Winkler makes a link between the John (John Mark) who leaves Paul at Perga and Mark the Evangelist. In the Gospel, Jesus sends the disciples to represent Him with the authority of Jesus received from the Father.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes the lightness of heart of Franciscan spirituality comes from contact with deep feminine intuition and with consciousness itself. Firmness of foot emerges when that feminine principle integrates with the mature masculine soul and moves forward with confidence into the outer world.

Franciscanism integrated the feminine both on the level of imagination and in practical ways too. It created new “softer” names for roles and functions, a more familial structure than a hierarchical one. We do not make our decisions top down, but communally in chapters (as do most communities now). Francis forbad us to use any titles implying up and down, like prior, abbot, or superior.

We are encouraged to carry out our mission with humility, lightness of heart and firmness of foot by the commentators today.

References


(n.d.). Acts 13:13. Retrieved April 26, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/13:13

(n.d.). John 13:16. Retrieved April 26, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/13:16

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 26, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 26, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 26, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Going into the world

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today commemorate the Feast of the Evangelist, Saint Mark.

Getting the word out

The First Letter of Peter refers to Mark in a discourse that urges the persecuted followers of Jesus to be sober and vigilant.

* [5:13] The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community (ekklēsia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8; 17:5; 18:2. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; and in Acts 15:37–39, a companion of Barnabas. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Phlm 24 (see also 2 Tm 4:11).

In the Gospel of Mark, the Longer Ending completes the work with the Commissioning of the Eleven that is build upon the work of the other Evangelists.

[16:9–20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Lk 24 and Jn 20.

Rev. Richard Gabuzda notes that Christian life provides no guarantee of a life lived without struggle as he exhorts us to be in spiritual union with believers around the world.

Today, through the medium of these online reflections, we might imagine that we are in solidarity with hundreds, perhaps thousands of Christians throughout the world. Each one of them has experienced or will experience the truth proposed by First Peter. Each lives with sobriety and vigilance. Perhaps those experiencing today the consolation of faith might consciously pray for those experiencing some form of harassment or persecution. Those suffering with Jesus today might consciously pray to receive the grace of consolation flowing to them through the prayers of brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Don Schwager believes that today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. He offers a prayer for this work.

“Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the Gospel and the reality of your victory over the grave and gift of everlasting life.”

Friar Jude Winkler explains some of the assistance Peter received from Silvanus and Mark (his spiritual son). Ironically Mark did not write the Longer Ending. This amalgamation was likely done by a scribe to provide a more satisfactory ending. The Shorter Ending of the Gospel of Mark identifies Mary Magdalene as the “Apostle to the Apostles.”

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on the work of Cynthia Bourgeault on Mary Magdalene the Woman at the Heart of Christianity and the long time of sober vigilance to appreciate her contribution to Jesus ministry.

While [Mary Magdalene] has often been sentimentalized or sexualized, there has not until recently been the slightest threat of her being divinized, and her intact humanness is her saving grace. Now that a new generation of Bible scholarship has corrected the glaring inaccuracy of her earlier portrayal as a prostitute and is steadily laying the groundwork by which she will sooner or later be able to fully reclaim her role as Jesus’ spiritual partner and [wisdom] lineage bearer, what presents itself to us is an accessible and entirely believable portrait of “one who got there.”

As Rev. Gabuzda noted, some people take Jesus message as “bad news”. Gerard O’Connell, America’s Vatican correspondent,  reviews Pope Francis appointments of women to Vatican congregations including the the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The vital role of women in the commission to spread the good news hopefully is being better understood.

References


(n.d.). 1 Peter 5:8. Retrieved April 25, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1peter/1peter5.htm

(n.d.). The Longer Ending. Retrieved April 25, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/mark16.htm

Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 25, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 25, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 25, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Gathering disciples

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate how the Will of God expressed as the Word and deed of Jesus calls disciples from diverse communities.

https://www.theologyofwork.org/uploads/made/uploads/general/633/ezekiel-34__large-detail_750_300_60_s_c1.jpg

The Acts of the Apostles describes the origin of the ministry of Barnabas and Paul to “Christians” at Antioch.

* [11:19–26] The Jewish Christian antipathy to the mixed community was reflected by the early missionaries generally. The few among them who entertained a different view succeeded in introducing Gentiles into the community at Antioch (in Syria). When the disconcerted Jerusalem community sent Barnabas to investigate, he was so favorably impressed by what he observed that he persuaded his friend Saul to participate in the Antioch mission.

The Gospel from John reveals that Jesus fulfills the promise to shepherd the people as God in Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23.

* [10:30] This is justification for Jn 10:29; it asserts unity of power and reveals that the words and deeds of Jesus are the words and deeds of God.

Dennis Hamm, S.J. comments on how the Feast of Dedication provides a background for illuminating what the Evangelist wants to communicate about the reality of Jesus as the fulfillment of all the institutions of the Jewish tradition.

The answer Jesus gives is that he sees himself as a shepherd, whose “flock” are those who accept him as their leader. Ezekiel 34 is the pertinent background here, for this vision pictures another “David” who will shepherd the scattered people of Israel, find the lost, and heal and feed them, all this in contrast to false leaders who were self-serving and abusive shepherds. In fact, Ezekiel says, the real shepherd will be God. Hence the power of Jesus’ climactic statement: “The Father and I are one.”...
In a narrative where Jesus had referred to his body as the temple of God, the fact that this happens in the temple, which had already been destroyed by the Romans by the time John writes, would not be lost on John’s readers… It is our faith that the risen Jesus really is our shepherd who fulfills the vision of Ezekiel 34—that is, not just the consoler and protector of the shepherd figure of Psalm 23, but the healer and leader who now continues to gather the scattered children of God. He is the ultimate leader we trust as we try to negotiate troubled times.

Don Schwager advises that we listen to the Good Shepherd and we will not go astray.

The sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear. He leads them to everlasting peace, joy, and community with God and his people. In this present life we will encounter trials, difficulties, and persecution. We can face them alone or we can follow Jesus, the true shepherd, who will bring us safely through every difficulty to the place of peace and security with God and his people. Do you listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and heed his commands?

The text of Ezekiel 34, portraying God as Shepherd, is the seed for the Theology of Work Project comments connecting this Bible passage to everyday work.

As followers of Jesus, we owe our company a good day's work — a properly executed sales plan, a sturdy framing job, or whatever our work product is. Employers should learn to expect that from us. Also, as followers of Jesus we can never provide our company with a false environmental statement, never mislead employees or take advantage of their ignorance, and never cover up a quality control problem. Employers should expect that from us as well. What makes us good and productive workers, loyal to our companies, also makes us honest and compassionate workers, committed to our Lord.

Friar Jude Winkler describes the situation of persecuted and dispersed disciples who had preached only to Jews and then got wonderful response from pagans in Antioch. The theme of predestination is present in the Gospel of John. Friar Jude explains this paradox in terms less sophisticated than the theology of Calvin.

John Calahan at Never Thirsty website writes about the responsibility and paradox of those not Predestined.

What is the correct understanding? Is it true that God chooses people to have eternal life and men and women must believe to have eternal life? The answer is that both are true! It is a mystery or a paradox! The truth is that the Bible teaches both are true.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, is thankful that there are many people working toward a more inclusive and just society and religion. He begins with a look at Women’s Wisdom.

And then there’s Mary Magdalene. My colleague, CAC core faculty member Cynthia Bourgeault, suggests that a careful study of this woman who first saw the Risen Christ can help us “cut through two millennia of doctrine and dogma to Jesus’ teaching. We find here relational health, an astonishing vision of love as a transformational path, and profoundly empowering models of women and men working together in spiritual leadership roles. To reclaim Mary Magdalene is to reclaim Christianity. Without her, our understanding of what Jesus really taught is incomplete. In fact, it is significantly distorted.”

The Good Shepherd described in Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23 calls people of all traditions and heritage to work as disciples in the renewal of society and religion.

References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 11 The Baptism of the Gentiles Explained. 1Now the .... Retrieved April 24, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/acts11.htm 

(n.d.). John 10:22. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/10:22 

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html 

 
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Ezekiel 34 - Theology of Work. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/ezekiel/ezekiel-34

(n.d.). Predestination and Human Responsibility - NeverThirsty. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-studies/topical-bible-studies/predestination-and-freewill/ 

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 24, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Dialogue with the Shepherd

Sheep, Shepherd and Holy Spirit images in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to integrate our personal relationship with Jesus and our call to be shepherd in relationship to others.

Near the gate

The Baptism of the Gentiles recounted in the Acts of the Apostles was a difficult extension of Jesus Life to pagans.

* [11:1–18] The Jewish Christians of Jerusalem were scandalized to learn of Peter’s sojourn in the house of the Gentile Cornelius. Nonetheless, they had to accept the divine directions given to both Peter and Cornelius. They concluded that the setting aside of the legal barriers between Jew and Gentile was an exceptional ordinance of God to indicate that the apostolic kerygma was also to be directed to the Gentiles. Only in Acts 15 at the “Council” in Jerusalem does the evangelization of the Gentiles become the official position of the church leadership in Jerusalem.

The image of the Good Shepherd in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John resonates with Hebrew Scripture and points to our mission as disciples to be the gate to peace and security for people through communion with Christ.

* [10:7–10] In Jn 10:7–8, the figure is of a gate for the shepherd to come to the sheep; in Jn 10:9–10, the figure is of a gate for the sheep to come in and go out.

Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, shares the critical importance of Jesus as the sheep gate in the Third Millennium.

"As the Third Millennium approaches, the Church knows that the Good Shepherd continues, as always, to be the sure hope of humanity. Jesus Christ never ceases to be the 'sheep gate.' And despite the history of humanity's sins against life, he never ceases to repeat with the same vigor and love: 'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly' (John 10:10).

Luis Rodriguez, S.J. raises the question of how familiar we are with our Shepherd.

The image’s other dimension is the sheep’s attitude toward the good shepherd, which is one of deep trust, a trust that grows out of familiarity: they know the shepherd’s voice, each one feels addressed when the shepherd pronounces its name. This of course raises the question of how familiar we are with our Shepherd. Do we relate to the Lord on a third-person basis, or on a second-person basis? When we face a decision, do we ask “What could God [third person] want of me?”, or do we ask “What do You [second person] want of me, Lord?”, … A second-person rapport makes us more vulnerable to God’s desires, but today’s parable seems to be nudging us to ask for the grace of growing in this type of second-person rapport of familiarity with the Shepherd, so we can recognize his voice and feel addressed when called by name.

Don Schwager quotes Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D. as he explores the question of looking to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to receive the strength and courage we need to live and serve as his disciple.

"He has accomplished what he taught us: He has shown us what He commanded us to do. He laid down his own life for his sheep, that within our mystery he might change his body and blood into food, and nourish the sheep he had redeemed with the food of his own flesh. He has shown us the way we must follow, despite fear of death. He has laid down the pattern to which we must conform ourselves. The first duty laid on us is to use our material goods in mercy for the needs of his sheep, and then, if necessary, give even our lives for them. He that will not give of his substance for his sheep, how shall he lay down his life for them?"

Friar Jude Winkler unpacks some of the challenges to the Jewish Christian community presented by the action of Peter, guided by the Spirit, to baptize the “God-fearer”, Cornelius. Jesus is the sheep gate that leads to safety and home with God. The sheep know His voice like Mary Magdalene in the garden on Easter morning.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects that we need to realize that there’s something deeper than our gender, anatomy, or physical passion. It is our ontological self or who we are forever in Christ.

As Paul courageously puts it, “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Those who have already begun to experience their divine union will usually find it very easy to be compassionate toward people who are not like them because they know they share the same essential self that is “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

The verdant pastures of Psalm 23 and the sheep gate in the Gospel of John are intimate connections to God where our Life is made full (John 10:10)  to model being Good Shepherd to others.

References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 11 The Baptism of the Gentiles Explained. 1Now the .... Retrieved April 23, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/acts11.htm

(n.d.). John, chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 23, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/10:1

(2011, May 10). Jesus Never Ceases to Be the Sheep Gate – ZENIT – English. Retrieved April 23, 2018, from https://zenit.org/articles/jesus-never-ceases-to-be-the-sheep-gate/

(n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 23, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 23, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 23, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/