Path of Promise and Persecution

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage contemplation of the path on which we travel and how we are guided along the way.

Spirit in the journey

The Acts of the Apostles describes the journey of Paul and Timothy through Lycaonia and the call of the Spirit to bring the Good News to Europe.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).

In the Gospel from John, Jesus identifies that some are not receiving His message and that He and His disciples will encounter hate and persecution.

* [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus.

Sr. Candice Tucci comments on our travel as a spiritual journey in faith with a community of faith, past, present and future.

Our interior journey provides us the strength to live in our world by doing our part in witnessing to the Reign of God and securing it for our day and times to come.  We have choices as how to live in right relationship with all of creation which includes humankind and care for our planet, Earth.

The Word Among Us Website offers a reflection on how Paul and his companions had to learn to recognize the signs God sent them.

As you’re trying your best to follow his guidance, you’ll probably make both good and bad turns along the way. Remember, following God’s direction is not like a magic GPS. But with time, you’ll get better at hearing the Holy Spirit and acting on what you feel he’s saying to you. The more you work at listening for and following his lead, the more sensitive you’ll become.

Don Schwager quotes Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D., about those who suffer with Christ and reign with Christ.

"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the circumcision of Timothy because his Jewish identity comes from his mother. People who Follow the truth were identified as “anonymous Christians” by Karl Rahner. We notice that the Spirit guides in ways that may include dreams. John speaks of the world as those people who have rejected Jesus.

Todd Wilken notes that Anonymous Christianity is also taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."
"Those who no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience—those too may achieve eternal salvation."

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, exhorts us to commit to seeing God’s presence in someone or some creature this day.

you might greet them by placing your palms together at your chest, bowing, and speaking “Namaste.” (Namaste is a familiar Indian, Hindi greeting which means “I bow to the divine in you.”) Or you might say, “The Christ in me sees the Christ in you.” If it is uncomfortable to speak these words aloud, carry them in your heart. Bring this loving gaze and an inner stance of humility and recognition to all you encounter.

Our spiritual journey in resonance with the Spirit is the path to Life.

References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 16 Paul in Lycaonia: Timothy. 1He reached (also) Derbe .... Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/acts16.htm

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john15:29

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). 5th Week of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations .... Retrieved May 5, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). What is the Catholic Teaching of "Anonymous Christianity" by Todd .... Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://www.issuesetcarchive.org/issues_site/resource/archives/anonchrs.htm 

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/