The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to reflect on the events in life where we have perceived some fulfillment in our efforts to pursue truth, beauty, and goodness.
 |
| Around the fire with us |
The reading from Acts describes the fearless appearance of Peter before the Sanhedrin.
* [4:12] In the Roman world of Luke’s day, salvation was often attributed to the emperor who was hailed as “savior” and “god.” Luke, in the words of Peter, denies that deliverance comes through anyone other than Jesus.1
Psalm 118 involves a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25).
* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29).2
The Gospel from John is an account of the appearance of Jesus to the Seven Disciples around the fire on the beach in Galilee.
* [21:11] The exact number 153 is probably meant to have a symbolic meaning in relation to the apostles’ universal mission; Jerome claims that Greek zoologists catalogued 153 species of fish. Or 153 is the sum of the numbers from 1 to 17. Others invoke Ez 47:10.3
Amy Hoover asks “Who is sitting around the fire with us?”
Additionally, I love how this story brings out Christ’s presence with us, even when we may not be expecting him or be sure that it is him. Peter and his friends were just out fishing, doing what they do. And, look, there is Jesus! It is a good reminder to me that if I can be attentive and reflective, I will be gifted with how Christ is present to me throughout each day, in each moment. Christ isn’t just around when I am praying, at liturgy or reading scripture. Christ is in each moment of my day. And, a reminder also to be present to all of creation and to every person because Christ is incarnate within. This in turn brought me to a place of awe and gratitude for how the Divine is continually reaching out and inviting us into deeper relationship with one another and Christ.4
Don Schwager comments that the gift of faith opens our eyes to recognize the risen Lord Jesus in our midst.
When was the last time Peter was commanded to let down his net after a futile night of fishing? It was at the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approached Peter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After the miraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that he would be 'catching people" for the kingdom of God. Now Jesus repeats the same miracle. John, the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize the Lord. Peter impulsively leaps from the boat and runs to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, or trials? The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in his promises.5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:1-12 comments that today’s first reading is a perfect example of the major role that the Holy Spirit played in the early Church. When Peter, an ordinary fisherman from Galilee, was filled with the Spirit, he boldly preached to the spiritual leaders of Jerusalem.
You might say that Acts is the Holy Spirit’s “tour de force.” But the Spirit’s role isn’t limited to stories from a bygone era. He is as alive and active today as ever. He wants to play a major behind-the-scenes role in your life too. In fact, he’s already active in you. Every day he gives you evidence of his presence. If you look closely, you can see it in the way God is gradually transforming you and drawing you to himself. If you find it hard to sense his presence, don’t get discouraged. Remember, the Spirit doesn’t shine the spotlight on himself. You can trust that he really is there, working within you. The fact that you are reading this meditation is proof that the Spirit is giving you a desire to know God better!6
Friar Jude Winkler shares the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church as expressed by Luke in Acts. The importance of authority in the charismatic community is underlined in John 21. Friar Jude observes that the “fish” in the Eucharistic meal in the Gospel urges us to become “fishers of people”.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that Christianity—as well as Buddhism, other religions, and natural systems—suggests that the pattern of transformation, the pattern that connects, the life that Reality offers us is not death avoided, but death transformed.
The mystics and great saints were those who had learned to trust and allow this pattern, and often said in effect, “What did I ever lose by dying?” Or try Paul’s famous one-liner: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Now even scientific studies, including those of near-death experiences, reveal the same universal pattern. Things change and grow by dying to their present state, but each time it is a risk. We always wonder, “Will it work this time?” So many academic disciplines are coming together, each in their own way, to say that there’s a constant movement of loss and renewal at work in this world at every level. It seems to be the pattern of all growth and evolution. To be alive means to surrender to this inevitable flow. It’s the same pattern in every atom, in every human relationship, and in every galaxy. Indigenous peoples, Hindu gurus, Buddha, Moses, Muhammad, and Jesus all saw it clearly in human history and named it as a kind of “necessary dying.”7
Our fullness in life, Life in the Spirit, is experienced as resonant with self giving to the community in which we exist.
References
1
| |
2
|
(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 118 - usccb. Retrieved April 26, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118
|
3
| |
4
|
(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 26, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
|
5
|
(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 26, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
|
6
|
(2019, April 26). Friday within the Octave of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved April 26, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/04/26/
|
7
|
(2019, April 26). Death Transformed — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 26, 2019, from https://cac.org/death-transformed-2019-04-26/
|
No comments:
Post a Comment