At the foot of faith

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the actions and attitudes from which evangelization is a natural consequence.

Missionary effort

The Book of Acts describes Paul’s arrival at Antioch and his address in the Synagogue tracing salvation history to Jesus.

* [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).1 

In Psalm 89 the community laments the defeat of the Davidic king.

 * [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38).2

In the Gospel from John, the action of Jesus in the washing of the disciples’ feet models leadership routed in humble service.

* [13:1–20] Washing of the disciples’ feet. This episode occurs in John at the place of the narration of the institution of the Eucharist in the synoptics. It may be a dramatization of Lk 22:27—“I am your servant.” It is presented as a “model” (“pattern”) of the crucifixion. It symbolizes cleansing from sin by sacrificial death.3

Jeanne Schuler reflects on Jesus, Paul and other figures from religion, history, and literature that shape us.

Whomever he [Paul] shared a meal with learned about Jesus… We feel the impact of another’s life, and that story stays with us.  We are less isolated than supposed. A tribe travels with me. No one makes this journey alone. Jesus washed their feet a last time.  Still on his knees he said once again: remember me. I AM. I am the one beside you. Should you reject me, I will remain.4 

Don Schwager quotes “The Master wants his servants to reach their potential,” by Origen, 185-254 A.D.

"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)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 13:13-25 comments that Paul felt worthy to preach, not because he was faultless, but because he had been forgiven.

Do you have a “word of exhortation” that you’d like to share with a friend or family member? Go ahead and say it! Don’t let your past get in the way. Have you committed some sins in your life? Yes, and some of them might even be big, embarrassing ones. But these transgressions can help convince you of the power of God’s love and mercy. They can become the fuel for your courage and humility 6.

The Novalis Seeds of Faith blog quotes from Fr. James Mallon’s book “Divine Renovation: From a Maintenance to a Missional Parish” on the evangelization of Pope Francis.

 I remember my first words: “Who?” and “Francesco!” Although he would go on to explain his choice of name based on his love for the poor, my first thoughts were that this man was declaring himself to be a reformer after the saint who heard the Lord say to him, “Francis, rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.” I like to believe that he chose this name for both reasons, and his actions so far as pope would confirm this hope.
Since that momentous day, Pope Francis has exploded onto the international scene. He speaks to all Christians with clarity and urgency, challenging us to recall our identity and to be a Church that goes out and a Church that makes “missionary disciples.” In doing this, he continues the call of his predecessor, who spoke often of the New Evangelization and called for the reevangelization of the West.”7

Friar Jude Winkler connects the preaching of Paul in the synagogue to an implied threat that the “Chosen People” may experience a fate of rejection similar to King Saul. The high Christology of the Gospel of John makes the point that Jesus foreknew that He would be betrayed by Judas. Friar Jude reminds that the hour of glory for I AM in this Gospel is the power of love shown on the Cross.

Richard Rohr, OFM, shares a brief introduction from Cynthia Bourgeault, CAC core faculty member and Episcopal priest, to her book “The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three” (Law of Three: originally developed by the Armenian-born spiritual teacher G. I. Gurdjieff (1866–1949)).

Actually, the entire Paschal Mystery can be seen to play itself out as a fairly straightforward configuration of the Law of Three. If you assign affirming as Jesus, the human teacher of the path of love; denying as the crucifixion and the forces of hatred driving it; and reconciling as the principle of self-emptying, or kenotic love willingly engaged, then the fourth or new arising, which is inescapably revealed through this weaving, is the Kingdom of Heaven, visibly manifest in the very midst of all the human cruelty and brokenness.8 

Following Jesus model of evangelization allows humility to present truth and offer peace in reconciliation.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/13
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 89 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 13 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/13
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/16/
7	(2014, November 19). From Vatican II to Pope Francis | Seeds of Faith. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://novalisseedsoffaith.com/2014/11/19/from-vatican-ii-to-pope-francis/
8	(n.d.). Law of Three Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 16, 2019, from https://cac.org/tag/law-of-three/