The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of how Providence is realized in our lives in strengthening our conviction and bolstering our patience in our relationships.
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| The path of relationship |
The reading from Acts describes Peter as he heals and restores to Life in the name of Jesus.
* [9:31–43] In the context of the period of peace enjoyed by the community through the cessation of Paul’s activities against it, Luke introduces two traditions concerning the miraculous power exercised by Peter as he was making a tour of places where the Christian message had already been preached. The towns of Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa were populated by both Jews and Gentiles and their Christian communities may well have been mixed.1
Psalm 116 is a thanksgiving in which the psalmist responds to divine rescue from mortal danger and from near despair.
* [Psalm 116] A thanksgiving in which the psalmist responds to divine rescue from mortal danger (Ps 116:3–4) and from near despair (Ps 116:10–11) with vows and Temple sacrifices (Ps 116:13–14, 17–19). The Greek and Latin versions divide the Psalm into two parts: Ps 116:1–9 and Ps 116:10–19, corresponding to its two major divisions.2
The passage from the Gospel from John concludes with the confession of Peter concerning the Words of Eternal Life.
* [6:60–71] These verses refer more to themes of Jn 6:35–50 than to those of Jn 6:51–58 and seem to be addressed to members of the Johannine community who found it difficult to accept the high christology reflected in the bread of life discourse.3
Cindy Costanzo wonders what she would have done. Sometimes not being able to “stay” reveals more about yourself and where you are at that moment. If you are able to question yourself, reflect on the ‘why’ then change within is possible.
What do I do? What will I do today? What will I do tomorrow…..or the next day? Today John’s gospel makes me pause, to recognize how important it is for me to bear witness, to show up, to accompany others, to participate and to be there for others.4
Don Schwager quotes “Eat Life - Drink Life,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"'Unless you eat My Flesh and drink My Blood, you shall not have life in you,' says the Lord. Eat life - drink life. You will then have life, and life is complete. Then the Body and Blood of Christ will be life for each person under this condition: what is eaten visibly in the Sacrament be spiritually eaten and spiritually drunk in truth itself." (excerpt from Sermon 102,2)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:60-69 comments that Peter’s life is a story not of one pivotal moment; it’s the tale of a growing relationship with Jesus. Every encounter with Jesus deepened that relationship. Peter asked questions, listened to every word Jesus spoke, and grew in understanding. He watched the way Jesus related to the people around him, and it increased his faith. Even when Jesus ascended to heaven, their relationship didn’t end. Peter kept praying, and Jesus sent him the promised Holy Spirit.
Clearly, Peter was not just pursuing pious rules or trying to get on Jesus’ good side. He wanted to know Jesus more. Like a parent and child or best friends their relationship developed and deepened. As Peter learned more about Jesus, he trusted more. As Jesus saw Peter persevere, he revealed more of himself and entrusted more of his work to this brusque fisherman. Then, when Jesus poured out his Holy Spirit on him, Peter was able to move forward in faith, determined to build the kingdom of God.
Are pivotal moments important? Yes, but they are not goals in themselves. They help build our relationship with Jesus and encourage us to keep pressing on. But each day, with or without pivotal moments, we deepen our relationship by pursuing him who has the words of eternal life.6
Friar Jude Winkler shares the significance of the healing and reanimation miracles of Peter in the name of Jesus. Luke’s 2nd volume, Acts of the Apostles, is the post ascension account of Jesus acting through the Church. Friar Jude points out the on-going comparison of Peter as less than the beloved disciple in the Gospel of John.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches the Trinity reveals that God is relationship itself. He cites Irish poet and priest John O’Donohue (1956–2008) who drew insights on friendship from Celtic spirituality.
. . . The old Gaelic term for [soul-love] is anam ċara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and ċara is the word for friend. . . . With the anam ċara you could share your innermost self, your mind and your heart. This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. . . . You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the “friend of your soul.” . . . The soul is a divine light that flows into you and into your Other. This art of belonging awakened and fostered a deep and special companionship… All presence depends on consciousness. Where there is a depth of awareness, there is a reverence for presence. Where consciousness is dulled, distant, or blind, the presence grows faint and vanishes. Consequently, awareness is one of the greatest gifts you can bring to your friendship. . . . [P]ray for the grace of recognition. Inspired by awareness, you may then discover beside you the anam ċara of whom your longing has always dreamed.7
The conviction of Peter that his relationship with Jesus was the only path he could follow often reflects our position of coexistence of certainty and uncertainty that is sustainable by memory of Providence in our life.
References
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(n.d.). Acts, chapter 9 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 11, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/9
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(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 116 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 11, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/116
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3
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(n.d.). John, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 11, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/6
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4
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(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 11, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
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5
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(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
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6
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(n.d.). 3rd Week of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations .... Retrieved May 11, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/11/
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7
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(n.d.). Trinity: Part 1: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 11, 2019, from https://cac.org/trinity-part-1-weekly-summary-2019-05-11/
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