Regarding and resting

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our need to pause and take stock of our situation and our alignment with our call as disciples of Jesus.

Open our mind

The Reading from Acts is the conclusion of the Book that has presented the narrative of growth of the Church led by the Spirit during the political reign of Rome.

 * [28:30–31] Although the ending of Acts may seem to be abrupt, Luke has now completed his story with the establishment of Paul and the proclamation of Christianity in Rome. Paul’s confident and unhindered proclamation of the gospel in Rome forms the climax to the story whose outline was provided in Acts 1:8—“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…and to the ends of the earth.”1

Psalm 11 is a song of trust.

* [Psalm 11] A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7).2 

The Gospel is the conclusion of the works of Jesus as recorded in John.

 * [21:23] This whole scene takes on more significance if the disciple is already dead. The death of the apostolic generation caused problems in the church because of a belief that Jesus was to have returned first. Loss of faith sometimes resulted; cf. 2 Pt 3:4.3

Angela Maynard asks if any of our blessings grow out of difficulty?

We can take some time today to consider how Jesus may have been talking with us during a difficult time.  Did I feel abandoned at the time? Do I feel differently today after reflecting on the situation?
Today’s gospel goes on to point out that there is no way to articulate all of the wonderful things Jesus did during his time on earth.  Just for today, think about the blessings that we’ve received.4 

Don Schwager quotes “Peter follows, John remains,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The Lord either said what he said to Peter about his martyrdom, or he said it about the gospel of John. As regards the martyrdom and this 'Follow me,' [he means] suffer for me, suffer what I did. Because Christ was crucified, Peter too was crucified... while John experienced none of this. That is what is meant by, 'It is thus that I wish him to remain.' Let him fall asleep without wounds, without torment, and wait for me. You, Peter, 'Follow me,' suffer what I did. That’s one way these words can be explained..."As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord’s humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:20-25 notes that Jesus turned Peter’s question on its head: “What concern is it of yours?” he asked. “You follow me” (John 21:22). These are the exact words we need to hear when our own thoughts lead us into comparison and envy.

First, because Jesus has a mission for each of us. He wanted Peter to focus not on John but on his own calling to lead the Church by tending his sheep (John 21:16). Similarly, Jesus doesn’t want us devoting so much of our energy to thinking about what someone else has or what they do. He’d rather we think about how we can serve him in our own situations. What is the best way I can build the kingdom of God right here and right now?
Second, because only Jesus can fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts. The things we see that others have can’t really satisfy us. Neither can their status or their callings or their gifts and talents. Only God can truly satisfy us.6 

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the conclusion of Luke’s narrative and the apparent washing of the hands of Roman authorities. The Monty Python “Blessed are the cheesemakers” is an example of misunderstanding of texts. Friar Jude reminds that the ending of this Gospel has particular significance if the beloved disciple is already dead.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the welcome statement from the Center’s spring conference, The Universal Christ. It is adapted from “Diversity Welcome,” Training for Change. It sets a bar for welcome that even the parts that culture or church have denied.

We would like to let you know that you belong. . . .
People on all parts of the continuum of gender identity and expression, including those who are gay, bisexual, heterosexual, transgender, cisgender, queer folks, the sexually active, the celibate, and everyone for whom those labels don’t apply. We say, “You belong.”
People of African descent, of Asian descent, of European descent, of First Nations descent in this land and abroad, and people of mixed and multiple descents and of all the languages spoken here. We say, “You belong.”
Bodies with all abilities and challenges. Those living with any chronic medical condition, visible or invisible, mental or physical. We say, “You belong.”
People who identify as activists and those who don’t. Mystics, believers, seekers of all kinds. People of all ages. Those who support you to be here. We say, “You belong.”
Your emotions: joy, fear, grief, contentment, disappointment, surprise, and all else that flows through you. We say, “You belong.”
Your families, genetic and otherwise. Those dear to us who have died. Our ancestors and the future ones. The ancestors who lived in this land, in this place, where these buildings are now . . . we honor you through this work that we are undertaking. We say, “You belong.”
People who feel broken, lost, struggling; who suffer from self-doubt and self-judgment. We say, “You belong.”
All beings that inhabit this earth, human or otherwise: the two-legged, the four-legged, winged and finned, those that walk, fly, and crawl, above the ground and below, in air and water. We say, “You belong.”7 

Our pause to reflect invites more openness in our acceptance of themes, difficulties, motivations, misunderstandings, and diversity we encounter on our journey.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 28 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/28
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 11 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 21 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/21
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 7th Week of Easter (Mass in the Morning) - Mass Readings and .... Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/06/08
7	(n.d.). Unity and Diversity: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and .... Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://cac.org/unity-and-diversity-weekly-summary-2019-06-08/