Spirit sent forth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate our response to the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Sharing gifts of the Spirit

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.

 * [2:3] Tongues as of fire: see Ex 19:18 where fire symbolizes the presence of God to initiate the covenant on Sinai. Here the holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with its unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).1

Psalm 104 proclaims God as the Creator and Provider.

 * [104:29–30] On one level, the spirit (or wind) of God is the fall and winter rains that provide food for all creatures. On another, it is the breath (or spirit) of God that makes beings live.2

In the reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes one Body of Christ with many members.

 * [12:12–26] The image of a body is introduced to explain Christ’s relationship with believers (1 Cor 12:12). 1 Cor 12:13 applies this model to the church: by baptism all, despite diversity of ethnic or social origins, are integrated into one organism. 1 Cor 12:14–26 then develop the need for diversity of function among the parts of a body without threat to its unity.3

In the Gospel of John, Jesus appears to the disciples with the breath of the Holy Spirit.

 * [20:19] The disciples: by implication from Jn 20:24 this means ten of the Twelve, presumably in Jerusalem. Peace be with you: although this could be an ordinary greeting, John intends here to echo Jn 14:27. The theme of rejoicing in Jn 20:20 echoes Jn 16:22.4

Tom Shanahan, S.J. comments that sometimes it is a struggle to discover the ways of the Holy Spirit, but the “gifts” of the Spirit are guides for their discovery. Whenever we experience love, joy, greatness of heart and realization of God’s presence, that is the Holy Spirit’s work in us.

 In our contemporary surroundings we are inheritors of the Spirit’s life and love and are blessed to discover the Spirit made manifest to our senses each.  It is as if the Holy Spirit lusts to show us physically who he is and how he loves and cares for us, in our own language, our senses.  Can I open myself to see, hear and touch the Spirit’s blessings?  Can I be open to the call to notice and respond?
Lord, especially these days as we endure the violence of Covid19, send us your Spirit.  Grace us with wisdom and discernment, courage to be strong of faith, and keenly aware of your care and comfort.  Teach us to recognize you in these gifts of your Spirit and to accept gratefully your desire for our constant growth as your people.5

Don Schwager comments that the Lord Jesus offers each one of us the gift and power of his Holy Spirit. He wants to make our faith strong, give us hope that endures, and a love that never grows cold. He never refuses to give his Spirit to those who ask with expectant faith. Jesus instructed his disciples to ask confidently for the gift of the Spirit: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). He quotes “The Holy Spirit at Pentecost,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

 "To the Hebrew people, now freed from Egypt, the law was given on Mount Sinai fifty days after the immolation of the paschal lamb. Similarly, after the passion of Christ in which the true Lamb of God was killed, just fifty days after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and the whole group of believers. Thus the earnest Christian may easily perceive that the beginnings of the Old Covenant were at the service of the beginnings of the gospel and that the same Spirit who instituted the first established the Second Covenant."  (excerpt from Sermon 75.1)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 2:1-11 comments that Jesus knew how much we would need the Holy Spirit, and so even long before his Ascension, he encouraged his disciples to pray for this gift: “If you . . . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit?” (Luke 11:13). And John’s Gospel assures us that God “does not ration his gift of the Spirit” (3:34). There is always more that God has for us!

 Today, follow the apostles’ example. Believe in God’s promise of the Spirit and then pray for it. Keep praying, not just on this special feast, but every day. You might even ask a few faith-filled friends to pray with you for a new outpouring of the Spirit in your life. You may not see wind or fire, but the Spirit will come to you in new, unexpected, and even extraordinary ways—not only for your benefit, but for the good of his body, the Church!
“Holy Spirit, make your home in my heart, today and every day.”7

Friar Jude Winkler connects the gathering of people in Jerusalem to the agricultural and pilgrimage feast of Pentecost. The Hebrew word “ruach” captures the nature of the Spirit as wind. Friar Jude reminds us that Evangelist John was a mystic and Luke was a historian.

StAnthonyCompanions · May 31, 2020

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that it is sad to say, but for centuries the Christian vision was narrowed to what we have today—a preoccupation with private salvation. Our “personal relationship with Jesus” seems to be based on a very small notion of Christ. We’ve modeled church after a service station where members attend weekly services to “fill up” on their faith. We’ve commodified the very notion of salvation.

 Too often, the formal church has been unable to create any authentic practical community, especially over the last half-century. In response, we see the emergence of new faith communities seeking to return to this foundational definition of church. These may not look like our versions of traditional “church,” but they often exemplify the kinds of actual community that Jesus, Paul, and early Christians envisioned. People are gathering digitally and in person today through neighborhood associations, study groups, community gardens, social services, and volunteer groups. They’re seeking creative ways of coming together, nurturing connection, of healing and whole-making. The “invisible” church might be doing this just as much, if not more, than the visible one. The Holy Spirit is humble and seems to work best anonymously. I suspect that is why the Holy Spirit is often pictured as a simple bird or blowing wind that is here one minute and seemingly gone and then nowhere (John 3:8).8

The role of the Spirit in our journey is to renew our life as members of the Body of Christ, where we can use the gifts of the Spirit for the good of others.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 2 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/2
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 104 - United States Conference of Catholic .... Retrieved May 31, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/104
3	(n.d.). 1 Corinthians, chapter 12. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians12:7
4	(n.d.). John, chapter 20 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/20
5	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries .... Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(2020, May 31). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/05/31/172046/
8	(n.d.). Common Ground and Purpose — Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 31, 2020, from https://cac.org/common-ground-and-purpose-2020-05-31/

Living as beloved

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our role living as beloved disciples in this time.

Learning from others

The reading from the conclusion of the Acts of the Apostles describes the relationship between Paul and Jewish Leaders in 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 declares the upright shall behold His face.

 * [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

In the Gospel from John, Jesus and Peter discuss the Beloved Disciple.

 * [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

Cindy Murphy McMahon notes that Peter says, “Lord, what about him?” referring to John following them. How often do we say that to God? What about him or her, who is doing something “wrong,” or getting too many “blessings” in our opinion, or neglecting us, or …. ? The list can be endless.

 Jesus’ answer to us is the same as to Peter: “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” May we plant those words deeply in our hearts, file them permanently in our memory, and remember them the next time we want to pass judgement on someone else, thereby taking our eyes off what we are supposed to be doing: following Jesus.4

Don Schwager quotes “Peter follows, John remains,” by 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 Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 comments that even if our situation feels confining, it is not a hindrance to sharing the gospel. Like Paul, we can still find opportunities to tell people about the Lord and what he has done in our life. How reassuring this is! Our circumstances don’t have to prevent us from responding to Jesus’ commandment to “go, . . . and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

 Paul must have found great joy in making the most of every opportunity that God gave him to proclaim his word. Ultimately, Paul’s goal wasn’t to escape his difficult circumstances. It was to follow Jesus in all circumstances—and to tell others about him. Today, let’s reflect on his example and ask Jesus how he is inviting us to share him with the people around us.
“Open my eyes, Lord, to the opportunities that you have set before me.”6

Friar Jude Winkler suggests Paul spent two years in house arrest in Rome because Nero was self absorbed with acting competitions in Greece. Luke’s account is fulfilled by Paul reaching the political capital of the world. Friar Jude examines Chapter 21 of John’s Gospel in the light of authority and dealing with the death of the beloved disciple.

StAnthonyCompanions · May 30, 2020

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that authentic solidarity requires a series of conversions. It requires our voluntary displacement from our position(s) of privilege—whether that be class, race, gender, physical ability, nationality, or religion—toward someone not like us in a real and tangible way. We may need to develop an appreciation for traits that our culture might not deem “acceptable” or even valuable. Only through relationships can we know what kind of help or advocacy is truly desired. Solidarity is not about “I’m helping you,” but a commitment to walking and learning together. And of course, learning together requires us to be in dialogue, with the understanding that I have much to learn. The following practice from psychologist Roger Walsh’s book Essential Spirituality is one way to develop this skill.

 To begin this exercise, select an initial time period such as a morning or a day. During that time, try to see each person you meet as a teacher bringing you an important lesson. Your challenge is to recognize what that lesson is, then to learn as much as you can from this person. At the end of the day, look back and review your interaction with each person, the lessons each one brought, and what you learned.
As exercises like these are repeated, the eye of the soul gradually opens and we become increasingly aware of the sacred within us and around us. Every person becomes a teacher and a reminder of our spiritual nature, while every experience becomes a learning opportunity . . . and we see the world as a sacred schoolhouse designed to heal and awaken us, and to teach us how to heal and awaken others. What greater gift could the world offer?7

Our journey as beloved disciples brings us in contact with others who have gifts to offer our community.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 28 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 30, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/28
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 11. Retrieved May 30, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 21 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 30, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/21
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 30, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/05/30/
7	(n.d.). Solidarity: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 30, 2020, from https://cac.org/solidarity-weekly-summary-2020-05-30/

Bound by Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us to meditate on the path Jesus invites us to take as we respond to His Love by feeding His sheep.

Feeding sheep

The reading from Acts describes how the Roman official Festus consults with King Agrippa over the path of Paul who is being held in prison.

 * [25:13] King Agrippa and Bernice: brother and sister, children of Herod Agrippa I whose activities against the Jerusalem community are mentioned in Acts 12:1–19. Agrippa II was a petty ruler over small areas in northern Palestine and some villages in Perea. His influence on the Jewish population of Palestine was insignificant.1

Psalm 103 offers thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.

 * [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22).2

The Gospel of John describes the love between Jesus and Peter at a post resurrection breakfast on the beach.

 * [21:15–17] In these three verses there is a remarkable variety of synonyms: two different Greek verbs for love (see note on Jn 15:13); two verbs for feed/tend; two nouns for sheep; two verbs for know. But apparently there is no difference of meaning. The threefold confession of Peter is meant to counteract his earlier threefold denial (Jn 18:17, 25, 27). The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus after his resurrection gave Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock.3

Ed Morse shares today’s readings cause us to pause and contemplate these questions: Where are we going? Who are we following? What is feeding us and what are we feeding others?

   Then Peter encounters the risen Jesus.  After eating breakfast together, Jesus pressed Peter with questions.  Jesus allows Peter to affirm his love three times, negating his former denials.  Jesus knows Peter – including Peter’s need to know he has not lost confidence in him.  Jesus calls him on to a new journey – “follow me” and “feed my sheep”.  In other words, I will be with you – you will be following me, just as before.  There will be uncertainty and risk.  But stay away from the fear that nearly choked out your fire.  And remember my love and forgiveness when you feed my sheep.
Peter and Paul, Felix, Agrippa, and Bernice, all present examples for us to contemplate.  Where are we going?  Who are we following?  Let us neither feed on fear nor let the comforts of this life and our reliance on its illusions keep us detached from the love and forgiveness that comes from the risen Lord. Thanks be to God.4

Don Schwager quotes “Do you love me? Feed my sheep,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "Christ rose again in the flesh, and Peter rose in the spirit because, when Christ died in his passion, Peter died by his denial. Christ the Lord was raised from the dead, and out of his love he raised Peter. He questioned him about the love he was confessing and entrusted him with his sheep. After all, what benefit could Peter confer on Christ by the mere fact of his loving Christ? If Christ loves you, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And if you love Christ, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And yet Christ the Lord wanted to indicate how people ought to show that they love Christ. And he made it plain enough by entrusting him with his sheep. 'Do you love me?' 'I do.' 'Feed my sheep.' All this once, all this a second time, all this a third time. Peter made no other reply than that he loved him. The Lord asked no other question but whether he loved him. When Peter answered, our Lord did nothing else but entrust his sheep to him." (excerpt from SERMON 229n.1.4)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 25:13-21 comments that our lives may be filled with the “trees” of trials—or maybe just the trees of a busy schedule and concerns about our loved ones. But like Paul, we can learn how to see the whole forest.

 Just what is this forest? It’s the expansive heavenly vision that the Holy Spirit wants to give us. It’s remembering that our world is filled with God’s wonders and marvels. It’s remembering that every act of love reveals another facet of our gracious, creative God. It’s the ability to enjoy the blessings of family and home that we do have rather than focusing on the things we may be lacking. It’s the decision to love our holy, beautiful Church even as we acknowledge the need for reform and renewal.
Don’t get caught up in the details! Don’t let the trees wear you down! Let God fill you with his panoramic vision. Make it a point every day to stand back and rejoice in all the blessings that Jesus has given you.
“Jesus, open my eyes to see the work you have already done in my life.”6

Friar Jude Winkler provides some insight into the weak “middle managers” of the Roman Empire who are deciding about Paul’s fate. Two different Greek words for “love” are used in the dialogue between Jesus and Peter. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus meets us where we are at the type of love and service we are able to give.

StAnthonyCompanions · May 29, 2020

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that a powerful example of these five conversions at work is The Poor People’s Campaign, first established by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others in 1968 to encourage leaders and citizens across the nation to stand in solidarity with the poor, which was revived in 2018 by the Rev. Dr. William Barber II and the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis. [1] Their work with and for the poor of the United States through mutual respect, dialogue, and organizing is foundationally based on their Christian faith and study of the Gospels. In these paragraphs, Theoharis offers a scriptural exploration of what the Kingdom of God implies for the poor and marginalized—a movement of solidarity.

 Centuries of [New Testament] interpretation have attempted to spiritualize or minimize this good news for the poor, hiding the reality that the Bible is a book by, about, and for poor and marginalized people. It not only says that God blesses and loves the poor, but also that the poor are God’s agents and leaders in rejecting and dismantling kingdoms built upon oppression and inequality. . . . It is the vision of society the early Christians sought to create on earth, and that we who follow Jesus today are commanded to strive for as well.7

We are invited by Jesus to “Feed My Sheep” at whatever stage in our journey we find ourselves.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 25 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/25
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 103. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 21 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/21
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/05/29/
7	(2020, May 29). A Movement of the Rejected — Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://cac.org/a-movement-of-the-rejected-2020-05-29/

Trust in Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to focus on the relationship we have with those close to us as we trust in Love to bring us together as one.

Our relationship

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles, describes the clever assertion of Paul before the Council in Jerusalem.

 * [23:11] The occurrence of the vision of Christ consoling Paul and assuring him that he will be his witness in Rome prepares the reader for the final section of Acts: the journey of Paul and the word he preaches to Rome under the protection of the Romans.1

David M. Neuhaus SJ has written about getting to know Saint Paul today.

Psalm 16 is a song of Trust and Security in God.

 * [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11).2

In the Gospel of John, Jesus prays that ‘‘the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’

 * [17:1–26] Climax of the last discourse(s). Since the sixteenth century, this chapter has been called the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. He speaks as intercessor, with words addressed directly to the Father and not to the disciples, who supposedly only overhear. Yet the prayer is one of petition, for immediate (Jn 17:6–19) and future (Jn 17:20–21) disciples. Many phrases reminiscent of the Lord’s Prayer occur. Although still in the world (Jn 17:13), Jesus looks on his earthly ministry as a thing of the past (Jn 17:4, 12). Whereas Jesus has up to this time stated that the disciples could follow him (Jn 13:33, 36), now he wishes them to be with him in union with the Father (Jn 17:12–14).3

Steve Scholer wonders if death were imminent for us, what would our own personal High Priestly Prayers be like? Would they be about the praise and glory we offered up to God during our lives and how we shared our faith with others so they, too, could know God and experience his endless love? Or would they more likely be focused on our shortcomings?

 Unlike Jesus, we were born sinners and sinners we will die. But wouldn’t it be nice if our final prayers were less about our faults and regrets and more about the humble pride that comes from living the life Christ taught us to live?
Maybe each of us should set aside some time and write our own High Priestly Prayer and focus on the good we are doing for those we love and for those we don’t even know, so that we may all be one. Note how we are spreading the Gospel, so that others might find the joy and love we have found in knowing Christ.4

Don Schwager quotes “Prayer of unity for all who believe,” by Cyprian of Carthage - first martyr bishop of Africa, 200-258 A.D.

 "The Lord's loving-kindness, no less than his mercy, is great in respect of our salvation in that, not content to redeem us with his blood, he in addition prayed for us. See now what the desire of his petition was, that just as the Father and Son are one, so also we should abide in absolute unity. From this, it may be evident how greatly someone sins who divides unity and peace, since even the Lord himself petitioned for this same thing. He no doubt desired that his people should in this way be saved and live in peace since he knew that discord cannot come into the kingdom of God." (excerpt from THE LORD'S PRAYER 30.1)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 17:20-26 comments that the quest for unity is not limited to theological dialogues or occasional joint prayer services. It starts with Jesus helping you love the people right in front of you. Even if you don’t agree with them, you can still perceive the grace of God in their lives. Because unity on a grand scale starts with everyday unity with the people you know.

 Think about Jesus looking at the faces of each of his disciples. Now place yourself there too. But not just you—imagine someone you are not at peace with. Maybe you and your spouse see things differently on a sensitive issue. Whenever the topic arises, a wall seems to cut you off from one another.
Jesus is gazing into your eyes. He is praying that you be united. Can you come to agreement? Can you exchange views and understand each other’s position? What might Jesus pray for you—and for the other person? How might he encourage you to be one?
Don’t give in to discouragement. Remember, Jesus himself is praying for you!
“Lord, make us one!”6

Friar Jude Winkler describes how Roman soldiers rescue Paul from a dispute he provoked in the Sanhedrin. Jesus Priestly Prayer is for disciples who will believe in the future. Friar Jude reminds us to give witness to our relationship of Love in the Trinity by our speaking and doing.

StAnthonyCompanions · May 28, 2020

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches the Fifth Conversion to solidarity is a choice to walk with the poor and oppressed, to be taught by them, and to love them as equals, each of us bearing the Divine Indwelling Spirit within.

 I hope you can see how living out the Gospel is always a process of what Paulo Freire calls humanization, [3] a movement toward greater freedom, dignity, inclusivity, and possibility. We are one, and through solidarity we more clearly identify and name the systems that separate us. We find in ourselves and in the other the true “image of God” in which we are created and connected.
The dialogue that leads to solidarity is a way that oppressors and oppressed begin to recognize each other as subjects in their full humanity, as both learn and teach in this active encounter of faith and love. Here is Freire, in his own words:
Dialogue cannot exist without humility.How can I dialogue if I regard myself as a case apart from others—mere “its” in whom I cannot recognize other “I”s?How can I dialogue if I consider myself . . . the owner of truth and knowledge . . .?How can I dialogue if I am closed to—and even offended by—the contributions of others?Self-sufficiency is incompatible with dialogue.At the point of encounter [in dialogue] there are neither utter ignoramuses nor perfect sages; there are only people who are attempting, together, to learn more than they now know. [4]7

Our relationship with people can be an experience of the Love of the Trinity as we are challenged to practice meaningful dialogue in humble respect of the other.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 23 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 28, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/23
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 16. Retrieved May 28, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 17 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 28, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/17
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries .... Retrieved May 28, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 28, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 7th Week of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved May 28, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/05/28/
7	(2020, May 28). The Fifth Conversion — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 28, 2020, from https://cac.org/the-fifth-conversion-2020-05-28/