The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the change that occurs when our relationship with Jesus aligns our actions with the Will of God to bring all people to fullness of life.
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| Build a community of Love |
In the reading from the Book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas address the Gentiles bringing light to them.
* [13:46] The refusal to believe frustrates God’s plan for his chosen people; however, no adverse judgment is made here concerning their ultimate destiny. Again, Luke, in the words of Paul, speaks of the priority of Israel in the plan for salvation (see Acts 10:36).1
Psalm 98 invites us to praise the Judge of the World.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9).2
Jesus Last Supper Discourse in the Gospel of John declares if “in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18.3
George Butterfield comments that nothing slowed down Paul and Barnabas ... Most of us want to be loved and they were no different but they endured hostility, hatred, and rejection. But because of their endurance, “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit."
The psalmist says that the right hand of the Lord has won victory for him. He has brought salvation and justice to the nations. My immobilized right hand and arm actually talk to me and say, Learn a lesson from us: you cannot save yourself. Only God’s right hand can do that. But here’s the deal: he has done it. So, sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
Jesus said, if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. But I only have one hand. Ask anyway. I can’t walk. Ask. I’m not good with words. When are you going to ask? “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”4
Don Schwager quotes “The Father's portrait in the Son,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"By means of this image the Lord showed Philip the Father. Yes, he who looks on the Son sees, in portrait, the Father. Notice what kind of portrait is spoken of. It is truth, righteousness, the power of God. It is not silent, for it is the Word. It is not insensible, for it is Wisdom. It is not vain and foolish, for it is power. It is not soulless, for it is the life. It is not dead, for it is the resurrection." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 1.7.50)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:7-14 comments that the first thing we should note is that whatever “works” we might do, it’s not as if we did them on our own. Any prayer answered, any hurt forgiven, any conversion sparked—it all happens because Jesus is doing those works in or through us. Jesus came to make us more and more like him, not to turn us into magicians.
Do you look at the call to evangelize as a chore or an impossible task? If so, take heart. Jesus is promising that you can make a difference. He is in you and he will work through you. Whether you are evangelizing through your example, through your words, or through your prayers of intercession, you are not doing it alone!
“Jesus, I am amazed that you have promised to help me do greater works than you did!”6
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the kerygma in the synagogue and after rejection turned to the Gentiles with joy for being able to share in Jesus Passion, Death, and Resurrection. The Gospel of John proclaims our relationship with Jesus already makes us one with the Father. Friar Jude reminds us that anything Jesus obtained from the Father for His mission is also gifted to us to live in God’s love.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares one place we might begin to prioritize community is with the spiritual traditions that supported and informed the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In her essay from the book “Revives My Soul Again”, author Diana L. Hayes explores the basis of King’s vision for the “Beloved Community”.
African spirituality is grounded in the very lives and activities of the African people. They live it, breathe it, walk it, sing it, and dance it. There is no life without religion, the interconnection of all people, all created things, and God: . . . “Relationships among all elements of creation . . . are the essence of African spirituality, because Africans believe that only through harmonious relationships is cosmic existence possible and its vital force preserved.”. . . [1]
An extension of this understanding can be found in that of Ubuntu (other names are used by different African peoples). . . . “A person with Ubuntu (full humanity) is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good.”. . . [2] What Ubuntu underscores is “‘the vital importance of mutual recognition and respect complemented by mutual care and sharing in the construction of human relations.’ [3] Ubuntu is manifested in self-giving and readiness to cooperate and communicate with others.” [4]
This understanding . . . of full humanity lies at the heart of [Dr. Martin Luther] King’s efforts to develop the Beloved Community, which he saw as that “period of social harmony and universal brotherhood that would follow the current social struggle.” [5] At that time, blacks and whites would be reconciled and able to walk together as a family of brothers and sisters without racial strife or disharmony.7
Father Richard concludes the wisdom of Ubuntu, with this reminder that “I am because you are,” seems particularly important for our times, especially in the Western world. Even before social distancing began, loneliness—and the anxiety and depression that often accompany it—had reached epidemic proportions.
I imagine those numbers will only increase with so many people being further isolated by recent circumstances. I hope and pray that God, who is relationship itself, will not let us forget that we belong to each other.7
Our relationship with Jesus informs our being about the actions of compassion, forgiveness, and charity that we are called to live as we witness the Spirit draw people into a loving community.
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