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