The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer contemplation of the contrast between not knowing the future when we are not guided by the Spirit and not knowing when we are aware of God’s Presence on our journey.
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| Seeking direction |
The reading from the Book of Acts tells of Timothy joining Paul and Silas and Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia.
* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).1
Psalm 100 urges that all lands be summoned to praise God.
* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God.2
In the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals the world’s hatred for Him and his followers.
* [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus.3
Gladyce Janky comments that Jesus' disciples accepted that their lived experiences of Jesus, including his death, and resurrection had transformed them. They no longer fit the paradigm of the world they knew before Jesus. The only way out of the in-between time was to go forward.
I am sure my imagining of the questions is influenced by where I see our world today. We are in an in-between time, a place we did not choose to go. COVID-19 has inflicted excruciating physical, mental, and emotional pain on many people. At the same time, life has slowed down, allowing time for transformation. Like the disciples, we cannot go back to who we were pre-pandemic. We have no choice but to come to terms with our situation. However, we do have the freedom to choose how we integrate these experiences and who we become.
Some of us might be asking, "How can I decide what to do?" St. Ignatius of Loyola, through the Spiritual Exercises, offers us the gift of spiritual discernment to help us decide (elect) how to proceed. We see a glimpse of this at work in today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles (16:1-10). Paul and Timothy rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their teaching and missionary travels. By trusting God, and choosing to do the work God has in mind, "The churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number."
In our time, the world looks back to the early church and sees the impact of the apostles' choice (election) to follow in Christ's footsteps, no matter the cost. When the world looks back at the COVID-19 pandemic, what will the world see about our choice (election) to follow Christ?4
Don Schwager quotes “Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.
"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:1-10 notes we all experience closed doors from time to time—in our workplaces or churches, in our homes or families. When we come up against such circumstances, try to follow the example of Paul and Timothy. Instead of wondering why some opportunity was closed, move on and do the next right thing.
It’s only human to be disappointed when something doesn’t work out the way we had hoped. But try not to be discouraged by it. Rather, try to understand what your next step should be—and take it. Stay focused on the larger vision that God has for you. Trust that the Holy Spirit is leading you, guiding you, and protecting you, whether you understand the reasons for the twists and turns in your path or not.
At the end of the day, we can’t always comprehend the bigger picture that God has for us. But he is a good God, and so we can always trust that his plan for us is better than anything we could ever come up with ourselves!
“Holy Spirit, I will trust in you, even when I don’t understand why a door has closed.”6
Friar Jude Winkler explains the Jewish heritage of Timothy as the background for his circumcision. The Holy Spirit is guiding the growth of the Church. Friar Jude reminds us that our joy in difficult situations reflects our sharing in the passion of Jesus.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Theologian Bruce G. Epperly description of Julian of Norwich’s life and faith. Life was particularly difficult in the fourteenth century. Plague, death, and social upheaval characterized everyday life. Death equalized the wealthy and impoverished, and no place could offer escape from the ravages of disease. Scholars believe that unnamed mystic Julian, whose name came from her cathedral home, lived through three plagues and may have lost her husband and children to the dreaded Black Death. Despite the tragedy and loss she experienced, Julian affirmed that God will redeem all things, all sin will be forgiven, and everyone will find wholeness in God’s everlasting realm.
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38–39).
Consider your greatest fears and place them in the passage along with Paul’s list. For example, you may make affirmations such as:
Cancer [or other illnesses] will not separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Unemployment will not separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Bereavement will not separate me from the love of God.
Let go of your burdens, including your sin, guilt, and shame, to a Wisdom and Guidance greater than your own. Imperfection is inevitable in earthly life, but all shall be well.7
The trust we have in God opens our lives to the prompting of the Spirit in times when we seek direction on our path.
References
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