The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of how our surrender to the voice of the Spirit in our interior life may open us to the consolation and support of the Good Shepherd in our work to bring justice to the communities to which we are connected.
 |
| Community Action |
The reading from the Book of Acts is Peter’s Report to the Church at Jerusalem concerning Gentiles being baptized.
* [11:1–18] The Jewish Christians of Jerusalem were scandalized to learn of Peter’s sojourn in the house of the Gentile Cornelius. Nonetheless, they had to accept the divine directions given to both Peter and Cornelius. They concluded that the setting aside of the legal barriers between Jew and Gentile was an exceptional ordinance of God to indicate that the apostolic kerygma was also to be directed to the Gentiles. Only in Acts 15 at the “Council” in Jerusalem does the evangelization of the Gentiles become the official position of the church leadership in Jerusalem.1
Psalm 42 expresses a longing for God and for His help in distress. Psalm 43 is a prayer to God in time of trouble.
* [Psalms 42–43] Ps 42–43 form a single lament of three sections, each section ending in an identical refrain (Ps 42:6, 12; 43:5). The psalmist is far from Jerusalem, and longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy. Despite sadness, the psalmist hopes once again to join the worshiping crowds.2
In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares his Love to people as One Flock with One Shepherd.
* [10:16] Other sheep: the Gentiles, possibly a reference to “God’s dispersed children” of Jn 11:52 destined to be gathered into one, or “apostolic Christians” at odds with the community of the beloved disciple3
Cindy Costanzo comments that Jesus as shepherd provides undeniable love, nourishment, shelter and protection... Jesus is not exclusive but inclusive and welcomes everyone …”I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold….these also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock”. Jesus embraces us all, we belong and do not have to earn the love and protection provided. Contemplate the following questions, and listen for the response.
What does it mean to be a sheep in Jesus flock? Do I trust the Good Shepherd to watch over me? Do I listen and know the voice of my Good Shepherd? Have I spent enough time in silence and alone to recognize my Good Shepherd’s voice? What is my response to the Good Shepherd?
Where have I been a Good Shepherd? Where have I walked away “like the hired hand” when I was needed? Where are the wolves in our lives? Busyness, achievement, needing approval, being in control, anger and resentment? Where have I not accepted others, discriminated against others, shunned others and not welcomed them to my fold? When have I resisted sharing my faith, my gifts from God with others?4
Don Schwager asks “Do you know the peace and security of the Good Shepherd who watches over his own?”
The Old Testament often speaks of God as shepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd who will risk his life to seek out and save the stray sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). He is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 11:1-18 comments that Peter walked them through all the steps that God took him through to make this monumental decision. Let’s see if we can apply Peter’s approach to any decisions we might be facing.
1. God shapes us in prayer
2. He introduces a new idea.
3. He confirms his word.
4. He gives us the opportunity to test it out.
5. He shows us the fruit of our decision.
Peter’s receptivity to the Holy Spirit opened the Church to millions of people, including us. Who knows what God has in store as each of us follows his leading?6
Friar Jude Winkler provides some background about Cornelius, “the god fearer” and the head of the family baptized by Peter. Two groups in Jerusalem had different requirements for Gentiles who were baptized. Friar Jude comments that Jesus extends the Hebrew tradition of Good Shepherd leadership to being willing to die for the flock.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, observes that without an interior life and a love of justice, most communities just serve themselves. “We who live in the United States have to look out for this in particular. We’re rather narcissistic as individuals and as a society, always looking out for “Number One,” whether it’s our self, our child, our church, our race, or our political party. But that is clearly not the kind of community Jesus created!” He was always moving beyond the boundaries of his own kinship circles.
When we named the “Center for Action and Contemplation,” we deliberately put action first. We learn and are healed by committing ourselves to others, especially those at the margins. At one time this type of service was mostly an act of faith, but now we have evidence to back it up: serving others is a healing balm to our own souls. [1] Faith and science support each other on this, as does Step 12 of Alcoholics Anonymous. [2] We do not fully have it until we hand it on to others.7
Our motives to create communities of justice and cooperation point to good shepherd actions that may be energized by the inspiration and support of the Spirit.
References
No comments:
Post a Comment