The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider “What next?” as we try to remain faithful to our commission as disciples of Christ.
Testimony of Love
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles expresses the inability of Peter and John to yield to the Sanhedrin.
* [4:12] In the Roman world of Luke’s day, salvation was often attributed to the emperor who was hailed as “savior” and “god.” Luke, in the words of Peter, denies that deliverance comes through anyone other than Jesus.1
Psalm 118 is a song of Victory.
* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29).2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, two disciples, and commissions the disciples.
* [16:9–20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Lk 24 and Jn 20.3
Dennis Hamm, S.J. suggests we might say that the text from Acts today is a great story from the early church. Luke wrote it, and the church continues to read it, not to have us reminisce about the amazing days of the early Church, but because Luke’s narrative tells about the people who follow Jesus after Easter and Pentecost—which of course includes us!
The community of faith to which we belong is still led by the risen Jesus and empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit. If we find ourselves sometimes unbelieving and hard of heart, like the disciples who at first did not dare to believe the testimony of Mary Magdalene or the Emmaus couple, let’s listen once again to the testimony—the witness of the New Testament, plus that “cloud of witnesses” that populate the next two thousand years and the heroes we know who demonstrate the vitality of the faith we share with them—and even our own experience of love offered and prayers answered. It is the same post-Easter Church that we meet in the Acts of the Apostles. Let’s raise our expectations!4
Don Schwager quotes “The Great Commission,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.
"The command to the apostles to be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth was not addressed exclusively to those to whom it was immediately spoken. They alone would not be the only ones who would carry such an enormous task to completion. Similarly he seems to be speaking to the apostles very personally when he says: "Behold I am with you even to the end of the world," yet who does not know that he made this promise to the universal church which will last from now even to the consummation of the world by successive births and deaths?" (excerpt from Letter 199, To Hesychius 49)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:13-21 comments that Peter and John were at a point—as they told the religious leaders—where it was “impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Where did this fearless confidence come from?
You have received the Holy Spirit too. If you want some of the boldness you see in Peter and John, try looking back on the lives of the saints throughout history to see how the Spirit was moving even before you were born. But make sure to look back on your own life too. Look for those times when the Spirit led you or answered your prayers. Then take advantage of the opportunities you have today to step out in faith and see the Spirit at work in and through you.6
Friar Jude Winkler shares the challenge of Peter and John as they are interrogated by the Sanhedrin. The longer ending to Mark’s Gospel was added by a scribe based on the Gospel of Luke and John. Friar Jude suggests the Mark was writing to Christians dying as martyrs in Rome as the reason for the abruptness of the short ending.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares a Buddhist loving-kindness (or metta) practice that counteracts the sense of powerlessness that contributes to the anxiety of not experiencing that “all will be well.” This version of loving-kindness practice is adapted from meditation teacher Steven Smith, who notes that we begin with loving ourselves, for unless we have a measure of this unconditional love and acceptance for ourselves, it is difficult to extend it to others. Then we include others who are special to us, and ultimately, all living things.
Finally, extend loving kindness out to all beings, using phrases such as these:
May all beings be safe, happy, healthy, live joyously.
May all living beings be healed and whole, content and fulfilled.
May all individuals have whatever they need.
May all beings in existence have safety, happiness, health, joy, and peace.Abide in silence for a few more breaths, then journal about your experience, if you like.7
Our commission to bring the Good News to all people is lived out in our sharing of love and experiences with those we encounter on our journey.
References
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