The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the messages that have drawn us closer to love for others on our journey.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells of the growth of the Church in Antioch.
* [11:19–26] The Jewish Christian antipathy to the mixed community was reflected by the early missionaries generally. The few among them who entertained a different view succeeded in introducing Gentiles into the community at Antioch (in Syria). When the disconcerted Jerusalem community sent Barnabas to investigate, he was so favorably impressed by what he observed that he persuaded his friend Saul to participate in the Antioch mission. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Psalm 87 praises the joy of living in Zion.
* [Psalm 87] A song of Zion, like Ps 46; 48; 76; 132. * [87:2] The gates: the city itself, a common Hebrew idiom. * [87:5–6] The bond between the exile and the holy city was so strong as to override the exile’s citizenship of lesser cities. (Psalms, PSALM 87, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is rejected by the Jews.
* [10:29] The textual evidence for the first clause is very divided; it may also be translated: “As for the Father, what he has given me is greater than all,” or “My Father is greater than all, in what he has given me.” * [10:30] This is justification for Jn 10:29; it asserts unity of power and reveals that the words and deeds of Jesus are the words and deeds of God. (John, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
Mirielle Mason comments that we are sheep following God, our shepherd. However, there is one major difference that stands out to her: we are not always so trusting of God’s voice.
The relationship between a shepherd and their flock is one that fascinates me. A good shepherd has the best interests of the flock in mind, and the flock trusts in the care of the shepherd. This relationship is built on familiarity and consistency. The animals learn how to identify the shepherd and find solace in the care provided. The gospel reading today gives some insight as to how this dynamic can be enriching to us as followers of Christ. Throughout our lives, we learn to hear God’s call and trust in the love He has for us. Leaning into this relationship can give us opportunities to flourish. What things may we be able to accomplish if we fully accepted all the gifts that come with being a part of the Lord’s flock? Dear God our Shepherd, give me the strength to hear and to heed your call. Help me to be a sheep that brings others to your flock, and to trust in the relationship with you, our shepherd, rather than ask for proof of who you are. (Mason, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Great might of Christ's hand,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.
"The faithful also have the help of Christ, and the devil is not able to snatch them. Those who have an endless enjoyment of good things remain in Christ's hand, no one thereafter snatching them away from the bliss that is given to them. [No one can throw them] into punishment or torments. For it is not possible that those who are in Christ's hand should be snatched away to be punished because of the great might Christ has. For 'the hand' in the divine Scripture signifies 'the power'" It cannot be doubted therefore that the hand of Christ is unconquerable and mighty to all things." (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 10:22-30 comments that somehow, Jesus’ voice can open a person’s eyes to see the works that reveal who Jesus is. Then everything begins to change. This was true for the disciples as they heard his call and left everything to follow him. It was true of the first Christians as they listened to the Spirit and brought the light of Christ to distant nations. And it’s true for us today as we learn to hear and respond to Jesus’ still, small voice.
Everyone can hear the voice of the Lord, but it takes practice to learn to recognize it. It helps to quiet your mind and ask Jesus to speak during prayer. He might speak through today’s Scriptures. Try reading them slowly; see if anything stands out. He may speak through a trusted friend or a spiritual song. How can you know if it’s his voice? His words always bring light. They help you to see him more clearly, to be more aware of his love, and to be more loving toward the people around you. They often bring a sense of peace. Let’s listen for the Lord’s voice so that we can follow him from darkness to light. “Lord, help me to hear your voice today.” (Meditation on John 10:22-30, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that we hear in the Acts of the Apostles about the mission of Hellenistic Jews, Barnabas and Saul to the “Christians” of Antioch. The setting of the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah is in December when the day is shortest and night is longer. The dualism of the Gospel of John is reflected in the division of those who hear the Shepherd from those who do not. Friar Jude reminds us that things are often more grey than portrayed by John.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that John of the Cross describes the doubt that disrupts a soul in the dark night, when all sense of knowing God is absent. Mirabai Starr translates from John’s classic work Dark Night of the Soul. John of the Cross encourages those experiencing this dark night to trust the silence that comes when we surrender our need to speak to God using our own words.
All that is required here is to set her soul free, unencumbered, to let her take a break from ideas and knowledge, to quit troubling herself about thinking and meditating. The soul must content herself with a loving attentiveness toward God, without agitation, without effort, without the desire to taste or feel him. These urges only disquiet and distract the soul from the peaceful quietude and sweet ease inherent in the gift of contemplation being offered. The soul might continue to have qualms about wasting time. She may wonder if it would not be better to be doing something else, since she cannot think or activate anything in prayer. Let her bear these doubts calmly. There is no other way to go to prayer now than to surrender to this sweet ease and breadth of spirit. If the soul tries to engage her interior faculties to accomplish something, she will squander the goodness God is instilling in her through the peace in which she is simply resting. . . . (Silence, n.d.)
The Holy Spirit alerts us to the voice of the Shepherd and directs the growth of the Church among the people in our lives.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11?1
John, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/10?22
Mason, M. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051022.html
Meditation on John 10:22-30. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/10/378866/
Psalms, PSALM 87. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/87?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Sheep Hear My Voice. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may10
Silence. (n.d.). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://cac.org/silence-2022-05-10/
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