The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the prompting of the Spirit to return to peaceful relationships with others and humility before God.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes accusations against Paul before Gallio and Paul’s return to Antioch.
* [18:12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia: Gallio’s proconsulship in Achaia is dated to A.D. 51–52 from an inscription discovered at Delphi. This has become an important date in establishing a chronology of the life and missionary work of Paul. * [18:13] Contrary to the law: Gallio (Acts 18:15) understands this to be a problem of Jewish, not Roman, law. * [18:18] He had his hair cut because he had taken a vow: a reference to a Nazirite vow (see Nm 6:1–21, especially, 6:18) taken by Paul (see also Acts 21:23–27). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)
Psalm 47 praises God’s Rule over the Nations.
* [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel’s God (Ps 47:2–5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Ps 47:6–9). * [47:5] Our heritage…the glory: the land of Israel (cf. Is 58:14), which God has given Israel in an act of sovereignty. * [47:6] God has gone up: Christian liturgical tradition has applied the verse to the Ascension of Christ. (Psalms, PSALM 47, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes His Departure and the coming of the Advocate.
“whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)
Mary Lee Brock comments that dialogue is a mode of communication in which we seek to learn and understand rather than persuade. Today, as we see conflicts similar to what Paul experienced, it is easy to believe that we have recently lost the art of dialogue. But today’s reading reminds us that we have long been challenged to try to understand another’s point of view. Pope Francis encourages us to deepen our commitment to dialogue with these words: …So, the true Christian is like this: not complaining or angry, but convinced, by the strength of the resurrection, that no evil is infinite, no night is endless, no man is definitively wrong, no hatred is invincible to love. (General Audience, October 4, 2017)
Today I pray to trust God’s encouragement to not be afraid. I ask for the grace of careful listening. I pray for the courage to explore how my values can be lived to serve others. I ask God to help me see the humanity of another person with whom I disagree. I pray to take the time needed for deeper understanding. (Brock, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Alleluia will be our whole joy,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"I trust I will not weary you if I mention what you know already: that we say ALLELUIA daily and that we take delight in it daily. For you know that ALLELUIA means "Praise God" and by this expression we, agreeing in speech and thought, exhort one another to praise God. Only the one who displeases God in no respect praises God in security. Furthermore, in this time of journeying we say ALLELUIA for solace on our way. ALLELUIA is the song of the traveler for us; but we are advancing through a laborious path to a peaceful country where all our activities will be laid aside and nothing will remain for us except the ALLELUIA. Let us sing now, not for the delights of peace, but for comfort in our labor. Sing as travelers are accustomed to sing; comfort your labor by singing; do not love inactivity; keep singing and keep progressing. ...If you are advancing; progress in well-doing, progress in good faith, progress in good deeds. Keep singing and keep advancing. While we are here let us sing ALLELUIA though we are still beset with cares, so that in the future we may sing it there (in heaven) in tranquility. After the labors of this world there will be unceasing repetition of ALLELUIA. ..There ALLELUIA will be our food; ALLELUIA will be our drink; ALLELUIA will be our peaceful action; ALLELUIA will be our whole joy." [excerpts from Sermon 255 (1); Sermon 256 (1 and 3); Sermon 252 (9)] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 18:9-18 comments that we might feel afraid when we focus on unfamiliar circumstances or looming challenges. But that fear subsides as we remember the goodness and power of God. Yes, Jesus promises that one day we will see him again (John 16:22). But even now, he is with us. He has promised to remain with us, and he is able to handle anything that we face.
We can find joy and encouragement in Jesus’ presence with us through the Scriptures, through the Eucharist, and in one another. Like Paul, we can recall what Jesus has done in our lives and all the ways he has reassured us. We can fix our eyes on him and know that he is with us. And that can dispel our fear. “Jesus, help me to know you are with me.” (Meditation on Acts 18:9-18, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the unusual length of stay of Paul in Corinth given his sense of the imminent end of the world. The “Baptism of Desire” was not appreciated in the early days of the Church. Friar Jude reminds us of the connections to Genesis in Jesus' Passion and the desire of the Father to give us what we need.
Brian McLaren invites us to return to the instructions given by the Hebrew prophet Micah: “O human being, this is what God desires for you. That you do justice. That you love kindness. That you walk humbly in the presence of your God” (Micah 6:8).
And in addition to being a humble and kind human being, I hope you will aspire to being a just human being. Don’t seek power over others to control or exploit them or harm them. Instead, use whatever power that comes your way for the common good, so that all people everywhere can share equal justice and equal dignity. Seek justice. Love justice. Do justice. Be a just human being . . . religiously. When I say religiously, I mean intentionally, seeking out practices that promote justice, kindness, and humility. And I mean collaboratively, joining or building communities or networks that promote those practices. And I mean reverently, knowing how precious this heartbeat and this breath really are, and feeling every moment how much danger and opportunity are held in these human hands. Religiously, as I’m using the term, means with a sense of the sacredness of everything and a commitment to re-consecrate everything. (McLaren, 2022)
Attention to the direction of the Holy Spirit may alter our plans and replace our anxiety and fears with peace.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?9
Brock, M. L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Daily Reflection Of Creighton University Online Ministries. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052722.html
John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?20
McLaren, B. D. (2022, May 27). Living Our Faith in All Circumstances. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/living-our-faith-in-all-circumstances-2022-05-27/
Meditation on Acts 18:9-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/27/394619/
Psalms, PSALM 47. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may27
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