Becoming One

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the prayer of Jesus that we become one in our journey in life.

Becoming One

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the events that follow from Paul’s appearance before the Council.

* [23:11] The occurrence of the vision of Christ consoling Paul and assuring him that he will be his witness in Rome prepares the reader for the final section of Acts: the journey of Paul and the word he preaches to Rome under the protection of the Romans. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 23, n.d.)

Psalm 16 is a song of Trust and Security in God.

* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 16, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, the final discourse prayer of Jesus focuses on becoming one with Jesus and the Father.

* [17:1–26] Climax of the last discourse(s). Since the sixteenth century, this chapter has been called the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. He speaks as intercessor, with words addressed directly to the Father and not to the disciples, who supposedly only overhear. Yet the prayer is one of petition, for immediate (Jn 17:6–19) and future (Jn 17:20–21) disciples. Many phrases reminiscent of the Lord’s Prayer occur. Although still in the world (Jn 17:13), Jesus looks on his earthly ministry as a thing of the past (Jn 17:4, 12). Whereas Jesus has up to this time stated that the disciples could follow him (Jn 13:33, 36), now he wishes them to be with him in union with the Father (Jn 17:12–14). (John, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)

Michael Cherney finds the high point of the year to be Pentecost. This is the day that faith is strengthened. The experience of a resurrected Jesus is Paul’s message.

My prayer today is an expression of desire for the Holy Spirit. I do not have the confidence of Jesus or Paul. I have doubts and worries. I do not pray for the ability to put aside these failings that hold me back. Instead I pray for the pending gift of the Spirit to confront and overcome my weaknesses.

Jesus and your Saint Paul, you provide the examples of lives of faith and commitment. I am weak and uncertain. I ask for your intercession that I may share your commitment to action and the internal joy that the Holy Spirit may bring. In the words that I remember from the Church of my childhood: Veni, Sancte Spiritus. (Creighton U. Daily Reflection, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Prayer of unity for all who believe,” by Cyprian of Carthage - first martyr bishop of Africa, 200-258 A.D.

"The Lord's loving-kindness, no less than his mercy, is great in respect of our salvation in that, not content to redeem us with his blood, he in addition prayed for us. See now what the desire of his petition was, that just as the Father and Son are one, so also we should abide in absolute unity. From this, it may be evident how greatly someone sins who divides unity and peace, since even the Lord himself petitioned for this same thing. He no doubt desired that his people should in this way be saved and live in peace since he knew that discord cannot come into the kingdom of God." (excerpt from THE LORD'S PRAYER 30.1) (Schwager, 2022)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 comments that In just a few words, Jesus made clear to Paul that God hadn’t abandoned him. Paul might not have known the future, but God knew where he was and where he would go—and why. God had a plan for Paul and promised to walk beside him every step of the way. This encounter must have been so reassuring. Paul likely held on to these words when he faced questioning, trial, imprisonment, and eventually martyrdom.

Jesus’ words may not diminish the gravity of your situation or change your circumstances, but they do carry grace. This grace gives you strength and the reassurance that God’s hand is on your life. It tells you that Someone who loves you with unfathomable love is walking with you through all the uncertainty. Today, let Jesus speak these words to you. Ask him to fill you with grace, to encourage you, and to strengthen and comfort you. Whatever you are facing, whatever uncertainties lie ahead, take courage. Jesus is your strength. He holds your future in his hands. “Jesus, help me to have courage to face the uncertainties ahead.” (Meditation on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11, 2022)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses Paul’s appearance before the Sanhedrin for bringing a Gentile into the synagogue. Paul, educated as a Pharisee, under Gamaliel  plays on theological differences between Pharisees and Sadducees on rising from the dead. Friar Jude notes the meaning of Christian Baptism is entry into the life of the Trinity portrayed in dance around each other in Eastern Christianity, intimate and filled with vitality.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares a poem by CAC board member Drew Jackson who is a pastor and poet. In this poem, published in the latest issue of Oneing, Jackson grapples with the paradox of what is seen and unseen, inviting us to stand patiently in the unknowing.

This Unveiling

This is

the pressing question

of every age:

         What is it that we cannot see?

For life is hiddenness,

as is God,

and we have been given

the gift of searching.

The unseen works on us, always.

         Waves pulsing through our flesh, unfelt.

Forces pulling at our bodies. Forces

putting black bodies in cells en masse.

Each one underneath a veil of opacity that we call law.

All that is hidden

is meant to be

revealed,

yet revelation cannot be achieved.

It comes when it comes,

when it wants to unearth itself—

fall from the heavens like light

to those who have insisted it lay itself bare.

This unveiling,

daring us

to live differently. (Rohr, 2022)

As we live the events of our life, we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us to those actions that resonate with Jesus' prayer that we become one.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 23. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/23 

Creighton U. Daily Reflection. (n.d.). Online Ministries. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060222.html 

John, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?21 

Meditation on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11. (2022, June 2). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/06/02/399187/ 

Psalms, PSALM 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?1 

Rohr, R. (2022, June 2). What Is It We Cannot See? Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/what-is-it-we-cannot-see-2022-06-02/ 

Schwager, D. (2022, June 2). May They Become Perfectly One. Daily Scripture Net. Retrieved June 2, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jun2