The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our response to the wrap up or conclusion of events in our lives.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the encounter of Paul, imprisoned, and the Jewish Leaders in Rome.
* [28:30–31] Although the ending of Acts may seem to be abrupt, Luke has now completed his story with the establishment of Paul and the proclamation of Christianity in Rome. Paul’s confident and unhindered proclamation of the gospel in Rome forms the climax to the story whose outline was provided in Acts 1:8—“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28, n.d.)
Psalm 11 is a song of trust in God.
* [Psalm 11] A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7). (Psalms, PSALM 11, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus and Peter discuss the Beloved Disciple.
Porta Asinaria* [21:23] This whole scene takes on more significance if the disciple is already dead. The death of the apostolic generation caused problems in the church because of a belief that Jesus was to have returned first. Loss of faith sometimes resulted; cf. 2 Pt 3:4. * [21:24] Who…has written them: this does not necessarily mean he wrote them with his own hand. The same expression is used in Jn 19:22 of Pilate, who certainly would not have written the inscription himself. We know: i.e., the Christian community; cf. Jn 1:14, 16. (John, CHAPTER 21, n.d.)
Edward Morse (2018) comments that today’s gospel suggests a different standard, that seeks to shift our focus away from looking at the benefits that others have or enjoy, but to look instead with expectation to our own relationship with God. Can we trust God’s provision for us rather than clamoring for the same provision he makes for another? Can we accept perceived inequality, recognizing that we don’t have all the facts and the future is yet to fully unfold?
I am challenged by these readings. I know that I need to find a path toward more gratitude, and less grumbling; toward more trust in God’s provision, and less doubt and worry; toward persisting in doing just deeds, even when injustice surrounds us. This path is not easy, but it is the path we are called to follow.
Lord, help us in our weakness and rescue us from our doubt. We need your love and grace. Send us encouragement when we need it, and let us open our eyes and ears and hearts to receive these gifts we need to follow you on this path. Thanks be to God. (Morse, 2022)
Don Schwager quotes “Peter follows, John remains,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The Lord either said what he said to Peter about his martyrdom, or he said it about the gospel of John. As regards the martyrdom and this 'Follow me,' [he means] suffer for me, suffer what I did. Because Christ was crucified, Peter too was crucified... while John experienced none of this. That is what is meant by, 'It is thus that I wish him to remain.' Let him fall asleep without wounds, without torment, and wait for me. You, Peter, 'Follow me,' suffer what I did. That's one way these words can be explained...
"As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord's humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:20-25 comments that worrying about someone else’s calling is a waste of time. At best, it can distract us from what God is asking us to do. But that kind of comparison can also make us ungrateful for God’s work in our own lives. It can drive a wedge between us and other people. It can even lead to gossip, envy, or bitterness (John 21:23).
So what should we do? Listen to Jesus when he says, “You follow me” (John 21:22, emphasis added). When you see that parishioner who always seems to have the pastor’s ear, or that family member who seems to have a more peaceful life than you, or your coworker who always seems to know the right thing to say, don’t let comparison steal your joy. Instead, consider: Are you following Jesus? Are you doing what he is asking you to do? Because the truth is, Jesus has a specific, essential calling for you. So when he says, “You follow me,” try your best to do what he’s asking of you. You can trust that the part you play, the job he gives you to do, will be critical in building his kingdom. “Lord, I love you and want to follow you. Help me keep my eyes on you.” (Meditation on John 21:20-25, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explains that Paul had appealed to Caesar and is being kept until trial in his own house in Rome. Perhaps the Beloved Disciple had died causing some scandal. Our misunderstandings may be like that of “blessed are the cheesemakers” in the Life of Brian. Often people misunderstand what is said Check it out carefully Life of Brian. Friar Jude notes the same author of the Chapter 20 ending of the Gospel has added Chapter 21 to deal with authority and the legend of the Beloved Disciple.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how a simple experience such as viewing a sunset can be an opportunity for contemplative “third-eye” seeing. Three people stood by the ocean, looking at the same sunset.
One saw the immense physical beauty and enjoyed the event in itself. This one was the “sensing” type who, like most people in the world, deals with what can be seen, touched, moved, and fixed. This was enough reality to consider, without much interest in larger ideas, intuitions, or the grand scheme of things. This is first eye seeing, which is good. The second person saw the sunset, and enjoyed all the beauty that the first person did. Additionally, like all lovers of coherent thought, technology, and science, this person also enjoyed comprehension of the cyclical rotation of planets and stars. Using imagination, intuition, and reason to see with a second eye was even better. The third one saw the sunset, knowing and enjoying all that the first and second people did. With the facility to progress from seeing to explaining to “tasting,” this person also stood in awe before an underlying mystery, coherence, and spaciousness that created a connection with everything else. Engaging this third eye is the best, for it is the full goal of all seeing and all knowing. (Rohr, 2022)
We seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enlighten our recall of the significant conclusions in our lives.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/28?16
John, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?20
Meditation on John 21:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/06/04/400441/
Morse, E. (2022, June 4). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060422.html
Psalms, PSALM 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11?4
Rohr, R. (2022, June 4). Expanding Our Vision: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/expanding-our-vision-weekly-summary-2022-06-04/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jun4
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