The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the reality that our mission as disciples of Christ is lived out in all the experiences of our journey.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the relationship between Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome.
* [28:17–22] Paul’s first act in Rome is to learn from the leaders of the Jewish community whether the Jews of Jerusalem plan to pursue their case against him before the Roman jurisdiction. He is informed that no such plan is afoot, but that the Jews of Rome have heard the Christian teaching denounced. Paul’s offer to explain it to them is readily accepted.
* [28:20] The hope of Israel: in the words of Paul (Acts 23:6), Luke has identified this hope as hope in the resurrection of the dead.
* [28:25–28] Paul’s final words in Acts reflect a major concern of Luke’s writings: how the salvation promised in the Old Testament, accomplished by Jesus, and offered first to Israel (Acts 13:26), has now been offered to and accepted by the Gentiles. Quoting Is 6:9–10, Paul presents the scriptural support for his indictment of his fellow Jews who refuse to accept the message he proclaims. Their rejection leads to its proclamation among the Gentiles.
* [28:29] The Western text has added here a verse that is not found in the best Greek manuscripts: “And when he had said this, the Jews left, seriously arguing among themselves.”
* [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.)
The Gospel of John concludes describing Jesus and the Beloved Disciple.
* [21:1–23] There are many non-Johannine peculiarities in this chapter, some suggesting Lucan Greek style; yet this passage is closer to John than Jn 7:53–8:11. There are many Johannine features as well. Its closest parallels in the synoptic gospels are found in Lk 5:1–11 and Mt 14:28–31. Perhaps the tradition was ultimately derived from John but preserved by some disciple other than the writer of the rest of the gospel. The appearances narrated seem to be independent of those in Jn 20. Even if a later addition, the chapter was added before publication of the gospel, for it appears in all manuscripts.
* [21:22] Until I come: a reference to the parousia.
* [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.)
Suzanne Braddock comments that Jesus wanted to emphasize the path he wanted Peter – and us - to take. Peter’s curiosity about John expressed earlier seemed, well, unseemly so Jesus’ gentle redirection of his attention to the one thing necessary – follow Jesus – “YOU follow me” – rings true for me as the one directive aimed at us all.
A few years ago I took a road trip with my dog to visit the Abbey of Gethsemani and the site of Fr. Louis’ (Thomas Merton) grave. It was Merton’s autobiography that led me and many others to follow Jesus . For me this meant becoming Catholic as did Merton. Chiseled into the stone arch leading into the Abbey were the words “God Alone”. Once again God conveys in brief, simple words the one thing necessary. Maybe it is not meant to be complicated. Maybe our chains – our distractions that take us away from God – are really not all that important if we just turn our attention to those simple guides: follow me. God alone. (Braddock, 2023)
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 Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 comments that we may face roadblocks when we try to follow God’s call for our life, whether as a parent, a witness to our neighbors, or a volunteer in our parish.
Remember Paul! He is proof that even detours are opportunities for God to work. They can help you to be flexible and to trust in God’s plan when it looks different than you expected. God is working in every place, in every season. Even in chains!
“Jesus, I will trust you, even when things don’t turn out the way I expected.” (Meditation on Acts 28:16-20, 30-31, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler describes the amount of liberty that Paul experienced under house arrest in Rome. The two year wait for trial was an indication of the lack of emphasis of Nero on the duties of the Emperor. Friar Jude notes that the CH 20 and CH 21 endings of the Gospel of John were likely written by the same author as he cautions us about our tendency to hear what we want to hear.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that for that for author and Episcopal priest Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, it’s during times when words fail us that turning to wordless prayer can help sustain our faith.
Never is this permission to be wordless more important than when depression strangles even the everyday words of human interaction. At such a time, a spiritual practice may be needed that will allow your emptiness, rather than fight to fill it. The ancient practice of centering prayer is one, like other meditative techniques from other religions and cultures: the quiet, gentle abdication of all one’s illusions of personal power and control. It is not measured by the quality or quantity of emotion it produces. Prayer doesn’t have to be measured by anything. (Rohr, 2023)
Our path that brings us to people and places is the journey we are called to make and share the love and life of the Body of Christ.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/28?16
Braddock, S. (2023, May 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052723.html
John, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?20
Meditation on Acts 28:16-20, 30-31. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/27/690726/
Psalms, PSALM 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11?4
Rohr, R. (2023, May 27). Depression and Spiritual Healing: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/depression-and-spiritual-healing-weekly-summary-2023-05-27/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved May 27, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may27
No comments:
Post a Comment