The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that Jesus points to the Holy Spirit wherein we can receive peace and courage as we journey.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Paul in Ephesus.
* [19:1–6] Upon his arrival in Ephesus, Paul discovers other people at the same religious stage as Apollos, though they seem to have considered themselves followers of Christ, not of the Baptist. On the relation between baptism and the reception of the Spirit, see note on Acts 8:16. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)
Psalm 68 offers Praise and Thanksgiving.
* [68:2] The opening line alluding to Nm 10:35 makes clear that God’s assistance in the period of the exodus and conquest is the model and assurance of all future divine help.
* [68:5] Exalt the rider of the clouds: God’s intervention is in the imagery of Canaanite myth in which the storm-god mounted the storm clouds to ride to battle. Such theophanies occur throughout the Psalm: Ps 68:2–3, 8–10, 12–15, 18–19, 22–24, 29–32, 34–35. See Dt 33:26; Ps 18:8–16; Is 19:1.
* [68:7] While rebels live in the desert: rebels must live in the arid desert, whereas God’s people will live in the well-watered land (Ps 68:8–11). (Psalms, PSALM 68, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells of Departure and Coming of the Advocate “But take courage; I have conquered the world!’”
* [16:30] The reference is seemingly to the fact that Jesus could anticipate their question in Jn 16:19. The disciples naively think they have the full understanding that is the climax of “the hour” of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension (Jn 16:25), but the only part of the hour that is at hand for them is their share in the passion (Jn 16:32).
* [16:32] You will be scattered: cf. Mk 14:27 and Mt 26:31, where both cite Zec 13:7 about the sheep being dispersed. (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)
Eileen Burke-Sullivan (2013) comments that what must have made Paul convincing was his compassionate concern for these followers of John the Baptist. We get so little “back story,” to this event, so we wonder: what made them listen to him? What made them TRUST them? It was the Spirit of God in him of course – but how did they recognize it? The same way that the Spirit operated in Jesus – it comes forth as loving care that is irresistible, in authentic practice of whatever we preach. If we want people to hear our new evangelization message, we have to be renewed in the Spirit.
Come, O Spirit of Love – you who are speaker of truth, who comforts the afflicted, brings light to blindness, courage in our fear, and liberation from our various imprisonments COME to US. Fill our lives with the wisdom, with faith in God’s plan for our world, with hope in the face of despair, with love when we are confronted with violence and apathy, Come, O Spirit of Love, come to me that I might witness to the Truth of You. Amen. (Burke, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “In Christ we have peace,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When [Jesus] says, 'These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace,' he refers not only to what he has just said but also to what he had said all along, either from the time that he first had disciples, or since the supper, when he began this long and wonderful discourse... He declares this to be the object of his whole discourse, that is, that in him they might have peace. And this peace will have no end but is itself the end of every godly action and intention." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 104.1.15) (Schwager, 2019)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:29-33 comments that Jesus tells his disciples that he is “leaving the world and going back to the Father” (John 16:28). Jesus didn’t say this to incite fear in them but to give them courage. All the events that threatened to steal their peace were, in the end, enfolded into God’s plan. Jesus would soon be with his Father, and they would soon see him risen in glory. This promise is true for us as well. We may face troubles in this world, but Jesus is still with us; he is still looking out for us. He has “conquered the world” (16:33)!
Peace. It comes from knowing that we can trust in Jesus, the One who has conquered the world. He will always be with us and will always take care of us. In him, we can find the peace that cannot be shaken!
“Jesus, help me have peace in you, no matter what happens today.” (Meditation on John 16:29-33, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler contrasts the baptism of John the Baptism with the Baptism with the Holy Spirit as Paul expressed to the Ephesians. The glossolalia or unintelligible utterance from people filled with the Spirit is not the speaking of the Apostles at Pentecost. Friar Jude notes that Jesus is preparing the disciples for the Hour of Glory that John shares as Jesus' love is proclaimed on the Cross.
James Finley, CAC teacher and psychotherapist, describes basic signs of one widespread form of depression. Author Diana Gruver describes her felt experience of depression and return to well-being.
Diagnostic guidelines cannot describe the sensation that your heart has stopped beating, has been torn from your chest, while your body continues to move mechanically, numb, without its lifeblood. I am a puppet. I am a ghost. I float invisible, unfeeling, watching the alive ones laugh and love. No mere definition can explain that feeling of emptiness, of isolation, of vacant pain….
I survived. With the help of therapy, medication, a good support system, and God’s grace, the light slowly dawned. Life gradually became easier, the days less daunting. My mind could focus and process once again. I could turn loving attention on other people. Sleep was no longer elusive. The sensation of joy once again took up residence in my heart.
I felt like one of the lucky ones—like I had barely survived my brush with depression’s darkness. I was thankful to be alive, returned once again to the sun. [3] (Finley, 2023)
We are encouraged by the Spirit to use our gifts as we are transformed with the love and courage to live as disciples of Christ.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/19?1
Burke, E. (2023, May 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052223.html
Finley, J. (2023, May 22). Recognizing the Signs — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/recognizing-the-signs-2023-05-22/
John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?
Meditation on John 16:29-33. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/22/687249/
Psalms, PSALM 68. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/68?2
Schwager, D. (2019, May 7). Peace in Overcoming the World. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 22, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may22
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