The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the paradox of following Christ on a journey that is demanding and full and yet offers a peace that the world cannot give.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the end of the First Mission and the return to Antioch in Syria.
* [14:23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus' Final Discourse proclaims “Peace I leave You.”
* [14:27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation šālôm; but Jesus’ “Shalom” is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing.
* [14:28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is “a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God” (Jn 8:40).
* [14:30] The ruler of the world: Satan; cf. Jn 12:31; 16:11. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Tom Lenz comments that the so-called conflict between science and religion never really made much sense to him.
This part of the gospel held my attention because it reminded me of the scientific Law of Conservation of Mass. This principle states that our world (and the entire cosmos – including us) is made up of matter. Further, it explains that matter is constantly changing into new forms. But with each change, nothing is ever lost – it just transforms into something new as it retains its core essence. A common example used to explain this principle is water, where it can exist as a liquid, gas, or solid. But no matter which state it exists in, the essence is always the same, and nothing is lost in the transformation.
I think this is what Jesus was saying to his disciples (and to us). Nothing was lost when he died on the cross – rather, he was transformed. And, nothing will be lost when his physical presence leaves from earth…”I am going away and I will come back to you.” There is a “conservation” of sorts. The essence of Jesus is still present – just transformed. Therefore, there is no need to worry or be anxious. (Lenz, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Following of Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Come, follow Me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, He has flown on ahead. Look and see where. O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow Him there? Through trials, insults, the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you." (excerpt from Sermon 345,6) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 14:19-28 comments that we can’t go it alone. We need brothers and sisters in Christ who can cheer us on, pray for us, and care for us in difficult times. And they need us to do the same for them.
If you have brothers or sisters who help you live your faith, stay close to them. Make time to meet together, pray together, and help one another in practical ways. If you don’t, reach out by joining a Bible study or some other small group where you can get to know other Christians. Someone needs you, and you need that person. Trust the Lord to help you find them!
“Lord, thank you for the brothers and sisters you have put in my life.” (Meditation on Acts 14:19-28, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on both the acceptance and rejection that Paul experienced on his missionary journey and his willingness to carry his cross. Jesus' gift of “shalom” is a transforming peace that is more than an absence of war. Friar Jude reminds us of Jesus' commitment to the will of the Father that we live in a manner that destroys the concupiscence of the world with love.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan sister José Hobday who encourages us to live simply, instead of simply thinking about it.
We can’t do it in our heads. Simplicity is not just an idea.
That means it walks around our home with us. It gets in our car and goes to work with us. It shops with us. Our body is in on the act. Our body wears the clothes. Our body eats. Our body fasts. Our body is a sacramental presentation to all who accept that this is real, healthy, and whole. The visibility of simplicity makes it a witness and accounts for some of its influence on others. Simplicity is an inner harmony others can see….
Thinking about simplicity can occupy us for centuries. Head trips never end. People can speculate forever about what can be done or what is possible and helpful. Jesus didn’t speculate. He walked the streets. He got dusty, dirty, and probably smelly. He was out in the sun. He appreciated a footwash so much that John records it. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the influences that disturb our peace and we accept the nudge of the Spirit to stop and take a breath and reestablish our connection with “Shalom” as Jesus offers.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14?19
John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?27
Lenz, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/043024.html
Meditation on Acts 14:19-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/30/945594/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?10
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Simple but Not Easy Task. Wikipedia. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-simple-but-not-easy-task/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Peace I Give to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr30
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