The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the events on our journey that seemingly by chance brought us to a change in the nature of our life that deepened our love.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Eleven choose Judas’s successor.
* [1:26] The need to replace Judas was probably dictated by the symbolism of the number twelve, recalling the twelve tribes of Israel. This symbolism also indicates that for Luke (see Lk 22:30) the Christian church is a reconstituted Israel. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 113 praises God as the Helper of the Needy.
* [Psalm 113] A hymn exhorting the congregation to praise God’s name, i.e., the way in which God is present in the world; the name is mentioned three times in Ps 113:1–3. The divine name is especially honored in the Temple (Ps 113:1) but its recognition is not limited by time (Ps 113:2) and space (Ps 113:3), for God is everywhere active (Ps 113:4–5) especially in rescuing the lowly faithful (Ps 113:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 113 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus exhorts us to “Abide in My love”.
* [15:1–17] Like Jn 10:1–5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Is 5:1–7; Mt 21:33–46 and as a vine at Ps 80:9–17; Jer 2:21; Ez 15:2; 17:5–10; 19:10; Hos 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Ps 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sir 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf. Mk 14:25, “the fruit of the vine.”
* [15:2] Takes away,prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs.
* [15:6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel.
* [15:13] For one’s friends: or: “those whom one loves.” In Jn 15:9–13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapaō. In Jn 15:13b–15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileō. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean “to love”; cf. also Jn 21:15–17. The word philos is used here.
* [15:15] Slaves,friends: in the Old Testament, Moses (Dt 34:5), Joshua (Jos 24:29), and David (Ps 89:21) were called “servants” or “slaves of Yahweh”; only Abraham (Is 41:8; 2 Chr 20:7; cf. Jas 2:23) was called a “friend of God.” (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)
Scott McClure asks how do we gain our traction when it comes to loving?
Today’s Gospel from John is set against the backdrop of Judas’ betrayal and the apostles’ choosing of Matthias to take his place. It is set against the tendency (or attachment) that kept Judas from reciprocating Jesus’ love for him with his own love for Jesus.
What are the tendencies in your life that keep you from loving. From what attachments do you need to tear yourself to be truly free to love? It is through ridding ourselves of such attachments that we can gain our traction when it comes to loving. Let us rejoice this Easter season in Jesus’ example of perfect love and endeavor to imitate him and love better. (McClure, 2024)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 comments that we may have been called on to work behind the scenes in ways that could easily go unnoticed or even be taken for granted? When that happens, we could be tempted to think that we aren’t gifted or worthy enough to do anything else. But every work God calls us to do is important. Whether it’s keeping track of paperwork or offering refreshments, our presence is necessary in building God’s kingdom. Furthermore, the Lord sees us and appreciates our labor.
According to tradition, Matthias went on to preach the gospel in modern-day Turkey and was eventually crucified for his faith. All the work he did before being named an apostle was preparation for this greater, more visible role. Yet it was an honor for him to serve the Lord all his life, no matter what part he played. May we also recognize what an honor it is to build God’s kingdom in whatever way he is calling us!
“St. Matthias, pray that I may say yes to all the ways I am being asked to serve.” (Meditation on Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the leadership of Peter in choosing a replacement for Judas. The casting of lots resonates with the role of the Jewish High Priest in making decisions in accord with the Will of God and it underlines the message of Luke that the growth of the Church is the work of the Holy Spirit. Friar Jude reminds us of the vertical and horizontal aspects of our faith that are materialized as we Love One Another.
Brian McLaren suggests a continuing source of hope that is not dependent on the outcome. When our prime motive is love, a different logic comes into play. We find courage and confidence, not in the likelihood of a good outcome, but in our commitment to love. Love may or may not provide a way through to a solution to our predicament, but it will provide a way forward in our predicament, one step into the unknown at a time. Sustained by this fierce love (as my friend Jacqui Lewis calls it), we may persevere long enough that, to our surprise, a new way may appear where there had been no way. At that point, we will have reasons for hope again. But even if hope never returns, we will live by love through our final breath.
To put it differently, even if we lose hope for a good outcome, we need not lose hope of being good people, as we are able: courageous, wise, kind, loving, “in defiance of all that is bad around us.” [1] …
We feel arising within us this sustained declaration: We will live as beautifully, bravely, and kindly as we can as long as we can, no matter how ugly, scary, and mean the world becomes, even if failure and death seem inevitable. In fact, it is only in the context of failure and death that this virtue develops. That’s why Richard Rohr describes this kind of hope as “the fruit of a learned capacity to suffer wisely and generously. You come out much larger and that largeness becomes your hope.” [2] …
Hope is complicated. But … even if hope fails, something bigger can replace it, and that is love. [3] (McLaren, n.d.)
We contemplate the role of mission, hope, and love in the Way we live out our communion with others as workers in the Vineyard of the Lord.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/1?15
John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?9
McClure, S. (2024, May 14). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051424.html
McLaren, B. (n.d.). Love Is Stronger than Hope. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-is-stronger-than-hope/
Meditation on Acts 1:15-17, 20-26. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/14/965637/
Psalms, PSALM 113 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/113?1
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