The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to contemplate the Presence of God in Love.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describe accusations before Gallio that precede Paul’s return to Antioch.
* [18:12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia: Gallio’s proconsulship in Achaia is dated to A.D. 51–52 from an inscription discovered at Delphi. This has become an important date in establishing a chronology of the life and missionary work of Paul.
* [18:13] Contrary to the law: Gallio (Acts 18:15) understands this to be a problem of Jewish, not Roman, law.
* [18:18] He had his hair cut because he had taken a vow: a reference to a Nazirite vow (see Nm 6:1–21, especially, 6:18) taken by Paul (see also Acts 21:23–27). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 47 praises God’s Rule over the Nations.
* [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel’s God (Ps 47:2–5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Ps 47:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus invites us to ask the Father in His Name.
Edward Morse comments that today’s gospel provides a comforting message from our Lord that resembles God’s message to Paul.
He reminds us to persevere, promising us that grief and anguish from current trials will surely become joy. He does not deny that grief and anguish are part of life. We must endure hardships, some of which emanate from the threats, intimidation, and violence in a world that is often dominated by those seeking to wield coercive power. But our Lord will be with us, and he will not abandon us. “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” (Morse, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “ Alleluia will be our whole joy,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"I trust I will not weary you if I mention what you know already: that we say ALLELUIA daily and that we take delight in it daily. For you know that ALLELUIA means "Praise God" and by this expression we, agreeing in speech and thought, exhort one another to praise God. Only the one who displeases God in no respect praises God in security. Furthermore, in this time of journeying we say ALLELUIA for solace on our way. ALLELUIA is the song of the traveler for us; but we are advancing through a laborious path to a peaceful country where all our activities will be laid aside and nothing will remain for us except the ALLELUIA. Let us sing now, not for the delights of peace, but for comfort in our labor. Sing as travelers are accustomed to sing; comfort your labor by singing; do not love inactivity; keep singing and keep progressing. ...If you are advancing; progress in well-doing, progress in good faith, progress in good deeds. Keep singing and keep advancing. While we are here let us sing ALLELUIA though we are still beset with cares, so that in the future we may sing it there (in heaven) in tranquility. After the labors of this world there will be unceasing repetition of ALLELUIA. ..There ALLELUIA will be our food; ALLELUIA will be our drink; ALLELUIA will be our peaceful action; ALLELUIA will be our whole joy." [excerpts from Sermon 255 (1); Sermon 256 (1 and 3); Sermon 252 (9)] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:20-23 comments that for now, we see Jesus by faith. We trust that he sees us in our joys and sorrows, and we believe that he walks beside us through them all. But one day, Jesus will return. On that day, he will see us, and we will behold our Lord, face-to-face, in all his glory.
Today, let Jesus’ promise encourage you: he will see you again—and not just in heaven! Whether your life is currently filled with peace or with grief and trials, Jesus sees you. He knows everything about you. If you are struggling, you may feel alone or wonder if God really cares about what happens to you. But that feeling can fade as you pray and imagine yourself standing face-to-face with Jesus. You can let his loving gaze cut through your shadowy doubts. You can let him speak these words to you: I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are intimately aware of you. They are thinking of you always, with love. Rest in Jesus’ words and let them fill your heart with joy.
“Jesus, I trust in your promise.” (Meditation on John 16:20-23, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul usually stayed in one place for a short period of time. Two exceptions are Corinth and Ephesus. Time in Corinth is well dated by Gallio to the early 50’s. The Nazarite vow of Paul indicates his continued observance of Jewish traditions. Friar Jude reminds us of the theme in Luke that the Christians are observant of Roman Law.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Felicia Murrell who acknowledges that our first homes are not always safe. For Murrell, home offers unconditional love.
Love is home.
Home is both an external dwelling and an internal abode. Home is the place where we belong, our place of acceptance and welcome. There, in this shame and judgment-free embryonic cocoon of love, we practice unconditional acceptance; we learn to relate to ourselves and the world around us.
And home is a soft place for the body to land, a safe place for the soul to fully disrobe. Home is the place where our failures don’t kill, our sins can’t crush, and even when we are at our worst, we’re safe. Home is a place where we are free to take our deepest, fullest, least encumbered breath.
At home, there’s no need to guess whether we’re in or out, welcomed or not. Home always prepares a place with us in mind. (Rohr, n.d.)
The consolation of the Holy Spirit is our companion as Love that overcomes fear.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?9
Meditation on John 16:20-23. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/10/960490/
Morse, E. (2024, May 10). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051024.html
Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love is home. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-is-home/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy. Daily Scripture Readings. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may10
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