Witness to the Light

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to extend John 3:16 to verse 17 and implore the Spirit to guide our action in building up peace, love, compassion, and humility in the world He loves.

The Love Message

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles continues to present the Trial before the Sanhedrin.

* [5:17–42] A second action against the community is taken by the Sanhedrin in the arrest and trial of the Twelve; cf. Acts 4:1–3. The motive is the jealousy of the religious authorities over the popularity of the apostles (Acts 5:17) who are now charged with the defiance of the Sanhedrin’s previous order to them to abandon their prophetic role (Acts 5:28; cf. Acts 4:18). In this crisis the apostles are favored by a miraculous release from prison (Acts 5:18–24). (For similar incidents involving Peter and Paul, see Acts 12:6–11; 16:25–29.) The real significance of such an event, however, would be manifest only to people of faith, not to unbelievers; since the Sanhedrin already judged the Twelve to be inauthentic prophets, it could disregard reports of their miracles. When the Twelve immediately resumed public teaching, the Sanhedrin determined to invoke upon them the penalty of death (Acts 5:33) prescribed in Dt 13:6–10. Gamaliel’s advice against this course finally prevailed, but it did not save the Twelve from the punishment of scourging (Acts 5:40) in a last endeavor to shake their conviction of their prophetic mission. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 34 is a thanksgiving.

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John continues Jesus' interaction with Nicodemus.

* [3:16] Gave: as a gift in the incarnation, and also “over to death” in the crucifixion; cf. Rom 8:32.

* [3:17–19] Condemn: the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment; some condemn themselves by turning from the light.

* [3:19] Judgment is not only future but is partially realized here and now. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Sherri Brown is always careful to proclaim John 3:16–17 (the two verses together).

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16–17)

John teaches us not just what God did for us through the gift of his Son, but that God did this for us. God’s goal is not for judging and condemning, but for saving. This should, thereby, also be our goal in any concomitant mission we deem in our own lives. Such a focus for our vocations as Christians is so important in these scary, divisive times. Our guiding force must always be God’s guiding emotion: love. Love not condemnation. Cultivation, not denigration. Building up, not tearing down. This is how we will share in God’s love and thrive in this world. (Brown, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Intensity of God's Love and Our Response”, by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"The text, 'God so loved the world,' shows such an intensity of love. For great indeed and infinite is the distance between the two. The immortal, the infinite majesty without beginning or end loved those who were but dust and ashes, who were loaded with ten thousand sins but remained ungrateful even as they constantly offended him. This is who he 'loved.' For God did not give a servant, or an angel or even an archangel 'but his only begotten Son.' And yet no one would show such anxiety even for his own child as God did for his ungrateful servants..."

"He laid down his life for us and poured forth his precious blood for our sake - even though there is nothing good in us - while we do not even pour out our money for our own sake and neglect him who died for us when he is naked and a stranger... We put gold necklaces on ourselves and even on our pets but neglect our Lord who goes about naked and passes from door to door... He gladly goes hungry so that you may be fed; naked so that he may provide you with the materials for a garment of incorruption, yet we will not even give up any of our own food or clothing for him... These things I say continually, and I will not cease to say them, not so much because I care for the poor but because I care for your souls." (HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 27.2-3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 5:17-26 comments on the good news that motivated the apostles and filled them with the courage to continue preaching. It’s the same good news that has been changing people’s lives for two thousand years. It has given saints the grace to find joy in poverty. It has made martyrs into pillars of strength for others. It has healed wounded marriages, converted hardened sinners, and filled ordinary people with the grace to show extraordinary love.

Today, you can tell people about “this life.” You can tell them that they don’t have to wait for the hereafter; they can experience heaven here and now! Where the world offers kind thoughts or greeting-card sentimentality, you can offer the firm hope of God’s love and mercy. You can let the message of Easter radiate out of you through your kindness, your persistent joy, and your humility because the life of the risen Christ is living and active in you and through you.

So how will you “tell the people everything about this life” today?

“Jesus, help me to share the good news of your life and to continue your mission today!” (Meditation on Acts 5:17-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the response of the Sadducees to the preaching of the apostles after their release from prison by the angel is to realize that the Word cannot be imprisoned. John teaches that Jesus came to reveal who God is, what He wants, and more so to show His boundless Love. Friar Jude reminds us that the one sin in John is to reject God and condemn oneself to darkness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how nature reflects and reveals the wisdom and presence of the Divine. He asks “Have you ever had an encounter like this in nature? Perhaps for you, it occurred at a lake or by the seashore, hiking in the mountains, in a garden listening to a mourning dove, even at a busy street corner.” Such innate theology grows us, expands us, and enlightens us almost effortlessly. All other God talk seems artificial and heady in comparison. 

Strangely, many Christians today limit God’s provident care to humans, and very few of them at that. How different we are from Jesus, who extended the divine generosity to sparrows, lilies, ravens, donkeys, the grasses of the fields (Luke 12:24, 27–28). No stingy God here! But what stinginess on our side made us limit God’s concern—even eternal concern—to just ourselves? If God chooses and doles out care, we are always insecure and unsure whether we’re among the lucky recipients. Yet once we become  aware of the generous, creative Presence that exists in all things by their very nature, we can honor the Indwelling Spirit as the inner Source of all dignity and worthiness. Dignity is not doled out to the supposedly worthy; it grounds the inherent worthiness of things in their very nature and existence. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to enlighten our understanding of the Love of God for the world to include All Creation and the people and creatures who inhabit the Home gifted us by the Father through the Love of The Son.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/5?17 

Brown, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/043025.html 

John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?16 

Meditation on Acts 5:17-26. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/30/1265070/ 

Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Listening to Nature’s Sermons. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/listening-to-natures-sermons/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 30, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr30 

Spirit Scripture and Support

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, invite us to reflect on our spiritual rebirth and the support we acquire from Scripture and the Spirit.

Support from St Catherine

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Life in the Christian Community.

* [4:32–37] This is the second summary characterizing the Jerusalem community (see note on Acts 2:42–47). It emphasizes the system of the distribution of goods and introduces Barnabas, who appears later in Acts as the friend and companion of Paul, and who, as noted here (Acts 4:37), endeared himself to the community by a donation of money through the sale of property. This sharing of material possessions continues a practice that Luke describes during the historical ministry of Jesus (Lk 8:3) and is in accord with the sayings of Jesus in Luke’s gospel (Lk 12:33; 16:9, 11, 13). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 93 is a hymn celebrating the kingship of God.

* [Psalm 93] A hymn celebrating the kingship of God, who created the world (Ps 93:1–2) by defeating the sea (Ps 93:3–4). In the ancient myth that is alluded to here, Sea completely covered the land, making it impossible for the human community to live. Sea, or Flood, roars in anger against God, who is personified in the storm. God’s utterances or decrees are given authority by the victory over Sea (Ps 93:5). (Psalms, PSALM 93 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Nicodemus ‘You must be born from above.’

* [3:8] Wind: the Greek word pneuma (as well as the Hebrew rûah) means both “wind” and “spirit.” In the play on the double meaning, “wind” is primary.

* [3:14] Lifted up: in Nm 21:9 Moses simply “mounted” a serpent upon a pole. John here substitutes a verb implying glorification. Jesus, exalted to glory at his cross and resurrection, represents healing for all.

* [3:15] Eternal life: used here for the first time in John, this term stresses quality of life rather than duration. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Martha Slocombe asks how many times have we gotten a recommendation from someone we love and trust and ignored it?

So often we hear testimony of a vibrant life with the eternal one – a.k.a. God – from scripture, from our pastor or priest, or a friend, and we do nothing. We wait for a future time when we can absorb it. We leave a proverbial tab open, knowing we will likely never get around to viewing it, let alone being inspired by it. 

So invite you today to pause, to be present, to read these words of scripture, to allow yourself to be moved by them, to find God in them, and to live into them more deeply and fully. (Slocombe, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “He descended so that we might ascend,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Spiritual birth happens when human beings, being earthly, become heavenly. And this can only happen when they are made members of me. So that he may ascend who descended, since no one ascends who did not descend. Therefore everyone who needs to be changed and raised must meet together in a union with Christ so that the Christ who descended may ascend, considering his body (that is to say, his church)6 as nothing other than himself." (ON THE MERITS AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND ON INFANT BAPTISM 1.60) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:32-37 comments that Blessed Frédéric Ozanam is a more contemporary example of someone who, like the early Christians, looked beyond himself to the needs of the people around him.

Most of us don’t live in as close-knit a community as the first Christians, where everything was held in common. Nor would many of us be able, like Barnabas, to sell our property, donate it to our local parish, and still be able to care for ourselves and our families. But God still calls us to bear witness to Jesus through acts of generosity and loving service that line up with our circumstances. So ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see the needs around you. Sharing some of your resources, including your time and attention, can make a big difference!

“Lord, show me how I can share the blessings you have given me.” (Meditation on Acts 4:32-37, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on one of descriptions in Acts of the community at prayer. We are reminded to balance the “Pollyanna” description of Luke with a realistic look at our occasions of missing the mark. Friar Jude reminds us that John emphasizes the sign of the Son of Man being lifted up on the Cross as glory and love.

A Special Note from Fr. Richard Rohr in his 83rd year.

 

I’m delightfully surprised I am still writing to you! God has given me more time and energy than I could ever have hoped for. Lately, I’ve been reflecting—sometimes even dreaming at night—about my time in college, my years intensely studying theology, and how earnest yet ego-driven I was to get ordained and become a priest. But I am immensely grateful for how God has used it all.

Throughout all these years I’ve tried to pass my words through three gates: “Is it true? Is it loving? Is it necessary?” Because we must be sustained by a sense of what we are for, and not just what we are against. The contemplative path isn’t primarily about learning—it’s about living. Through contemplation, we begin to see differently, to love more deeply, and to act with courage. Spreading this message seems to be needed now more than ever, and with your support, that is exactly what we will do. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the tripod of piety, study, and action that is presented by the texts today and seek the guidance of the Spirit as we support the understanding and well being of the people in our environment. 

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4?32 

John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?7 

Meditation on Acts 4:32-37. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/29/1264642/ 

Psalms, PSALM 93 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/93?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Special Note. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-fr-richard-ripples-of-loving-action/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr29 

Slocombe, M. (2025, April 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042925.html