The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today share the extension of the Church to the Gentiles and Jesus' reminder of the relationship between Father and Son.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles is Paul and Barnabas address to the Gentiles.
* [13:46] The refusal to believe frustrates God’s plan for his chosen people; however, no adverse judgment is made here concerning their ultimate destiny. Again, Luke, in the words of Paul, speaks of the priority of Israel in the plan for salvation (see Acts 10:36). (Acts of the Apostles, n.d.)
Psalm 98 extolls God for Israel’s victory.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the Gospel of John proclaims Jesus and the Father are One.
* [14:7] An alternative reading, “If you knew me, then you would have known my Father also,” would be a rebuke, as in Jn 8:19.
* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Cindy Murphy McMahon comments that Jesus constantly prepared his followers so they would understand the unfathomable and unprecedented events that would happen. And then, through his gift of the Holy Spirit, he gave us the church and each other.
To me, it means if we are fortunate, graced, or open enough to believe in Jesus because of his words, great! But if we are too confused, or doubting, or preoccupied, he tells us to at least look at the works he did. He knows that a careful, thoughtful reflection upon those works – the many healing, compassionate, life-giving and inspirational works his disciples saw, and we now know – will lead us to belief, in spite of ourselves.
This gives me peace because we sometimes find ourselves in situations where believing may be strained or difficult. But if we can remember to call to mind, or read about or reflect on, the works he did (and even the works we see him do today in our lives and the lives of others) we will be led back to faith. (Murphy McMahon, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Father's portrait in the Son,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"By means of this image the Lord showed Philip the Father. Yes, he who looks on the Son sees, in portrait, the Father. Notice what kind of portrait is spoken of. It is truth, righteousness, the power of God. It is not silent, for it is the Word. It is not insensible, for it is Wisdom. It is not vain and foolish, for it is power. It is not soulless, for it is the life. It is not dead, for it is the resurrection." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 1.7.50) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation is on John 14:7-14. Comments that we may still have difficulty relating to God the Father in a personal way. After all, he is a pure, infinite, completely spiritual Being so unlike us mortals. He created a universe so vast that scientists can’t even measure it. How can we possibly come to know this great God?
Through Jesus! Whenever we struggle to imagine what God is like, we can remember Jesus’ words to Philip: we have seen the Father! We have seen him healing, preaching, and dying for us in the Gospels. We have seen him coming close to us in the sacraments. And we continue to see him in our brothers and sisters, who reflect his love and mercy to the world.
What a loving God we have! Today, take some time to bow before your heavenly Father in praise of his goodness and power.
“Father, I praise you for revealing yourself through your Son!” (Meditation on John 14:7-14., n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler shares his Meditation for May 17, 2025.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Kat Armas who discovers a model of female empowerment in the Gospels that calls each of us to acts of healing and nurturance.
No matter how we identify as people in this world, we must lean into the feminine in each of us. As humans made in the divine image, tuning into our nurturing, emotive, and embodied qualities is the crucial first step toward the liberation of ourselves and our planet. And like the woman who heals in the Gospel of Matthew, we must continue to transgress boundaries, resist cultural norms, and press on toward healing for the sake of our children and their children. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the Word, Works, and the Spirit and prepare to respond with action to bring life to our environment.
References
Acts of the Apostles. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13?44
John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?
Meditation on John 14:7-14. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/17/1279205/
Murphy McMahon, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051725.html
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 17, 2015, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Sacred Feminine: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-sacred-feminine-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, Show Us the Father. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may17
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