The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to request the insight of the Spirit to guide us to truth revealed in our relationship with Christ and the people with whom we journey.
In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s Speech at the Areopagus does not sit well with his audience.
* [17:22–31] In Paul’s appearance at the Areopagus he preaches his climactic speech to Gentiles in the cultural center of the ancient world. The speech is more theological than christological. Paul’s discourse appeals to the Greek world’s belief in divinity as responsible for the origin and existence of the universe. It contests the common belief in a multiplicity of gods supposedly exerting their powers through their images. It acknowledges that the attempt to find God is a constant human endeavor. It declares, further, that God is the judge of the human race, that the time of the judgment has been determined, and that it will be executed through a man whom God raised from the dead. The speech reflects sympathy with pagan religiosity, handles the subject of idol worship gently, and appeals for a new examination of divinity, not from the standpoint of creation but from the standpoint of judgment. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)
Psalm 148 is a hymn of praise to God
* [Psalm 148] A hymn inviting the beings of heaven (Ps 148:1–6) and of earth (Ps 148:7–14) to praise God. The hymn does not distinguish between inanimate and animate (and rational) nature. (Psalms, PSALM 148, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is concluding the discourse on Departure and Coming of the Advocate.
* [16:13] Declare to you the things that are coming: not a reference to new predictions about the future, but interpretation of what has already occurred or been said. (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)
Kimberly Grassmeyer found the reading from Acts compelling and beautiful, citing the verses: "He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us."
Today, may we all successfully grope for God. May we open ourselves to the blessings of the Holy Spirit and praise the Christ who binds us all together. And may we do these things with and for all God's children, preparing the way to eternal life. Amen. (Grassmeyer, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “The Spirit makes Christ known,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"He [the Holy Spirit] will make me clearly known by pouring love into the hearts of believers and making them spiritual and thus able to see that the Son whom they had known before only according to the flesh - and who they thought was only a man like themselves - was equal to the Father. Or at least, when his love filled them with boldness and cast out fear, they would proclaim Christ to men and women, and in this way they would spread Christ's fame throughout the whole world... For what they were going to do in the power of the Holy Spirit, this the Holy Spirit says he does himself." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 100.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:12-15 comments that Jesus has been speaking to his disciples for quite a while, but now he sees that they have reached their limit. So he says, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now” (John 16:12). Then he promises that the “Spirit of truth” will pick up where he left off and guide them into “all truth” (16:13).
“Come, Holy Spirit, and guide me into the truth of sacrificial love. You know how much I want to be served instead of serving. But I believe that you can soften my heart. I believe that you can lead me into the joy of serving others.”
“Come, Holy Spirit, and open my heart to the truth of your transforming love!” (Meditation on John 16:12-15, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the reception of Paul in the Acts passage when he preaches in Athens near the Acropolis where philosophers meet. Initially his teaching is totally acceptable to the Stoics who agree we can’t image God but then rising from the dead is contrary to the Greek spiritual aspiration to escape from the body. The Last Supper Discourse, in John’s Gospel declares Jesus' promise that the Spirit of Truth will inform us of all truth within ourselves. Friar Jude reminds us the Spirit makes revelation clear to the community of the Father’s Will.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Jungian therapists Connie Zweig and Steve Wolf who describe shadow work as a path to deeper moral integrity and intimacy with our own soul.
Looking into the darkness or living with shadow awareness is not an easy path…. Rather, to live with shadow awareness we follow the detours; we walk into the debris, groping our way through dark corridors and past dead ends. We look for the key where it is difficult to find. Shadow-work asks us to turn in that direction.
It asks us to stop blaming others.
It asks us to take responsibility.
It asks us to move slowly.
It asks us to deepen awareness.
It asks us to hold paradox.
It asks us to open our hearts.
It asks us to sacrifice our ideals of perfection.
It asks us to live the mystery.
We suggest that you relate to the shadow as a mystery, rather than as a problem to be solved or an illness to be cured. When the Other arrives, honor that part of yourself as a guest. You may discover that it comes bearing gifts. You may discover that shadow-work is, indeed, soul work. (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Spirit as a guide to our essential search for truth and meaning as we grope for fullness of life as disciples of Christ.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/17?15
Grassmeyer, K. (2025, May 28). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052825.html
John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?12
Meditation on John 16:12-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/28/1285904/
Psalms, PSALM 148. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/148?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Searching in the Shadows. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/searching-in-the-shadows/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Holy Spirit Will Guide You into All the Truth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may28
No comments:
Post a Comment