The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the role of the Spirit in guiding decisions in the Church and in our personal mission to act in love towards the people in our environment.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the Choice of Matthias as Judas’s Successor.
* [1:1–26] This introductory material (Acts 1:1–2) connects Acts with the Gospel of Luke, shows that the apostles were instructed by the risen Jesus (Acts 1:3–5), points out that the parousia or second coming in glory of Jesus will occur as certainly as his ascension occurred (Acts 1:6–11), and lists the members of the Twelve, stressing their role as a body of divinely mandated witnesses to his life, teaching, and resurrection (Acts 1:12–26).
* [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 exhorts the congregation to praise God’s name.
* [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 commands “Love One Another”
* [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.)
Angela Maynard comments that following Jesus will be difficult at times. It is not a path of complete drudgery, but one of joy.
Pope Francis consistently challenged us to love one another. He called us to be open to loving those who may be difficult to love, for some reason. I think the most important lesson I have learned through my life is that love demands action. We must care for each other every day, not just under extraordinary circumstances. He suggests that love of God and love of our neighbor is the foundation of faith.
Your to do list today; Think about somebody who may be a bit difficult for you to love and ask Jesus to help you overcome whatever that difficulty is. Next, what you can do to show love for that person is the action piece. (Maynard, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.
"[Our Lord] gradually accustoms their minds to penetrate the depth of the mysteries concerning himself, [leading them] not to the human person but to that which was of the divine essence. He does this inasmuch as the Godhead is apprehended completely in the person of God the Father, for he has in himself the Son and the Spirit. With exceeding wisdom he carries them onward, ... for he does not exclude himself from being believed on by us because he is God by nature and has shone forth from God the Father. But skillfully (as has been said) he handles the mind of the weak to mold them to godliness in order that you might understand him to say something like this: 'When you believe on me - I who, for your sakes, am a man like yourselves, but who also am God by reason of my own nature and because of the Father from whom I exist - do not suppose that it is on a man you are setting your faith. For I am by nature God, notwithstanding that I appear like one of yourselves, and I have within myself him who begat me. Forasmuch therefore as I am consubstantial with him that has begotten me, your faith will assuredly pass on also to the Father himself.' As we said therefore, the Lord, gradually trains them to something better and profitably interweaves the human with what is God-befitting." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 8.7) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 comments that once the Holy Spirit came, the Apostles were filled with power and proclaimed the risen Christ. Their bold witness, along with the grace of the Spirit, moved thousands to believe in Jesus, to accept Baptism, and to become the next generation of witnesses.
In Baptism, you, too, were filled with the Spirit and called to bear witness to Jesus. You’re not an apostle like Matthias, but the word “apostle” means “one who is sent,” and you have been sent by God. You can testify to the new, resurrected life you have experienced! How has Jesus changed your life? Has he freed you from guilt? Has he helped you to love someone? Do you have a new confidence in prayer? All of these demonstrate the power of the resurrection! So look for a chance to share these stories. They are your witness to the risen Lord!
“Holy Spirit, help me to proclaim the good news of Jesus’ resurrection!” (Meditation on Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that as the Church matured, the urgency to respect the number of twelve diminished. The Spirit guides all the decisions of the Church. Drawing lots is a method that resonates with “casting of stones” by the Hebrew High Priest. Friar Jude underlines the vertical and horizontal of our relationship to God emphasizing that we are not slaves.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim and theologian Susan Shaw who describe how the inclusive and nurturing character of a Mothering God can provide comfort, especially for those who are wounded or hurt.
The Mothering God nurtures us and provides shelter when we need it. Luke 13:34 says, “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” As a hen gathering her brood, the Mothering God protects us under her wings. When we feel alone and broken, God provides shelter for our brokenness, loss, and suffering. Those who suffer from the effects of sexual violence can turn to the Mothering God to wrap us in her arms to provide everlasting love and support.
In the Hebrew Bible, the Spirit is written in the Hebrew feminine as ruach, who brings forth life in creation (Genesis 1:2). In the New Testament, pneuma is the Greek word for the Spirit who gives forth life…. The Spirit gives life and is the creative and maternal God who brings forth the birth of Jesus and the new members of the body of Christ. The Spirit God moves us away from traditional patriarchal notions about God and moves us toward a wholistic, all-embracing understanding of God. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
The first Letter of John proclaims “God is Love” and we implore the guidance of the Spirit to abide in that Love and witness to that Love in our actions.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/1?15
John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?
Maynard, A. (2025, May 14). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051425.html
Meditation on Acts 1:15-17, 20-26. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/14/1275247/
Psalms PSALM 113 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/113?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-mothering-god/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Believe in Me - That You May Not Remain in Darkness. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may14
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