The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to speak about our relationship with Jesus as the Way to fullness of life.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Paul’s Arrival at Antioch and Address in the Synagogue.
* [13:16–41] This is the first of several speeches of Paul to Jews proclaiming that the Christian church is the logical development of Pharisaic Judaism (see also Acts 24:10–21; 26:2–23).
* [13:16] Who are God-fearing: see note on Acts 8:26–40.
* [13:18] Put up with: some manuscripts read “sustained.”
* [13:20] At the end of about four hundred and fifty years: the manuscript tradition makes it uncertain whether the mention of four hundred and fifty years refers to the sojourn in Egypt before the Exodus, the wilderness period and the time of the conquest (see Ex 12:40–41), as the translation here suggests, or to the time between the conquest and the time of Samuel, the period of the judges, if the text is read, “After these things, for about four hundred and fifty years, he provided judges.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 89 laments the defeat of the Davidic king,
* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52). (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares His Identity as “I Am”
* [13:16] Messenger: the Greek has apostolos, the only occurrence of the term in John. It is not used in the technical sense here. (John, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)
Nancy Shirley comments that God gives us so many occasions to do the right thing, to serve others, to be His hands and feet on Earth. Some professions/occupations provide very direct opportunities for serving but I think in reality, every person, every “job” provides that opening to serve and to extend kindness. As the saying goes, in a world where you can be anything, be kind!! (Shirley, 2025)
I asked for Strength.........
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom.........
And God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity.........
And God gave me Brain & Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage.........
And God gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love.........
And God gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favors.........
And God gave me Opportunities.
(Shirley, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Abiding in Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
" Jesus recommended to us His Body and Blood in bread and wine, elements that are reduced into one out of many constituents. What is meant by eating that food and taking that drink is this: to remain in Christ and have Him remaining in us." (excerpt from Sermon on John 26,112) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 13:16-20 comments that phrase—I AM—would have reminded the disciples how God revealed his name to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). Jesus was telling them that he is God.
Jesus is calling you to keep your hope set upon him, too. In the midst of confusing times or struggles that don’t make any sense, let Jesus remind you: I AM. You also have the gift of hindsight that the disciples didn’t have. You know that Jesus saw what lay ahead of him and freely chose the suffering of the cross. You know that he rose from the dead. You know that not only does he hold all things together, but he loves and cares for you individually and personally. You know that he is worthy of your trust.
In your prayer today, let Jesus remind you who he is. Let him convince you that he is still with you. And when fears arise, let him remind you to fix your eyes on him. He is the great I AM. Let him sustain you today.
“Jesus, I will keep my eyes on you and trust in your ways.” (Meditation on John 13:16-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the kerygma preached by Paul in the synagogue as he compares the rejection of Saul and choice of David by God to His rejection by the Jews and his turning to the Gentiles. We note that in John’s Gospel all the followers of Jesus are “disciples” rather than “apostles”. Friar Jude reminds us of Jesus' knowledge of His Divinity in John’s Gospel evidenced today by “I AM”.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis who explores how oppressive images of God lead us to limit and even exclude ourselves from the divine image.
We know, despite preaching and teaching to the contrary, that our God is not on the side of oppression but on the side of freedom and justice. We know our God is a revolutionary lover who came as one of us to teach us how to love. We know that any Christianity practicing the tools of empire is not Christian and that Christian nationalism is not about Christ but is about propping up empire with God-talk.
What I am saying is this: Some of us are walking around like the god of the oppressor is our god. Oh, we’re talking about liberation, but we have not freed ourselves…. Our pulpits preach too much about who is out. We fear questioning the way the world works because we might leave ourselves out. We’ve forgotten ubuntu—that we are inextricably connected, and that we are indeed our siblings’ keepers…. Let’s turn away from the theologies that cause us to keep others in chains.… As an act of prophetic resistance, we need to boldly reject theologies that contradict God-is-love. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate our mission as disciples of Christ and humbly seek inspiration from the Spirit in our action.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13?13
John, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/13?16
Meditation on John 13:16-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/15/1275788/
Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/to-be-a-woman-is-more-than-enough/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The One Who Receives Me. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may15
Shirley, N. (2025, May 15). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051525.html
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