The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to live with hope and hospitality as a foundation for our mission bringing the Word of Christ to all parts of Creation.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Paul’s Testimony to Jews in Rome.
* [28:16] With Paul’s arrival in Rome, the programmatic spread of the word of the Lord to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) is accomplished. In Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest, and under this mild form of custody he is allowed to proclaim the word in the capital of the civilized world of his day.
* [28:17–22] Paul’s first act in Rome is to learn from the leaders of the Jewish community whether the Jews of Jerusalem plan to pursue their case against him before the Roman jurisdiction. He is informed that no such plan is afoot, but that the Jews of Rome have heard the Christian teaching denounced. Paul’s offer to explain it to them is readily accepted.
* [28:20] The hope of Israel: in the words of Paul (Acts 23:6), Luke has identified this hope as hope in the resurrection of the dead.
* [28:25–28] Paul’s final words in Acts reflect a major concern of Luke’s writings: how the salvation promised in the Old Testament, accomplished by Jesus, and offered first to Israel (Acts 13:26), has now been offered to and accepted by the Gentiles. Quoting Is 6:9–10, Paul presents the scriptural support for his indictment of his fellow Jews who refuse to accept the message he proclaims. Their rejection leads to its proclamation among the Gentiles.
* [28:29] The Western text has added here a verse that is not found in the best Greek manuscripts: “And when he had said this, the Jews left, seriously arguing among themselves.”
* [28:30–31] Although the ending of Acts may seem to be abrupt, Luke has now completed his story with the establishment of Paul and the proclamation of Christianity in Rome. Paul’s confident and unhindered proclamation of the gospel in Rome forms the climax to the story whose outline was provided in Acts 1:8—“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 11 is a song of trust.
* [Psalm 11] A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7). (Psalms, PSALM 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John presents the Beloved Disciple in the Conclusion.
* [21:23] This whole scene takes on more significance if the disciple is already dead. The death of the apostolic generation caused problems in the church because of a belief that Jesus was to have returned first. Loss of faith sometimes resulted; cf. 2 Pt 3:4.
* [21:24] Who…has written them: this does not necessarily mean he wrote them with his own hand. The same expression is used in Jn 19:22 of Pilate, who certainly would not have written the inscription himself. We know: i.e., the Christian community; cf. Jn 1:14, 16. (John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)
Barbara Dilly comments that as a professor of anthropology at Creighton University, she was encouraged by the fact that our students were continually challenged to discern the truth in all situations.
Students learned to seek spiritual guidance in their perceptions and understanding of complex or demanding situations. Seeking spiritual guidance is how we learn to discern the truth. John 16 says that the Lord will send us the Spirit of truth who will guide us. Yet, the truth is often obscured. The Gospel lesson today says that the stories told in the book of John are true because the Spirit of truth inspired them. We have learned to trust the Bible for truths. Daily life, however, requires constant discernment in new situations. I pray today that we will open our hearts to the words in John 16: 7 and 13, “I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth.” And may we practice discernment. (Dilly, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Peter follows, John remains,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The Lord either said what he said to Peter about his martyrdom, or he said it about the gospel of John. As regards the martyrdom and this 'Follow me,' [he means] suffer for me, suffer what I did. Because Christ was crucified, Peter too was crucified... while John experienced none of this. That is what is meant by, 'It is thus that I wish him to remain.' Let him fall asleep without wounds, without torment, and wait for me. You, Peter, 'Follow me,' suffer what I did. That's one way these words can be explained...
"As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord's humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:20-25 comments that if we focus on Him, we will discover the love that He has for us, and that love will fill our hearts in ways that comparing ourselves with others never can. Instead of getting distracted or discouraged by what could be, we find a sense of peace and contentment with what actually is, even if it is difficult.
Not only will focusing on Jesus help quiet our souls, but it will also give us the courage and strength to take up the calling he has for us. As St. Paul once wrote, the love of Christ “impels” us to live not for ourselves but to spend our lives following him and obeying his will (2 Corinthians 5:14).
God’s call for you is as unique and unrepeatable as you are. So the next time you feel that familiar tug to compare, pause and hear Jesus ask, “What concern is it of yours? Follow me.”
“Jesus, give me only your love and your grace, for they are enough for me.” (Meditation on John 21:20-25, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the likely path of Paul to martyrdom as Luke describes his ability to meet with Jewish leaders prior to his conviction and ultimate martyrdom by Nero. A theme in Acts shows Christians as good citizens, and traces the spread of the Gospel from the spiritual capital of the world to the political capital of the world. Friar Jude notes the qualities of the “add on” to the Gospel of John by a possible disciple of the Beloved.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Randy and Edith Woodley who share how they have experienced the Indigenous value of hospitality.
Recently, a group of six Native Alaskans showed up at our house for an unexpected visit. We had such a great time talking and visiting that, before we knew it, it was time for supper. With elders present, we knew we had to find something nourishing to feed the group—and quickly. We had a large pack of hot dogs left over from a recent event. We threw together all the cans of various kinds of pinto beans we had, and we ran to the garden to gather lettuce for a salad, which was the only vegetable in season at the time.
These are the times when you just make do with what you have. Generosity doesn’t have to look like a lavish occasion or a perfectly executed meal. It just has to look like love. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the juxtaposition of peace and persecution in the path of Christ and leaders in our faith and praise the Presence in the Spirit that guides us to fullness of life.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/28?16
Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060725.html
John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?20
Meditation on John 21:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/07/1299976/
Psalms, PSALM 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11?4
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Jesus’ Inclusive Table. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jesus-inclusive-table/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Immensity of What Jesus Has Done for Us. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun7
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