The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider how our inaction with people in our environment needs adjustment to be opportunities to build community and care with Jesus as our leader.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles shares the mission of Paul in Ephesus.
* [19:1–6] Upon his arrival in Ephesus, Paul discovers other people at the same religious stage as Apollos, though they seem to have considered themselves followers of Christ, not of the Baptist. On the relation between baptism and the reception of the Spirit, see note on Acts 8:16. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 68 accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles.
* [Psalm 68] The Psalm is extremely difficult because the Hebrew text is badly preserved and the ceremony that it describes is uncertain. The translation assumes the Psalm accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth), which included a procession of the tribes (Ps 68:25–28). Israel was being oppressed by a foreign power, perhaps Egypt (Ps 68:31–32)—unless Egypt stands for any oppressor. The Psalm may have been composed from segments of ancient poems, which would explain why the transitions are implied rather than explicitly stated. At any rate, Ps 68:2 is based on Nm 10:35–36, and Ps 68:8–9 are derived from Jgs 5:4–5. The argument develops in nine stanzas (each of three to five poetic lines): 1. confidence that God will destroy Israel’s enemies (Ps 68:2–4); 2. call to praise God as savior (Ps 68:5–7); 3. God’s initial rescue of Israel from Egypt (Ps 68:8), the Sinai encounter (Ps 68:9), and the settlement in Canaan (Ps 68:10–11); 4. the defeat of the Canaanite kings (Ps 68:12–15); 5. the taking of Jerusalem, where Israel’s God will rule the world (Ps 68:16–19); 6. praise for God’s past help and for the future interventions that will be modeled on the ancient exodus-conquest (Ps 68:20–24); 7. procession at the Feast of Tabernacles (Ps 68:25–28); 8. prayer that the defeated enemies bring tribute to the Temple (Ps 68:29–32); 9. invitation for all kingdoms to praise Israel’s God (Ps 68:33–35). (Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB, n.d.)
The text from the Gospel of John concludes Jesus’ Departure.
* [16:30] The reference is seemingly to the fact that Jesus could anticipate their question in Jn 16:19. The disciples naively think they have the full understanding that is the climax of “the hour” of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension (Jn 16:25), but the only part of the hour that is at hand for them is their share in the passion (Jn 16:32).
* [16:32] You will be scattered: cf. Mk 14:27 and Mt 26:31, where both cite Zec 13:7 about the sheep being dispersed. (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Eileen Wirth shares her perspective that popes no longer act like kings became beautifully evident during the liturgy when various representatives of the people of God, not just cardinals and clergy, offered their obedience to Pope Leo. Instead of stiffly extending his hand for his genuflecting subjects to kiss his ring like a sovereign, Pope Leo greeted participants with smiles, handshakes and hugs.
World leaders flocked to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis and the installation of Pope Leo out of respect for and possibly fear of this influence. Think, for example, of the impact of St. John Paul II on the fate of communism in Eastern Europe. Many leaders will disregard the messages about peace, love and prioritizing the needs of people on the margins. But they felt compelled to show up, if only for the photographers.
Now it is up to us, the people of God, to work to implement the pope’s messages. This may take courage, but today’s gospel assures us that we need not be afraid because Christ has conquered the world. (Wirth, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “In Christ we have peace, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When [Jesus] says, 'These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace,' he refers not only to what he has just said but also to what he had said all along, either from the time that he first had disciples, or since the supper, when he began this long and wonderful discourse... He declares this to be the object of his whole discourse, that is, that in him they might have peace. And this peace will have no end but is itself the end of every godly action and intention." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 104.1.15) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:29-33 comments that John Paul II continued to proclaim the power of Jesus’ cross and resurrection with conviction and with joy. He was convinced that Jesus had “conquered the world,” and he believed in the depths of his heart that he had a share in that victory (John 16:33). In fact, John Paul became known throughout the world as a champion of hope. People of all cultures and ages were inspired by his words and chose to follow Christ because of him.
“Be not afraid! There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already carried for us and does not bear with us now.”
“Lord, you have conquered the world. Help me to be a champion of hope today!” (Meditation on John 16:29-33, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the reception of the Holy Spirit when Paul ministers to the people in Ephesus. In Christian Baptism, we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The disciples in the Gospel of John declare they believe because He is speaking clearly. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus, one with the Father, has conquered those who have rejected His Message, the world, by Love presented on the Cross.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how Jesus’ eating habits challenged the religious and cultural norms of his time—and our own.
It’s necessary to calculate very carefully what was lost and what was gained as Christianity developed. The church moved from Jesus’ real meal with open table fellowship to its continuance in the relatively safe ritual meal that became the Christian Eucharist. Unfortunately, the meal itself came to redefine social reality in a negative way, in terms of worthiness and unworthiness.
That is almost exactly the opposite of Jesus’ intention. To this day, we use Eucharist to define membership in terms of worthy and unworthy. Even if we deny that is our intention, it’s clearly the practical message people hear. Isn’t it strange that sins of marriage and sexuality are the primary ones we use to exclude people from the table, when other sins like greed and hatefulness that cause more public damage are never considered? (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Spirit to guide our understanding and action based on Jesus' declaration to us that “He has conquered the world” by love, compassion, and inclusion.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/19?1
John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?29
Meditation on John 16:29-33. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/02/1296572/
Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings.
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Meal-Based Social Action. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/meal-based-social-action/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Peace in Overcoming the World. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun2
Wirth, E. (2025, June 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060225.html
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