The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the direction of the Spirit as we share the Love of Christ according to His Will and not ours.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Paul’s Farewell Speech at Miletus.
* [20:16–35] Apparently aware of difficulties at Ephesus and neighboring areas, Paul calls the presbyters together at Miletus, about thirty miles from Ephesus. He reminds them of his dedication to the gospel (Acts 20:18–21), speaks of what he is about to suffer for the gospel (Acts 20:22–27), and admonishes them to guard the community against false prophets, sure to arise upon his departure (Acts 20:28–31). He concludes by citing a saying of Jesus (Acts 20:35) not recorded in the gospel tradition. Luke presents this farewell to the Ephesian presbyters as Paul’s last will and testament. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 20, n.d.)
Psalm 68 accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth).
* [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. (Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John presents the Climax of the last discourse.
* [17:1–26] Climax of the last discourse(s). Since the sixteenth century, this chapter has been called the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. He speaks as intercessor, with words addressed directly to the Father and not to the disciples, who supposedly only overhear. Yet the prayer is one of petition, for immediate (Jn 17:6–19) and future (Jn 17:20–21) disciples. Many phrases reminiscent of the Lord’s Prayer occur. Although still in the world (Jn 17:13), Jesus looks on his earthly ministry as a thing of the past (Jn 17:4, 12). Whereas Jesus has up to this time stated that the disciples could follow him (Jn 13:33, 36), now he wishes them to be with him in union with the Father (Jn 17:12–14). (John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
Suzanne Braddock presents the life of Charles Lwanga as a reflection of Jesus’ words in the Gospel for today. May his example of courage and faith and care for others inspire us all.
On June 3, 1886, at age 26, Charles Lwanga was brutally tortured and burned alive. Twenty young men and boys followed, saying the Lord’s Prayer aloud as they were killed. His feast day is celebrated widely in Uganda today.
In the Gospel for today, Jesus’ near ecstatic prayer to the Father in John 17:1-11a, summarizes their intense union and Jesus’ desire for all who believe in him, realized in the witness of Charles Lwanga and his companions.
We are all invited to be martyrs - maybe not of blood but in belief. Let’s try to accept this invitation wholeheartedly, daily, in small ways or large. (Braddock, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Eternity will be ours when faith sees,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430. A.D.
"We are distanced from eternity to the extent that we are changeable. But eternal life is promised to us through the truth. Our faith, however, stands as far apart from the clear knowledge of the truth as mortality does from eternity. At the present we put faith in things done in time on our account, and by that faith itself we are cleansed. In this way, when we have come to sight, as truth follows faith, so eternity may follow on mortality. Our faith will become truth, then, when we have attained to that which is promised to us who believe. And that which is promised to us is eternal life. And the Truth - not that which shall come to be according to how our faith shall be, but that truth that always exists because eternity is in it - the Truth then has said, 'And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.' When our faith sees and comes to be truth, then eternity shall possess our now changed mortality." (excerpt from ON THE TRINITY 4.18.24.34) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 20:17-27 comments that whether it’s raising a family, leading a Bible study, or caring for people on the margins, the work never ends; there is always more to do. Eventually, though, God makes it clear that you have “finished [your] course” (Acts 20:24). The time has come for you to let go and trust that he will send someone else to complete it, just as Paul had to do.
Paul traveled tirelessly all over the world to share his faith, but the number of people he reached is small compared to the billions who profess faith in Christ today. It’s a legacy he could not have possibly foreseen. In the same way, you may not always see what fruit your labors have borne. You may even want to continue your work so that you can see more tangible fruit. But if God is calling you away from something that is close to your heart, be at peace. He is surely pleased with the work you have done. He will guide your next steps—and he will send other laborers into the harvest, just as he always has!
“Lord, help me to recognize when my work is done and to trust that others will take my place.” (Meditation on Acts 20:17-27, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explains that Paul meeting his disciples in Miletus in Acts is due his desire to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Paul gives an apologia stating he is not responsible for their blood. He did everything he could and the Spirit is taking him to Jerusalem. At the end of the Last Supper Discourse, Jesus promises “glory”, in John’s Gospel “Love”, and He proclaims the Father’s love. Friar Jude notes that Jesus calls on God to protect His disciples who will continue to share His Word.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) who retells one of Jesus’ parables as an expansive invitation to come to God’s table. This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there’s always room for more. Evans shares the story of author Sara Miles, whose experience of Jesus through communion inspired her to start a food pantry.
I don’t know exactly how Jesus is present in the bread and wine, but I believe Jesus is present, so it seems counterintuitive to tell people they have to wait and meet him someplace else before they meet him at the table. If people are hungry, let them come and eat. If they are thirsty, let them come and drink. It’s not my table anyway. It’s not my denomination’s table or my church’s table. It’s Christ’s table. Christ sends out the invitations, and if he has to run through the streets gathering up the riffraff to fill up his house, then that’s exactly what he’ll do….
The gospel doesn’t need a coalition devoted to keeping the wrong people out. It needs a family of sinners, saved by grace, committed to tearing down the walls, throwing open the doors, and shouting, “Welcome! There’s bread and wine. Come eat with us and talk.” This isn’t a kingdom for the worthy; it’s a kingdom for the hungry. (Rohr, n.d.)
In our contemplation of Jesus' Way, we need to remain open to inspiration from the Spirit to action that challenges our preconceived notions of discipleship.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 20. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/20?17
Braddock, S. (2025, June 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060325.html
John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?1
Meditation on Acts 20:17-27. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/03/1297307/
Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/68?10
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Christ Is the Host. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/christ-is-the-host/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Is Eternal Life - to Know the Father the Only True God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun3
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