The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that our confidence in the life-giving message of Jesus often requires us to live with the courage of our convictions.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles proclaims the assurance to Paul that he will be Jesus witness in Rome
* [23:11] The occurrence of the vision of Christ consoling Paul and assuring him that he will be his witness in Rome prepares the reader for the final section of Acts: the journey of Paul and the word he preaches to Rome under the protection of the Romans. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 16 reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God.
* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11). (Psalms, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus prays for the believers who ultimately will join him in heaven.
* [17:24] Where I am: Jesus prays for the believers ultimately to join him in heaven. Then they will not see his glory as in a mirror but clearly (2 Cor 3:18; 1 Jn 3:2).
* [17:26] I will make it known: through the Advocate. (John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)
Desiree Nownes comments that the reading in Acts recounts times fraught with turmoil and unrest as society tries to figure out whom to believe. How similar does this sound to what American society is dealing with right now?
Jesus is praying for each of us to find him in each other. The hope that we see ourselves in each other and in turn through God’s eyes. This is a prayer of understanding and a shared experience so that we can finally know that we are a reflection of God’s love. For me the reading always come back to hope and love, yet the juxtaposition of judgement and othering is hard to combat from the society’s turmoil. But just as Paul was put to the test in front of the Sanhedrin, we must continue to speak of God’s love, God’s hope, and God’s faith in us all. That is the truth that will and can set us on the path of forgiveness and salvation. (Nownes, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Prayer of unity for all who believe,” by Cyprian of Carthage - first martyr bishop of Africa, 200-258 A.D.
"The Lord's loving-kindness, no less than his mercy, is great in respect of our salvation in that, not content to redeem us with his blood, he in addition prayed for us. See now what the desire of his petition was, that just as the Father and Son are one, so also we should abide in absolute unity. From this, it may be evident how greatly someone sins who divides unity and peace, since even the Lord himself petitioned for this same thing. He no doubt desired that his people should in this way be saved and live in peace since he knew that discord cannot come into the kingdom of God." (excerpt from THE LORD'S PRAYER 30.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 comments that anyone who seeks to serve the Lord and witness to His gospel knows that there’s always the risk of rejection or failure. Just living a confident life as a believer requires a good amount of courage!...courage grows through humble obedience. It comes as we place God’s will and his calling above our own will and desires. It comes as we surrender ourselves to his plan and trust in the Lord’s presence and provision.
The next time you sense that the Lord is urging you to “take courage,” remember St. Paul. Then step out in faith, trusting that God is at your side!
“Jesus, I believe that you are always with me, offering me your grace and courage!” (Meditation on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts, Paul is arrested by Roman authorities following a riot about bringing pagans into the Temple. Paul will be able to explain the Way to the Sanhedrin. He divides them because of his speaking about resurrection, a concept more favourable to the Pharisees than the Sadducees. In the Gospel of John, Jesus prays for the disciples leaving them with those who reject His message, named as the “world. The Gospel recognizes an institution is developing to accept Jesus and the Gospel. John’s Gospel dates to 90 CE, to the second or third generation of believers. Friar Jude comments that there would be followers of the Way through the preaching of the disciple and a community of the Father and Son would follow him.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Carmen Acevedo Butcher shares a contemplative practice that allows her to accept “just this”. She encourages us to begin contemplative practice wherever we are in our lives.
If we wait to start singing—or any kind of contemplative practice—until we feel peaceful or worthy, we’ll be waiting a very long time. Sometimes, we do a practice, and if we don’t feel peaceful or holy immediately, we think we’ve failed or are doing it wrong. But that’s not the point. The point is that we do them like breathing, just in and out, over and over again. Fidelity to the practice brings about a healing alchemical effect.
Sometimes I’ll begin to sing, “Be still and know that I am God,” and at the same time I’m thinking, “I’m so stressed out today.” It turns into a little dialogue with God, “Why can’t I be stiller and know that you are?” All these thoughts go around, and this practice—this repetition of “Be still and know I am God”—holds the space of stillness and silence. We can pause and “Be still” enough to remember that we are made in God’s image, and we can honor our own voice, God’s voice within us. We don’t have to wait for a special key. The key is already within us. (Rohr, n.d.)
We invoke the Spirit to “fill the hearts of the faithful” and kindle in us “the fire of your love” as we proclaim with courage and confidence your mission to renew the face of the earth.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/23
John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?20
Meditation on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/21/1573334/
Nownes, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-21-2026
Psalms, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Lift Your Voice to God. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/lift-your-voice-to-god/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). May They Become Perfectly One. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 21, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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