Courage and Confidence

 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.

Truth and Power

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/ 

Choosing Christ

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today warn us about hostility to God in the “world” and invite us to celebrate Love in devotion to our family, friends, and vocation.

Choose Our Way

The Reading from the First Letter of John advises Members of the Community about the “world”.

* [2:12–17] The Christian community that has experienced the grace of God through forgiveness of sin and knowledge of Christ is armed against the evil one.

* [2:12] For his name’s sake: because of Christ our sins are forgiven.

* [2:15] The world: all that is hostile toward God and alienated from him. Love of the world and love of God are thus mutually exclusive; cf. Jas 4:4.

* [2:16] Sensual lust: literally, “the lust of the flesh,” inordinate desire for physical gratification. Enticement for the eyes: literally, “the lust of the eyes,” avarice or covetousness; the eyes are regarded as the windows of the soul. Pretentious life: literally, “pride of life,” arrogance or ostentation in one’s earthly style of life that reflects a willful independence from God and others. (1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 proclaims that to the just ruler of all belongs worship.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Anna gives thanks for the Child.

* [2:22–40] The presentation of Jesus in the temple depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, faithful observers of the law of the Lord (Lk 2:23–24, 39), i.e., the law of Moses. In this respect, they are described in a fashion similar to the parents of John (Lk 1:6) and Simeon (Lk 2:25) and Anna (Lk 2:36–37). (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that our readings today remind us that we can continue to feel close to the light love of God by staying close to the will and word of God. It seems to me that the Christmas season is often more about the things of this world than a focus on our relationship with God.

Growing in faith and understanding of Christ as the light of the world has made Christmas so much more meaningful for me. All the enticements of the magic of Christmas in the things of this world not only distract us, but they fall away. But the true light of Christmas can give us confidence in our relationship with God, our father, and the strength we are given to conquer evil through the word of God. I can more confidently go into the darkness of winter and even certainly the darkness of my own sins, knowing I am defined by a loving relationship with God. It is my prayer that, in the days following Christmas, we can each find that light in our own lives and draw strength from it. (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus, though rich, became poor for us,” by Ambrose of Milan,339-397 A.D.

"Anna, who, by reason of her years of widowhood and her virtues, is set before us as wholly worthy of belief, announces that the Redeemer of all people has come... Not without purpose, however, does he make mention of the eighty-four years of her widowhood, because both the seven twelves and the two forties seemed to imply a number that is sacred."(excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.62) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:36-40 comments that Anna teaches us that we can’t keep the good news of Jesus to ourselves. Even here, near the end of her life, Anna “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).

Today, pray for the faith that Anna had. Ask the Spirit to help you detect the presence of God in smallness, as Anna saw it in the Christ Child. Ask for the strength to trust him during times of waiting or sorrow. And ask for the boldness to tell someone about how God has been faithful to you. Tell them about the God who never stops reaching out to his children.

“Thank you, Lord, for coming to save us! St. Anna of Asher, pray for us!” (Meditation on Luke 2:36-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the author of 1 John speaks to the children, fathers, and young men based on knowledge of the faith. The author advises them to avoid the “world”, those elements that reject Jesus and live with concupiscence. Friar Jude underlines that we have to make choices about how to live. Anna the woman prophet, typical man and woman stories in Luke, recognizes Jesus. The Holy Family go to Nazareth where Jesus grows physically and psychologically. Friar Jude supports Jesus growing as a normal child living fully in the love of God.

Fr. Mike Schmitz dives into the fall of Babylon described in Revelation 18, pointing out how several images and expressions of this key chapter are taken from the judgmental oracles in the old testament, particularly those from the prophet Jeremiah. Fr. Mike also emphasizes the reality of God’s judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and how Christ’s sacrifice is presented to God in the heavenly sanctuary once and for all. Today we read Revelation 18-20, Hebrews 9-10, and Proverbs 31:26-29.

CAC core faculty member Carmen Acevedo Butcher speaks of how we can become agents of transformation and healing by giving of ourselves like salt and light:

Obviously salt and light look different on the surface, but they both fulfill their powerful natures by giving away or losing themselves. “You are salt and light” is a counter-cultural revolutionary statement, rich with psychological and embodied, empowering wisdom. May we remember that like the wise self-emptying of kenosis, being salt and light reminds us that no matter how broken or broken-hearted by the world’s suffering, we are love and are most ourselves when giving ourselves away, embracing grief’s salty tears.

May we remember we are God’s children. As Howard Thurman writes: “[Whoever] knows this is able to transcend the vicissitudes of life, however terrifying and look out on the world with quiet eyes.” [1]

May you and I see the world and everyone in it with quiet eyes and may we act in the world with kind hearts, being salt and light. Amen. (Butcher, n.d.)

We call upon the Spirit to use our gratitude and recognition of Christ in Love to activate our Baptismal role as priest, prophet and leader in our community.

References

Butcher, C. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/dissolving-into-love/ 

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-30-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?36 

Meditation on Luke 2:36-40. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/30/1462084/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2? 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?7 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Anna Recognized the Coming of Christ and Gave Thanks to God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 30, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/