Waiting and Building the Church

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today underline the role of the faithful in building relationships with Christ in the time before His return.

Building the Church

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Paul in Corinth.

* [18:2] Aquila…Priscilla: both may already have been Christians at the time of their arrival in Corinth (see Acts 18:26). According to 1 Cor 16:19, their home became a meeting place for Christians. Claudius: the Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome ca. A.D. 49. The Roman historian Suetonius gives as reason for the expulsion disturbances among the Jews “at the instigation of Chrestos,” probably meaning disputes about the messiahship of Jesus.

* [18:6] Shook out his garments: a gesture indicating Paul’s repudiation of his mission to the Jews there; cf. Acts 28:17–31.

* [18:7] A worshiper of God: see note on Acts 8:26–40.

* [18:8] Crispus: in 1 Cor 1:14 Paul mentions that Crispus was one of the few he himself baptized at Corinth. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)

Psalm 98 extolls God for Israel’s victory.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals His departure and return.

* [16:4b–33] A duplicate of Jn 14:1–31 on departure and return. (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Maureen McCann Waldron comments that when we are faced with pain, conflict and great loss, sometimes we can be blind to His presence in our lives.  But today Jesus tells us that we will see him again.

In the meantime, the world will be rejoicing.  We shouldn't be scandalized or discouraged by that.  No matter how much we grieve, our grief will be transformed - into joy brought on by our faith that we will see Jesus again with the Father.

This is the heart of the Good News Jesus speaks today.  We can live in this world, free from fear, free from anxiety, knowing that Jesus is present to us in this life and that we will join him at the Father's side in the life after. (McCann Waldron, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus ascends to heaven in his body - divine and human nature,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"You heard what came to our ears just now from the Gospel: 'Lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And it happened, while he was blessing them he withdrew from them, and was carried up to heaven.' Who was carried up to heaven? The Lord Christ was. Who is the Lord Christ? He is the Lord Jesus. What is this? Are you going to separate the human from the divine and make one person of God, another of the man, so that there is no longer a trinity of three but a quaternary of four? Just as you, a human being, are soul and body, so the Lord Christ is Word, soul and body. The Word did not depart from the Father. He both came to us and did not forsake the Father. He both took flesh in the womb and continued to govern the universe. What was lifted up into heaven, if not what had been taken from earth? That is to say, the very flesh, the very body, about which he was speaking when he said to the disciples, 'Feel, and see that a spirit does not have bones and flesh, as you can see that I have' (Luke 24:39). Let us believe this, brothers and sisters, and if we have difficulty in meeting the arguments of the philosophers, let us hold on to what was demonstrated in the Lord's case without any difficulty of faith. Let them chatter, but let us believe." (excerpt from Sermon 242,6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 18:1-8 comments that Acts introduces so many names! SRicao many people! And so many stories that are unknown to us! But here’s the most important point: each one of them was essential to the growth of the Church.

The same is true for you! There is no such thing as nonessential support staff in the kingdom of God. There are no second-tier builders of the Church—at least not in God’s eyes. You can make a real difference in the world as you embrace the calling God has for you. Whether you are in the spotlight or working “behind the scenes,” know that the Lord sees your faithfulness—and he rejoices in you!

“Holy Spirit, thank you for all the heroes of the faith! And thank you for calling me to be a hero, too.” (Meditation on Acts 18:1-8, n.d.)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Omid Safi, a poet and Islamic scholar. CAC staff member and poet Drew asks: How might poetry support our efforts for peace, particularly in the conflicted space between religious identities?

I want us to really sit with that question: Is there actually religious conflict in this world with what we find our religious traditions teaching us? At the heart of the Jewish faith, that beautiful noble tradition: Be kind to the stranger for you yourselves were once strangers in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:19). Our beloved Christ: Be kind to the poor, the orphan, the needy, the widow; that which you do to the least of these, you do unto me (Matthew 25:40). Our beloved Prophet Muhammad: That the cry of the orphan rises all the way up to the throne of God and shakes it to its mighty foundation. [3] These folks are drinking from the same fountain. They’re bathed in the same light.(Rohr, n.d.)

We ask the Spirit to guide our piety, study, and action as witnesses to our relationship with Christ in seeking fullness of life.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?1 

John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?16 

McCann Waldron, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052925.html 

Meditation on Acts 18:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/29/1286368/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Collective Shadow: Hate Disguised as Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/collective-shadow-hate-disguised-as-love/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Lord Jesus Was Taken up into Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may29 

Present in Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to contemplate the Presence of God in Love.

A gathering of Friends

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describe accusations before Gallio that precede Paul’s return to Antioch.

* [18:12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia: Gallio’s proconsulship in Achaia is dated to A.D. 51–52 from an inscription discovered at Delphi. This has become an important date in establishing a chronology of the life and missionary work of Paul.

* [18:13] Contrary to the law: Gallio (Acts 18:15) understands this to be a problem of Jewish, not Roman, law.

* [18:18] He had his hair cut because he had taken a vow: a reference to a Nazirite vow (see Nm 6:1–21, especially, 6:18) taken by Paul (see also Acts 21:23–27). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 47 praises God’s Rule over the Nations.

* [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel’s God (Ps 47:2–5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Ps 47:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus invites us to ask the Father in His Name.

Edward Morse comments that today’s gospel provides a comforting message from our Lord that resembles God’s message to Paul.

He reminds us to persevere, promising us that grief and anguish from current trials will surely become joy.  He does not deny that grief and anguish are part of life.  We must endure hardships, some of which emanate from the threats, intimidation, and violence in a world that is often dominated by those seeking to wield coercive power.  But our Lord will be with us, and he will not abandon us.  “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” (Morse, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “ Alleluia will be our whole joy,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"I trust I will not weary you if I mention what you know already: that we say ALLELUIA daily and that we take delight in it daily. For you know that ALLELUIA means "Praise God" and by this expression we, agreeing in speech and thought, exhort one another to praise God. Only the one who displeases God in no respect praises God in security. Furthermore, in this time of journeying we say ALLELUIA for solace on our way. ALLELUIA is the song of the traveler for us; but we are advancing through a laborious path to a peaceful country where all our activities will be laid aside and nothing will remain for us except the ALLELUIA. Let us sing now, not for the delights of peace, but for comfort in our labor. Sing as travelers are accustomed to sing; comfort your labor by singing; do not love inactivity; keep singing and keep progressing. ...If you are advancing; progress in well-doing, progress in good faith, progress in good deeds. Keep singing and keep advancing. While we are here let us sing ALLELUIA though we are still beset with cares, so that in the future we may sing it there (in heaven) in tranquility. After the labors of this world there will be unceasing repetition of ALLELUIA. ..There ALLELUIA will be our food; ALLELUIA will be our drink; ALLELUIA will be our peaceful action; ALLELUIA will be our whole joy." [excerpts from Sermon 255 (1); Sermon 256 (1 and 3); Sermon 252 (9)] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:20-23 comments that for now, we see Jesus by faith. We trust that he sees us in our joys and sorrows, and we believe that he walks beside us through them all. But one day, Jesus will return. On that day, he will see us, and we will behold our Lord, face-to-face, in all his glory.

Today, let Jesus’ promise encourage you: he will see you again—and not just in heaven! Whether your life is currently filled with peace or with grief and trials, Jesus sees you. He knows everything about you. If you are struggling, you may feel alone or wonder if God really cares about what happens to you. But that feeling can fade as you pray and imagine yourself standing face-to-face with Jesus. You can let his loving gaze cut through your shadowy doubts. You can let him speak these words to you: I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are intimately aware of you. They are thinking of you always, with love. Rest in Jesus’ words and let them fill your heart with joy.

“Jesus, I trust in your promise.” (Meditation on John 16:20-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul usually stayed in one place for a short period of time. Two exceptions are Corinth and Ephesus. Time in Corinth is well dated by Gallio to the early 50’s. The Nazarite vow of Paul indicates his continued observance of Jewish traditions. Friar Jude reminds us of the theme in Luke that the Christians are observant of Roman Law. 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Felicia Murrell who acknowledges that our first homes are not always safe. For Murrell, home offers unconditional love.  

Love is home.  

Home is both an external dwelling and an internal abode. Home is the place where we belong, our place of acceptance and welcome. There, in this shame and judgment-free embryonic cocoon of love, we practice unconditional acceptance; we learn to relate to ourselves and the world around us.  

And home is a soft place for the body to land, a safe place for the soul to fully disrobe. Home is the place where our failures don’t kill, our sins can’t crush, and even when we are at our worst, we’re safe. Home is a place where we are free to take our deepest, fullest, least encumbered breath.  

At home, there’s no need to guess whether we’re in or out, welcomed or not. Home always prepares a place with us in mind.  (Rohr, n.d.)

The consolation of the Holy Spirit is our companion as Love that overcomes fear.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?9 

Meditation on John 16:20-23. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/10/960490/ 

Morse, E. (2024, May 10). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051024.html 

Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love is home. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-is-home/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy. Daily Scripture Readings. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may10 

Sorrow and Joy

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the cycles of our life between lows and highs and the consolation of love in God and friends.

Sorrow and Joy

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the mission of Paul in Corinth.

* [18:2] Aquila…Priscilla: both may already have been Christians at the time of their arrival in Corinth (see Acts 18:26). According to 1 Cor 16:19, their home became a meeting place for Christians. Claudius: the Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome ca. A.D. 49. The Roman historian Suetonius gives as reason for the expulsion disturbances among the Jews “at the instigation of Chrestos,” probably meaning disputes about the messiahship of Jesus.

* [18:6] Shook out his garments: a gesture indicating Paul’s repudiation of his mission to the Jews there; cf. Acts 28:17–31.

* [18:7] A worshiper of God: see note on Acts 8:26–40.

* [18:8] Crispus: in 1 Cor 1:14 Paul mentions that Crispus was one of the few he himself baptized at Corinth. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises that sorrow will turn into Joy.

Kimberly Grassmeyer comments that the idea of Christ's crucifixion at the hands of fearful, jealous leaders is a painful one, but the additional imagery of angry, hateful mobs cheering and joyful at his torture and death is nothing short of heartbreaking.

 This is not how the world "should work"; it's not how loving and kind humans "should behave".  I would prefer to see us as our better angels - that we would rather reflexively, instinctively recoil when we see images of this sort today.  Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins, so I guess that in the big picture, yes, we could get away with lacking compassion, or spewing hate toward others.  But Jesus Christ taught us to love one another: to be compassionate and giving and kind.  I pray that when we see instances of 'man's inhumanity toward man' that we NOT turn our faces away, nor rejoice, but rather that we, like the Disciples, weep and mourn, but then go out to do God's work in spreading the love of Christ and actively working for change.  It's a big ask in a tough world, but my childlike heart still hopes that we'll try.  Amen. (Grassmeyer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ our physician,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God sent the human race a physician, a savior, One Who healed without charging a fee. Christ also came to reward those who would be healed by Him. Christ heals the sick, and He makes a gift to those whom He heals. And the gift that He makes is Himself!" (excerpt from Sermon 102,2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 18:1-8 comments that when we’re very busy, giving up our precious free time is hard! Of course, the Lord wants us to rest and to enjoy the people in our lives. Yet, like Paul, we can be assured that God will also give us strength to do whatever he leads us to. We might ask him today, Is there any of my free time that you would like me to use differently? Perhaps he will alert us to an opportunity to help someone or bring to mind a friend or coworker that we could spend time with. Or maybe, like Paul, he will ask us to share the gospel in a new way.

On the other hand, some of us are in the habit of saying yes to so many things that we constantly feel exhausted. If that sounds familiar, ask the Lord for clarity today. What are those things, if any, that you would like me to stop doing? Am I getting the rest and refreshment that I need? Sometimes the answer isn’t clear or takes time to unfold. But trust that as you surrender your time—even your free time—to the Lord, he will give you the wisdom to find balance and fulfill his purpose for you.

“Lord, thank you for showing me what to focus on today.” (Meditation on Acts 18:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the connection of Paul to Aquila and Priscilla as workers in the same trade after Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews and Christians from Rome. Paul is expelled from the synagogue as he acts on the instruction that salvation is offered first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Friar Jude comments on the going away and return of Jesus in His Resurrection, or His return at the end time.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, names some obstacles that keep us from our true spiritual home. We are created with an inner drive and necessity that sends all of us looking for our True Self, our true home, whether we know it or not. This journey is a spiral and never a straight line. There is a God-size hole in all of us, waiting to be filled. God creates the very dissatisfaction that only grace and finally divine love can satisfy.

If we go to the depths of anything, we’ll begin to knock upon something substantial, “real,” and with a timeless quality. We’ll move from the starter kit of “belief” to an actual inner knowing. This is most especially true if we have ever (1) loved deeply, (2) accompanied someone through the mystery of dying, or (3) stood in genuine life-changing awe before mystery, time, or beauty. This “something real” is what all the world religions were pointing to when they spoke of heaven, home, nirvana, bliss, or enlightenment. They were not wrong at all; their only mistake was that they pushed it off into the next world. If heaven is later, it is because it is first of all now.  

These experiences of homecoming and depth become the pledge, guarantee, hint, and promise of an eternal something. Once we touch upon the Real, there is an inner insistence that the Real, if it is the Real, has to be forever. We could call it wishful thinking, but this insistence has been a constant intuition since the beginnings of humanity. Jesus made it into a promise, as when he tells the Samaritan woman that the spring within her “will well up unto eternal life” (John 4:14). In other words, heaven/union/love/home now emerge from within us, much more than from a mere belief system or any belonging system, which largely remain on the outside of the self. (Rohr, n.d.)

As we journey through days of sorrow and joy, we are reminded of Jesus' promises through the Presence of the Holy Spirit as our companion.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?1 

Grassmeyer, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/050924.html 

Meditation on Acts 18:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/09/951592/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Departure and the Return. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-departure-and-the-return/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may9