Harmony and Hope

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to nudges of the Spirit to seek harmony with and instil hope in the people we encounter on our journey.

Hope for the Future

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul meets Jewish Leaders in Rome.

* [28:16] With Paul’s arrival in Rome, the programmatic spread of the word of the Lord to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) is accomplished. In Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest, and under this mild form of custody he is allowed to proclaim the word in the capital of the civilized world of his day.

* [28:17–22] Paul’s first act in Rome is to learn from the leaders of the Jewish community whether the Jews of Jerusalem plan to pursue their case against him before the Roman jurisdiction. He is informed that no such plan is afoot, but that the Jews of Rome have heard the Christian teaching denounced. Paul’s offer to explain it to them is readily accepted.

* [28:20] The hope of Israel: in the words of Paul (Acts 23:6), Luke has identified this hope as hope in the resurrection of the dead. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 11 is a Song of Trust in God.

* [Psalm 11] A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7). (Psalms, PSALM 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, we explore the relationship between Jesus and the Beloved Disciple.

* [21:22] Until I come: a reference to the parousia.

* [21:23] This whole scene takes on more significance if the disciple is already dead. The death of the apostolic generation caused problems in the church because of a belief that Jesus was to have returned first. Loss of faith sometimes resulted; cf. 2 Pt 3:4.

* [21:24] Who…has written them: this does not necessarily mean he wrote them with his own hand. The same expression is used in Jn 19:22 of Pilate, who certainly would not have written the inscription himself. We know: i.e., the Christian community; cf. Jn 1:14, 16. (John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard asks some questions: How or did their personal encounter with Jesus change their lives? Other than obvious physical changes, were they perceptively different?  Did their families, friends, communities notice and remark on any changes in their personalities or behaviors?  Did they, themselves, notice an interior transformation?

I wonder about me.  I have encountered this kind, gentle, loving Jesus in the faces and behaviors of others. During the COVID shutdown, when all were hesitant to be in physical contact with others, I fell and could not get up. A kind woman  came to my aid.  Without hesitation, she bent down, gently helped me up.  She held my hands in both of hers until I was stable. I thanked her for her gracious assistance.  I was so shaken, I forgot to ask her name.  It no longer matters. She remains nameless, but I will never forget her. Her kindness influences me regularly. Do I hesitate to help a stranger?  Do I hesitate to reach out to another in need?  Gratefully, I am very much aware when I do and when I do not. (Howard, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Peter follows, John remains,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The Lord either said what he said to Peter about his martyrdom, or he said it about the gospel of John. As regards the martyrdom and this 'Follow me,' [he means] suffer for me, suffer what I did. Because Christ was crucified, Peter too was crucified... while John experienced none of this. That is what is meant by, 'It is thus that I wish him to remain.' Let him fall asleep without wounds, without torment, and wait for me. You, Peter, 'Follow me,' suffer what I did. That's one way these words can be explained...

"As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord's humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:20-25 comments that Jesus has called each of us in Baptism. But throughout our lives, he continues to lead us into a deeper faith and obedience. As we grow in maturity, he calls us to an even closer relationship with him. And while it might be tempting to wonder about what the future holds for other people, Jesus calls us to keep our eyes on him, to listen for his voice, and to go where he leads us. That’s why he’s given us his Holy Spirit, so that we can respond with a deeper, fuller yes to Jesus and his distinct call for our lives.

You follow me. These three words are very personal. Imagine Jesus speaking them specifically to you. His plans for you are unique. He loves you and knows every detail of your life—what you love and what you fear, your gifts and your struggles. His call is tailor-made for you and won’t look like anyone else’s. So don’t look around at what others are doing and try to follow them. Look to Jesus, who even today is blessing you with a calling specifically your own.

“Jesus, you have called me by name, and you know me. Your call is perfect for me. I will follow you.” (Meditation on John 21:20-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the delay in contact of Paul with Roman Emperor Nero as he was under house arrest in the political capital of the world having spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth from the spiritual capital of the world, Jerusalem. The disciple of John, who likely authored the Gospel, identifies the problem of misinterpretation that is reminiscent of “Blessed are the cheesemakers” in the Life of Brian. Friar Jude reminds us that testimony about Jesus is more than all the books of words can express.

Brian McLaren introduces Joanna Macy and Molly Brown who describe how working together helps us discover the resources we need. When we make common cause on behalf of the Earth community, we open not only to the needs of others, but also to their abilities and gifts…. None of us alone possesses all the courage and intelligence, strength and endurance, required for the Great Turning…. The resources we need are present within the web of life that interconnects us. They offer a series of guidelines for reflection on how we can work together: 

Attune to a common intention. Intention is not a goal or plan you can formulate with precision. It is an open-ended aim: may we meet common needs and collaborate in new ways…. 

Know that only the whole can repair itself. You cannot fix the world, but you can take part in its self-healing. Healing wounded relationships within you and between you and others is integral to the healing of our world…. 

Open to flows of information from the larger system. Do not resist painful information about the condition of your world, but understand that the pain you feel for the world springs from interconnectivity, and your willingness to experience it unblocks feedback that is important to the well-being of the whole…. 

Believe no one who claims to have the final answer. Such claims are a sign of ignorance and limited self-interest…. 

You do not need to see the results of your work. Your actions have unanticipated and far-reaching effects that are not likely to be visible to you in your lifetime.  

Putting forth great effort, let there also be serenity in all your doing; for you are held within the web of life, within flows of energy and intelligence far exceeding your own.  (McLaren, n.d.)

We consider the opportunities we have in the times of harmony and peace to work with the Spirit towards understanding, appreciation, affirmation, and support in our communities.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/28?16 

Howard, J. B. (2024, May 18). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051824.html 

John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?20 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Loving a Suffering Planet: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/life-after-doom-weekly-summary/ 

Meditation on John 21:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/18/967826/ 

Psalms, PSALM 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11?4 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Immensity of What Jesus Has Done for Us. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may18

The Spirit of Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to join Christ in the mission of the Father, through the Spirit, to share full life with the people we encounter.

Sharing New Life

The reading from the First Letter of John 5.5-13 is testimony concerning the Son of God.

* [5:6–12] Water and blood (1 Jn 5:6) refers to Christ’s baptism (Mt 3:16–17) and to the shedding of his blood on the cross (Jn 19:34). The Spirit was present at the baptism (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32, 34). The testimony to Christ as the Son of God is confirmed by divine witness (1 Jn 5:7–9), greater by far than the two legally required human witnesses (Dt 17:6). To deny this is to deny God’s truth; cf. Jn 8:17–18. The gist of the divine witness or testimony is that eternal life (1 Jn 5:11–12) is given in Christ and nowhere else. To possess the Son is not acceptance of a doctrine but of a person who lives now and provides life. (1 John, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)

Psalm 147 offers praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (Psalms, PSALM 147, n.d.)

In the Gospel, Mark describes the Baptism of Jesus.

* [1:8–9] Through the life-giving baptism with the holy Spirit (Mk 1:8), Jesus will create a new people of God. But first he identifies himself with the people of Israel in submitting to John’s baptism of repentance and in bearing on their behalf the burden of God’s decisive judgment (Mk 1:9; cf. Mk 1:4). As in the desert of Sinai, so here in the wilderness of Judea, Israel’s sonship with God is to be renewed.

* [1:10–11] He saw the heavens…and the Spirit…upon him: indicating divine intervention in fulfillment of promise. Here the descent of the Spirit on Jesus is meant, anointing him for his ministry; cf. Is 11:2; 42:1; 61:1; 63:9. A voice…with you I am well pleased: God’s acknowledgment of Jesus as his unique Son, the object of his love. His approval of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus will fulfill his messianic mission of salvation. (Mark, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock wonders what was in His mind as He considered this gesture, this baptism of water.

All these feelings are ours as well as we consider our life choices. We make a commitment to God and predictably are presented with a host of temptations and trials. It is good to remember that the Father’s words are ours as well – we are his beloved children and through it all we please him. We can claim the Spirit’s soft, gentle descent in that whisper from the Father showing us the way, the truth, the life. (Braddock, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The divine - human reconciliation,” attributed to Hippolytus, 170-236 A.D.

"Do you see, beloved, how many and how great blessings we would have lost if the Lord had yielded to the exhortation of John and declined baptism? For the heavens had been shut before this. The region above was inaccessible. We might descend to the lower parts, but not ascend to the upper. So it happened not only that the Lord was being baptized - he also was making new the old creation. He was bringing the alienated under the scepter of adoption (Romans 8:15). For straightway 'the heavens were opened to him.' A reconciliation took place between the visible and the invisible. The celestial orders were filled with joy, the diseases of earth were healed, secret things made known, those at enmity restored to amity. For you have heard the word of the Evangelist, saying, 'The heavens were opened to him,' on account of three wonders [appearance of the eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together at the baptism]. At the baptism of Christ the Bridegroom, it was fitting that the heavenly chamber should open its glorious gates. So when the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and the Father's voice spread everywhere, it was fitting that 'the gates of heaven should be lifted up.'" (excerpt from THE DISCOURSE ON THE HOLY THEOPHANY 6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 John 5:5-13 comments that Jesus promises that if we follow his rules—his law of love, the way of his cross—we will see “eternal life” (John 12:25). No worldly power will ever dethrone us. We will “reign in life” forever (Romans 5:17).

Do you want to know victory over the world? Then believe in Jesus, and not just with your intellect. Bow down to him. Listen for his voice and follow his call to service, even if it seems to go against the “common” wisdom of the world. Believe his promise that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

“Jesus, let me taste your victory as I lay down my life for your people!” (Meditation on 1 John 5:5-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the declaration of victory over the part of reality that has rejected Jesus in 1 John. We know Jesus in our heart and through the Spirit in the liturgical actions of Baptism and Eucharist in the community. Friar Jude reminds us of the difference from the baptism of John in that Father, Son, and Spirit are present to invite us into the love of the Trinity.

Barbara Holmes introduces Joanna Macy (b. 1929) who has worked for decades to support the Great Turning, a movement towards life-sustaining cultures and economies.

When a change wants to happen, it looks for people to act through. How do we know when a change wants to happen? We feel the want inside us. There is a desire, a tugging at us to be involved. But that doesn’t make the change inevitable, because standing in our way are all those who say we’re wasting our time, that it isn’t possible, that it will be too hazardous. For the change to happen through us, we need to counter those voices. A shift can happen within us when we break through a resistance that has been holding us back. (Holmes, 2024)

We are reminded that the Spirit brings what we need to live our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader in the fullness of life.

References

Braddock, S. (2024, January 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010624.html 

Holmes, B. (2024, January 6). Radical Resilience: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/radical-resilience-weekly-summary/ 

Mark, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?7 

Meditation on 1 John 5:5-13. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/06/870040/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/5? 

Psalms, PSALM 147. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 6, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan6