Communities Conquered with Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider how our inaction with people in our environment needs adjustment to be opportunities to build community and care with Jesus as our leader.

Care and Community

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles shares the mission of Paul in Ephesus.

* [19:1–6] Upon his arrival in Ephesus, Paul discovers other people at the same religious stage as Apollos, though they seem to have considered themselves followers of Christ, not of the Baptist. On the relation between baptism and the reception of the Spirit, see note on Acts 8:16. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 68 accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles.

* [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. At any rate, Ps 68:2 is based on Nm 10:35–36, and Ps 68:8–9 are derived from Jgs 5:4–5. The argument develops in nine stanzas (each of three to five poetic lines): 1. confidence that God will destroy Israel’s enemies (Ps 68:2–4); 2. call to praise God as savior (Ps 68:5–7); 3. God’s initial rescue of Israel from Egypt (Ps 68:8), the Sinai encounter (Ps 68:9), and the settlement in Canaan (Ps 68:10–11); 4. the defeat of the Canaanite kings (Ps 68:12–15); 5. the taking of Jerusalem, where Israel’s God will rule the world (Ps 68:16–19); 6. praise for God’s past help and for the future interventions that will be modeled on the ancient exodus-conquest (Ps 68:20–24); 7. procession at the Feast of Tabernacles (Ps 68:25–28); 8. prayer that the defeated enemies bring tribute to the Temple (Ps 68:29–32); 9. invitation for all kingdoms to praise Israel’s God (Ps 68:33–35). (Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB, n.d.)

The text from the Gospel of John concludes Jesus’ Departure.

* [16:30] The reference is seemingly to the fact that Jesus could anticipate their question in Jn 16:19. The disciples naively think they have the full understanding that is the climax of “the hour” of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension (Jn 16:25), but the only part of the hour that is at hand for them is their share in the passion (Jn 16:32).

* [16:32] You will be scattered: cf. Mk 14:27 and Mt 26:31, where both cite Zec 13:7 about the sheep being dispersed. (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth shares her perspective that popes no longer act like kings became beautifully evident during the liturgy when various representatives of the people of God, not just cardinals and clergy, offered their obedience to Pope Leo. Instead of stiffly extending his hand for his genuflecting subjects to kiss his ring like a sovereign, Pope Leo greeted participants with smiles, handshakes and hugs.

World leaders flocked to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis and the installation of Pope Leo out of respect for and possibly fear of this influence. Think, for example, of the impact of St. John Paul II on the fate of communism in Eastern Europe.   Many leaders will disregard the messages about peace, love and prioritizing the needs of people on the margins. But they felt compelled to show up, if only for the photographers.

Now it is up to us, the people of God, to work to implement the pope’s messages. This may take courage, but today’s gospel assures us that we need not be afraid because Christ has conquered the world. (Wirth, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “In Christ we have peace, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When [Jesus] says, 'These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace,' he refers not only to what he has just said but also to what he had said all along, either from the time that he first had disciples, or since the supper, when he began this long and wonderful discourse... He declares this to be the object of his whole discourse, that is, that in him they might have peace. And this peace will have no end but is itself the end of every godly action and intention." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 104.1.15) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:29-33 comments that John Paul II continued to proclaim the power of Jesus’ cross and resurrection with conviction and with joy. He was convinced that Jesus had “conquered the world,” and he believed in the depths of his heart that he had a share in that victory (John 16:33). In fact, John Paul became known throughout the world as a champion of hope. People of all cultures and ages were inspired by his words and chose to follow Christ because of him.

“Be not afraid! There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already carried for us and does not bear with us now.”

“Lord, you have conquered the world. Help me to be a champion of hope today!” (Meditation on John 16:29-33, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the reception of the Holy Spirit when Paul ministers to the people in Ephesus. In Christian Baptism, we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The disciples in the Gospel of John declare they believe because He is speaking clearly. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus, one with the Father, has conquered those who have rejected His Message, the world, by Love presented on the Cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how Jesus’ eating habits challenged the religious and cultural norms of his time—and our own.

It’s necessary to calculate very carefully what was lost and what was gained as Christianity developed. The church moved from Jesus’ real meal with open table fellowship to its continuance in the relatively safe ritual meal that became the Christian Eucharist. Unfortunately, the meal itself came to redefine social reality in a negative way, in terms of worthiness and unworthiness.  

That is almost exactly the opposite of Jesus’ intention. To this day, we use Eucharist to define membership in terms of worthy and unworthy. Even if we deny that is our intention, it’s clearly the practical message people hear. Isn’t it strange that sins of marriage and sexuality are the primary ones we use to exclude people from the table, when other sins like greed and hatefulness that cause more public damage are never considered? (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide our understanding and action based on Jesus' declaration to us that “He has conquered the world” by love, compassion, and inclusion.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/19?1 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?29 

Meditation on John 16:29-33. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/02/1296572/ 

Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings.

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Meal-Based Social Action. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/meal-based-social-action/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Peace in Overcoming the World. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun2 

Wirth, E. (2025, June 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060225.html 

Mercy and Generosity

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to make some steps on our journey to practice mercy through our care and generosity for those with whom we have a difficult relationship.

Mercy and Generosity

The reading from the Book of Daniel introduces the Seventy Weeks of Years as the prophet declares ‘Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us,’

* [9:2] Seventy years: Jeremiah was understood to prophesy a Babylonian captivity of seventy years, a round number signifying the complete passing away of the existing generation (Jer 25:11; 29:10). On this view Jeremiah’s prophecy was seen to be fulfilled in the capture of Babylon by Cyrus and the subsequent return of the Jews to Palestine. However, the author of Daniel, living during the persecution of Antiochus, extends Jeremiah’s number to seventy weeks of years (Dn 9:24), i.e., seven times seventy years, to encompass the period of Seleucid persecution. (Daniel, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Psalm 79 is a plea for Mercy for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 79] A communal lament complaining that the nations have defiled the Temple and murdered the holy people, leaving their corpses unburied (Ps 79:1–4). The occasion is probably the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army in 587 B.C. The people ask how long the withdrawal of divine favor will last (Ps 79:5), pray for action now (Ps 79:6–7), and admit that their own sins have brought about the catastrophe (Ps 79:8–9). They seek to persuade God to act for reasons of honor: the nations who do not call upon the Name are running amok (Ps 79:6); the divine honor is compromised (Ps 79:1, 10, 12); God’s own servants suffer (Ps 79:2–4, 11). (Psalms, PSALM 79, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches about judging others.

* [6:27–36] See notes on Mt 5:43–48 and Mt 5:48.

* [6:37–42] See notes on Mt 7:1–12; 7:1; 7:5. (Luke, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)

Michael Kavan comments that we can find a deeper understanding of what is meant by God’s mercy. In Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis reminds us how the visceral nature of mercy comes from a personal relationship Jesus promised to us based on forgiveness and love, reconciliation, and truth.

And finally, to follow Pope Francis’ words of his Youth Day letter when he wrote, “I ask you, then, to rediscover the corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, assist the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.” He continues by writing that “mercy does not just imply being a ‘good person’ nor is it mere sentimentality. It is the measure of our authenticity as disciples of Jesus, and of our credibility as Christians in today’s world.” And as Luke reminds us, “the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Kavan, 2023)

 Don Schwager quotes “The Practice of Mercy,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The practice of mercy is twofold: when vengeance is sacrificed and when compassion is shown. The Lord included both of these in his brief sentence: 'Forgive, and you shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given to you.' This work has the effect of purifying the heart, so that, even under the limitations of this life, we are enabled with pure mind to see the immutable reality of God. There is something holding us back, which has to be loosed so that our sight may break through to the light. In connection with this the Lord said, 'Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you.' Therefore the next and sixth step is that cleansing of the heart." (excerpt from Letter 171A.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 6:36-38 notes that Pope St. John Paul II once said, “Jesus himself . . . is mercy” (Dives in Misericordia, 2).

God sent Jesus to earth so that we could see mercy in the flesh. May we always keep this picture of mercy close to our hearts so that we can become witnesses to the abundant, overflowing, and never-ending mercy of our heavenly Father!

“Jesus, you are mercy itself. Help me imitate both you and my heavenly Father by bringing your mercy into my most challenging relationships.” (Meditation on Luke 6:36-38, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the petition for mercy in the passage from the Book of Daniel that is needed for the people to move forward. We forgive those who hurt us in recognition of the needs they have in their brokenness. Friar Jude reminds us of our increase in ability to accept mercy when we open our hearts with mercy for others.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, offers some historical background on the practical actions that pilgrims had to take before they underwent a spiritual pilgrimage. 

First of all, you had to make amends with everyone you had ever wronged. Also, if you went on pilgrimage holding any kind of unforgiveness, it could not be a good pilgrimage. You couldn’t leave your town until you’d forgiven everyone who’d ever wronged you. Certainly, this is an attitude that we can pray for at the beginning of any pilgrimage: that God would keep our hearts open and loving, because a pilgrimage can’t just be a tourist trip. The meaning of a pilgrimage is an interior journey. Primarily, it’s an interior journey enacted exteriorly. (Rohr, 2023)

We reflect on the mercy we have known as the Spirit invites us to open our hearts to the people in need of our care today.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/9?4 

Kavan, M. (2023, March 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030623.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6? 

Meditation on Luke 6:36-38. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/06/626566/ 

Psalms, PSALM 79. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/79?8 

Rohr, R. (2023, March 6). Pilgrims, Not Tourists — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/pilgrims-not-tourists-2023-03-06/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar6