Reaching the World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to act on our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to continue to reach out to people in our environment guided by the Holy Spirit.

Reaching with the Spirit

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles introduces Paul in Lycaonia and Timothy.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).

* [16:7] The Spirit of Jesus: this is an unusual formulation in Luke’s writings. The parallelism with Acts 16:6 indicates its meaning, the holy Spirit. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 100 is a hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them.

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus explains the World’s Hatred.

* [15:18–16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Mt 10:17–25; 24:9–10.

* [15:20] The word I spoke to you: a reference to Jn 13:16.

* [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth comments that Like Jesus, Pope Francis was more than willing to endure criticism (persecution, if you will) from the modern equivalent of the Pharisees if that was the price for loving people as radically as he believed God does.

Just as Jesus embraced the lepers and social outcasts of his day including sinners, tax collectors and women adulterers, Francis constantly reached out to their modern equivalents. Believing in God’s unconditional love for all people, he never confused himself with God. Instead of casting out those who did not strictly conform to church rules, he blessed them and asked, “who am I to judge?”

Today I am thanking God for the gift of Pope Francis and recalling how his example inspired my own feeble attempts at emulation, like the year I decided to make a weekly donation to a good cause in his honor. Then I started fudging and wondering if a larger monthly donation would be better etc But at least I gave more and thought more about sharing more of my good fortune.  I hope that Pope Francis will continue to goad  my conscience  when meeting the demands of Jesus to be in solidarity with people on the margins  seems too hard, (Wirth, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:18-21 comments that any kind of “persecution” can make us feel bitter or resentful. If we allow ourselves to dwell on the wrongs done to us, we risk losing the kindness and patience that our friends, neighbors, and coworkers need to see from us. It can leave us less open to sharing the joy of the Lord with the people we run into throughout our day.

Jesus, our Master, endured so much, yet he never let it deter him from doing his Father’s will. So when someone misunderstands or mistreats you because of your faith, don’t let it deter you, either. Instead, ask the Lord to soften your heart and help you forgive the one who has hurt you. Recall how blessed you are to be counted among his servants. And ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with joy and show you how you can share his love and mercy even with those who oppose you.

“Jesus, give me the grace to continue to follow you without hesitation, even when I’m treated unfairly.” (Meditation on John 15:18-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Timothy is circumcised to follow Jewish customs, because his mother is Jewish. While travelling in the south of Turkey, the Holy Spirit calls Paul to Macedonia. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus, in the Last Supper Discourse, invited His disciples to love but the “world”, that rejects Jesus and His reality will cause us to suffer as Jesus suffered perhaps in a martyrdom of pinpricks trying to live our Christian faith and sometimes we need to carry the Cross with joy, the sense of being where God has called us to be.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual teacher Mirabai Starr who encourages us to know and honor our lives and experiences more fully.

Try this: Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight, allow your eyes to close, take a couple of deep, slow breaths, and ask yourself the question “Who am I?” Rather than responding in the negative, say yes to whatever arises. I am a mother and a daughter, a sister and a lover: yes. I am a cabinet-maker, a gardener, an activist: yes. I am a sensitive person, a drama queen, a tortured artist: yes. I am someone others can come to when their hearts are broken because I listen with love: yes. I am a part of the vast universe, no more or less important than an aspen tree: yes. Now, get creative: I am sunlight on water, a breeze that lifts my hair, the stillness of midnight, a symphony: yes.  

You are all of these and beyond them all. You get to be both vast and particular, formless and gloriously made. By accepting all the scruffy and magnificent details of your human condition, and allowing seemingly contradictory things to be equally true, you banish the conditioned voice that designates some things as holy and others as profane. Set your intention to welcome everything you are and watch your life open like a fist, like a flower, like a gate. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the gifts of wisdom, prudence, and patience from the Spirit as we encounter both the desire to bring the Good News and rejection by the “world” of our outreach.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15? 

Meditation on John 15:18-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/24/1283331/ 

Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Tricycle of Faith: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/tricycle-of-faith-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not of the World. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may24 

Wirth, E. (2025, May 24). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052425.html 

In, Not of The World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to navigate the slings and arrows of our journey with the hope and joy that comes from our relationships with God and the people on our journey.

In and not of

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Timothy Joins Paul and Silas and Paul has a vision of a man of Macedonia.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Psalm 100 praises all lands summoned to praise God.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them. * [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus shares that the World’s hatred will be known to His followers.

* [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus. (John, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard comments that Jesus left us two extraordinary gifts with his resurrection:  Hope and Joy.

Hope, such a little word without which all creation suffers and eventually dies. Hope is the living incentive to building the Kingdom.  Hope is rooted in unwavering belief and trust in God – God’s majesty, God’s mercy and God’s love – for me and for all creation. Joy, an even smaller word, is what sustains us.  Joy far surpasses excitement, pleasure and happiness which are transient.  Joy is grounded, stable, reliable, unwavering.  Joy is a way of being.  Joy is God dwelling within me.  I am God’s joy and hope.  Joy binds me to God and God to me.  They bind me to others.  I can experience happiness or sadness and still live grounded in joy.  Joy is not transient. Simply Profound yet Profoundly Simple (Howard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:1-10 comments that, like Paul, we face decisions—both big and small—every day. Especially with major decisions, it can be difficult to know what to do. But the Spirit wants to help us discern our path forward.

If you can’t yet see a “best” choice, you might try Paul’s strategy of pursuing one option to its end. In his case, he got a sense from the Spirit not to continue. This may happen for you, but the Lord might just as easily use other means to guide you. Some doors may open while others may close. Or you may find that one option begins to stand out from the rest. Often, as you try to follow the Spirit’s lead, you will find peace. This too can be the Lord’s way of showing you where to go or what to do. Finally, throughout the process, take heart. You may not know the outcome yet, but the Lord does. Just as he guided Paul, he will guide you if you seek him. “Lord, guide me in the decisions I will face today.” (Meditation on Acts 16:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the circumcision of Timothy and the connection to his Jewish mother. Paul is called to Macedonia in a dream and away from areas being evangelized by others from Jerusalem. Friar Jude reminds us that, In John, the “world” are those people who have chosen to reject Jesus and what the Father wants for us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that in her book, Seeking the God Beyond, Anglican priest and author Janet P. Williams suggests poetry as a helpful way for individuals to move beyond ordinary patterns of thought and prayer. She writes, “Poems address mystery and reality sufficiently obliquely that in them we can, as Emily Dickinson demanded, ‘tell the truth [a]slant.’” [1] Here is an excerpt from a poem entitled “Grace” by Australian poet Judith Wright [1915–2000]. Through prayerful listening, the poem becomes an invitation to experience God beyond what we can know.

Living is dailiness, a simple bread

That’s worth the eating. But I have known a wine,

a drunkenness that can’t be spoken or sung . . .

It seems to have nothing to do with things at all . . .

[it] takes over the depth of flesh, the inward eye . . .

because it occurs beyond the here and now, positives, negatives, what we hope and are. [2] (Unknowing: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation, 2022)

The choices we face on our journey may call us to act in opposition to the way of the world as we attend to the prompting of the Spirit to live in Jesus' Way of hope and joy.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1 

Howard, J. B. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052122.html 

John, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?18 

Meditation on Acts 16:1-10. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/21/385712/ 

Psalms, PSALM 100. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may21 

Unknowing: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. (2022, May 21). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/unknowing-weekly-summary-2022-05-21/ 

Called to Heal Hatred

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our share in the Spirit that moves leaders to act with Christ against hatred.

Sharing and caring

 

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles relates how Timothy joins Paul and Silas to bring the Good News to Macedonia.

 

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).1

Psalm 100 declares all lands are summoned to praise God.

 

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them. * [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God.2

In the Gospel of John, Jesus explains the world’s hatred.

 * [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus.3

Eileen Burke-Sullivan observes we are not just a human association that helps us along, but confirmed together by God’s Spirit we together are the Body of Christ called to touch and challenge, comfort and heal the world the way that Jesus served his own community and time.  We have been given the power of Jesus to accomplish this.

 

Today’s Gospel invites us to realize that aspects of culture will also reject the goodness of mercy of God and will hate the messengers of God’s love.  The believers in the Church must be constantly on guard and being renewed in the Spirit to discern what is of God in every culture, and what opposes God’s desire for humanity and the world.  This discernment is no easy task.  The Spirit of God filling the Church and binding it in love makes it possible to discern, but it takes time and slow conversion of heart to truly know and follow what God wants within each pattern of human life.  The heart of the Christian faith is this desire to dwell in God and in God’s desire, but the world will try to seduce us into believing in our own desire and especially our desire to be independent of the authority of faith.  If any of us desires the consolation of God’s mercy, we are challenged to listen to Jesus’ voice in the Church, even if the human sin of leaders makes it difficult to hear.4

Don Schwager quotes “Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

 

"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:18-21 comments Jesus’ words here apply not only to the hate that’s out there “in the world” but also to whatever darkness is lurking in our hearts. Sometimes we are the ones doing the “hating.” Think about those times when we fail to love as we should or when we succumb to temptations to envy, pride, anger, or ingratitude. It may not be hatred, but any lack of love gives room for its opposite to grow.

 

It may be helpful here to consider St. Paul’s classic definition of love. He tells us that love is patient and kind. It isn’t jealous, pompous, or rude. It doesn’t seek its own interests. It bears all things, hopes at all times, and endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). This is a high bar indeed, but as Jesus says in today’s Gospel, we don’t belong to this world (John 15:19). That means that he has given us the grace to love in a way that goes beyond the world’s idea of love. Through Christ, we can learn to love everyone, even the ones who don’t return that love and, yes, even the ones who hate us.6

Friar Jude Winkler discusses an apparent reversal in the circumcision of Timothy. Paul preached where the Gospel had not yet been preached. Friar Jude sets our concern about sharing persecution in the context of the very dualistic Gospel of John.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Resmaa Menakem, a therapist who focuses on healing racial trauma. In his book My Grandmother’s Hands, he reminds readers of all races that the way to begin and to continue on the journey of healing trauma is to return to our bodies. This practice is rooted in Menakem’s memories of his grandmother. He recalls hearing her hum.

 

This humming practice is intended to soothe the nervous system and bring about calm, presence, and greater awareness in our bodies, as it did for Menakem and his grandmother. He instructs: Find a quiet, private, comfortable place. Sit down. Put one hand on your knee or in your lap. Place the other on your belly. Now hum. Not from your throat or chest, but from the bottom of your belly. Hum strong and steady. Push the air out of your belly firmly, not gently. Stop to breathe in, but return to the hum with each new breath. Experience the hum in your belly. Then sense it in the rest of your body. Continue humming for two minutes. When you’re done, reach your arms upward. Then, slowly and gently, feel your body with your hands, starting from the top of your head. Move slowly down your neck and along your chest, then below your waist, then past your knees, until your arms are fully extended downward. What do you notice?7

Our missionary journey brings us in contact with others for whom we bring the Good News.

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100
3	(n.d.). John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/050821.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
6	(2021, May 8). 5th Week of Easter - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/05/08/188864/
7	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/