Universal Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reconsider if the scope of our mission as followers of Christ is truly “catholic”.

Universal Love

In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul responds to Accusations before Gallio and  Returns to Syrian 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, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 47 acknowledges the universal rule of Israel’s God.

* [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 restates His teaching on departure and return.

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

Greg Dyche understands “in the name of” to mean “for the sake of the mission”. Jesus seems eager to further the mission, so if we ask for something in His name, God is going to answer.

The answer won’t always be what I think the mission needs or when I think the mission needs it, but God will answer for the sake of the mission. God has already given His Son for the sake of the mission, what else would he hold back?

I believe in the mission. I believe I am a part of the mission. If you’re reading this, we are on the mission together. That idea makes me a little happier. We aren’t alone, no matter how it feels at times. Let’s pray together, in the name of Jesus, that we can love others. And let’s do it together. (Dyche, 2026)

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 about our joy to know that we belong to Christ and that we have access to him at any time! That includes both the challenging times as well as the happy times. We can hear his assurance that he is with us when we are feeling burdened, and we can feel him rejoicing with us in the good times. Every day we can taste the sweetness of knowing that we are precious to him.

So let your heart rejoice! Jesus has promised that you will see him—that you can see him—right here and right now. And ask the Spirit to help you keep your eyes open for his presence within you and his work in the world and in the people around you.

“Lord Jesus, I rejoice in your presence!” (Meditation on John 16:20-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments Paul remained a long time in Corinth. The Spirit often speaks in dreams and we must discern carefully. Paul stayed there over a year. Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, was the brother of Seneca and the trial occurred around 51 CE. In Acts and Luke, Rome tries not to condemn Christians who are people who respect the Law. Paul makes a vow and in the tradition of Nazarites he shaves his head. In New Testament times it was a temporary vow and the head was shaved and hair still belongs to God. In Acts, Paul still follows some Jewish customs. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks about suffering for Jesus and His disciples. They have pain like the woman in labour and they will give birth to something wonderful. Friar Jude reminds us that followers of Jesus must die to self and serve others. We are invited into the Love of the Cross by God.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Matthew Fox who traces the universal nature of Julian’s message of mystical hope and divine love. When she celebrates the beauty of being human, she again makes explicit that she is talking about all and not some sectarian group. “God made us so rich and noble in our essence that all we can do is strive to enact his will and honor him in all things. “In God’s sight, all humanity is one person, and all people are a single humanity.”… [1] For Julian, the traditional teaching of the church as the mystical body of Christ is extended to the entire human race.

When she celebrates the beauty of being human, she again makes explicit that she is talking about all and not some sectarian group. “God made us so rich and noble in our essence that all we can do is strive to enact his will and honor him in all things. When I say ‘we,’ I mean all true spiritual seekers.” [2] When she says “all,” she means all. This would include, in our time, all versions of Christians and all Jews, all Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, Muslims, goddess worshippers, those of indigenous religions, and those of no religions, whether agnostic or atheist. That is how ecumenical she is—and in the fourteenth century, no less. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the universal love of God and invoke the Spirit to inspire our actions to be disciples of love, compassion, and care for all people, the Mystical Body of Christ, we encounter.

References

Acts, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?9 

Dyche, G. (2026, May 15). Daily Reflection May 15, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-15-2026 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16 

Meditation on John 16:20-23. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/15/1568198/ 

Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?20 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-dwells-in-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Courage and Conviction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today echo the courage and conviction that we seek to live our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.

Sign of the "Pope of Hope"

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and Paul proclaim the kerygma.

Psalm 118 is a thanksgiving liturgy.

* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29). (Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene, to Two Disciples, and the Commissioning of the Eleven.

* [16:9–20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Lk 24 and Jn 20. (Mark, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mardell Wilson comments that we meet Peter and John in today’s reading. These are two men: untrained, unschooled, “ordinary,” as Luke says.  They are standing before the most powerful religious authorities of their day. They are being told, in no uncertain terms, to shut it down, knock it off. Stop preaching. Stop teaching. Stop talking about Jesus. Or else!

As we find ourselves still clearly in the light of Easter, we celebrate the joyous resurrection of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the whole world. Like Peter and John, we are called to stand firm in the face of the world and say, “It’s impossible for us NOT to speak about what we have heard. Not out of defiance, but out of joy knowing that Jesus lives and always will. He has transformed everything for you and for me and for all of the world. (Wilson, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Great Commission,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.

"The command to the apostles to be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth was not addressed exclusively to those to whom it was immediately spoken. They alone would not be the only ones who would carry such an enormous task to completion. Similarly he seems to be speaking to the apostles very personally when he says: "Behold I am with you even to the end of the world," yet who does not know that he made this promise to the universal church which will last from now even to the consummation of the world by successive births and deaths?" (excerpt from Letter 199, To Hesychius 49) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:13-21 comments that not even the threat of prison could silence these “uneducated, ordinary men” or steal their joy (Acts 4:13). They were just like most of us: lacking titles, status, or formal training. But they were set ablaze by the fire of God’s love.

During this Easter season, the Church is singing for joy to our risen King. Death is defeated, and we have been raised to new life! Let your voice join in the proclamation! Let the joy of Easter flow out of you and bring hope to everyone around you.

“Risen Lord, I cannot help but share the joy of knowing your love!” (Meditation on Acts 4:13-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the boldness of Peter and John explaining themselves to the Sanhedrin after healing and proclaiming the kerygma. They respond with their obligation to listen to God, not the authorities. Friar Jude shares the development of the longer ending of Mark as inspired text from the other Gospels.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Matthew Fox who explores how we can choose to live resurrection each day. Fox asks “Who does not seek Resurrection? Who does not seek a full and fuller life?” Did Jesus not promise, “I have come that you may have life, life in abundance?” (John 10:10)

Resurrection is a commitment to hope and being reborn. It is a commitment to creativity, to the Spirit who “makes all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Resurrection is the Spirit’s work. It is life of the Spirit.  

And what about Life? How am I Life? How living and alive am I? How much in love with life am I? Can anyone or any event separate me from my love of life? Paul the mystic asks (and then answers), “Who shall separate us from the love of God? Neither death nor life, height nor depth, neither present nor future” (Romans 8:35, 38). Is my curiosity alive? My gratitude? My mind? My imagination? My laughter and sense of humor? My creativity? My powers of generosity and compassion? My powers for continually generating and regenerating life?… (Rohr, n.d.)

As we witness the funeral of Pope Francis today we seek renewed inspiration from the Spirit to follow Jesus' Way of love, mercy, and hope with courage and conviction.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4?13 

Mark, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/16?9 

Meditation on Acts 4:13-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/26/1262544/ 

Psalms, PSALM 118 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Celebrating Resurrection: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/celebrating-resurrection-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Go and Preach the Gospel to the Whole Creation. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr26 

Wilson, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042625.html 

Trust the Greatest

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the difficult tasks of our journey that open us to experience love and compassion that is the measure of greatness.

Greatest Among us

The reading from the Book of Sirach presents our duties towards God.

* [2:1–11] Serving the Lord is not without its trials (v. 1); but no matter what happens, the genuine believer will remain sincere, steadfast, and faithful (vv. 2–3). Misfortune and humiliation are means of purification to prove one’s worth (vv. 4–5). Ben Sira believed that patience and unwavering trust in God are ultimately rewarded with the benefits of God’s mercy and of lasting joy (vv. 6–11). (Sirach, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 37 is an Exhortation to Patience and Trust.

* [Psalm 37] The Psalm responds to the problem of evil, which the Old Testament often expresses as a question: why do the wicked prosper and the good suffer? The Psalm answers that the situation is only temporary. God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth. The perspective is concrete and earthbound: people’s very actions place them among the ranks of the good or wicked. Each group or “way” has its own inherent dynamism—eventual frustration for the wicked, eventual reward for the just. The Psalm is an acrostic, i.e., each section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has its own imagery and logic. (Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus again foretells His Death and Resurrection and the disciples ask “Who Is the Greatest?”

* [9:33–37] Mark probably intends this incident and the sayings that follow as commentary on the disciples’ lack of understanding (Mk 9:32). Their role in Jesus’ work is one of service, especially to the poor and lowly. Children were the symbol Jesus used for the anawim, the poor in spirit, the lowly in the Christian community. (Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Martha Slocombe invites us to start noticing how often we are truly listening in a conversation and how often we are simply waiting in a conversation.  

How do you think God listens to us? In Mark 9 Jesus brings a child into his arms, and today God listens to our prayers lovingly and patiently, no matter how childish or whiny or privileged they may be from God's perspective. Jesus shows us what it means to welcome those with the least power. We are called to offer the same welcome to those in our midst whom we deem the least important or powerful: the ones who seemingly have nothing to offer us. So go out this week and use your power to welcome into conversation those whom in the past you would have ignored or brushed off. (Slocombe, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Downward roots enable upward growth,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Observe a tree, how it first tends downwards, that it may then shoot forth upwards. It fastens its root low in the ground, that it may send forth its top towards heaven. Is it not from humility that it endeavors to rise? But without humility it will not attain to higher things (Proverbs 18:12). You are wanting to grow up into the air without a root. Such is not growth, but a collapse." (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, SERMON 38.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 9:30-37 comments that in the kingdom of God, greatness lies not in being noticed or praised but in being a servant.

Service and sacrifice are like any skill; if you want to develop it, you need to practice. So stay up later to put away the dishes or take on an extra responsibility at work without being noticed. Every time you put someone else’s needs ahead of your own, you are setting aside your desire to be great and instead reflecting the greatness of your Savior.

“Lord, give me the grace to desire to be last.” (Meditation on Mark 9:30-37, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on our sometimes confusion expressed in Sirach as we seek the Wisdom of God. Our trust of God is demonstrated in an attitude of awe and wonder towards the compassion and mercy extended to us. Friar Jude reminds us that serving the child exhorts us to not expect return except in the joy of service.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, and theologian Matthew Fox introduce the life and teachings of German mystic Meister Eckhart.

The inner person is the soil in which God has sown the divine likeness and image and in which God sows the good seed, the roots of all wisdom, all skills, all virtues, all goodness—the seed of the divine nature…. This is the good tree of which our Lord says that it always bears good fruit and never evil fruit. For it desires goodness and is inclined toward goodness…. 

The seed of God is in us. If the seed had a good, wise, and industrious cultivator, it would thrive all the more and grow up to God whose seed it is, and the fruit would be equal to the nature of God. Now, the seed of a pear tree grows into a pear tree, a hazel seed into a hazel tree, the seed of God into God…. While this seed may be crowded, hidden away, and never cultivated, it will still never be obliterated. It glows and shines, gives off light, burns, and is unceasingly inclined toward God. (Rohr, n.d.)

We can identify with Jesus' disciples in our concern about who is the greatest and how we process the link with greatness to our care for the least among us.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/9?30 

Meditation on Mark 9:30-37. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/25/1210351/ 

Psalms, PSALM 37 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/37?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Meister Eckhart: A Mystic Preacher. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/meister-eckhart-a-mystic-preacher/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Is the Greatest in God's Kingdom? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb25 

Sirach, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/2?1 

Slocombe, M. (2025, February 25). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022525.html