Seeing the Father in Joy

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invites us to contemplate the role of joy in being workers in the vineyard of Christ.

Harvest in the Vineyard

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Paul’s Address to the Gentiles

* [13:46] The refusal to believe frustrates God’s plan for his chosen people; however, no adverse judgement is made here concerning their ultimate destiny. Again, Luke, in the words of Paul, speaks of the priority of Israel in the plan for salvation (see Acts 10:36). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 is extolling 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 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents the Last Supper Discourse on knowing the Father.

* [14:7] An alternative reading, “If you knew me, then you would have known my Father also,” would be a rebuke, as in Jn 8:19.

* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Kent Beausoleil, SJ, comments “I bring these burnt biscuit moments from the memories of my mind, for today we celebrate the life of Saint Athanasius. Athanasius was a man whose theological rigor ensured that his articulations of the faith included all the necessary and correct ingredients. He defended his faith with spiritual truth, paying close attention to theological matters that required careful oversight and defense, ensuring he was never burnt in his defense of the faith.  In the end, Athanasius was a man whose theological presuppositions were never half-baked, and always came out ‘quite right’.”

Jesus is, on this day where we celebrate Saint Athanasius, where Saint Paul and Barnabas stood in defense of God’s good news in the Acts of the apostles, where Jesus proclaims in the Gospel of John, ‘I and the Father are one”, that Jesus is the essential ingredient of our faith that can never be left out of the recipe. That with Saint Athanasius we, like him, know that our faith through prayer needs to be forever practiced and watched over despite persecution so that in the end our faith comes out ‘just right’ not underdone, and not overdone and dried out. 

Finally, in living out the truth of our faith, we—along with Saint Athanasius, Barnabas, Paul, and Philip—must temper our spirit with humility. We must never form a hard theological crust too quickly, remaining open to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit moves us away from half-baked understandings of our faith. This allows the Spirit to ‘rise’ ever more within us: this great and awesome mystery of God and us together in love. (Beausoleil, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Father's portrait in the Son”, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"By means of this image the Lord showed Philip the Father. Yes, he who looks on the Son sees, in portrait, the Father. Notice what kind of portrait is spoken of. It is truth, righteousness, the power of God. It is not silent, for it is the Word. It is not insensible, for it is Wisdom. It is not vain and foolish, for it is power. It is not soulless, for it is the life. It is not dead, for it is the resurrection." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 1.7.50) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:7-14 comments on the way Jesus related to these crowds. He told relatable parables about prodigal sons, sowers and seeds, and goodhearted Samaritans. When he healed and drove out demons, he did it without any flashy demonstrations of force. He didn’t demand any sacrifices before acting, and he didn’t command those he healed to become his servants. He simply worked wonders and moved on.

Jesus was so humble and unassuming. And that’s the point: he came to reveal God’s true character. He came as One who calls, “Come, follow me,” not as a god who forces us to believe (Luke 18:22). He came to offer his life as an atoning sacrifice for us, not to overpower us or coerce us into becoming his disciples. In fact, he is not like any god that humans had imagined up to that point. He is so much better!

So fix your eyes on Jesus today and hear the Spirit say to you, “Behold, your God!” Simply worship him for his goodness, and that will be enough.

“Jesus, perfect image of the invisible God, help me to see you more clearly!” (Meditation on John 14:7-14, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts we have a pattern in Paul’s ministry: first preach in the synagogue which is followed by jealousy and being expelled from the Synagogue and then to the Gentiles with eventual expulsion from the city. In all of this they are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. They are the way they should be with nothing to worry about. In the Last Supper discourses Jesus declares He is one with the Father. Seeing Jesus is seeing the Father and if we embrace Jesus we are already living with the Father. Friar Jude reminds us this is not a “get out of jail free card”. We can ask for what we really need, not our wants. We are assured of receiving the most loving answer from God.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Father William McNichols and Mirabai Starr who partnered to create a book of icons and prayers, Mother of God Similar to Fire, to honor the many representations of Mary found across the world and time. They invite us to pray with an image of Mary…

Walking on water,

You come carrying the light of the world, Blessed one.

You part the tempestuous tide of my life

and shine your candle into the dark corners of my mind,

banishing the shadows that have collected there.

I have lost my way, radiant Lady,

lured by the false lights of the mundane world.

I need to return to the garden of my soul.

You are the Morning Star, sweet Mother, 

and I welcome you.

I am ready to rise from the darkness

and greet this new day.

Help me to shed the burdens of my past

and begin again,

galvanized with faith,

cleansed with light.

 

 “Our Lady of the Lake.” (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit to inform our journey with joy that comes from our relationship with Jesus who models our path to full life.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13?44 

Beausoleil, K. (n.d.). Daily Refelections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-2-2026 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?7 

Meditation on John 14:7-14. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/02/1555842/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Do Not Be Afraid: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/do-not-be-afraid-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, Show Us the Father. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 2, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Blessed Mother and Heirs

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, invite us to embrace the blessings of the New Year with the heart of Mary as the Spirit guides us through accepting the changes ahead.

Fresh Path and Open Mind

The reading from the Book of Numbers is the Priestly Benediction of Aaron.

* [6:26] Peace: the Hebrew word Shalom includes the idea of happiness, good health, prosperity, friendship, and general well-being. To use this term as a greeting was to pray for all these things upon the one greeted. (Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

In Psalm 67 the Nations are called to Praise God.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from Galatians proclaims our heritage as God’s Free Children in Christ.

* [4:1–7] What Paul has argued in Gal 3:26–29 is now elaborated in terms of the Christian as the heir (Gal 4:1, 7; cf. Gal 3:18, 29) freed from control by others. Again, as in Gal 3:2–5, the proof that Christians are children of God is the gift of the Spirit of Christ relating them intimately to God. (Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke , Jesus Is Named.

* [2:21] Just as John before him had been incorporated into the people of Israel through his circumcision, so too this child (see note on Lk 1:57–66). (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock comments that, in 2022, Pope Francis offered this New Year reflection: 

“I ask, brothers and sisters, how do we make this passage, how do we surmount this clash between the ideal and the real? By doing exactly what Mary did: by keeping and by pondering. First, Mary “keeps”, that is she holds on to what happens; she does not forget or reject it. She keeps in her heart everything that she saw and heard.  The beautiful things, like those spoken to her by the angel and the shepherds, but also the troubling things: the danger of being found pregnant before marriage and now, the lowly stable where she has had to give birth. That is what Mary does. She does not pick and choose; she keeps. She accepts life as it comes, without trying to camouflage or embellish it; she keeps those things in her heart.” (Brock & Francis, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “By Christ's faith, hope, and love we are purified,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"He therefore received in the flesh the circumcision decreed by the law, although he appeared in the flesh absolutely without any blemish of pollution. He who came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) - not in sinful flesh - did not turn away from the remedy by which sinful flesh was ordinarily made clean. Similarly, not because of necessity but for the sake of example, he also submitted to the water of baptism, by which he wanted the people of the new law of grace to be washed from the stain of sins...

"The reason 'the child who was born to us, the son who was given to us ' (Isaiah 9:6), received the name Jesus (that is, 'Savior') does not need explanation in order to be understood by us, but we need eager and vigilant zeal so that we too may be saved by sharing in his name. Indeed, we read how the angel interprets the name of Jesus: 'He will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). And without a doubt we believe and hope that the one who saves us from sins is not failing to save us also from the corruptions which happen because of sins, and from death itself, as the psalmist testifies when he says, 'Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases' (Psalm 103:3). Indeed, with the pardoning of all of our iniquities, all our diseases will be completely healed when, with the appearance of the glory of the resurrection, our last enemy, death, will be destroyed... We read that circumcision was done with knives made of rock (Joshua 5:2), and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And by Christ's faith, hope and love the hearts of the good are purified not only in baptism but furthermore in every devout action. This daily circumcision of ours (that is, the continual cleansing of our heart) does not cease from always celebrating the sacrament of the eighth day. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.11) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:16-22 suggests that 

Like Mary, we can reflect on

• how God has surprised us in the past year.

• any questions or prayers that we are asking the Lord to answer in the coming year.

Like the shepherds, we can share with others

• a grace that we saw in life in the past year.

• words from Scripture or the Mass that have special meaning.

Mary, Mother of God, brought forth Jesus into the world. Now you, too, have the opportunity to bring him forth as you turn your heart to him and share his goodness with those around you.

“Lord, I surrender this year to you. I trust you to lead me in wonder and joy to your perfect plans for me.” (Meditation on Luke 2:16-22, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler is inspired by Numbers to comment on the peace of shalom and love of chesed. Galatians presents Jesus' inheritance as a Jew through Mother Mary and our status as children who call God, “Abba”. Friar Jude notes the difficulties for Mary as Jesus is received by the outcast and anawim while receiving the name “Yahweh saves”.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, in this New Year’s homily from 2020, preached on the biblical call to change.

St. John Henry Newman (1801–1890) said, “Here below to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” [2] That’s a very different philosophy than most of us have. Our natural approach is to keep in cruise control. The way we do it is the way we do it, and any change is considered dangerous, heretical, and new. But here in this Gospel we were given a program of change and growth from the beginning. If we don’t grow, if we don’t change, we end up the same at 70 as we were at 17. We all know people like that, and we may even be one of them. Such people aren’t very fun to live with. They want to pick and win fights. It’s what a lot of politics is today. The important thing is not the truth or what’s good for the whole, but what’s good for the small part of which I’m a part.

If people refuse to change, what my mother used to call “bull-headedness,” the world will only get worse. We have to learn how to dialogue, how to forgive, and how to trust, and how to give people the benefit of the doubt. In the United States, our country has become very cynical about truth and love. We hear politicians take oaths to be fair and just leaders and we all know it doesn’t mean anything. We expect everybody to be for the truth of their group and their “kingdoms.” But Jesus tells us to change our minds and accept the kingdom of God, which is what’s good for the whole. (Rohr, 2024)

We are blessed to enter a New Year where change will be necessary and inspired by the Holy Spirit to embrace more deeply the truth, beauty, and love that we will share with others.

References

Brock, M. L., & Francis, P. (2024, January 1). U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010124.html 

Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/4?4 

Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?16 

Meditation on Luke 2:16-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/01/864953/ 

Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/6?22 

Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2 

Rohr, R. (2024, January 1). To Live Is to Change — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/to-live-is-to-change/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan1 

Mother of the Church

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today inspire our contemplation of the role of Mary, Mother of God, in our understanding of the Love of God for people and the Church.

santa maria maggiore piazza

The reading from Genesis describes the Expulsion from Eden.

* [3:15] They will strike…at their heel: the antecedent for “they” and “their” is the collective noun “offspring,” i.e., all the descendants of the woman. Christian tradition has seen in this passage, however, more than unending hostility between snakes and human beings. The snake was identified with the devil (Wis 2:24; Jn 8:44; Rev 12:9; 20:2), whose eventual defeat seemed implied in the verse. Because “the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8), the passage was understood as the first promise of a redeemer for fallen humankind, the protoevangelium. Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. A.D. 130–200), in his Against Heresies 5.21.1, followed by several other Fathers of the Church, interpreted the verse as referring to Christ, and cited Gal 3:19 and 4:4 to support the reference. Another interpretive translation is ipsa, “she,” and is reflected in Jerome’s Vulgate. “She” was thought to refer to Mary, the mother of the messiah. In Christian art Mary is sometimes depicted with her foot on the head of the serpent. (Genesis, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

Psalm 87 praises the Joy of Living in Zion.

* [Psalm 87] A song of Zion, like Ps 46; 48; 76; 132.

* [87:2] The gates: the city itself, a common Hebrew idiom.

* [87:5–6] The bond between the exile and the holy city was so strong as to override the exile’s citizenship of lesser cities. (Psalms, PSALM 87, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ side is pierced.

* [19:26–27] This scene has been interpreted literally, of Jesus’ concern for his mother; and symbolically, e.g., in the light of the Cana story in Jn 2 (the presence of the mother of Jesus, the address woman, and the mention of the hour) and of the upper room in Jn 13 (the presence of the beloved disciple; the hour). Now that the hour has come (Jn 19:28), Mary (a symbol of the church?) is given a role as the mother of Christians (personified by the beloved disciple); or, as a representative of those seeking salvation, she is supported by the disciple who interprets Jesus’ revelation; or Jewish and Gentile Christianity (or Israel and the Christian community) are reconciled. (John, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)

Maureen Waldron comments that today the Church celebrates Mary as the Mother of the Church.  Jesus is saying to us, “Behold, here is your mother.”  Too often in our modern day, Mary can be rejected or ignored, entrapped by sentimental piety which robs her of her power. The early disciples saw her as we can: a strong mother, Jesus’ mother, and a courageous leader among them.

I picture Mary as a warm, laughing woman who entertained others with her stories.  She prayed from her heart when she was afraid, and she drew courage from God and the scriptures for each bold step she was called to take in life.  I suspect that like so many women, her role as a mother expanded her heart to love in ways she could not have imagined.

Today as we celebrate Mary, we see her humanity, her deep faith, her love for both her son and husband.  And we see her not only as the mother of all of those who followed Jesus each day, but as our mother, a loving force who welcomes us with open arms – each one of us her children, who were given to her by her beloved son. (Waldron, 2023)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 19:25-34 comments that as Jesus hung on the cross, he gave Mary to John, the Beloved Disciple, as his own mother (John 19:27). And in doing so, he gave Mary not only to John but to all disciples. Jesus entrusted Mary with a new mission that day: to build up the Church through her motherly care for all of Jesus’ disciples throughout the centuries.

Where do you need Mary’s motherly help today? Do not hesitate to bring your needs to her. Let Jesus reassure you, just as he reassured John: “Behold, your mother.”

“Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for me! May I know and love Jesus more and more each day.” (Meditation on John 19:25-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on how sin separates us from God, others, and Nature as portrayed in Genesis. The snake as the symbol of evil is connected to David’s victories, Jesus' triumph, and Mary as symbolized in the statue of the Immaculate Conception. Friar Jude reminds us of the sacramental and matrimonial symbols in John as the disciples of Jesus as charged with raising children in the Church for Christ.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the Holy Spirit empowers us from within. He suggests that the Holy Spirit’s empowerment is the ultimate answer to our prayers.

We pray not to change God but to change ourselves. We pray to form a living relationship, not to get things done. Prayer is a symbiotic relationship with life and with God, a synergy which creates a result larger than the exchange itself. God knows that we need to pray to keep the symbiotic relationship moving and growing. Prayer is not a way to try to control God, or even to get what we want. As Jesus says in Luke’s Gospel (11:13), the answer to every prayer is one, the same, and the best: the Holy Spirit! God gives us power more than answers. [2] 

A truly spiritual woman, a truly whole man, is a very powerful person. The fully revealed God of the Bible is not interested in keeping us as children (1 Corinthians 13:11) or “orphans” (John 14:18). God wants adult partners who can handle power and critique themselves (see Hebrews 5:11–6:1). [3] (Rohr, 2023)

We are heirs to the adoption of Mary by the Beloved Disciple as we raise up children for Christ by our piety, study, and action.

References

Genesis, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/3?9 

John, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/19?25 

Meditation on John 19:25-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/29/693849/ 

Psalms, PSALM 87. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/87?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, May 29). The Divine Strategy — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-divine-strategy-2023-05-29/ 

Waldron, M. (2023, May 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052923.html