Providence Parents and Peace

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present the image of God as a loving parent and exhort us to be loving “parents” in our relationship with the people in our communities.

Parents and Peace

The Reading from the Prophet Hosea presents Disappointment of a Parent in Israel’s response.

* [11:4] I drew them…with bands of love: perhaps a reversal of the yoke imagery of the previous chapter, i.e., not forcing them like draft animals, but drawing them with kindness and affection.

* [11:8] Admah…Zeboiim: cities in the vicinity of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gn 14:2, 8) and destroyed with them (Gn 19:24–25; Dt 29:22). (Hosea, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 80 complains that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt.

* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19). (Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus exhorts the Twelve to share the Word freely.

* [10:8–11] The Twelve have received their own call and mission through God’s gift, and the benefits they confer are likewise to be given freely. They are not to take with them money, provisions, or unnecessary clothing; their lodging and food will be provided by those who receive them.

* [10:13] The greeting of peace is conceived of not merely as a salutation but as an effective word. If it finds no worthy recipient, it will return to the speaker.

* [10:14] Shake the dust from your feet: this gesture indicates a complete disassociation from such unbelievers. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Andy Alexander, SJ, comments that God loves us with affectionate love, no matter how we stray from that relationship. We can ask for the desire to respond in prayer, asking for the grace to be missioned to love, similar to the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

                  

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

          Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

          Where there is injury, pardon.

          Where there is doubt, faith.

          Where there is despair, hope.

          Where there is darkness, light.

          Where there is sadness, joy.

 

  

        O Divine Master,

          grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled,

          as to console;

          to be understood, as to understand;

          to be loved, as to love.

          For it is in giving that we receive.

          It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

          and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

 

May our Lord renew us in an experience of a loving relationship and show us our path in being his disciples in our everyday lives. (Alexander, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “The gift of power to reign with the Lord,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).

"All the power possessed by the Lord is bestowed upon the apostles! Those who were prefigured in the image and likeness of God in Adam have now received the perfect image and likeness of Christ. They have been given powers in no way different from those of the Lord. Those once earthbound now become heaven-centered. They will proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, that the image and likeness of God are now appropriated in the company of truth, so that all the holy ones who have been made heirs of heaven may reign with the Lord. Let them cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils. Whatever impairment Adam's body had incurred from being goaded on by Satan, let the apostles wipe away through their sharing in the Lord's power. And that they may fully obtain the likeness of God according to the prophecy in Genesis, they are ordered to give freely what they freely have received (Matthew 10:8). Thus a gift freely bestowed should be freely dispensed." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 10.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Hosea in the earlier prophecy looked at the relationship between husband and wife in imagery to illustrate the nature of God. Now Hosea offers the relationship between a father and a child as has rescued and taught the people and they worshipped pagan gods in rebellion. Hosea declares the answer of “ I am God not a man”. God is always faithful. Sin means we turn away. Conversion is to turn back again. Jesus sent the apostles on a mission and instructed them not to take anything. Show the Kingdom in works and well as words. Trust the hospitality of those to whom we minister. Friar Jude reminds us Faith is a gift from God and if they have not received it yet,  we plant seeds that may not come to fruition in our time. Trust in Providence.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 10:7-15 comments that we truly are members of a glorious family of faith, coheirs to an inheritance that is kept for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). We have received—without cost to us—the good news of salvation and the chance to experience new life in Jesus Christ. This unearned, unpurchased gift is of immeasurable value.

You received your faith without cost—so give it away! Look for a chance to share the good news with someone, and trust God to give you the right words to say. It could be as simple as sharing an insight from Mass with your coworker or asking a friend how you can pray for them. Whatever it is, have confidence that the Lord has anointed you to give what he has freely given you.

“Lord, help me to share your good news today!” (Meditation on Matthew 10:7-15, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, connects righteousness with justice. The peace activist John Dear, who has spent his life working for nonviolence, writes about this beatitude.

How do we hunger and thirst for justice? By making global justice a priority in our lives. This beatitude requires us to join a grassroots movement that fights one or two issues of injustice and to get deeply involved in the struggle. Since all issues of injustice are connected, fighting one injustice puts us squarely in the struggle against every injustice. As Martin Luther King Jr. said over and over again, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Befriend the victims of systemic injustice, side with them, listen to their stories, let their pain break your heart, join the movements to end injustice, tithe your money to the cause, and commit yourself to the struggle….

While [it] may take a long time, our nonviolent persistence and truth-telling will eventually win out and bear the good fruit of justice. Truth is on our side; God is on the side of justice. “The arc of the moral universe is long,” Martin Luther King Jr. said famously, “but it bends toward justice.” [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We are assured that the Spirit supports and empowers our mission to serve the people on our journey in Jesus Way trusting in Providence.

References

Alexander, A. (2026, July 9). Daily Reflection July 9, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 9, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-9-2026 

Hosea, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/11? 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10? 

Meditation on Matthew 10:7-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 9, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/08/1610528/ 

Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Thirsting for Justice. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 9, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/thirsting-for-justice/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Freely Have You Received - Freely Give. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 9, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Spirit of Peace and Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to embrace the mystical energy of the Holy Spirit that makes the Love between the Father and the Son our inspiration to be disciples of the fullness of life through peace and love for all.

The Spirit of Love

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles is Luke’s pentecostal narrative of The Coming of the Spirit.

* [2:1–41] Luke’s pentecostal narrative consists of an introduction (Acts 2:1–13), a speech ascribed to Peter declaring the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic significance (Acts 2:14–36), and a favorable response from the audience (Acts 2:37–41). It is likely that the narrative telescopes events that took place over a period of time and on a less dramatic scale. The Twelve were not originally in a position to proclaim publicly the messianic office of Jesus without incurring immediate reprisal from those religious authorities in Jerusalem who had brought about Jesus’ death precisely to stem the rising tide in his favor.

* [2:2] There came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind: wind and spirit are associated in Jn 3:8. The sound of a great rush of wind would herald a new action of God in the history of salvation.

* [2:3] Tongues as of fire: see Ex 19:18 where fire symbolizes the presence of God to initiate the covenant on Sinai. Here the holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with its unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).

* [2:4] To speak in different tongues: ecstatic prayer in praise of God, interpreted in Acts 2:6, 11 as speaking in foreign languages, symbolizing the worldwide mission of the church. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 104 declares the beauty of creation with awe.

* [Psalm 104] A hymn praising God who easily and skillfully made rampaging waters and primordial night into a world vibrant with life… The psalmist reacts to the beauty of creation with awe (Ps 104:24–34).

* [104:26] Leviathan: a sea monster symbolizing primeval chaos, cf. Ps 74:14; Is 27:1; Jb 40:25. God does not destroy chaos but makes it part of the created order.

* [104:29–30] On one level, the spirit (or wind) of God is the fall and winter rains that provide food for all creatures. On another, it is the breath (or spirit) of God that makes beings live. (Psalms, PSALM 104 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians declares Unity and Variety in One Body with Many Parts

* [12:4–6] There are some features common to all charisms, despite their diversity: all are gifts (charismata), grace from outside ourselves; all are forms of service (diakoniai), an expression of their purpose and effect; and all are workings (energēmata), in which God is at work. Paul associates each of these aspects with what later theology will call one of the persons of the Trinity, an early example of “appropriation.”

* [12:12–26] The image of a body is introduced to explain Christ’s relationship with believers (1 Cor 12:12). 1 Cor 12:13 applies this model to the church: by baptism all, despite diversity of ethnic or social origins, are integrated into one organism. 1 Cor 12:14–26 then develop the need for diversity of function among the parts of a body without threat to its unity. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus appears to present the Spirit and Peace.

* [20:19–29] The appearances to the disciples, without or with Thomas (cf. Jn 11:16; 14:5), have rough parallels in the other gospels only for Jn 20:19–23; cf. Lk 24:36–39; Mk 16:14–18.

* [20:19] The disciples: by implication from Jn 20:24 this means ten of the Twelve, presumably in Jerusalem. Peace be with you: although this could be an ordinary greeting, John intends here to echo Jn 14:27. The theme of rejoicing in Jn 20:20 echoes Jn 16:22.

* [20:20] Hands and…side: Lk 24:39–40 mentions “hands and feet,” based on Ps 22:17.

* [20:21] By means of this sending, the Eleven were made apostles, that is, “those sent” (cf. Jn 17:18), though John does not use the noun in reference to them (see note on Jn 13:16). A solemn mission or “sending” is also the subject of the post-resurrection appearances to the Eleven in Mt 28:19; Lk 24:47; Mk 16:15.

* [20:22] This action recalls Gn 2:7, where God breathed on the first man and gave him life; just as Adam’s life came from God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. Cf. also the revivification of the dry bones in Ez 37. This is the author’s version of Pentecost. Cf. also the note on Jn 19:30.

* [20:23] The Council of Trent defined that this power to forgive sins is exercised in the sacrament of penance. See Mt 16:19; Mt 18:18. (John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Vivian Amu (2022) implores “Come, Holy Spirit, fill us with peace”.

“Peace be with you,” Jesus says.  It is rare to feel peace for more than a few minutes these days.  All we need to do is turn on the television, get on social media, or encounter someone who tends to push our buttons, and there goes our peace of mind.  However, our experience of the day is much different when we are accompanied by the Holy Spirit.  When we invite the Holy Spirit into every experience, we can do God’s works with confidence and courage.  We can begin our day creating the space we need to allow the Holy Spirit to liberate us and empower us. 

My friends, let us invite the Holy Spirit who breaks down the walls of a stubborn heart, heals the broken, melts the frozen, and guides our steps.  We are in much need of the reconciling presence of the Spirit, which draws us into communion with each other, yes, other members of the body of Christ.

Come, Holy Spirit, rest on us, dwell in us, stay with us. (Amu, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Holy Spirit at Pentecost,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

"To the Hebrew people, now freed from Egypt, the law was given on Mount Sinai fifty days after the immolation of the paschal lamb. Similarly, after the passion of Christ in which the true Lamb of God was killed, just fifty days after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and the whole group of believers. Thus the earnest Christian may easily perceive that the beginnings of the Old Covenant were at the service of the beginnings of the gospel and that the same Spirit who instituted the first established the Second Covenant." (excerpt from Sermon 75.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 20:19-23 comments that at Mass today, we will also recite the Veni, Sancte Spiritus: “Come, Holy Spirit!” So let’s ask the Spirit to come and “heal our wounds, our strength renew” and to “wash the stains of guilt away.” Let’s ask him to help us leave behind all guilt and shame.

If you feel burdened by sorrow, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Cry out to him: “Shed a ray of light divine! / You, of comforters the best; / . . . Sweet refreshment here below; / in our labor, most sweet rest.” Ask him to fill you with joy.

Jesus has breathed his Holy Spirit on you, and he is inviting you to open your heart and receive him.

“Come, Holy Spirit, and fill my heart anew!” (Meditation on John 20:19-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in Acts Luke recounts the descent of the Spirit on Pentecost, already a Jewish festival, The word for “wind” “breath” and Spirit” in the Hebrew is used. The disciples hear the wind and experience the Holy Spirit. Everyone hears them in their native language whether the apostles are speaking or the crowd is hearing in different languages. This event is also to heal the tower of Babel and the confusion of languages. The idea is to say Jesus is Lord in the Holy Spirit. Gnostics claimed a special knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Their claim is that revelation is totally spiritual therefore Jesus is superseded by the Spirit. Gifts from the Spirit are given for the sake of the community. Charisms include authority, preaching, teaching, listening, all to raise the spirits of people. We are baptized in One Body. Divisions of the past are not important. On Easter Evening, Jesus greets the disciples with peace after they have deserted Him. Jesus anoints them and us to receive the Holy Spirit and become a new creation and the Spirit will reside in our hearts and whisper in our ear. Friar Jude comments that for the mystic, John, time is not important, but the historian, Luke, places the anointing of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as the time is important.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, encourages Christians to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit as a gift that God has already given.  

Even though we pray, “Come, Holy Spirit,” I hope you know that the gift of the Spirit is already given. The Holy Spirit has already come. We all are temples of the Holy Spirit—equally, objectively, and forever! The only difference is the degree to which we know it, draw upon it, and consciously believe it. All the scriptural images of the Spirit are dynamic—flowing water, descending dove or fire, and rushing wind. If there’s rarely any movement, energy, excitement, deep love, service, forgiveness, or surrender, we can be pretty sure we aren’t living out of the Spirit. If we’re just going through the motions, we aren’t experiencing our connection to the Spirit. We would do well to fan into flame the gift we already have.    

God doesn’t give the Spirit to those of us who are worthy, because none of us are worthy. God gives the Spirit in this awakened way to those who want it. On this Feast of Pentecost, quite simply, want it! Rely upon it. Know that it has already been given and live out of that trust. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to come and fill our hearts and kindle the fire of love through which we live as new creations and become the workers to renew the face of Creation.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?1 

Amu, V. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-24-2026 

John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20? 

Meditation on John 20:19-23. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/24/1575649/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/12? 

Psalms, PSALM 104 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/104?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Available to All. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/available-to-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Were All Filled with the Holy Spirit! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/