Challenge and Comfort

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the model offered by Paul and Luke to respond to the prompting of the Spirit to encounter people who are becoming aware of New Life available in community with Christ.

Community of Challenge and Comfort

1st Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the entry of Paul and Luke into Europe.

* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians).

* [16:14] A worshiper of God: a “God-fearer.” See note on Acts 8:26–40. 

(Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 149 celebrates God in song and festive dance.

* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9). (Psalms. PSALM 149 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John proclaims the discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples in realization of the World’s Hatred.

* [15:1–16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [16:2] Hour: of persecution, not Jesus’ “hour” (see note on Jn 2:4). 

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jeanne Schuler comments that Jesus foretells difficult times to come for his followers.  At its core, truth abides in love, but the road is rocky.  In truth we are creatures who may try our best but never have all the answers.  We are vulnerable and cannot make it alone.

Luke was at Paul’s side during this journey: “We set sail…”   He will be with him until Rome.  Sometimes the Spirit warns them to change their plans and take another route.  They listen.  When we seek to hear God’s word, we will change.  We might sing a new song.  In gratitude we will open our lives.  Even strangers are not turned away. (Schuler, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “The Comforter is with us in our troubles,” by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.

"He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:11-15 comments that we probably know people like Lydia—maybe even someone dear to us—who have yet to embrace the “life” in the life-giving message of the gospel. It could be a family member or friend who was raised Catholic but who doesn’t attend Mass regularly because they don't feel a connection to God or the Church.

Some of this guilt may come from the mistaken idea that it’s all up to you. That’s just not true! As much as you love someone, as much as you want that person to encounter the Lord, know that Jesus’ love, and his desire for them to encounter him, far exceeds yours! And so, too, does his power to work in their hearts far exceed the persuasive power of your words or example. He may already be working in hidden ways that you can’t even imagine.

So yes, play your part. Let your words and actions reflect the love of Christ. But remember Lydia, and leave room for the Spirit to play his part. Let him “open the heart” of that person in whatever way he wants (Acts 16:14)!

“Lord, help me to surrender my loved ones to you!” (Meditation on Acts 16:11-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Acts passage of Paul’s journey to Europe. In Philippi, he meets Lydia, a women dealer in purple cloth, which was a source of wealth. She hosts Paul and the community in her house. In John’s Gospel, Jesus' Last Supper Discourse, describes how the Paraclete will help to testify to the Father. The Advocate will console and comfort in the suffering they will endure to know their fate will be like His, the Father’s Will to embrace.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes the temptation to hide and deny what we’ve been taught is unacceptable within us. Neither our persona nor our shadow is evil in itself; they just allow us to do evil without recognizing it. Our shadow self makes us all into hypocrites on some level. Hypocrite is a Greek word that simply means “actor,” someone playing a role rather than being “real.” We’re all in one kind of closet or another and are even encouraged by society to play such roles. Usually everybody else can see our shadow, so it’s crucial that we learn what everybody else knows about us—except us! 

The closer we get to the light, the more of our shadow we see. Thus, truly holy people are always humble people. Christians would have been done a great service if the shadow had been distinguished from sin. Sin and shadow are not the same! We were so encouraged to avoid sin that many of us avoided facing our shadow, and then we ended up “sinning” even worse—while unaware besides! As Paul taught, “The angels of darkness must disguise themselves as angels of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). The persona cannot bear to see evil in itself, so it always disguises it as good. The shadow self invariably presents itself as something like prudence, common sense, and justice. It says, “I’m doing this for your good,” when it actually manifests fear, control, manipulation, or even vengeance. Isn’t it fascinating that the name Lucifer literally means “light bearer”? The evil one always makes darkness look like light—and makes light look like darkness. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are challenged by our hypocrisy that may inhibit our action to share our time, talent, and treasure to invite people on our journey to surrender to full life with Christ.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?11 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16 

Meditation on Acts 16:11-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/26/1284658/ 

Psalms. PSALM 149 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Humility Welcomes the Shadow. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/humility-welcomes-the-shadow/ 

Schuler, J. (2025, May 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052625.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). When the Counselor Comes, the Spirit of Truth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may26 

Rescue and Righteousness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that the Holy Spirit offers us the path to rescue us from discouragement returning our gratitude as friends of Christ.

Rescue and Righteousness

The reading: from the Acts of the Apostles describes the deliverance of Paul and Silas from prison and the query from the jailer asking ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’

* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Psalm 138 is a hymn of thanksgiving and praise.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 138, n.d.)

The Gospel of John tells of Jesus’ Departure and the coming of the Advocate convicting the persecutors of Christ were wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement.

* [16:8–11] These verses illustrate the forensic character of the Paraclete’s role: in the forum of the disciples’ conscience he prosecutes the world. He leads believers to see (a) that the basic sin was and is refusal to believe in Jesus; (b) that, although Jesus was found guilty and apparently died in disgrace, in reality righteousness has triumphed, for Jesus has returned to his Father; (c) finally, that it is the ruler of this world, Satan, who has been condemned through Jesus’ death (Jn 12:32). (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments that we need to ask how the Holy Spirit is enlightening us and guiding us in our lives, and to look for signs that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us.

 

Remember, the seven wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. How can we nurture and develop each one of these gifts in our prayer life and in our daily interactions with others?

Dear Lord, thank you for sending me the Holy Spirit. Please help me to understand more fully that your Advocate is there to guide me and remind me that I need to continually seek the Holy Spirit’s counsel and advice. Help me to grow closer to you and to live a life filled with love for all and filled with service to you. Amen. (Scholer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Whatever is not of faith is sin,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When the Lord said of the Holy Spirit, 'He shall convict the world of sin,' he meant unbelief. For this is what he meant when he said, 'Of sin because they believed not on me.' And he means the same when he says, 'If I had not come and spoken to them, they should not have sin.' (John 15:22). He was not talking about [a time] before they had no sin. Rather, he wanted to indicate that very lack of faith by which they did not believe him even when he was present to them and speaking to them. These were the people who belonged to 'the prince of the power of the air, who now works in the children of unbelief' (Ephesians 2:2). Therefore those in whom there is no faith are the children of the devil because they have nothing in their inner being that would cause them to be forgiven for whatever is committed either by human infirmity, ignorance or any evil will whatever. But the children of God are those who certainly, if they should 'say that they have no sin, deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them,' but immediately (as it continues) 'when they confess their sins' (which the children of the devil do not do, or do not do according to the faith which is peculiar to the children of God), 'he is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness'" (1 John 1:9). (excerpt from AGAINST TWO LETTERS OF THE PELAGIANS 3.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:5-11 comments that in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is helping his disciples clarify their life’s purpose. He knows that his departure has the potential to upset them terribly, so he assures them that he will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with them and guide them. He promises that this Spirit will help them stay focused on their most important purpose in life: to love him and to follow him.

If we make it our life’s purpose to be a pencil in God’s hands, we can be assured that, whatever we are doing, Jesus will be right there with us, encouraging us and giving us his grace. We can also be assured that if we go off course, his Spirit will be with us to prompt us and bring us back. Even if we are feeling aimless and lacking in direction, we can trust that God will find a way to break in and move us forward. Your life does have a purpose. And it’s the most glorious purpose ever: to be united with Christ, here and for eternity! “Jesus, help me to become a pencil in your hand.” (Meditation on John 16:5-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that, as a Roman citizen, Paul should never have been imprisoned. The family of the jailer, as was the custom, followed his lead and were baptised. Friar Jude reminds us that sin in John’s Gospel is rejection of Jesus and Jesus' righteousness is in His return to the Father and the judgement that Satan is condemned to live in hate.

Brian McLaren has had many conversations with faithful Christians who are also disillusioned by church and religion. After one evening spent in the company of two Roman Catholic sisters who have stayed in service to the church for over fifty years, McLaren finds encouragement to remain a committed Christian in Jesus’ own decision to stay and wrestle with his Jewish faith even as he was rejected:

“There are more than two options,” I thought. “I don’t have to choose between staying Christian compliantly or leaving Christianity defiantly. I can stay defiantly, like Sr. Ann and Sr. Jean [not their real names]. I can intentionally, consciously, resolutely refuse to leave . . . and with equal intention and resolution, I can refuse to comply with the status quo. I can occupy Christianity with a different way of being Christian.” When I say stay defiantly, I don’t mean ungraciously. Srs. Ann and Jean radiate such gentleness and inner calm that accusations of being ungracious simply don’t stick. No, with firm yet gracious defiance, they will keep speaking their truths and will continue doing so from the inside as long as they can. (Staying Out Loud — Center for Action and Contemplation, 2022)

The strength we need to stay the course as followers of Jesus is a gift of the Advocate that we can access in faith.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?22 

John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?5 

Meditation on John 16:5-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/24/387938/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Scholer, S. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052422.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Holy Spirit is dwelling in us. Cambridge Dictionary | English Dictionary, Translations & Thesaurus. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may24 

Staying Out Loud — Center for Action and Contemplation. (2022, May 24). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 24, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/staying-out-loud-2022-05-24/ 

Surprises and expectations

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the surprises in living as disciples of Christ and some of the reactions we may expect from our society toward followers of Christ.

Community and Church

In the Acts of the Apostles, Paul travels to Philippi where Lydia hears the Good News and offers support in the mission of the Apostle to the Gentiles.

* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus instructs the disciples to expect the Holy Spirit to testify to the Truth of Jesus and also to know that this Truth will generate consequences of persecution from the religious authorities.

* [16:2] Hour: of persecution, not Jesus’ “hour” (see note on Jn 2:4).

Molly Mattingly is inspired by Psalm 149 and the story of Lydia today to encourage us to join with God and take delight in God’s people, and, like Lydia, pay it forward.

we are told that God opened Lydia’s heart to receive the good news of Christ. God was there, in her heart, and in the events, practices, and relationships that had prepared her to receive. I picture Lydia with similar delight to my student, hearing something familiar from a foreign source and lighting up with recognition. She immediately wants to pay that forward, by offering hospitality to the disciples

Don Schwager quotes the Prayer of Anselm of Canterbury for support from the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

"O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Friar Jude Winkler shares some details about the encounter of Paul in Philippi with Lydia, a wealthy woman, who may have led first house Church. Disciples encounter some difficulty and pay a price for being Christian. Friar Jude focuses on the Glory in the opportunity to proclaim the Truth.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that living Jesus teachings on forgiveness, healing, and justice work are the only real evidence of a new and shared life. If we do not see this happening in churches and spiritual communities, religion is “all in the head” and largely an illusion.

Paul’s communities are his audiovisual aids that he can point to inside of a debauched empire (where human dignity was never upheld as inherent), to give credibility to his message. To people who asked, “Why should we believe there’s a new or different life possible?” Paul could say, “Look at these people. They’re different. This is a different social order.” In Christ, “there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, JB). This is not just a religious idea, but a socioeconomic message that began to change the world—and still can.

The journey of Spiritual Surprises and conflict with a debauched empire are experiences of living today with the Spirit.

References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 16 Paul in Lycaonia: Timothy. 1He reached (also) Derbe .... Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/acts16.htm

(n.d.). CHAPTER 16 John Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/16

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 7, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/