Love and Providence

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be witness to hope in Love and Divine Providence as we explore these resonances in our own journey.

“Yes” to the Plan of God

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims The Servant of the Lord.

* [49:1] Gave me my name: designated me for a special task or mission (cf. Jer 1:5).

* [49:3] Israel: the servant is identified with the people of Israel as their ideal representative; however, vv. 5–6 seem to distinguish the servant from Israel.

* [49:6] The servant’s vocation extends beyond the restoration of Israel in order to bring the knowledge of Israel’s God to the rest of the earth; cf. Lk 2:32. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 139 offers a meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience.

* [Psalm 139] A hymnic meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience. The psalmist is keenly aware of God’s all-knowing gaze (Ps 139:1–6), of God’s presence in every part of the universe (Ps 139:7–12), and of God’s control over the psalmist’s very self (Ps 139:13–16). Summing up Ps 139:1–16, 17–18 express wonder. There is only one place hostile to God’s rule—wicked people. The psalmist prays to be removed from their company (Ps 139:19–24). (Psalms, PSALM 139 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles proclaims Paul’s Address about Christian kerygma in the Synagogue.

* [13:4–14:27] The key event in Luke’s account of the first missionary journey is the experience of Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:14–52). The Christian kerygma proclaimed by Paul in the synagogue was favorably received. Some Jews and “God-fearers” (see note on Acts 8:26–40) became interested and invited the missionaries to speak again on the following sabbath (Acts 13:42). By that time, however, the appearance of a large number of Gentiles from the city had so disconcerted the Jews that they became hostile toward the apostles (Acts 13:44–50). This hostility of theirs appears in all three accounts of Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts, the Jews of Iconium (Acts 14:1–2) and Beroea (Acts 17:11) being notable exceptions. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents The Birth of John the Baptist.

* [1:57–66] The birth and circumcision of John above all emphasize John’s incorporation into the people of Israel by the sign of the covenant (Gn 17:1–12). The narrative of John’s circumcision also prepares the way for the subsequent description of the circumcision of Jesus in Lk 2:21. At the beginning of his two-volume work Luke shows those who play crucial roles in the inauguration of Christianity to be wholly a part of the people of Israel. At the end of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 21:20; 22:3; 23:6–9; 24:14–16; 26:2–8, 22–23) he will argue that Christianity is the direct descendant of Pharisaic Judaism.

* [1:59] The practice of Palestinian Judaism at this time was to name the child at birth; moreover, though naming a male child after the father is not completely unknown, the usual practice was to name the child after the grandfather (see Lk 1:61). The naming of the child John and Zechariah’s recovery from his loss of speech should be understood as fulfilling the angel’s announcement to Zechariah in Lk 1:13, 20. (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky comments that we must find ways to step back from hectic lives so we can silence the noise – both internal and external.  When we pull away, even for a brief time, we begin to recognize the subtle movement of grace – the desires God plants, the gifts received, the people He places in our path.

For most of us, escaping for an extended time in the desert might feel like a luxury we cannot afford – or might want to avoid, especially in an Arizona summer.  But the spiritual desert is necessary.  We must find ways to step back from hectic lives so we can silence the noise – both internal and external.  When we pull away, even for a brief time, we begin to recognize the subtle movement of grace – the desires God plants, the gifts received, the people He places in our path.  Ever so slowly, our purpose becomes less something we are chasing or trying to grasp, and more something we receive and live into. 

This reading reinforces the importance of trusting in God’s timing, and of patience through multiple generations.  God is listening; He has not forgotten the pain of His creation, and He will respond.  The work we do in our lifetimes may not yield results until future generations build on the foundations we lay.  As Ignatius learned during his years of formation and transformation into God’s servant, we are here to do the work God has entrusted to us, not try to follow in the footsteps of John or other saints.  We only need to trust and then move forward as far as we can on our portion of the path known as God’s plan for Salvation History.(Janky, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes Parallels between John and Jesus, by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)

"The elderly Elizabeth gave birth to the last of the prophets, and Mary, a young girl, to the Lord of the angels. The daughter of Aaron gave birth to the voice in the desert (Isaiah 63:9), but the daughter of David to the strong God of the earth. The barren one gave birth to him who remits sins, but the Virgin gave birth to him who takes them away (John 1:29). Elizabeth gave birth to him who reconciled people through repentance, but Mary gave birth to him who purified the lands of uncleanness. The elder one lit a lamp in the house of Jacob, his father, for this lamp itself was John (John 5:35), while the younger one lit the Sun of Justice (Malachi 4:2) for all the nations. The angel announced to Zechariah, so that the slain one would proclaim the crucified one and that the hated one would proclaim the envied one. He who was to baptize with water would proclaim him who would baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The light, which was not obscure, would proclaim the Sun of Justice. The one filled with the Spirit would proclaim concerning him who gives the Spirit. The priest calling with the trumpet would proclaim concerning the one who is to come at the sound of the trumpet at the end. The voice would proclaim concerning the Word, and the one who saw the dove would proclaim concerning him upon whom the dove rested, like the lightning before the thunder." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 1.31) (Schwager, n.d.) 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:57-66, 80 comments that John’s very conception and birth were powerful signs of God’s love and faithfulness, but they were just the beginning. Even more important was the way John fulfilled his mission to prepare God’s people for the Messiah.

Let’s rejoice in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is faithful in keeping every one of his promises. He intervened in the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth to bring about the birth of John, and he continues to intervene today to bring about his plans and promises in our lives. May we trust in his goodness, his faithfulness, and his ability to accomplish his will—even if it takes a miracle.

“Lord, you are so faithful! I give you thanks for all the ways you have intervened in my life.” (Meditation on Luke 1:57-66, 80, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 49 John the Baptist is a messenger of conversion as a sharp sword pointing to the Saviour Jesus, even as John stirred in the womb. Acts presents the kerygma made by Paul in the Synagogue testifying to John the Baptist who preached repentance and Jesus Baptism brings us to the life of the Trinity. The matrimonial symbolism of the Baptist is connected to not being worthy to put on the sandals of Jesus as the widow is Israel. Elizabeth wants the name of “John” meaning “Yahweh saves” He carries his mission in his name. The mute Zechariah did not believe in his own prayer and was silenced until the birth of the Baptist. Jesus finds John was in the desert and Friar Jude wonders if the Baptist did go down to Qumran where there were continuous ablutions and an austere lifestyle that were later incorporated in the ideas of the Baptist and his community.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on the shared hope that characterized the first community he founded in the late 1970s.

Hope is a participation in the very life of God. It has nothing to do with circumstances or events going well. It can even thrive in the midst of adversity and trial. True faith, which always includes hope and love, is a predisposition to “yes.” I would go so far as to say that a foundational “yes” is the most distinguishing element between an ego- and fear-based agenda and a Spirit-guided one. As Paul writes of Jesus, “With him it was always ‘yes,’ and however many the promises God made, the ‘yes’ to them all is in him” (2 Corinthians 1:19–20).

Deconstruction comes naturally to most of us, but deconstruction is rather useless without reconstruction and a positive vision. It’s the easiest thing in the world to stand on a pedestal of superiority and point out who and what is wrong—without doing anything positive or becoming a positive answer ourselves. After we criticize and deconstruct, what are we actually for? An awful lot of activists on the left and reactionaries on the right have no positive vision, nothing they believe in, no one they are in love with. They are just overwhelmed with what’s wrong and think that by eliminating the so-called “contaminating element,” the world will be just, peaceful, and right again. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the patience of the Spirit in our decisions and actions in hope that Love will prevail as the consequence of our Faith and “Yes” to the Plan of God.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13? 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 49 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/49? 

Janky, G. (2026, June 24). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-24-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?57 

Meditation on Luke 1:57-66, 80. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/24/1597747/ 

Psalms, PSALM 139 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/139? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Participatory Hope. CAC.org. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/participatory-hope/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Hand of the Lord Was with Him. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2026&date=jun24a 

Freeing the Oppressed

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate our response to the radical action for love and justice that Christ models for His followers.

Proclaim the Sabbatical Year 

The Reading from the First Letter of John declares Faith is Victory over the World.

* [5:1–5] Children of God are identified not only by their love for others (1 Jn 4:7–9) and for God (1 Jn 5:1–2) but by their belief in the divine sonship of Jesus Christ. Faith, the acceptance of Jesus in his true character and the obedience in love to God’s commands (1 Jn 5:3), is the source of the Christian’s power in the world and conquers the world of evil (1 Jn 5:4–5), even as Christ overcame the world (Jn 16:33). (1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 72 proclaims blessing for the whole world.

* [Psalm 72] A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts. (Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus' Rejection at Nazareth.

* [4:18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me: see note on Lk 3:21–22. As this incident develops, Jesus is portrayed as a prophet whose ministry is compared to that of the prophets Elijah and Elisha. Prophetic anointings are known in first-century Palestinian Judaism from the Qumran literature that speaks of prophets as God’s anointed ones. To bring glad tidings to the poor: more than any other gospel writer Luke is concerned with Jesus’ attitude toward the economically and socially poor (see Lk 6:20, 24; 12:16–21; 14:12–14; 16:19–26; 19:8). At times, the poor in Luke’s gospel are associated with the downtrodden, the oppressed and afflicted, the forgotten and the neglected (Lk 4:18; 6:20–22; 7:22; 14:12–14), and it is they who accept Jesus’ message of salvation.

* [4:21] Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing: this sermon inaugurates the time of fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Luke presents the ministry of Jesus as fulfilling Old Testament hopes and expectations (Lk 7:22); for Luke, even Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection are done in fulfillment of the scriptures (Lk 24:25–27, 44–46; Acts 3:18). (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner considers how to do her part in her own way for those who struggle, whether it’s being kinder to family and friends or doing more to help make the world a better place.

The question I am asking myself is how do I proclaim my own year acceptable to the Lord? What changes do I need to make? What small changes can I make that will build on love and faith and justice? How can I live my life according to the commandment in the first reading: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” I can make my revisions to my resolutions small: I can start by praying for those I disagree with along with my prayers for those who are struggling. That can help me remember that my brothers and sisters everywhere are loved by God. (Zuegner, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ brings hope of release from spiritual bondage,” by Eusebius of Caesarea, 260/263-340 AD.

"'The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me' (Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1). Clearly this happened to those who thought that the Christ of God was neither a mere man nor an unfleshed and unembodied Word who did not take on a mortal nature. Instead they say he is both God and human, God in that he is the only-begotten God who was in the bosom of the Father, and man... from the seed of David according to the flesh (Luke 1:32). Thus, God the Word, who through the prophecy has been called Lord, speaks out this prophecy that is preeminent among other promises: 'I am the Lord, and in the right time I will draw them together'...

"Taking the chrism in the Holy Spirit, he, chosen from among all, appears as the only-begotten Christ of God. And the verse 'he has sent me to proclaim good news to the poor' (Luke 4:18), he fulfilled in that time when he 'was preaching the kingdom of heaven' and explaining the beatitudes to the disciples by saying, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God' (Matthew 5:3)... And for those nations then imprisoned in their souls by the invisible and spiritual powers he preached release to his newly encouraged disciples... Therefore, he preached release to the prisoners and to those suffering from blindness who were those enslaved by the error of polytheism, and he creates a year that is acceptable, through which he made all time his own year. And from the passing years of humanity he provides days of created light for those close to him. He never kept hidden the age that is to come after the perfecting of the present. For that age will be a time much on the Lord's mind, being an age and day of requiting. For he will grant a change of fortune or a year of favor to those struggling in the present life." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 2.51.5)

[Eusebius of Caesarea (260/263-340) was a bishop, Scripture scholar and first historian of the Christian church.] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 John 4:19-5:4 comments that St. John reminds us that God made the first move toward us—and did it out of love. We did not create the idea of God in our imaginations; rather, he created us. He called us into existence and formed us out of love; he knitted us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). And throughout our lives, “the living and true God tirelessly calls each person. . . . God’s initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response” (Catechism, 2567). I love you, Lord, because you first loved me.

God freely offers you his love today. From your very beginning up to now, he has created, nurtured, saved, and drawn you closer to himself—all out of love. He will love you right into heaven as you open your heart to him. Is there any reason not to love him in return?

“I love you, Lord, because you first loved me.” (Meditation on 1 John 4:19-5:4, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the reading from 1 John the author insists love is both vertical ( towards God) and horizontal (towards neighbour). He notes that 1 John asserts that we have to keep the commandments in contrast to the Gospel of John where emphasis is primarily on love for one another. Those who belong to the light will live in the light. Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah. Jesus shows understanding of both Hebrew and Aramaic. Here the Spirit of the Lord anoints the person to bring good tidings of the Lord. He was to proclaim the Sabbatical Year as His Presence brings this radical justice about. The Scriptures are fulfilled in His hearing. Friar Jude notes that Luke leaves out the spirit of vindication, in quoting Isaiah, as Jesus is to bring peace in Luke’s writing.

Father Richard Rohr introduces Minister and theologian Whitney Wilkinson Arreche who compares the Bible that was preached to enslaved Africans with the good news they encountered while worshipping in clandestine hush harbor gatherings.

In the hush harbors, enslaved Africans taught one another a different Bible. They pointed to and created a new reality. Through story-songs, they learned of an Exodus where the liberation of enslaved people was God’s primary concern. As Noel Erskine writes, “Down in the hush arbors, enslaved people … learned early to gather to worship and strategize under the cover of night or under the cover of the woods where a redefinition of their status took place.” [1] Under cover, hidden in plain sight for those with eyes to see, they learned of prophets who called out greed, especially money gained through unjust means. They learned of a Jesus who was very different from that so-called “good” ship [named “Jesus” used in the Transatlantic Slave Trade]; a Jesus who, like his mother, cast down the mighty from their thrones, filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty (Luke 1:46–55). They learned of a fire-in-the-bones Spirit poured out on all flesh, even and especially enslaved flesh (Acts 2:1–21). They learned of a Revelation of all that is wrong being turned upside down, in a flourishing garden not tended by enslaved labor (Revelation 22). This talking book was the antidote to slavery’s prooftexted shouting. (Rohr, 2026)

We implore the Wisdom of the Spirit as we respond to Jesus' radical call to live out our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet and leader to proclaim good news to the poor and set the prisoners of oppression in our society free.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?14 

Meditation on 1 John 4:19-5:4. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/07/1474941/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/5 

Psalms, PSALM 72 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/72?1 

Rohr, R. (2026, January 7). Revelation and Transformation — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/revelation-and-transformation/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Zuegner, C. (2026, January 8). Daily Reflection January 8, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-8-2026