Community contradicts the world

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate two contradictory narratives about the nature of the response of people to the Spirit led initiatives of Jesus disciples.

Contradict the world

The reading from Luke’s Book of Acts describes Paul led by the Spirit through areas of present day Turkey where he encounters Timothy and makes many converts.

* [16:7] The Spirit of Jesus: this is an unusual formulation in Luke’s writings. The parallelism with Acts 16:6 indicates its meaning, the holy Spirit.1 

Psalm 100 is a hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them.2 

Reasons for the world’s hatred of His disciples are described by Jesus in the Gospel from John.

* [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus.3 

Tamora Whitney concludes that If we follow Jesus instead of following the world, the world will not love us. This world will not reward us. In following Him, we do not belong to this world but to the next.

The slave is not greater than the master. The followers will not be treated better than the leader. Following Jesus is not easy. It’s not always popular. It’s not necessarily profitable or rewarding in the conventional sense. The same world that persecuted Jesus will not treat his followers any better. But in truly following Jesus, we do what is right. We treat people decently. We seek true justice for all. We love others even when they do not love us. Even when they hate us.4 

Don Schwager quotes “Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:1-10 comments that Timothy’s credentials might leave us feeling inadequate as believers. It’s easy to view saints and holy people that way. But Timothy was very much like us. Like most of us, he had gifts and talents that enabled him to serve the Lord well, and he also had challenges and roadblocks that he had to overcome.

It seems that Timothy was somewhat shy, as Paul urged the Corinthians to put him at ease among them and to be careful how they criticized him (1 Corinthians 16:10-11). He was timid, perhaps, but also gentle and tactful. Paul trusted him to deal with awkward situations. “I have no one comparable to him,” he once said (Philippians 2:20). Timothy also frequently suffered stomach ailments, causing Paul to prescribe a little wine to help (1 Timothy 5:23).6 

Friar Jude Winkler connects Timothy to his Jewish heritage. Paul’s sense of the coming end of the world kept him moving to evangelize in territory that had not been previously visited by disciples. Friar Jude uses the background of the very dualistic Gospel to ask if we are giving enough Christian witness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes all of history has been the age of the Spirit. Creation just keeps unfolding. He recalls thoughts of Wm. Paul Young (The Shack), Jürgen Moltmann (Reform theologian), and Richard Hauser SJ (Jesuit priest) concluding with a traditional prayer practice in the form of a Litany of the Holy Spirit.

Pure Gift of God
Indwelling Presence
Promise of the Father
Life of Jesus
Pledge and Guarantee
Defense Attorney
Inner Anointing
Homing Device
Stable Witness
Peacemaker
Always Already Awareness
Compassionate Observer
God Compass
Inner Breath
Mutual Yearning
Hidden Love of God
Implanted Hope
Seething Desire
Fire of Life and Love
Truth Speaker
Flowing Stream
Wind of Change
Descending Dove
Cloud of Unknowing
Uncreated Grace
Filled Emptiness
Deepest Level of Our Longing
Sacred Wounding
Holy Healing
Will of God
Great Compassion
Inherent Victory
You who pray in us, through us, with us, for us, and in spite of us.
Amen, Alleluia!7 

The actions of the followers of Jesus when led by the Spirit will contradict selfishness, greed, hatred, and egotistical behaviour. This will draw persecution to the followers of the Way who will find consolation with the Indwelling Spirit.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 16 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/16
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 100 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/15
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/25/
7	(n.d.). Indwelling Spirit: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 25, 2019, from https://cac.org/indwelling-spirit-weekly-summary-2019-05-25/

As I love you

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to be open to the guidance of the Spirit in decisions involving our relationships with others, especially those who are struggling with Life decisions.

Love for Life

The passage from Luke’s Book of Acts describes the process of developing the contents of the letter of the Apostles concerning the place of Jewish practices in the lives of Gentile converts.

* [15:13–35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).1 

Psalm 57 prays for rescue from enemies and joyful trust in God.

* [Psalm 57] Each of the two equal strophes contains a prayer for rescue from enemies, accompanied by joyful trust in God (Ps 57:2–5, 7–11). The refrain prays that God be manifested as saving (Ps 57:6, 12). Ps 108 is nearly identical to part of this Psalm (cf. Ps 57:8–11, Ps 108:2–6).2 

The Vine and the Branches section of the Gospel of John contains Jesus description of how to love others as He loves us.

 * [15:13] For one’s friends: or: “those whom one loves.” In Jn 15:9–13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapaō. In Jn 15:13b–15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileō. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean “to love”; cf. also Jn 21:15–17. The word philos is used here.3

In Romans 5:7 Paul reflects on dying for a good person.

 * [Romans 5:7] In the world of Paul’s time the good person is especially one who is magnanimous to others.4

For Thomas Quinn, the Gospel according to John, especially chapter 15, has always been at the core of his love and belief in the teachings of Christ. Jesus states both at the beginning and at the end of this chapter the core sentiment of his message; “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

From the beginnings of the Church, the love and care of God was conveyed to all who would open their lives to it. The Church was growing, the authority of the church was being established, and the pastoral care of the followers of Jesus was made even more evident to the new converts.  The words from today’s gospel reading: “…I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain” truly describes not only the mission of Paul, Barnabas, Judas (Barsabas), and Silas, but our ‘s as well. Paul would eventually travel about seven thousand miles on his journeys to spread the word of God; he eventually paid with his life.5 

Don Schwager quotes “Love encompasses the other commandments,” by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)...

"This is my commandment." Have you then only one precept? This is sufficient, even if it is unique and so great. Nevertheless he also said, "Do not kill" (Matthew 19:18) because the one who loves does not kill. He said, "Do not steal," because the one who loves does even more—he gives. He said, "Do not lie," for the one who loves speaks the truth, against falsehood. "I give you a new commandment" (John 13:14). If you have not understood what "This is my commandment" means, let the apostle be summoned as interpreter and say, "The goal of his commandment is love" (1 Timothy 1:5). What is its binding force? It is that of which [the Lord] spoke, "Whatever you want others to do to you, you should do also" (Matthew 7:12)."Love one another" in accordance with this measure, "as I have loved you." That is not possible, for you are our Lord who loves your servants. But we who are equals, how can we love one another as you have loved us? Nevertheless, he has said it... His love is that he has called us his friends. If we were to give our life for you, would our love be equal to yours?... How then can what he said be explained, "As I have loved you"? "Let us die for each other," he said. As for us, we do not even want to live for one another! "If I, who am your Lord and God, die for you, how much more should you die for one another." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 19.13)6 

and offers a meditation on the greatest act of love which one can give for the sake of another.

Jesus defines friendship - the mutual bond of trust and affection which people choose to have for one another - as the willingness to give totally of oneself - even to the point of laying down one's life for a friend. How is such love possible or even desirable? God made us in love for love. That is our reason for being, our purpose for living, and our goal in dying.6 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 15:22-31 is all about growing pains. With the conversion of many Gentiles to the faith, the Church had begun to experience dramatic growth, and that growth caused some controversy among the apostles. Because things had changed, they had to change as well, and not just in the way they led the Church. They had to change their hearts to welcome people they had once considered unclean and cursed by God.

Whatever the changes are, know that you are not going through them alone. The Holy Spirit is with you. Just follow the apostles’ example. Pray. Listen carefully to each other and to the Spirit. He can help you find the best way to reflect his love and mercy to each other.7 

Friar Jude Winkler describes the practices recommended for Gentiles that arose from the gathering of the apostles in Jerusalem. The decision was made under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Luke tends to report peace and few difficulties in the Christian communities in Acts. Friar Jude extends our understanding of Jesus commandment to love to loving and giving to enemies until we have nothing left to give.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, observes in very real ways, soul, consciousness, love, and the Holy Spirit are one and the same. Each of these point to something that is larger than the individual, shared with God, ubiquitous, and even eternal—and then revealed through us! Holiness does not mean people are psychologically or morally perfect (a common confusion), but that they are capable of seeing and enjoying things in a much more “whole” and compassionate way, even if they sometimes fail at it themselves. He shares from the late Jesuit priest and professor Richard Hauser SJ.

The goal of the spiritual life is to allow the Spirit of Christ to influence all our activity, prayer as well as service. Our role in this process is to provide conditions in our lives to enable us to live in tune with [Christ’s] Spirit. Our effort is not a self-conscious striving to fill ourselves with the important Christian virtues; it is more getting out of the way and allowing [Christ’s] Spirit to transform all our activities. Christ will do the rest. His Spirit has joined ours and will never abandon us.8 

It is in discernment of our journey in the Spirit that we can connect Jesus complete self giving Love to the situations we encounter in our relationships with each other.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/15
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 57 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/57
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/15
4	(n.d.). Romans, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 24, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/romans/5
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 24, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 24, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). 5th Week of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations .... Retrieved May 24, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/24/
8	(2019, May 24). Living in the Spirit — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 24, 2019, from https://cac.org/living-in-the-spirit-2019-05-24/

Hardships peace and Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today connect our hardships to peace and Love.

Journey in Peace

The reading from Acts concludes the First Mission of Paul and Barnabas with their response to physical persecution.

 * [14:23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18).1

The Optional Memorials of St. Eugène de Mazenod and St. Christopher Magallane are witness to persecution by the world. In Psalm 145, God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20). This is a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.2 

In the Gospel from John, Jesus declares the peace that will be with us through the Advocate.

* [14:27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation šālôm; but Jesus’ “Shalom” is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing.3 

Carol Zuegner comments that peace requires continual action.

We can start small and bring peace to our corner of the world. We can pray for peace in every corner of the world. I pray for peace. I pray for God’s grace to help me find God in all things and to be a peacemaker in every way I can.4 

Don Schwager quotes Caesarius of Arles (470-542 AD), an early church bishop in Gaul who was noted for his godly wisdom and preaching of Scripture, who linked peace with the character of Christ.

"Peace, indeed, is serenity of mind, tranquility of soul, simplicity of heart, the bond of love, the fellowship of charity. It removes hatred, settles wars, restrains wrath, tramples on pride, loves the humble, pacifies the discordant and makes enemies agree. For it is pleasing to everyone. It does not seek what belongs to another or consider anything as its own. It teaches people to love because it does not know how to get angry, or to extol itself or become inflated with pride. It is meek and humble to everyone, possessing rest and tranquility within itself. When the peace of Christ is exercised by a Christian, it is brought to perfection by Christ. If anyone loves it, he will be an heir of God, while anyone who despises it rebels against Christ."When our Lord Jesus Christ was returning to the Father, he left his peace to his followers as their inherited good, teaching them and saying, 'My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you.' Anyone who has received this peace should keep it, and one who has destroyed it should look for it, while anyone who has lost it should seek it. For if anyone is not found with it, he will be disinherited by the Father and deprived of his inheritance." (Sermon 174.1)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 14:19-28 notes that Paul was a living illustration of what it meant to “undergo many hardships” for the sake of Christ (Acts 14:22). Let’s imagine what he might have said to them:

I stand before you today as a living reminder that believing in Jesus doesn’t shield you from hardship. Sometimes your faith will invite it! But try to follow my lead. After some people from Antioch and Iconium and Lystra tried to kill me, I didn’t give up. Instead, I returned to them later. It wasn’t easy, but I found the grace to forgive them, to overcome my fears, and to persevere.6 

Friar Jude Winkler cites the martyrdom of pin pricks described by St. Therese of Lisieux. Evil is the absence of Love according to Saint Augustine of Hippo. Friar Jude reminds that Jesus is being exalted on the Cross showing Love conquering evil.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, quotes Jesuit Richard Hauser (1937–2018), who focused much of his teaching and writing on the Holy Spirit, and saw that the indwelling Spirit leads to union and love.

This love has as its object God, as well as other people. Christian theological tradition has most often seen the Holy Spirit in the Trinity as the bond of love between the Father and the Son. . . . The primary effect of the Spirit acting in people . . . will be love, both for one another and for God. . . .
God’s Spirit joins our spirit; it does not replace it. The good acts we perform are truly our acts, not simply acts of the Holy Spirit in us. The deepest part of the self is the spiritual dimension. From the center flows all our freedom and love; at this level we remain free to choose to move or not to move with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is indeed active in us at all times drawing us toward greater love and service of God and others, but the Spirit does not control our response. That flows from our freedom. [2]7 

There are hardships on our journey that we can reshape to good through Love and the indwelling Spirit.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/14
2	(n.d.). Psalm 145 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/14
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved May 21, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 5th Week of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations .... Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/21/
7	(2019, May 21). Loving Relationship — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://cac.org/loving-relationship-2019-05-21/