Work in the World

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today implore us to work in the world, where God is rejected, with the strength of Love, Faith, and Hope.

Witness to the World

In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul in Lycaonia invites Timothy to Europe with him.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).

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

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.

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, CHAPTER 100| USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John, prepares the disciples for the “World’s” Hatred.

* [15:18–16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Mt 10:17–25; 24:9–10.

* [15:20] The word I spoke to you: a reference to Jn 13:16.

* [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. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Vivian Amu comments that in today’s Gospel, John 15:18-21, Jesus reveals another layer of the challenge of discipleship. He said that those who walk in His ways and live by His teachings naturally stand out—they love differently, act differently, and prioritize differently. With that difference comes rejection, being misunderstood, or even disliked.

When doors close, God opens new ones. When others push us away, God stays with us, reminding us of who and whose we are. Jesus did not sugarcoat anything—living out our faith authentically may not always bring applause or a loving and positive response, but it is always worth it.

Can we place our trust in God’s way, even when it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable, believing God has designed our path for a greater good and our best interest in mind? How might it look to boldly bring God’s love into places and among people who may not accept it? What would it be like to find genuine peace, simply knowing we are following in Christ’s footsteps? How would it feel to live and speak as Christ did, without letting the fear of rejection hold us back?

Merciful God, help us lean on your strength and trust in your love for us when the way feels difficult.

Amen. (Amu, n.d.)

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:18-21 comments that by choosing us “out of the world,” Jesus has given us real hope—the hope of a life spent in a living relationship with him and of eternal life in heaven. At his resurrection, he broke down the barrier between heaven and earth so that life in this world could be infused with the grace of his kingdom.

So if you feel yourself getting tired or discouraged, remember that you don’t belong to this fallen world. Ask the Spirit to raise your heart to the promise of heaven. Let that promise fill you with hope again. You are a fellow citizen with all the saints!

“Lord, thank you for filling me with the hope of heaven!” (Meditation on John 15:18-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts we hear a disciple Timothy who begins to follow Paul is circumcised because his mom is Jewish and descent from a Jewish woman is his identity marker for his heritage. Paul’s plan to go to the coast of Turkey is prohibited by the Spirit as he is not to go to a community where the Good News is already preached. He is invited in a dream by the Spirit to Macedonia. The Gospel of John raises the question of how we are invited into the Life of the Father? The “world” that rejects the Love of God, lives in concupiscence. We try to live a life of love, and often, we are hated for our efforts. Friar Jude reminds us we will pay a price accused of being naive, experiencing rejection, having a sense of being better. We too have to be willing to suffer and die for Him as He does for us.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces James Finley who describes how the dance of union and separation experienced by lovers can be a reflection of how we experience our relationship with God. There isn’t a distinction that says, “Over here is oneness, and over there is twoness.” It’s the alchemy of the endless interplay of the oneness of the two who are one. 

I think love’s nature is like that.

It doesn’t really matter if we’re married, single, or celibate. We can all experience this. My sense is that God says to us, “It may be true that the thread of your constancy, your ability to be aware of my oneness with you, often breaks. But know that no matter how often it breaks from your end, it never breaks from my end. Furthermore, when it breaks from your end and you can’t find me, I’m infinitely present as love in your inability to find me. Your inability to find me is me, because the fact that you long for me, even though you can’t find me, bears witness to your longing for me. Therefore, every time the thread breaks from your end, know that it will reawaken your desire to lean into and renew the thread that never breaks from mine.” The rhythms of oneness and separation are reflected in death, married love, or people in love. The love and the oneness permeate both endlessly and unexplainably. I think that’s love’s rhythm. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Holy Spirit to accompany our mission to live out our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader as our source of Wisdom and consolation when we need a Plan B after setbacks and rejections.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1 

Amu, V. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 9, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-9-2026 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15? 

Meditation on John 15:18-21. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 9, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/09/1560874/ 

Psalms, CHAPTER 100| USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Lover and Beloved in the Song of Songs: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 9, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/lover-and-beloved-in-the-song-of-songs-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not of the World. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 9, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Reaching the World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to act on our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to continue to reach out to people in our environment guided by the Holy Spirit.

Reaching with the Spirit

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles introduces Paul in Lycaonia and Timothy.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).

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

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.

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus explains the World’s Hatred.

* [15:18–16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Mt 10:17–25; 24:9–10.

* [15:20] The word I spoke to you: a reference to Jn 13:16.

* [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. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth comments that Like Jesus, Pope Francis was more than willing to endure criticism (persecution, if you will) from the modern equivalent of the Pharisees if that was the price for loving people as radically as he believed God does.

Just as Jesus embraced the lepers and social outcasts of his day including sinners, tax collectors and women adulterers, Francis constantly reached out to their modern equivalents. Believing in God’s unconditional love for all people, he never confused himself with God. Instead of casting out those who did not strictly conform to church rules, he blessed them and asked, “who am I to judge?”

Today I am thanking God for the gift of Pope Francis and recalling how his example inspired my own feeble attempts at emulation, like the year I decided to make a weekly donation to a good cause in his honor. Then I started fudging and wondering if a larger monthly donation would be better etc But at least I gave more and thought more about sharing more of my good fortune.  I hope that Pope Francis will continue to goad  my conscience  when meeting the demands of Jesus to be in solidarity with people on the margins  seems too hard, (Wirth, 2025)

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:18-21 comments that any kind of “persecution” can make us feel bitter or resentful. If we allow ourselves to dwell on the wrongs done to us, we risk losing the kindness and patience that our friends, neighbors, and coworkers need to see from us. It can leave us less open to sharing the joy of the Lord with the people we run into throughout our day.

Jesus, our Master, endured so much, yet he never let it deter him from doing his Father’s will. So when someone misunderstands or mistreats you because of your faith, don’t let it deter you, either. Instead, ask the Lord to soften your heart and help you forgive the one who has hurt you. Recall how blessed you are to be counted among his servants. And ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with joy and show you how you can share his love and mercy even with those who oppose you.

“Jesus, give me the grace to continue to follow you without hesitation, even when I’m treated unfairly.” (Meditation on John 15:18-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Timothy is circumcised to follow Jewish customs, because his mother is Jewish. While travelling in the south of Turkey, the Holy Spirit calls Paul to Macedonia. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus, in the Last Supper Discourse, invited His disciples to love but the “world”, that rejects Jesus and His reality will cause us to suffer as Jesus suffered perhaps in a martyrdom of pinpricks trying to live our Christian faith and sometimes we need to carry the Cross with joy, the sense of being where God has called us to be.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces spiritual teacher Mirabai Starr who encourages us to know and honor our lives and experiences more fully.

Try this: Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight, allow your eyes to close, take a couple of deep, slow breaths, and ask yourself the question “Who am I?” Rather than responding in the negative, say yes to whatever arises. I am a mother and a daughter, a sister and a lover: yes. I am a cabinet-maker, a gardener, an activist: yes. I am a sensitive person, a drama queen, a tortured artist: yes. I am someone others can come to when their hearts are broken because I listen with love: yes. I am a part of the vast universe, no more or less important than an aspen tree: yes. Now, get creative: I am sunlight on water, a breeze that lifts my hair, the stillness of midnight, a symphony: yes.  

You are all of these and beyond them all. You get to be both vast and particular, formless and gloriously made. By accepting all the scruffy and magnificent details of your human condition, and allowing seemingly contradictory things to be equally true, you banish the conditioned voice that designates some things as holy and others as profane. Set your intention to welcome everything you are and watch your life open like a fist, like a flower, like a gate. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the gifts of wisdom, prudence, and patience from the Spirit as we encounter both the desire to bring the Good News and rejection by the “world” of our outreach.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15? 

Meditation on John 15:18-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/24/1283331/ 

Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Tricycle of Faith: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/tricycle-of-faith-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not of the World. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may24 

Wirth, E. (2025, May 24). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052425.html 

Chosen Out of the World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer the example of Paul and his dedication to sharing the Way and the teaching of Jesus to meet opposition with Love.

Opposition by the World

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Timothy joins Paul and Silas and Paul shares a vision of the man of Macedonia.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).

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

Psalm 100 declares all lands are summoned to Praise God.

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

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John describes the World’s Hatred.

* [15:18–16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Mt 10:17–25; 24:9–10.

* [15:20] The word I spoke to you: a reference to Jn 13:16.

* [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. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available at publication time.

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:18-21 comments that like our Lord, we need to see our persecutors as men and women who are created in the image of God and are loved by the Father. We need to remember that God wants everyone to know him and be saved. If we can keep these truths in mind, we are more likely to follow Jesus’ example to love those who hate us. That loving response, in fact, can be a powerful witness. It might just help someone recognize that it is only Jesus and his life in us that makes such a response possible.

Does someone “hate” you for your Christian faith? Today, pray for that person. Then ask the Spirit to soften your heart so that you can love them with the love of your Savior.

“Holy Spirit, give me the grace to love even those who hate me.” (Meditation on John 15:18-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains that the seemingly odd circumcision of Timothy is based on his Jewish heritage being passed to him through his mother. Paul refrains from going to Asia because he saw his mission to preach where the Way had not already been shared, like Europe, through Macedonia. Friar Jude reminds us of the honour and trust that comes from following Jesus through giving witness on our cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Sophfronia Scott who, prompted by the life and writings of Thomas Merton, asks  “What else might we see more clearly if we could hold our stuff more loosely?”

 

As Merton writes, we have to exercise this feeling of “enough.” But we also have to recognize a certain tension inherent in this sensibility—this isn’t about being stingy or coming always from a place of grasping and lack. He observes, 

Knowing when you do not need any more. Acting just enough. Saying enough. Stopping when there is enough. Some may be wasted, nature is prodigal. Harmony is not bought with parsimoniousness. Yet stopping is “going on.”… [2] 

For me, “going on” looks like holding something in love but being willing to let it go—not because I have to get rid of it in a flurry of decluttering but because it has to leave my life when a turn of events warrants it. And knowing that’s OK. (Rohr, n.d.)

We live in an environment where we may encounter opposition and persecution because of our faith from those forces named by John as the world. We invoke the Spirit to guide our action to encounter opposition with love.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?18 

Meditation on John 15:18-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/04/948601/ 

Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Path to Simplicity: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/simplicity-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not of the World. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may4