Presence in Ministry

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the direction of the Spirit as we share the Love of Christ according to His Will and not ours.

Come eat with us and talk

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Paul’s Farewell Speech at Miletus.

* [20:16–35] Apparently aware of difficulties at Ephesus and neighboring areas, Paul calls the presbyters together at Miletus, about thirty miles from Ephesus. He reminds them of his dedication to the gospel (Acts 20:18–21), speaks of what he is about to suffer for the gospel (Acts 20:22–27), and admonishes them to guard the community against false prophets, sure to arise upon his departure (Acts 20:28–31). He concludes by citing a saying of Jesus (Acts 20:35) not recorded in the gospel tradition. Luke presents this farewell to the Ephesian presbyters as Paul’s last will and testament. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 20, n.d.)

Psalm 68 accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth).

* [Psalm 68] The Psalm is extremely difficult because the Hebrew text is badly preserved and the ceremony that it describes is uncertain. The translation assumes the Psalm accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth), which included a procession of the tribes (Ps 68:25–28). Israel was being oppressed by a foreign power, perhaps Egypt (Ps 68:31–32)—unless Egypt stands for any oppressor. The Psalm may have been composed from segments of ancient poems, which would explain why the transitions are implied rather than explicitly stated. (Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents the Climax of the last discourse.

* [17:1–26] Climax of the last discourse(s). Since the sixteenth century, this chapter has been called the “high priestly prayer” of Jesus. He speaks as intercessor, with words addressed directly to the Father and not to the disciples, who supposedly only overhear. Yet the prayer is one of petition, for immediate (Jn 17:6–19) and future (Jn 17:20–21) disciples. Many phrases reminiscent of the Lord’s Prayer occur. Although still in the world (Jn 17:13), Jesus looks on his earthly ministry as a thing of the past (Jn 17:4, 12). Whereas Jesus has up to this time stated that the disciples could follow him (Jn 13:33, 36), now he wishes them to be with him in union with the Father (Jn 17:12–14). (John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock presents the life of Charles Lwanga as a reflection of Jesus’ words in the Gospel for today. May his example of courage and faith and care for others inspire us all.

On June 3, 1886, at age 26, Charles Lwanga was brutally tortured and burned alive. Twenty young men and boys followed, saying the Lord’s Prayer aloud as they were killed. His feast day is celebrated widely in Uganda today.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus’ near ecstatic prayer to the Father in John 17:1-11a, summarizes their intense union  and Jesus’ desire for all who believe in him, realized in the witness of Charles Lwanga and his companions.

We are all invited to be martyrs - maybe not of blood but in belief. Let’s try to accept this invitation wholeheartedly, daily, in small ways or large. (Braddock, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Eternity will be ours when faith sees,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430. A.D.

"We are distanced from eternity to the extent that we are changeable. But eternal life is promised to us through the truth. Our faith, however, stands as far apart from the clear knowledge of the truth as mortality does from eternity. At the present we put faith in things done in time on our account, and by that faith itself we are cleansed. In this way, when we have come to sight, as truth follows faith, so eternity may follow on mortality. Our faith will become truth, then, when we have attained to that which is promised to us who believe. And that which is promised to us is eternal life. And the Truth - not that which shall come to be according to how our faith shall be, but that truth that always exists because eternity is in it - the Truth then has said, 'And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.' When our faith sees and comes to be truth, then eternity shall possess our now changed mortality." (excerpt from ON THE TRINITY 4.18.24.34) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 20:17-27 comments that whether it’s raising a family, leading a Bible study, or caring for people on the margins, the work never ends; there is always more to do. Eventually, though, God makes it clear that you have “finished [your] course” (Acts 20:24). The time has come for you to let go and trust that he will send someone else to complete it, just as Paul had to do.

Paul traveled tirelessly all over the world to share his faith, but the number of people he reached is small compared to the billions who profess faith in Christ today. It’s a legacy he could not have possibly foreseen. In the same way, you may not always see what fruit your labors have borne. You may even want to continue your work so that you can see more tangible fruit. But if God is calling you away from something that is close to your heart, be at peace. He is surely pleased with the work you have done. He will guide your next steps—and he will send other laborers into the harvest, just as he always has!

“Lord, help me to recognize when my work is done and to trust that others will take my place.” (Meditation on Acts 20:17-27, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains that Paul meeting his disciples in Miletus in Acts is due his desire to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Paul gives an apologia stating he is not responsible for their blood. He did everything he could and the Spirit is taking him to Jerusalem. At the end of the  Last Supper Discourse, Jesus promises “glory”, in John’s Gospel “Love”, and He proclaims the Father’s love. Friar Jude notes that Jesus calls on God to protect His disciples who will continue to share His Word.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) who retells one of Jesus’ parables as an expansive invitation to come to God’s table. This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there’s always room for more. Evans shares the story of author Sara Miles, whose experience of Jesus through communion inspired her to start a food pantry.

I don’t know exactly how Jesus is present in the bread and wine, but I believe Jesus is present, so it seems counterintuitive to tell people they have to wait and meet him someplace else before they meet him at the table. If people are hungry, let them come and eat. If they are thirsty, let them come and drink. It’s not my table anyway. It’s not my denomination’s table or my church’s table. It’s Christ’s table. Christ sends out the invitations, and if he has to run through the streets gathering up the riffraff to fill up his house, then that’s exactly what he’ll do…. 

The gospel doesn’t need a coalition devoted to keeping the wrong people out. It needs a family of sinners, saved by grace, committed to tearing down the walls, throwing open the doors, and shouting, “Welcome! There’s bread and wine. Come eat with us and talk.” This isn’t a kingdom for the worthy; it’s a kingdom for the hungry. (Rohr, n.d.)

In our contemplation of Jesus' Way, we need to remain open to inspiration from the Spirit to action that challenges our preconceived notions of discipleship.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 20. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/20?17 

Braddock, S. (2025, June 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060325.html 

John, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/17?1 

Meditation on Acts 20:17-27. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/03/1297307/ 

Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/68?10 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Christ Is the Host. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/christ-is-the-host/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). This Is Eternal Life - to Know the Father the Only True God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun3 

Division and determination

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of our reaction to the persecution and opposition that arises when we act as disciples of Jesus.

Cloud of witnesses

The passage from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah describes the circumstances of division that led to his abandonment in a muddy cistern.

* [38:4] He is weakening the resolve: lit., “he weakens the hands.” One of the Lachish ostraca (cf. note on 34:7) makes the same claim against the princes in Jerusalem.1 

Psalm 40 offers praise for being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God.

* [Psalm 40] A thanksgiving (Ps 40:2–13) has been combined with a lament (Ps 40:14–17) that appears also in Ps 70. The psalmist describes the rescue in spatial terms—being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God (Ps 40:2–4). All who trust God will experience like protection (Ps 40:5–6)! The Psalm stipulates the precise mode of thanksgiving: not animal sacrifice but open and enthusiastic proclamation of the salvation just experienced (Ps 40:7–11). A prayer for protection concludes (Ps 40:12–17).2

The reading from Hebrews identifies God as our Father ( corrected link http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/hebrews/12:1 ) and our journey with Jesus amid a crowd of witnesses.

* [12:1–13] Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Heb 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Heb 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Heb 12:3–4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children.3

The Gospel from Luke, presents how preaching Jesus message may cause division.

* [12:49–53] Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom is a refining and purifying fire. His message that meets with acceptance or rejection will be a source of conflict and dissension even within families.4 

Jay Carney finds himself reconsidering a Jesuit motto displayed prominently on the campus at Creighton – namely Ignatius of Loyola’s counsel to Francis Xavier to “go set the world on fire.” If “setting the world on fire” means “dividing families,” then do we really want to preach on this gospel? Jay considers his experience of the commemoration of the “Uganda Martyrs.” (22 Catholic teenagers and young adults – along with 23 Anglicans – killed in 1886 by their king, Kabaka Mwanga).

If nothing else, today’s readings remind us that the gospel is not about “niceness.” In fact, God’s prophetic call disrupts the social status quo and can even put us at odds with those closest to us. Jeremiah had been an advisor to King Zedekiah. Yet after just a little lobbying, the king leaves him to his tormentors, largely because of Jeremiah’s unpopular predictions of Jerusalem’s impending fall to Babylon. Like Jeremiah, the Psalmist finds himself in the “pit of destruction” and the “mud of the swamp,” crying out to God in classic lament form: “Lord, come to my aid! O my God, hold not back!” In a similar context of collective suffering, the writer of Hebrews exhorts his community to persevere in running the race of faith, even to the point of shedding blood. In Luke, the refining fire of Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God is burning a path right through the nuclear family…   We should not pray for family division. Nor should we wish for persecution or death. But may we not fear the repercussions of running where God calls us, knowing that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. 5 

Don Schwager quotes “The fire of the Gospel and being baptized in the Holy Spirit,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"We affirm that the fire that Christ sent out is for humanity's salvation and profit. May God grant that all our hearts be full of this. The fire is the saving message of the Gospel and the power of its commandments. We were cold and dead because of sin and in ignorance of him who by nature is truly God. The gospel ignites all of us on earth to a life of piety and makes us fervent in spirit, according to the expression of blessed Paul (Romans 12:11). Besides this, we are also made partakers of the Holy Spirit, who is like fire within us. We have been baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit. We have learned the way from what Christ says to us. Listen to his words: 'Truly I say to you, that except a man be born of water and spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:5). It is the divinely inspired Scripture's custom to give the name of fire sometimes to the divine and sacred words and to the efficacy and power which is by the Holy Spirit by which we are made fervent in spirit." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 94)6 

The Word Among Us meditation on Luke 12:49-53 asks is Jesus a source of peace? Or is he a source of division?

He’s both… Divisions may be inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent. That’s where you come in. How will you respond when those divisions manifest themselves at home? With compassion, prayer, and understanding? Or with defensiveness, arguments, and condemnation?
Jesus is the Prince of Peace because he came to bring peace to our divided hearts. And as our own divided hearts are healed, we learn how to love as he loves and how to forgive as he forgives. Only Jesus’ love and forgiveness can bring unity.7 

Friar Jude Winkler relates the persecution of Jeremiah as he counsels surrender to the invading Babylonians. Hebrews calls us to die to self as a witness to our faith in Jesus. Friar Jude explains that most Christians have the opportunity to share in the “martyrdom of pinpricks”.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the root of violence is the illusion of separation—from God, from being one with oneself and everything else, and from Being Itself. When we don’t know how to consciously live out of union (which is called love), we resort to violence, fighting anything that is not like us and that we cannot control. Contemplative practice teaches us to honor differences and also realize that we are all much more than our nationality, skin color, gender, or other labels which are all aspects of the passing and thus false self. Contemplation brings us back to our True Self, who we are in God.

I’m not telling you not to act. The Gospel offers a way to make our action sustainable and lasting over the long haul. People on the Right tend to be perpetually angry, fearful, and overly defensive, and people on the Left tend to be perpetually cynical, morally righteous, and outraged. The Gospel calls forth a refined instrument beyond these two falsehoods that can really make a difference because it is a new level of consciousness altogether. Such activists are themselves “a new creation” (Galatians 6:15) and the lightning rods of God’s transformative energy into the world.8 

Fr. Dan P Horan, OFM, reflects on the topic of “A universal communion” in his YouTube series

Understanding Laudato Si EP 06: "A Universal Communion" 9 

on understanding the call to people in the “Laudato Si” encyclical of Pope Francis on the care of our common home, the earth.

At this time in our journey, the climate emergency puts our need to overcome division by action as a world community to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor at the forefront. Contemplative prayer leading to “common ground” is a starting point for us.

References

1	(n.d.). Jeremiah, chapter 38 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/38
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 40 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/40
3	(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 12 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12
4	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 12 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/12
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/08/18/
8	(2019, August 18). Creating Peaceful Change — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from https://cac.org/creating-peaceful-change-2019-08-18/
9	(2016, May 3). "Understanding Laudato Si" Series - YouTube. Retrieved August 18, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO2W1tFFtdJn9V9_DvEbz9Bygt7XsYXRj