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 

Good and Faithful Service

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today that present overcoming fear as disciples of Christ, resonate with our marking of the death of Pope Francis and celebration of the love and care that characterized his Pontificate.

Remembering a Good and Faithful Servant

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter addresses the Crowd at Pentecost.

* [2:1–41] Luke’s pentecostal narrative consists of an introduction (Acts 2:1–13), a speech ascribed to Peter declaring the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic significance (Acts 2:14–36), and a favorable response from the audience (Acts 2:37–41). It is likely that the narrative telescopes events that took place over a period of time and on a less dramatic scale. The Twelve were not originally in a position to proclaim publicly the messianic office of Jesus without incurring immediate reprisal from those religious authorities in Jerusalem who had brought about Jesus’ death precisely to stem the rising tide in his favor. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 16 is a Song of Trust and Security in God.

* [Psalm 16] In the first section, the psalmist rejects the futile worship of false gods (Ps 16:2–5), preferring Israel’s God (Ps 16:1), the giver of the land (Ps 16:6and th). The second section reflects on the wise and life-giving presence of God (Ps 16:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents the encounter with Mary Magdalene and the report of the Guard.

* [28:8] Contrast Mk 16:8 where the women in their fear “said nothing to anyone.”

* [28:9–10] Although these verses are peculiar to Matthew, there are similarities between them and John’s account of the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:17). In both there is a touching of Jesus’ body, and a command of Jesus to bear a message to his disciples, designated as his brothers. Matthew may have drawn upon a tradition that appears in a different form in John. Jesus’ words to the women are mainly a repetition of those of the angel (Mt 28:5a, 7b).

* [28:11–15] This account indicates that the dispute between Christians and Jews about the empty tomb was not whether the tomb was empty but why. (Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Gillick, S.J. comments The Church these past two days have been doing lots of prayerful singing. The two Mary’s go off humming, “How can I keep from singing”. The guards spend their money and lives humming “Within the sound of silence”.

So here’s our Eastering. The invitation is clear, keep singing, keep wondering, keep living without clear explanations and ego-centered demands to know. We too have the option to keep Jesus in the tomb of our fears, “not being enough, what will people say, will I be successful.”

The guards lived in the silence of fear and yet wonder about what really happened back there. Easter Monday is a very good day to be untombed and freed from various forms of silence and perhaps shame. Jesus rises every time we speak with words and gestures of the love and freedom outside our tombs. (Gillick, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Our thoughts in this present life should turn on the praise of God, because it is in praising God that we shall rejoice for ever in the life to come; and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains himself for it now. So we praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time we make our petitions to him. Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with yearning. We have been promised something we do not yet possess, and because the promise was made by one who keeps his word, we trust him and are glad; but insofar as possession is delayed, we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised, and yearning is over; then praise alone will remain." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148, 1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15 invites us to notice what happened next: as the women made their way to the disciples, Jesus met them “and greeted them” (Matthew 28:9). How merciful and loving of the Lord! He didn’t just send his message through an angel but appeared to them himself, assuring them that he truly had risen and comforting them with his presence. Then he spoke directly to their fears, urging them to “not be afraid” (28:10). Jesus didn’t want the shadow of fear clouding their experience. He wanted them to rejoice!

Is fear, uncertainty, or worry clouding your experience of the resurrection today? Yield it to the Lord. Ask him for the grace to experience more fully the deep-down joy of Easter that he so deeply desires for you.

“Risen Christ, I surrender all my fears to you today. Lord, I want to rejoice in the truth of your resurrection!” (Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the kerygma teaching of Peter to the crowd on Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles. The four Gospels cite differing numbers of women who went to the Tomb and Matthew has two, the number required in the Law to give witness, even when Jewish rules would not accept the testimony of women. Friar Jude notes the apologia in Matthew that refutes the response of the Jewish authorities to the events surrounding the empty tomb.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, teaches that Jesus’ resurrection is a universal pattern we can trust. Reality rolls through cycles of death and resurrection, death and resurrection, death and resurrection. In the raising up of Jesus, we’re assured that this is the pattern for everything—that we, and anybody who is suffering—is also going to be raised up.

Of course, it’s an act of faith on our side. In our experience, our most cherished people, pets, and even places, fade away—but Jesus is the archetype of the shape of the universe. To believe in Jesus is to believe that all of this is going somewhere and that God is going to make it so. All we have to do is stay on the train, stay on the wave, trusting that by our crucifixions, we would be allowed to fail, fumble and die, and be transformed by grace and by God.  

Easter is the great feast of the triumph of universal grace, the triumph of universal salvation, not just the salvation of the body of Jesus. What we’re talking about creates a people of hope, and a culture of hope that doesn’t slip into cynicism and despair. Easter is saying, we don’t need to go there. Love is going to win. Life is going to win. Grace is going to win. Hallelujah! (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the action on our journey that will proclaim our relationship with Jesus and encourage our faithfulness as we celebrate Pope Francis' Pontificate of love, inclusion, compassion, and mercy.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?14 

Gillick, L. (2025, April 21). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042125.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/28?8 

Meditation on Matthew 28:8-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/21/1259521/ 

Psalms, PSALM 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/16?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). An Example for Us All. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/an-example-for-us-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr21