Deliverance from Condemnation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invites us to ponder our attitude to sin, righteousness and condemnation and invoke the Advocate in our exploration of the Love of God.

Sin, Righteousness and Condemnation

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the Deliverance from Prison of Paul and Silas.

* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Psalm 138 is a thanksgiving to God.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 138, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals His Departure and the Coming of the Advocate.

* [16:5] Not one of you asks me: the difficulty of reconciling this with Simon Peter’s question in Jn 13:36 and Thomas’ words in Jn 14:5 strengthens the supposition that the last discourse has been made up of several collections of Johannine material.

* [16:8–11] These verses illustrate the forensic character of the Paraclete’s role: in the forum of the disciples’ conscience he prosecutes the world. He leads believers to see (a) that the basic sin was and is refusal to believe in Jesus; (b) that, although Jesus was found guilty and apparently died in disgrace, in reality righteousness has triumphed, for Jesus has returned to his Father; (c) finally, that it is the ruler of this world, Satan, who has been condemned through Jesus’ death (Jn 12:32). (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney asserts that the truth and what is right are above unjust laws and orders.

In the Gospel Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure, but they are having a hard time with it. They are grieving the loss of their friend and teacher. Of course they will miss him. A lot. They want him to stay with them. But he says, the truth is, they will be better off that he is gone. He will go to prepare a place for us all, and he will send down the Holy Spirit to help the righteous on the right path, and condemn those who continue in sin and false ways. (Whitney, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Whatever is not of faith is sin,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When the Lord said of the Holy Spirit, 'He shall convict the world of sin,' he meant unbelief. For this is what he meant when he said, 'Of sin because they believed not on me.' And he means the same when he says, 'If I had not come and spoken to them, they should not have sin.' (John 15:22). He was not talking about [a time] before they had no sin. Rather, he wanted to indicate that very lack of faith by which they did not believe him even when he was present to them and speaking to them. These were the people who belonged to 'the prince of the power of the air, who now works in the children of unbelief' (Ephesians 2:2). Therefore those in whom there is no faith are the children of the devil because they have nothing in their inner being that would cause them to be forgiven for whatever is committed either by human infirmity, ignorance or any evil will whatever. But the children of God are those who certainly, if they should 'say that they have no sin, deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them,' but immediately (as it continues) 'when they confess their sins' (which the children of the devil do not do, or do not do according to the faith which is peculiar to the children of God), 'he is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness'" (1 John 1:9). (excerpt from AGAINST TWO LETTERS OF THE PELAGIANS 3.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:22-34 comments that we can work to develop this same habit of gratitude. Like anything we do, giving thanks and praise is something we can get better at. So practice it today, even in life’s ordinary moments. Thank the Lord for a beautiful sunrise, or for a short wait at the doctor’s office, or for the smiling clerk at your favorite store. Look for the Holy Spirit’s presence in these situations and praise God. Then, like Paul and Silas, we will be more likely to give thanks to God even in the more difficult moments.

As you keep doing this, you will find the “prison doors” inside your heart opening. Any chains of fear and anxiety that you may struggle with will fall away, and you will be loosed from the shackles of resentment or bitterness that hold you bound.

“Lord, teach me to be thankful in every circumstance!” (Meditation on Acts 16:22-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Acts reading where Paul and Silas are beaten and in jail and are freed by an earthquake. Paul includes the jailer and his family and they are baptized. This may be a record supporting infant baptism In John 16. Jesus continues the Last Supper Discourse. Friar Jude reminds us of the grief of the disciples and the assertion in John’s Gospel that the one sin is not to believe in the Son, Jesus reveals who God is and what God wants of us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Spiritual writer Ruth Haley Barton who explores the necessity of doing our shadow work through the story of Moses, who was born into a Hebrew family and raised by the Egyptian pharaoh’s daughter (see Exodus 2:1–15). Barton invites us to consider how silence might help us respond when we are trapped in reactive patterns.

That one glimpse of the destructive power of his raw and unrefined leadership was so frightening to Moses that he fled into solitude…. He said, in effect, “This part of me, if left as it is, will be no good for anyone.” Yes, he ran because he was afraid of Pharaoh, but oftentimes it is the fear of being found out or the actual experience of being found out that alerts us to what lies beneath. It actually places us on the path of self-discovery and (hopefully) forces us to do whatever work we need to do to take more responsibility for the dark forces that have propelled our bad behavior…. (Rohr, n.d.)

We may experience our imprisonment to patterns and behaviours about which we can seek the help of the Advocate to enlighten our journey to deeper understanding of “Who God is” and “What God asks of us”.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?22 

John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?5 

Meditation on Acts 16:22-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/27/1285205/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Surprised by Our Shadow. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/surprised-by-our-shadow/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Send the Counselor to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may27 

Whitney, T. (2025, May 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052725.html 

Rescue and Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to see the rescue in our relationship with Christ from the earthquakes on our journey.

Rescue from the Storm

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles details Paul and Silas' deliverance from prison.

* [16:20] Magistrates: in Greek, stratēgoi, the popular designation of the duoviri, the highest officials of the Roman colony of Philippi. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 138 offers Thanksgiving and Praise.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 138 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John describes Jesus’ Departure and the coming of the Advocate.

* [16:5] Not one of you asks me: the difficulty of reconciling this with Simon Peter’s question in Jn 13:36 and Thomas’ words in Jn 14:5 strengthens the supposition that the last discourse has been made up of several collections of Johannine material.

* [16:8–11] These verses illustrate the forensic character of the Paraclete’s role: in the forum of the disciples’ conscience he prosecutes the world. He leads believers to see (a) that the basic sin was and is refusal to believe in Jesus; (b) that, although Jesus was found guilty and apparently died in disgrace, in reality righteousness has triumphed, for Jesus has returned to his Father; (c) finally, that it is the ruler of this world, Satan, who has been condemned through Jesus’ death (Jn 12:32). (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries today links to a May 8, 2023 article by Edward Morse.

Don Schwager quotes “Whatever is not of faith is sin,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When the Lord said of the Holy Spirit, 'He shall convict the world of sin,' he meant unbelief. For this is what he meant when he said, 'Of sin because they believed not on me.' And he means the same when he says, 'If I had not come and spoken to them, they should not have sin.' (John 15:22). He was not talking about [a time] before they had no sin. Rather, he wanted to indicate that very lack of faith by which they did not believe him even when he was present to them and speaking to them. These were the people who belonged to 'the prince of the power of the air, who now works in the children of unbelief' (Ephesians 2:2). Therefore those in whom there is no faith are the children of the devil because they have nothing in their inner being that would cause them to be forgiven for whatever is committed either by human infirmity, ignorance or any evil will whatever. But the children of God are those who certainly, if they should 'say that they have no sin, deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them,' but immediately (as it continues) 'when they confess their sins' (which the children of the devil do not do, or do not do according to the faith which is peculiar to the children of God), 'he is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness'" (1 John 1:9). (excerpt from AGAINST TWO LETTERS OF THE PELAGIANS 3.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:22-34 asks us to take a moment right now to think of someone who reflects the love of God. It may even be someone who, like the jailer, seems far from the Lord. But you can see evidence of the Spirit’s work in them as they care for a loved one in the hospital or as they show courage in adversity or dedication in serving.

Keep your eyes open for the Spirit’s quiet activity in people. And when you recognize it, point it out to them. Help them to see and rejoice in God’s creative love at work in their hearts. Then, one day, perhaps you will marvel at the way they have “come to faith in God” (Acts 16:34).

“Jesus, help me recognize and affirm the work that you are doing in those around me.” (Meditation on Acts 16:22-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the illegal nature of the beating of Paul as a Roman citizen and the conversion of the jailer, the baptism of his family, and presumably his children. Acts testifies that the Spirit guides the spread of the Gospel. Jesus declares the Advocate will convict of sin, proclaim righteousness, and condemn the evil one as we are reminded in John that we have to choose and live in the consequence of our choice.

Fr. Richard Rohr asks Why Contemplation?

A phrase I used a lot back when I first started teaching contemplation was the idea associated with Albert Einstein that no problem can be solved by the same consciousness that created it.

I don’t believe I’m overstating it when I say that only the contemplative mind can help bring forward the new consciousness needed to awaken a more loving, just, and sustainable world. We need a practice that touches our unconscious conditioning where all our wounds and defense mechanisms lie. That’s the only way we can be changed at any significant or lasting level.

Because we’ve got to be honest — the dualistic, calculating, and judging mind is almost exclusively the way most of us Western people think. This gives us false superiority, false security, and false righteousness. Is it any wonder why our culture, politics, and religion are in the state that they are in?  

Nevertheless, I still have hope. I always will. More and more people are discovering contemplation as a way of being, reconciling, and bridge-building guided by their inner experience of God. We’re not throwing out our rational mind, but rather we’re adding nondual, contemplative consciousness. When we have both, we’re able to see more deeply, wisely, and justly. This creates humble people, loving people, and patient people. (Rohr, n.d.)

We reflect on the experience of being rescued from a distressing situation and express gratitude in the prompting of the Spirit that leads us to truth and acts of love for our neighbours.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?22 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16? 

Meditation on Acts 16:22-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/07/950456/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Why Contemplation? CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-fr-richard-why-contemplation/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Send the Counselor to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may7

Spirit of consolation and conviction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to contemplate the role of the Holy Spirit in awakening us to opportunities for humility and service as Jesus disciples.

Inspired day

In the Reading from Acts, the Spirit works with the Imprisonment of Paul and Silas at Philippi.

* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians).1 

Psalm 138 is a thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. This is a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people.

* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8).2 

In the Gospel from John Jesus announces His Departure and the Coming of the Advocate to build conviction.

* [16:8–11] These verses illustrate the forensic character of the Paraclete’s role: in the forum of the disciples’ conscience he prosecutes the world. He leads believers to see (a) that the basic sin was and is refusal to believe in Jesus; (b) that, although Jesus was found guilty and apparently died in disgrace, in reality righteousness has triumphed, for Jesus has returned to his Father; (c) finally, that it is the ruler of this world, Satan, who has been condemned through Jesus’ death (Jn 12:32).3 

Michael Cherney wonders how often his statements and action were instead a function of his own ego, a wish to be admired at work or even a desire to be the center of attention.

In the Tale of the Two Wolves, a Cherokee elder describes the conflict that might be found inside of everyone. There is the bad wolf embodying envy, greed and resentment. There is also the good wolf embodying humility, empathy and compassion. A young boy asks the elder which wolf will win. The elder responds “the one that gets fed”... My prayer today is to feed the good wolf being more aware of all of its subtleties and remembering that Jesus did not abandon his disciples; he promised them the Advocate, the Spirit.4 

Don Schwager quotes “Whatever is not of faith is sin,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When the Lord said of the Holy Spirit, 'He shall convict the world of sin,' he meant unbelief. For this is what he meant when he said, “Of sin because they believed not on me.' And he means the same when he says, 'If I had not come and spoken to them, they should not have sin.' (John 15:22). He was not talking about [a time] before they had no sin. Rather, he wanted to indicate that very lack of faith by which they did not believe him even when he was present to them and speaking to them. These were the people who belonged to 'the prince of the power of the air, who now works in the children of unbelief' (Ephesians 2:2). Therefore those in whom there is no faith are the children of the devil because they have nothing in their inner being that would cause them to be forgiven for whatever is committed either by human infirmity, ignorance or any evil will whatever. But the children of God are those who certainly, if they should 'say that they have no sin, deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them,' but immediately (as it continues) 'when they confess their sins' (which the children of the devil do not do, or do not do according to the faith which is peculiar to the children of God), 'he is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness'" (1 John 1:9). (excerpt from AGAINST TWO LETTERS OF THE PELAGIANS 3.4)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:5-11 comments that Jesus had just told his friends that he was about to be put to death. It’s natural to expect fear and grief to overwhelm them. Not only was their leader about to leave them—apparently without ushering in the kingdom they were waiting for—but their lives could also be in danger. And yet he tells them that it’s better for them that all of this happen. How is that possible? The answer, as in so many other passages, is the Holy Spirit.

Guess what? The Holy Spirit wasn’t just for the early Church. He’s in you as well! He is also at work in your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace. He’s there to help you understand God’s word in a deeper way. He’s there to help you listen patiently to someone who is hurting and feels alone. He’s there to inspire you with a solution for a persistent problem. He’s there to give you the strength to walk through the problems that have no solution. And through it all, he is there to help you love Jesus more.6 

Friar Jude Winkler is inspired that the Spirit turned the curse of imprisonment of Paul and Silas into the blessing of conversion for the jailer and his family. Our openness to Spirit creates the opportunity for everything we do to be an occasion for charity. Friar Jude reminds us of the dualism in John’s Gospel where sin is not believing in Jesus and the Cross is the defeat of hate by Love.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, exhorts that If we can trust and listen to our inner divine image, our whole-making instinct, or our True Self, we will act from our best, largest, kindest, most inclusive self. He would also like to add “our most compassionately dissatisfied self” because the soul’s journey invites us to infinite depth that we can never fully plumb!

We must learn how to recognize the positive flow and to distinguish it from the negative resistance within ourselves. It takes years of practice. If a voice comes from accusation and leads to accusation, it is quite simply the voice of the “Accuser,” which is the literal meaning of the biblical word “Satan.” Shaming, accusing, or blaming is simply not how God talks. God is supremely nonviolent. God only cajoles, softens, and invites us into an always bigger field and it is always a unified field.7 

Life in the Spirit turns difficulties into opportunities to experience Grace as we strive to follow the inspiration to feed the Good Wolf.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 16 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/16
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 138 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 16 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 28, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/16
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved May 28, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 28, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 28, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/28
7	(2019, May 28). The Voice of God — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 28, 2019, from https://cac.org/the-voice-of-god-2019-05-28/