Expectations Transformed

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the inspiration of the Spirit that nudges us to reevaluate our relationships in anticipation of living in the Kingdom of God.

Supporting Relationships

The reading from the Letter to Philemon is Paul’s Plea for Onesimus.

* [7] Encouragement: the Greek word paraklēsis is cognate with the verb translated “urge” in Phlm 9, 10, and serves as an introduction to Paul’s plea. Hearts: literally, “bowels,” expressing in Semitic fashion the seat of the emotions, one’s “inmost self.” The same Greek word is used in Phlm 12 and again in Phlm 20, where it forms a literary inclusion marking off the body of the letter.

* [8] Full right: often translated “boldness,” the Greek word parrēsia connotes the full franchise of speech, as the right of a citizen to speak before the body politic, claimed by the Athenians as their privilege (Euripides).

* [9] Old man: some editors conjecture that Paul here used a similar Greek word meaning “ambassador” (cf. Eph 6:20). This conjecture heightens the contrast with “prisoner” but is totally without manuscript support.

* [11] Useless…useful: here Paul plays on the name Onesimus, which means “useful” or “beneficial.” The verb translated “profit” in Phlm 20 is cognate.

* [13] Serve: the Greek diakoneō could connote a ministry.

* [15] Was away from: literally, “was separated from,” but the same verb means simply “left” in Acts 18:1. It is a euphemism for his running away.

* [16] As a man: literally, “in the flesh.” With this and the following phrase, Paul describes the natural and spiritual orders.

* [18–19] Charge it to me…I will pay: technical legal and commercial terms in account keeping and acknowledgment of indebtedness. (Philemon, THE LETTER TO PHILEMON, n.d.)

Psalm 146 offers Praise for God’s Help.

* [Psalm 146] A hymn of someone who has learned there is no other source of strength except the merciful God. Only God, not mortal human beings (Ps 146:3–4), can help vulnerable and oppressed people (Ps 146:5–9). The first of the five hymns that conclude the Psalter. (Psalms, PSALM 146, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus advises about the Coming of the Kingdom.

* [17:20–37] To the question of the Pharisees about the time of the coming of God’s kingdom, Jesus replies that the kingdom is among you (Lk 17:20–21). The emphasis has thus been shifted from an imminent observable coming of the kingdom to something that is already present in Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. Luke has also appended further traditional sayings of Jesus about the unpredictable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man, and assures his readers that in spite of the delay of that day (Lk 12:45), it will bring judgment unexpectedly on those who do not continue to be vigilant.

* [17:21] Among you: the Greek preposition translated as among can also be translated as “within.” In the light of other statements in Luke’s gospel about the presence of the kingdom (see Lk 10:9, 11; 11:20) “among” is to be preferred. (Luke, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that as a friend of both Philemon and Onesimus, Paul could have worried about damaging his personal relationships with one or both, but as a spiritual brother Paul knew that healing was needed.  He held each one accountable, and in so doing provided a wonderful model of us to follow with our own spiritual siblings.

In short, Paul’s example emphasizes to me that accountability is more than pointing out when someone does or says something wrong.  It certainly is more than standing back and hoping that the situation resolves itself.  It requires allowing (or at least not resisting) the Holy Spirit to use me as an instrument of encouragement, support and God’s love for a soul in need. (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Don't pursue human glory,” by John Cassian (360-435 AD).

"If the devil has been driven out and sin no longer reigns, then the kingdom of God is established in us. As it is written in the Gospel, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation, nor will they say, 'Lo here,' or 'Lo, there.' Truly I say to you that the kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:20-21). The only thing that can be 'within us' is knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the affection for righteousness or sin by which we prepare our hearts to be a kingdom of Christ or the devil. St. Paul described the nature of this kingdom in this way: 'For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). If the kingdom of God is within us and is righteousness, peace and joy, then someone that remains in these is surely within the kingdom of God. Someone that remains in unrighteousness, conflict and the melancholy that kills the life of the spirit is already a citizen of the devil's kingdom, of hell and of death. These are the signs whether it is God's kingdom or the devil's." (excerpt from CONFERENCE 1.13.5)

[John Cassian was an early 5th century church father who lived for several years with the monks in Bethlehem and Egypt before founding a monastery in southern Gaul.] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:20-25 asks how does a meek and humble rabbi overcome the powers of darkness and bring a kingdom of goodness and light? This is the paradox of the gospel. God’s kingdom enters the world in smallness, as a helpless infant. He brings victory through sacrifice and exaltation through humiliation.

It’s not easy to let go of our own expectations. But it is possible. Begin today! Don’t let your heart get hardened by frustration or disappointment. As you live in the “in-between,” keep your eyes open to how Jesus is working. Rather than growing disenchanted by what God’s kingdom isn’t, you can embrace the beauty of what it already is.

Ask Jesus to help you believe: behold, the kingdom of God is among you!

“Jesus, I trust that your kingdom is here, right now. Give me eyes to see it!” (Meditation on Luke 17:20-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the letter to Philemon as the only authentic letter of Paul to an individual. Paul uses word play and conversion of Onemisus to plead for dignity and not punishment for his helper in imprisonment. Friar Jude notes the warning of Jesus in Luke to expect the Kingdom to come in an instant for which we may not be ready.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Randy and Edith Woodley who explore interconnectedness through Indigenous traditions and language. By realizing the connectedness of humankind to all animal and plant life, the Lakota believe that we become aware of new possibilities for preserving all living things. In humanity’s dependence on the Earth, the Lakota and others believe we can learn to sustain our planet and can find fresh prospects for nurturing food, conserving water, and developing renewable energy. All this and more is contained in their two simple prayer words: mitakuye oyasin, “All my relations.” The Woodleys share the insight of an Iroquois teacher:

 

Tadodaho, also known as Chief Leon Shenandoah, commented:   

The teachings are very good. The most important thing is that each individual must treat all others, all the people who walk on Mother Earth, including every nationality, with kindness. That covers a lot of ground. It doesn’t apply only to my people. I must treat everyone I meet the same. When people turn their thoughts to the Creator, they give the Creator power to enter their minds and bring good thoughts. The most difficult part of this is that the Creator desired that there be no bloodshed among human beings and that there be peace, good relations, and always a good mind. [2]  (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder how our actions and attitudes may be shaped by expectations about people and society that need to be transformed by invoking the Spirit to realign us closer to Jesus Way.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111424.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17?20 

Meditation on Luke 17:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/14/1129699/ 

Philemon, THE LETTER TO PHILEMON. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philemon/1 

Psalms, PSALM 146. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/146?7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). All My Relations. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/all-my-relations/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Coming of Christ's Kingdom. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov14 

Leading the Flock

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to assess the gifts we have in our personality and life experience to accept the assistance of the Holy Spirit in actualization of Jesus' directive to “Feed My Sheep.”

Feed My Sheep

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Festus consults King Agrippa about Paul.

* [25:9–12] Paul refuses to acknowledge that the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem has any jurisdiction over him now (Acts 25:11). Paul uses his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to the jurisdiction of the Emperor (Nero, ca. A.D. 60) (Acts 25:12). This move broke the deadlock between Roman protective custody of Paul and the plan of his enemies to kill him (25:3).

* [25:13] King Agrippa and Bernice: brother and sister, children of Herod Agrippa I whose activities against the Jerusalem community are mentioned in Acts 12:1–19. Agrippa II was a petty ruler over small areas in northern Palestine and some villages in Perea. His influence on the Jewish population of Palestine was insignificant. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 103 is a thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.

* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus and Peter dialogue about Love.

* [21:15–23] This section constitutes Peter’s rehabilitation and emphasizes his role in the church.

* [21:15–17] In these three verses there is a remarkable variety of synonyms: two different Greek verbs for love (see note on Jn 15:13); two verbs for feed/tend; two nouns for sheep; two verbs for know. But apparently there is no difference of meaning. The threefold confession of Peter is meant to counteract his earlier threefold denial (Jn 18:17, 25, 27). The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus after his resurrection gave Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock.

* [21:15] More than these: probably “more than these disciples do” rather than “more than you love them” or “more than you love these things [fishing, etc.].”

* [21:18] Originally probably a proverb about old age, now used as a figurative reference to the crucifixion of Peter. (John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that Jesus knows absolutely that Peter loves him. And Jesus says, then prove it: feed my lambs, tend my sheep. Peter had denied him. But he really does love Jesus. The best way to show this is to do his work. The best way to make up for his indiscretion is to do Jesus’ work.

Jesus is there and alive in this passage, but he will ascend to heaven soon. If Peter really loves him, and he does, the best thing he can do is to tend his sheep. Jesus wants him to take care of people: Be a good shepherd, a good steward. Follow Jesus’ example and do the work. This is a good example for everyone to follow. If we love Jesus, the best way to show that is to take care of his people. Peter started it, and we can continue.  The best way to follow Jesus is to follow his example and to love others like he loves us. (Whitney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Do you love me? Feed my sheep,” . by Augustine of Hippo.

"Christ rose again in the flesh, and Peter rose in the spirit because, when Christ died in his passion, Peter died by his denial. Christ the Lord was raised from the dead, and out of his love he raised Peter. He questioned him about the love he was confessing and entrusted him with his sheep. After all, what benefit could Peter confer on Christ by the mere fact of his loving Christ? If Christ loves you, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And if you love Christ, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And yet Christ the Lord wanted to indicate how people ought to show that they love Christ. And he made it plain enough by entrusting him with his sheep. 'Do you love me?' 'I do.' 'Feed my sheep.' All this once, all this a second time, all this a third time. Peter made no other reply than that he loved him. The Lord asked no other question but whether he loved him. When Peter answered, our Lord did nothing else but entrust his sheep to him." (excerpt from SERMON 229n.1.4) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:15-19 comments that Jesus moved Peter from clinging to sins of the past to receiving mercy in the present, and he wants to do the same for us. His mercy knows no bounds. Not only that, but he longs to pour it out on us! In fact, once we’ve repented and received his forgiveness, the only reason to remember our shameful moments is so that we can recall his compassion and mercy.

Christ died and rose so that you might be forgiven—completely! Let him take you aside—perhaps early each morning—and assure you of his unconditional love and mercy for you. The more deeply you experience this mercy, the more equipped you will be to answer the Lord’s call to “feed my sheep.”

“Jesus, may I trust in your mercy all the days of my life!” (Meditation on John 21:15-19, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains how the authorities brought Paul to Caesarea and the decision of Festus to honour his privilege as a Roman Citizen to have his case presented in Rome. Chapter 21 of John is an addenda, likely by the same author as the Gospel, with Jesus asking Peter if he loves as agape twice and receiving confirmation of loving Jesus as philia. Friar Jude notes that Jesus accepts Peter’s love and ours at the level we are able to achieve.

 

Brian McLaren shares his vision of a restored Earth where humans live equitably with the Earth, other humans, and the more-than-human world. He dreams that some of us, maybe even enough of us, will come together not only in a circle of shared humanity, but in a sphere as big as the whole Earth, to rediscover ourselves as Earth’s multi-colored multi-cultured children, members of Team Earth. 

In my dream, our life-giving connection to each other and to the living Earth would be fundamental, central, and sacred … and everything else, from economies to governments to schools to religions … would be renegotiated to flow from that fundamental connection. In my dream, we would know God not as separate from creation, but as the living light and holy energy we encounter in and through creation: embodied, incarnated, in the current and flow of past, present, and future, known most intimately in the energy of love. (McLaren, n.d.)

We are called to be shepherds of Jesus sheep and to be open to the prompting of the Spirit to show us practical pathways to carry out our mission everyday.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 25 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/25?13 

John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?15 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Dreaming of a Harmonious Earth. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/dreaming-of-a-harmonious-earth/ 

Meditation on John 21:15-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/17/967363/ 

Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may17 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051724.html