Response with Patience and Peace

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to rethink and rework those situations in which we sense a negative response rising toward others with patience and peace.

Act with Peace and Patience 

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

* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 138 is a thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist.

* [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 proclaims 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.)

David Crawford asks if we did think of the jailer, would our first impulse be to save him or would we think, “Not my problem.” Or, “He had it coming. Payback!” Maybe we would lump him in with the larger group of Philippians who were responsible for the suffering and imprisonment: “This will teach them to mess with us and our God!” In other words, how many of us would adopt a “me first, them last” attitude?

Christ calls us to love our neighbors and our enemies, in times of crisis – such as Paul and Silas experienced – and in everyday life. As Christians, we often may not be aware of how easily we succumb to the temptation NOT to love those before us. Think of times when we are in a store, frustrated that staff won’t make an exception to a policy in our favor. When we think of those individuals first, we realize that they are not the ones who made the policy, that they would probably lose their job for making the exception, and that berating them makes us hateful and them miserable. The temptations to unlovingness pop up in the political arena, the workplace, at sporting events, in social media, even at church. The temptations may be greater when we are frightened or threatened. Yet it is in those moments that Paul and Silas prayed, praised God, and extended God’s love to others. In those moments of temptation, may the Holy Spirit move in us to color all we do with love and mercy so that others are drawn to Christ, so that God is glorified. 

They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love (Crawford, 2026)

 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 today’s reading shows us that suffering can be redeemed, even in the hardest of times. It can become fertile ground where virtues like patience, hope, and even joy can grow. If we try to stay close to the Lord during these times, our sufferings won’t just strengthen our own faith; they’ll also draw other people to deepen their relationship with the Lord.

This is easier said than done, but every time we take just one step closer to Jesus in the midst of hardships, he takes a thousand steps closer to us. He not only comforts and strengthens us, but he finds a way to bring good from it. So never doubt the goodness of the Lord, even in the hardest times!

“Jesus, reach out to all who are suffering right now. Help them and their loved ones to find you today.” (Meditation on Acts 16:22-34, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts, Paul and Silas made a mistake healing a slave who had been a source of income to an influential family. The next morning, Paul, as a Roman Citizen, had rights to be heard in court. Paul and Silas remain in the cell after the earthquake. The jailer takes them to his home and is received with baptism. God uses all circumstances for good. The discourse in the Gospel of John identifies the “world” as that part of reality that has rejected the Gospel message. The “sin” is to not believe in the Son of God, in John. Jesus shows His righteousness going to Father. Condemnation is by Jesus death of the ruler of this “world”. Friar Jude notes Satan has been convicted by an act of love not violence. This demonstrates how much Jesus loves us.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recounts the work of Theologian Matthew Fox who describes Julian of Norwich as a mystic for our times. He highlighted her writings during the COVID-19 pandemic, living as she did through the Black Death (bubonic plague). He writes:

What is remarkable about her life and teaching is that instead of yielding to despair or blame, she sought out in depth the goodness of life and creation. Indeed, she established her entire worldview on this sense of goodness and the sacred marriage of grace and nature, a sense of God-in-nature. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

Julian’s teachings are encouragement for our time:

Our sister and ancestor Julian is eager not only to speak to us today but to shout at us—albeit in a gentle way—to wake up and to go deep, to face the darkness and to dig down and find goodness, joy and awe. And to go to work to defend Mother Earth and all her creatures, stripping ourselves of racism, sexism, nationalisms, anthropocentrism, sectarianism—anything that interferes with our greatness as human beings. And to connect anew to the sacredness of life. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the Spirit of Peace to guide our response from anger and dramatic overreaction to peace, understanding, and gratitude for the opportunity to transform relationships.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16 

Crawford, D. (2026, May 12). Daily Reflection May 12, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-12-2026 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16 

Meditation on Acts 16:22-34. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/12/1562666/ 

Psalms, PSALM 138 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Mystic Who Suffered. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-mystic-who-suffered/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Send the Counselor to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 12, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Fulfilling our purpose

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of events in life that offer opportunity for us to fulfill our purpose.

Taking care 

The reading from the Book of Acts describes deliverance from prison for Paul and Silas and conversion for the jailer and family.

 * [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 thanksgiving and praise that the Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.

 * [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 of John, Jesus’ departure will initiate the coming of the Advocate who will prove the world wrong.

 * [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

Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that the whole of John’s narrative has to do with the areas of exactly how to get into this “Christ-Believing” community and how to remain a member. We hear today the words of Jesus, according to John, speaking to His disciples about His going away and yet remaining. He knows their questions and worries. He does not explain, but invites belief. He makes a promise about a Companion, an Advocate, who will be present and active. The Holy Spirit will not be a convincing answer, but rather a comforting and alive presence.

 Being abandoned or alone is so central to our human experience of fear. From our earliest years we experience subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, fears about having a friend, friends, companions, others to assist our singular journey. We all have experienced our awareness that there are actually inside-cells, double-locked, where no one else can know or find us. It is our “mystery” , our “longing-place” and it can result in our sense of being abandoned or unloved even by God. Paul and Silas, as well as the early Church and followers of Jesus ever since, have trusted, not in easy answers, but in the Promise, the “Present-One” which is sometimes like a quake of our earthliness or a quiet voice.4

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)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:22-34 comments it is always the right time to praise God. Sometimes, like Paul and Silas, we will see the practical effects of our prayer.

 As we develop a habit of praising God no matter our circumstances, our thoughts will line up with his thoughts. We will learn to keep our focus on what is true about God, not just about what’s going on at each moment. It can also touch the people around us and open their eyes to the reality of God’s love and provision.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to praise God in all circumstances.
“Lord, you are worthy of all praise. Help me practice praising you at every moment and in every situation.”6

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Paul finds himself in prison after his exorcism of a demon interrupts revenue for the slave owner. The head of the Roman family determined the pattern of worship. Friar Jude reminds us that the “world” in John’s Gospel are those who choose not to follow Jesus.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that St. Bonaventure (1221–1274) taught that “Christ, as a human being, shares with all creatures; indeed he possesses being with rocks, lives among the plants, senses with animals, and understands with angels.” [1]

 Although God “empties himself” into creation (Philippians 2:7), we humans have spent most of history creating systems to control and subdue that creation for our own purposes and profit, reversing the divine pattern.  As Paul Swanson, co-host of my podcast Another Name for Every Thing, puts it, “The [Franciscan mystics] are known for their celebrated connection to being a part of nature and this world as a mirror to which we pass over to God. There’s such a naturalness to this perspective, yet the bulk of Christianity has seemed to pay no mind to this at all with the theology of domination over the planet.” [2]7

In saying this, Bonaventure wanted to give theological weight to the deep experience of St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226), who as far as we know, was the first recorded Christian to call animals and elements and even the forces of nature by familial names: “Sister Mother Earth,” “Brother Wind,” “Sister Water,” and “Brother Fire.”

Our purpose is fulfilled as we respond to the Holy Spirit, to act in times of pandemic or climate chaos as followers of Christ.References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 16 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/16
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 138 - United States Conference. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 16 - United States Conference. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/16
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries .... Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). 6th Week of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/05/19/
7	(2020, May 19). Cultivation Not Domination — Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://cac.org/cultivation-not-domination-2020-05-19/

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/