Universal Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reconsider if the scope of our mission as followers of Christ is truly “catholic”.

Universal Love

In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul responds to Accusations before Gallio and  Returns to Syrian Antioch.

* [18:12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia: Gallio’s proconsulship in Achaia is dated to A.D. 51–52 from an inscription discovered at Delphi. This has become an important date in establishing a chronology of the life and missionary work of Paul.

* [18:13] Contrary to the law: Gallio (Acts 18:15) understands this to be a problem of Jewish, not Roman, law.

* [18:18] He had his hair cut because he had taken a vow: a reference to a Nazirite vow (see Nm 6:1–21, especially, 6:18) taken by Paul (see also Acts 21:23–27). (Acts, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 47 acknowledges the universal rule of Israel’s God.

* [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel’s God (Ps 47:2–5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Ps 47:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus restates His teaching on departure and return.

* [16:4b–33] A duplicate of Jn 14:1–31 on departure and return. (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche understands “in the name of” to mean “for the sake of the mission”. Jesus seems eager to further the mission, so if we ask for something in His name, God is going to answer.

The answer won’t always be what I think the mission needs or when I think the mission needs it, but God will answer for the sake of the mission. God has already given His Son for the sake of the mission, what else would he hold back?

I believe in the mission. I believe I am a part of the mission. If you’re reading this, we are on the mission together. That idea makes me a little happier. We aren’t alone, no matter how it feels at times. Let’s pray together, in the name of Jesus, that we can love others. And let’s do it together. (Dyche, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Alleluia will be our whole joy,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"I trust I will not weary you if I mention what you know already: that we say ALLELUIA daily and that we take delight in it daily. For you know that ALLELUIA means "Praise God" and by this expression we, agreeing in speech and thought, exhort one another to praise God. Only the one who displeases God in no respect praises God in security. Furthermore, in this time of journeying we say ALLELUIA for solace on our way. ALLELUIA is the song of the traveler for us; but we are advancing through a laborious path to a peaceful country where all our activities will be laid aside and nothing will remain for us except the ALLELUIA. Let us sing now, not for the delights of peace, but for comfort in our labor. Sing as travelers are accustomed to sing; comfort your labor by singing; do not love inactivity; keep singing and keep progressing. ...If you are advancing; progress in well-doing, progress in good faith, progress in good deeds. Keep singing and keep advancing. While we are here let us sing ALLELUIA though we are still beset with cares, so that in the future we may sing it there (in heaven) in tranquility. After the labors of this world there will be unceasing repetition of ALLELUIA. ..There ALLELUIA will be our food; ALLELUIA will be our drink; ALLELUIA will be our peaceful action; ALLELUIA will be our whole joy." [excerpts from Sermon 255 (1); Sermon 256 (1 and 3); Sermon 252 (9)] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:20-23 comments about our joy to know that we belong to Christ and that we have access to him at any time! That includes both the challenging times as well as the happy times. We can hear his assurance that he is with us when we are feeling burdened, and we can feel him rejoicing with us in the good times. Every day we can taste the sweetness of knowing that we are precious to him.

So let your heart rejoice! Jesus has promised that you will see him—that you can see him—right here and right now. And ask the Spirit to help you keep your eyes open for his presence within you and his work in the world and in the people around you.

“Lord Jesus, I rejoice in your presence!” (Meditation on John 16:20-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments Paul remained a long time in Corinth. The Spirit often speaks in dreams and we must discern carefully. Paul stayed there over a year. Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, was the brother of Seneca and the trial occurred around 51 CE. In Acts and Luke, Rome tries not to condemn Christians who are people who respect the Law. Paul makes a vow and in the tradition of Nazarites he shaves his head. In New Testament times it was a temporary vow and the head was shaved and hair still belongs to God. In Acts, Paul still follows some Jewish customs. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks about suffering for Jesus and His disciples. They have pain like the woman in labour and they will give birth to something wonderful. Friar Jude reminds us that followers of Jesus must die to self and serve others. We are invited into the Love of the Cross by God.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Matthew Fox who traces the universal nature of Julian’s message of mystical hope and divine love. When she celebrates the beauty of being human, she again makes explicit that she is talking about all and not some sectarian group. “God made us so rich and noble in our essence that all we can do is strive to enact his will and honor him in all things. “In God’s sight, all humanity is one person, and all people are a single humanity.”… [1] For Julian, the traditional teaching of the church as the mystical body of Christ is extended to the entire human race.

When she celebrates the beauty of being human, she again makes explicit that she is talking about all and not some sectarian group. “God made us so rich and noble in our essence that all we can do is strive to enact his will and honor him in all things. When I say ‘we,’ I mean all true spiritual seekers.” [2] When she says “all,” she means all. This would include, in our time, all versions of Christians and all Jews, all Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, Muslims, goddess worshippers, those of indigenous religions, and those of no religions, whether agnostic or atheist. That is how ecumenical she is—and in the fourteenth century, no less. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the universal love of God and invoke the Spirit to inspire our actions to be disciples of love, compassion, and care for all people, the Mystical Body of Christ, we encounter.

References

Acts, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?9 

Dyche, G. (2026, May 15). Daily Reflection May 15, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-15-2026 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16 

Meditation on John 16:20-23. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/15/1568198/ 

Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?20 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-dwells-in-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Communities Conquered with Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider how our inaction with people in our environment needs adjustment to be opportunities to build community and care with Jesus as our leader.

Care and Community

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles shares the mission of Paul in Ephesus.

* [19:1–6] Upon his arrival in Ephesus, Paul discovers other people at the same religious stage as Apollos, though they seem to have considered themselves followers of Christ, not of the Baptist. On the relation between baptism and the reception of the Spirit, see note on Acts 8:16. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 68 accompanied the early autumn Feast of Tabernacles.

* [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. At any rate, Ps 68:2 is based on Nm 10:35–36, and Ps 68:8–9 are derived from Jgs 5:4–5. The argument develops in nine stanzas (each of three to five poetic lines): 1. confidence that God will destroy Israel’s enemies (Ps 68:2–4); 2. call to praise God as savior (Ps 68:5–7); 3. God’s initial rescue of Israel from Egypt (Ps 68:8), the Sinai encounter (Ps 68:9), and the settlement in Canaan (Ps 68:10–11); 4. the defeat of the Canaanite kings (Ps 68:12–15); 5. the taking of Jerusalem, where Israel’s God will rule the world (Ps 68:16–19); 6. praise for God’s past help and for the future interventions that will be modeled on the ancient exodus-conquest (Ps 68:20–24); 7. procession at the Feast of Tabernacles (Ps 68:25–28); 8. prayer that the defeated enemies bring tribute to the Temple (Ps 68:29–32); 9. invitation for all kingdoms to praise Israel’s God (Ps 68:33–35). (Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB, n.d.)

The text from the Gospel of John concludes Jesus’ Departure.

* [16:30] The reference is seemingly to the fact that Jesus could anticipate their question in Jn 16:19. The disciples naively think they have the full understanding that is the climax of “the hour” of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension (Jn 16:25), but the only part of the hour that is at hand for them is their share in the passion (Jn 16:32).

* [16:32] You will be scattered: cf. Mk 14:27 and Mt 26:31, where both cite Zec 13:7 about the sheep being dispersed. (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth shares her perspective that popes no longer act like kings became beautifully evident during the liturgy when various representatives of the people of God, not just cardinals and clergy, offered their obedience to Pope Leo. Instead of stiffly extending his hand for his genuflecting subjects to kiss his ring like a sovereign, Pope Leo greeted participants with smiles, handshakes and hugs.

World leaders flocked to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis and the installation of Pope Leo out of respect for and possibly fear of this influence. Think, for example, of the impact of St. John Paul II on the fate of communism in Eastern Europe.   Many leaders will disregard the messages about peace, love and prioritizing the needs of people on the margins. But they felt compelled to show up, if only for the photographers.

Now it is up to us, the people of God, to work to implement the pope’s messages. This may take courage, but today’s gospel assures us that we need not be afraid because Christ has conquered the world. (Wirth, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “In Christ we have peace, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When [Jesus] says, 'These things have I spoken to you, that in me you might have peace,' he refers not only to what he has just said but also to what he had said all along, either from the time that he first had disciples, or since the supper, when he began this long and wonderful discourse... He declares this to be the object of his whole discourse, that is, that in him they might have peace. And this peace will have no end but is itself the end of every godly action and intention." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 104.1.15) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:29-33 comments that John Paul II continued to proclaim the power of Jesus’ cross and resurrection with conviction and with joy. He was convinced that Jesus had “conquered the world,” and he believed in the depths of his heart that he had a share in that victory (John 16:33). In fact, John Paul became known throughout the world as a champion of hope. People of all cultures and ages were inspired by his words and chose to follow Christ because of him.

“Be not afraid! There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us. There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear that Christ has not already carried for us and does not bear with us now.”

“Lord, you have conquered the world. Help me to be a champion of hope today!” (Meditation on John 16:29-33, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the reception of the Holy Spirit when Paul ministers to the people in Ephesus. In Christian Baptism, we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The disciples in the Gospel of John declare they believe because He is speaking clearly. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus, one with the Father, has conquered those who have rejected His Message, the world, by Love presented on the Cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how Jesus’ eating habits challenged the religious and cultural norms of his time—and our own.

It’s necessary to calculate very carefully what was lost and what was gained as Christianity developed. The church moved from Jesus’ real meal with open table fellowship to its continuance in the relatively safe ritual meal that became the Christian Eucharist. Unfortunately, the meal itself came to redefine social reality in a negative way, in terms of worthiness and unworthiness.  

That is almost exactly the opposite of Jesus’ intention. To this day, we use Eucharist to define membership in terms of worthy and unworthy. Even if we deny that is our intention, it’s clearly the practical message people hear. Isn’t it strange that sins of marriage and sexuality are the primary ones we use to exclude people from the table, when other sins like greed and hatefulness that cause more public damage are never considered? (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide our understanding and action based on Jesus' declaration to us that “He has conquered the world” by love, compassion, and inclusion.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/19?1 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?29 

Meditation on John 16:29-33. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/02/1296572/ 

Psalms, PSALM 68 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings.

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Meal-Based Social Action. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/meal-based-social-action/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Peace in Overcoming the World. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun2 

Wirth, E. (2025, June 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060225.html 

Losing sight

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today touch on the sometimes cyclical experience of moving toward and away from our intimacy with Christ.

On track

The reading from the Book of Acts describes the changes in the people while Paul was in Corinth.

* [18:2] Aquila…Priscilla: both may already have been Christians at the time of their arrival in Corinth (see Acts 18:26). According to 1 Cor 16:19, their home became a meeting place for Christians. Claudius: the Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome ca. A.D. 49. The Roman historian Suetonius gives as reason for the expulsion disturbances among the Jews “at the instigation of Chrestos,” probably meaning disputes about the messiahship of Jesus.1 

Psalm 98 is a hymn extolling God for Israel’s victory.

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9).2 

In the Gospel from John, Jesus predicts His departure and return.

 Jesus’ Departure; Coming of the Advocate3

Chas Kestermeier, S.J. shares that we need to trust that God is always near us, always loving us, always encouraging us to grow whether we detect His presence or love or not.

When we come to know Jesus at first, to really know Him, we experience a warmth and a joy that sustains us in our faith, but with all our comings and goings we seem to lose sight of His constant presence.  We start to doubt His power and His love and can't seem to feel His hand guiding our lives. But if we remain as faithful to God as we can, as willing to sacrifice our time as we are able, to exchange our confidence in ourselves for complete trust in Him instead, then we will see and experience Him in our lives again.4 

Don Schwager quotes “Christ our physician,” by Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God sent the human race a physician, a savior, One Who healed without charging a fee. Christ also came to reward those who would be healed by Him. Christ heals the sick, and He makes a gift to those whom He heals. And the gift that He makes is Himself!" (excerpt from Sermon 102,2)5 

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:16-20 asks why would Jesus think it was important for us to “see” him again? Didn’t his cross and resurrection take care of our salvation?

 Simply put, no. And thank God for this truth! We need to “see” Jesus every day. We need to hear his voice, to receive his love, and to be formed by his wisdom. As St. Paul taught, Jesus gave us the Spirit “so that we may understand the things freely given us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).6

Friar Jude Winkler comments on Paul and his actions in Corinth and discusses the message of Jesus to His disciples about His going away and returning.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares John Philip Newell’s beautiful summary of the visions of Julian of Norwich (1342–1416).

What Julian hears is that “we are all one.” [9] We have come from God as one, and to God we shall return as one. And any true well-being in our lives will be found not in isolation but in relation. She uses the image of the knot . . . to portray the strands of time and eternity intertwined, of the human and the creaturely inseparably interrelated, of the one and the many forever married. Christ’s soul and our soul are like an everlasting knot. The deeper we move in our own being, the closer we come to Christ. And the closer we come to Christ’s soul, the nearer we move to the heart of one another. In Christ, we hear not foreign sounds but the deepest intimations of the human and the divine intertwined.7 

Our vision of Jesus may be blurred as we move away from our inner reality. The Spirit is always nudging us to deeper intimacy with Christ.

References

1	(n.d.). Acts, chapter 18 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/18
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 98 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98
3	(n.d.). John, chapter 16 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/16
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved May 30, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
6	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/05/30/
7	(2019, May 30). Our Deepest Desire — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from https://cac.org/our-deepest-desire-2019-05-30/