In, Not of The World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to navigate the slings and arrows of our journey with the hope and joy that comes from our relationships with God and the people on our journey.

In and not of

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Timothy Joins Paul and Silas and Paul has a vision of a man of Macedonia.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Psalm 100 praises all lands summoned to praise God.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them. * [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus shares that the World’s hatred will be known to His followers.

* [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus. (John, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard comments that Jesus left us two extraordinary gifts with his resurrection:  Hope and Joy.

Hope, such a little word without which all creation suffers and eventually dies. Hope is the living incentive to building the Kingdom.  Hope is rooted in unwavering belief and trust in God – God’s majesty, God’s mercy and God’s love – for me and for all creation. Joy, an even smaller word, is what sustains us.  Joy far surpasses excitement, pleasure and happiness which are transient.  Joy is grounded, stable, reliable, unwavering.  Joy is a way of being.  Joy is God dwelling within me.  I am God’s joy and hope.  Joy binds me to God and God to me.  They bind me to others.  I can experience happiness or sadness and still live grounded in joy.  Joy is not transient. Simply Profound yet Profoundly Simple (Howard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:1-10 comments that, like Paul, we face decisions—both big and small—every day. Especially with major decisions, it can be difficult to know what to do. But the Spirit wants to help us discern our path forward.

If you can’t yet see a “best” choice, you might try Paul’s strategy of pursuing one option to its end. In his case, he got a sense from the Spirit not to continue. This may happen for you, but the Lord might just as easily use other means to guide you. Some doors may open while others may close. Or you may find that one option begins to stand out from the rest. Often, as you try to follow the Spirit’s lead, you will find peace. This too can be the Lord’s way of showing you where to go or what to do. Finally, throughout the process, take heart. You may not know the outcome yet, but the Lord does. Just as he guided Paul, he will guide you if you seek him. “Lord, guide me in the decisions I will face today.” (Meditation on Acts 16:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the circumcision of Timothy and the connection to his Jewish mother. Paul is called to Macedonia in a dream and away from areas being evangelized by others from Jerusalem. Friar Jude reminds us that, In John, the “world” are those people who have chosen to reject Jesus and what the Father wants for us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that in her book, Seeking the God Beyond, Anglican priest and author Janet P. Williams suggests poetry as a helpful way for individuals to move beyond ordinary patterns of thought and prayer. She writes, “Poems address mystery and reality sufficiently obliquely that in them we can, as Emily Dickinson demanded, ‘tell the truth [a]slant.’” [1] Here is an excerpt from a poem entitled “Grace” by Australian poet Judith Wright [1915–2000]. Through prayerful listening, the poem becomes an invitation to experience God beyond what we can know.

Living is dailiness, a simple bread

That’s worth the eating. But I have known a wine,

a drunkenness that can’t be spoken or sung . . .

It seems to have nothing to do with things at all . . .

[it] takes over the depth of flesh, the inward eye . . .

because it occurs beyond the here and now, positives, negatives, what we hope and are. [2] (Unknowing: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation, 2022)

The choices we face on our journey may call us to act in opposition to the way of the world as we attend to the prompting of the Spirit to live in Jesus' Way of hope and joy.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1 

Howard, J. B. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052122.html 

John, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?18 

Meditation on Acts 16:1-10. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/21/385712/ 

Psalms, PSALM 100. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may21 

Unknowing: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. (2022, May 21). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/unknowing-weekly-summary-2022-05-21/ 

Universal Restoration

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the action that we are inspired to by the Spirit to invite all people to know transformation as revealed by Christ.

Transformation Time

 

In the reading from the Acts Of the Apostles, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico.

* [3:21] The times of universal restoration: like “the times of refreshment” (Acts 3:20), an apocalyptic designation of the messianic age, fitting in with the christology of Acts 3:20 that associates the messiahship of Jesus with his future coming.1

 

Psalm 8 praises Divine Majesty and Human Dignity.

* [Psalm 8] While marvelling at the limitless grandeur of God (Ps 8:2–3), the psalmist is struck first by the smallness of human beings in creation (Ps 8:4–5), and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed upon them (Ps 8:6–9).2

 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Appears to His Disciples.

* [24:36–43, 44–49] The Gospel of Luke, like each of the other gospels (Mt 28:16–20; Mk 16:14–15; Jn 20:19–23), focuses on an important appearance of Jesus to the Twelve in which they are commissioned for their future ministry. As in Lk 24:6, 12, so in Lk 24:36, 40 there are omissions in the Western text. * [24:39–42] The apologetic purpose of this story is evident in the concern with the physical details and the report that Jesus ate food.3 

Scott McClure comments that Jesus allows his disciples to witness his resurrection in an equally material, physical way. Jesus says, Look...Touch me and see... And then, they witnessed him eat. This is no symbol. No metaphor. This is what Peter meant when he told the crowd, God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. Clearly, it is the resurrection of Jesus that compels Peter.

This Thursday in the Octave of Easter, can we claim the same as Peter? Is the resurrection of Jesus so strong a force in our lives so as to compel us? If not or if in doubt, do not despair. Thomas doubted, remember. Jesus even shared this human experience of doubt through his passion and death. Whether in doubt or belief, take heart that God meets us where we are - on whatever road or in whatever room of our lives. Jesus is risen! Rejoice!4

 

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

"We are praising God now, assembled as we are here in church; but when we go on our various ways again, it seems as if we cease to praise God. But provided we do not cease to live a good life, we shall always be praising God. You cease to praise God only when you swerve from justice and from what is pleasing to God. If you never turn aside from the good life, your tongue may be silent but your actions will cry aloud, and God will perceive your intentions; for as our ears hear each others voices, so do God's ears hear our thoughts. " (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 24:35-48 comments that Jesus appears suddenly in the disciples’ midst. They are terrified! He immediately reassures them and even eats a piece of fish to show them that he is flesh and blood, not a ghost. He then opens their minds “to understand the Scriptures” so they can see that he has fulfilled all of God’s promises (Luke 24:45). Suddenly things are making sense.

We will never fully know or understand Jesus during our time on earth. But that doesn’t mean he wants to keep us in the dark. It may take time to grasp his love for you. You may need lots of nudges from his Spirit to get you going in the right direction. And that’s okay. Like any good teacher, Jesus builds on your understanding one step at a time. He may reach you through a homily or a Bible passage that speaks to a problem you’re having. Or maybe it’s through a relative or friend whose faith inspires you. He will always find ways to draw you closer so that you can enjoy a life of deeper joy and friendship with him. “Thank you, Jesus, for being such a patient, loving teacher.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Jewish context of the kerygma preached by Peter. The revelation of Jesus comes in three stages; hearing, sacrament, and seeing. Friar Jude reminds us that our parish resources for evangelization reflect our depth of commitment to Jesus mission.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares how we can receive the miracle of new life by embracing our own difficulties and “deaths” as Jesus did.

Death is not only physical dying. Death also means going to the full depths of things, hitting the bottom, going beyond where we’re in control. In that sense, we all go through many deaths in our lives, tipping points when we have to ask, “What am I going to do?” Many people turn bitter, look for someone to blame, and close down. Their “death” is indeed death for them because there is no room for growth after that. But when we go into the full depths and death of anything—even, ironically, the depths of our own sin—we can come out the other side transformed, more alive, more open, more forgiving of ourselves and others. And when we come out the other side, we know that we’ve been led there. We’re not holding on; we’re being held by a larger force, by a larger source that is not our own. That’s what it means to be saved! It means that we’ve walked through the mystery of transformation.7

 

We reflect on our recovery and restoration from difficulties in life and see the work of the Spirit that challenges us to proclaim the Good News.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB - United States .... Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/3
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 8 | USCCB. Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/8
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042122.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=apr21
6	(2022, April 19). Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/04/21/366089/
7	(n.d.). 2022 Daily Meditations: Nothing Stands Alone - Center for Action .... Retrieved April 21, 2022, fromhttps://cac.org/god-is-with-us-through-it-all-2022-04-21/

 

Mission of Restoration

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the Way in which the Spirit calls us into community to act with Jesus in proclaiming restoration and full life.

Community in Action

 

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah uses the image of the harvest restored by God to announce Zion’s future deliverance.

* [30:20] Teacher: God, who in the past made the people blind and deaf through the prophetic message (6:9–10) and who in his anger hid his face from the house of Jacob (8:17), shall in the future help them to understand his teaching clearly (cf. Jer 31:34).1

 

Psalm 147 is praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water.2 

The Gospel of Matthew declares that the harvest Is great but the Labourers few as Jesus initiates the Mission of the Twelve Apostles.

* [9:37–38] This Q saying (see Lk 10:2) is only imperfectly related to this context. It presupposes that only God (the master of the harvest) can take the initiative in sending out preachers of the gospel, whereas in Matthew’s setting it leads into Mt 10 where Jesus does so.3

 

The Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries is not available at the time of this posting.

 

Don Schwager quotes “In remembrance of heavenly life,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"Why should the lunar reckoning be calculated from the noontide hours, seeing that the moon had not yet been placed in the heavens or gone forth over the earth? On the contrary, none of the feast days of the law began and ended at noon or in the afternoon, but all did so in the evening. Or else perchance it is because sinful Adam was reproached by the Lord 'in the cool of the afternoon' (Genesis 3:8) and thrust out from the joys of Paradise. In remembrance of that heavenly life which we changed for the tribulation of this world, the change of the moon, which imitates our toil by its everlasting waxing and waning, ought specifically to be observed at the hour in which we began our exile. In this way every day we may be reminded by the hour of the moon's changing of that verse, 'a fool changes as the moon' (Sirach 27:11) while the wise man 'shall live as long as the sun' (Psalm 72:5), and that we may sigh more ardently for that life, supremely blessed in eternal peace, when 'the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days.' Indeed, because (as it is written) 'from the moon is the sign of the feast day' (Sirach 43:7), and just as the first light of the moon was shed upon the world at eventide, so in the law it is compulsory that every feast day begin in the evening and end in the evening (see Exodus 12:18). (excerpt from THE RECKONING OF TIME 3.43)4 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew comments that Jesus knew that the Twelve might well fall short. So why did he do it? Clearly, he wanted to bless the crowds through them. But he also wanted to bless the apostles as they stepped out in faith and prayed for people’s healing and deliverance. He knew they would be stretched outside of what was comfortable for them, and he also knew they would see God’s amazing work as they obeyed his call.

You can take courage that Jesus is sending you out, just as he sent the apostles. He still looks at the people who are “troubled and abandoned” (Matthew 9:36), and longs to reach them. He could do something on a grand scale, something that could touch multitudes all at once. But he is sending you. He is asking you to go out with his authority to bring his mercy, healing, and forgiveness to them. And he will deepen your faith with each step you take. How could you be inspired and answer that call today? “Jesus, I want to be your representative in the world. Work through me to bring your compassion to everyone I meet today.”5 

Friar Jude Winkler notes the ties of morality to Nature in the passage from Isaiah. The text from Matthew points to Jesus' desire to use a community to spread the Good News. Friar Jude reminds us that our opportunity to grow in love comes from our willingness to give to others what we have received.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on God the Nourisher as he quotes Meister Eckhart ‘s Sermon on Sirach 24:30 [1].

“The eye with which I see God is the same eye with which God sees me; my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing and one love.” In Christian metaphysics we gave each entity of the Trinity a placeholder name, but I want to offer some new names so that we can really hang on to the feeling of it. The Mother is ironically the one we call “Father.” She’s inaugurating the gaze toward the child, whom we call the “Son” (“Daughter” would work just as well, except that Jesus was male). The Child then returns the gaze that was given and received. It’s a bounce back of identity, and thus we have this eternal delighting, loving, admiring, allowing between two—God and Creation.6 

Our community of faith brings together our experience of restoration in the Love of Christ to share with the rest of humanity.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Isaiah, CHAPTER 30 | USCCB. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/30
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147
3	(n.d.). Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2021&date=dec4
5	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/12/04/259866/
6	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 4, 2021, fromhttps://cac.org/images-of-god-weekly-summary-2021-12-04/