The Word of Service

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine our motives for service as we seek to be open to accepting the Way offered to us in Christ.

Word and Service

The reading from the First Letter of Peter instructs us to revere the good news.

* [1:19] Christians have received the redemption prophesied by Isaiah (Is 52:3), through the blood (Jewish symbol of life) of the spotless lamb (Is 53:7, 10; Jn 1:29; Rom 3:24–25; cf. 1 Cor 6:20).

* [1:22–25] The new birth of Christians (1 Pt 1:23) derives from Christ, the imperishable seed or sowing that produces a new and lasting existence in those who accept the gospel (1 Pt 1:24–25), with the consequent duty of loving one another (1 Pt 1:22).

* [1:23] The living and abiding word of God: or, “the word of the living and abiding God.” (1 Peter, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Psalm 147 praises 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. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus foretells His Death and Resurrection, a Third Time, and handles the request of James and John.

* [10:38–40] Can you drink the cup…I am baptized?: the metaphor of drinking the cup is used in the Old Testament to refer to acceptance of the destiny assigned by God; see note on Ps 11:6. In Jesus’ case, this involves divine judgment on sin that Jesus the innocent one is to expiate on behalf of the guilty (Mk 14:24; Is 53:5). His baptism is to be his crucifixion and death for the salvation of the human race; cf. Lk 12:50. The request of James and John for a share in the glory (Mk 10:35–37) must of necessity involve a share in Jesus’ sufferings, the endurance of tribulation and suffering for the gospel (Mk 10:39). The authority of assigning places of honor in the kingdom is reserved to God (Mk 10:40).

* [10:42–45] Whatever authority is to be exercised by the disciples must, like that of Jesus, be rendered as service to others (Mk 10:45) rather than for personal aggrandizement (Mk 10:42–44). The service of Jesus is his passion and death for the sins of the human race (Mk 10:45); cf. Mk 14:24; Is 53:11–12; Mt 26:28; Lk 22:19–20. (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Costanzo comments that in Jesus’s message to his Apostles, he is loving, patient, kind and so understanding. He understands how our ego can get in the way of everything. Work-sports-family-service-religion-spirituality.

 

These Gospel readings provide an opportunity to reflect on the meanings of "faithful service". A devoted and helpful follower; to be humble before God; to be ready to act when God nudges or provides inspiration; to help meet the needs of others; to remember it is not about money or rewards or ego; to generously offer skills and strengths to those who need help without exception and without prejudices.  These meanings evoke many memories of kind and selfless acts of service I have observed for the past days, weeks and months. (Costanzo, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The way to glory and honor,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Ponder how profound this is. They were conferring with him about glory. He intended to precede loftiness with humility and, only through humility, to ready the way for loftiness itself. For, of course, even those disciples who wanted to sit, the one on his right, the other on his left, were looking to glory (Matthew 20:20-23; Mark 10:35-40). They were on the lookout, but did not see by what way. In order that they might come to their homeland in due order, the Lord called them back to the narrow way. For the homeland is on high and the way to it is lowly. The homeland is life in Christ; the way is dying with Christ (Matthew 6:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; 17-33). The way is suffering with Christ; the goal is abiding with him eternally. Why do you seek the homeland if you are not seeking the way to it?" (excerpt from TRACTATE ON JOHN 28.5.2.13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Peter 1:18-25 comments that whatever our challenges, remember that “your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:21). Jesus has offered his very life, his own blood “as of a spotless unblemished Lamb,” to set you free (1:19). It’s this life—pure, divine, freely given—that has broken the power of sin and death. The forces that held you captive have been defeated.

Whenever you find yourself indulging in “futile conduct,” turn to the Lord. Believe in the objective truth: Jesus has ransomed you. Get a friend or spiritual mentor to pray with you. They can help support you in faith. Receive God’s forgiveness and grace in prayer and in Confession. That’s where you’ll find God’s strength to keep going, even in the face of sins that seem hard to overcome. With each act of faith in Jesus’ work on your behalf, you are taking another step down the road toward the freedom that Jesus has won for you.

“Jesus, thank you for ransoming me! Help me to walk in freedom.” (Meditation on 1 Peter 1:18-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Peter asserts that the work of Jesus to bring us back from the sinful world is intended for all eternity. The response of James and John, and perhaps the other apostles, to Jesus' coming Passion is focused on “What’s in it for us?”  Friar Jude reminds us that the promise of the Cross is that we take up the true leadership of service of our entire life.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Advocate Carl Siciliano who recounts how relationship with his LGBTQ community has often placed him at odds with what Christian churches have taught.

Thomas Merton wrote of an “eternal conflict” [1] within Christianity—a conflict between those who become self-righteous and judgmental of the sins of others and those who learn to humbly accept their essential unity with their fellow humans. I hope the Church will come to such humility and repent of the terrible harm it has done to queer people, especially queer children. I don’t know if I will live to see that. All I know is I cannot imagine how the harmful elements of the Church can be healed if I cannot uproot the rage and division in my own heart. I’m tired of being angry. 

We are reminded today that we need to contemplate with the help of the Spirit, the Way of kindness and compassion we must take to truly bring Christ into the conflicts of our journey. 

References

Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052924.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?32 

Meditation on 1 Peter 1:18-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/29/980808/ 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/1? 

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may29 

Harmony and Hope

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to nudges of the Spirit to seek harmony with and instil hope in the people we encounter on our journey.

Hope for the Future

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul meets Jewish Leaders in Rome.

* [28:16] With Paul’s arrival in Rome, the programmatic spread of the word of the Lord to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) is accomplished. In Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest, and under this mild form of custody he is allowed to proclaim the word in the capital of the civilized world of his day.

* [28:17–22] Paul’s first act in Rome is to learn from the leaders of the Jewish community whether the Jews of Jerusalem plan to pursue their case against him before the Roman jurisdiction. He is informed that no such plan is afoot, but that the Jews of Rome have heard the Christian teaching denounced. Paul’s offer to explain it to them is readily accepted.

* [28:20] The hope of Israel: in the words of Paul (Acts 23:6), Luke has identified this hope as hope in the resurrection of the dead. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 11 is a Song of Trust in God.

* [Psalm 11] A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7). (Psalms, PSALM 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, we explore the relationship between Jesus and the Beloved Disciple.

* [21:22] Until I come: a reference to the parousia.

* [21:23] This whole scene takes on more significance if the disciple is already dead. The death of the apostolic generation caused problems in the church because of a belief that Jesus was to have returned first. Loss of faith sometimes resulted; cf. 2 Pt 3:4.

* [21:24] Who…has written them: this does not necessarily mean he wrote them with his own hand. The same expression is used in Jn 19:22 of Pilate, who certainly would not have written the inscription himself. We know: i.e., the Christian community; cf. Jn 1:14, 16. (John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard asks some questions: How or did their personal encounter with Jesus change their lives? Other than obvious physical changes, were they perceptively different?  Did their families, friends, communities notice and remark on any changes in their personalities or behaviors?  Did they, themselves, notice an interior transformation?

I wonder about me.  I have encountered this kind, gentle, loving Jesus in the faces and behaviors of others. During the COVID shutdown, when all were hesitant to be in physical contact with others, I fell and could not get up. A kind woman  came to my aid.  Without hesitation, she bent down, gently helped me up.  She held my hands in both of hers until I was stable. I thanked her for her gracious assistance.  I was so shaken, I forgot to ask her name.  It no longer matters. She remains nameless, but I will never forget her. Her kindness influences me regularly. Do I hesitate to help a stranger?  Do I hesitate to reach out to another in need?  Gratefully, I am very much aware when I do and when I do not. (Howard, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Peter follows, John remains,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The Lord either said what he said to Peter about his martyrdom, or he said it about the gospel of John. As regards the martyrdom and this 'Follow me,' [he means] suffer for me, suffer what I did. Because Christ was crucified, Peter too was crucified... while John experienced none of this. That is what is meant by, 'It is thus that I wish him to remain.' Let him fall asleep without wounds, without torment, and wait for me. You, Peter, 'Follow me,' suffer what I did. That's one way these words can be explained...

"As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord's humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:20-25 comments that Jesus has called each of us in Baptism. But throughout our lives, he continues to lead us into a deeper faith and obedience. As we grow in maturity, he calls us to an even closer relationship with him. And while it might be tempting to wonder about what the future holds for other people, Jesus calls us to keep our eyes on him, to listen for his voice, and to go where he leads us. That’s why he’s given us his Holy Spirit, so that we can respond with a deeper, fuller yes to Jesus and his distinct call for our lives.

You follow me. These three words are very personal. Imagine Jesus speaking them specifically to you. His plans for you are unique. He loves you and knows every detail of your life—what you love and what you fear, your gifts and your struggles. His call is tailor-made for you and won’t look like anyone else’s. So don’t look around at what others are doing and try to follow them. Look to Jesus, who even today is blessing you with a calling specifically your own.

“Jesus, you have called me by name, and you know me. Your call is perfect for me. I will follow you.” (Meditation on John 21:20-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the delay in contact of Paul with Roman Emperor Nero as he was under house arrest in the political capital of the world having spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth from the spiritual capital of the world, Jerusalem. The disciple of John, who likely authored the Gospel, identifies the problem of misinterpretation that is reminiscent of “Blessed are the cheesemakers” in the Life of Brian. Friar Jude reminds us that testimony about Jesus is more than all the books of words can express.

Brian McLaren introduces Joanna Macy and Molly Brown who describe how working together helps us discover the resources we need. When we make common cause on behalf of the Earth community, we open not only to the needs of others, but also to their abilities and gifts…. None of us alone possesses all the courage and intelligence, strength and endurance, required for the Great Turning…. The resources we need are present within the web of life that interconnects us. They offer a series of guidelines for reflection on how we can work together: 

Attune to a common intention. Intention is not a goal or plan you can formulate with precision. It is an open-ended aim: may we meet common needs and collaborate in new ways…. 

Know that only the whole can repair itself. You cannot fix the world, but you can take part in its self-healing. Healing wounded relationships within you and between you and others is integral to the healing of our world…. 

Open to flows of information from the larger system. Do not resist painful information about the condition of your world, but understand that the pain you feel for the world springs from interconnectivity, and your willingness to experience it unblocks feedback that is important to the well-being of the whole…. 

Believe no one who claims to have the final answer. Such claims are a sign of ignorance and limited self-interest…. 

You do not need to see the results of your work. Your actions have unanticipated and far-reaching effects that are not likely to be visible to you in your lifetime.  

Putting forth great effort, let there also be serenity in all your doing; for you are held within the web of life, within flows of energy and intelligence far exceeding your own.  (McLaren, n.d.)

We consider the opportunities we have in the times of harmony and peace to work with the Spirit towards understanding, appreciation, affirmation, and support in our communities.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/28?16 

Howard, J. B. (2024, May 18). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051824.html 

John, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?20 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Loving a Suffering Planet: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/life-after-doom-weekly-summary/ 

Meditation on John 21:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/18/967826/ 

Psalms, PSALM 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11?4 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Immensity of What Jesus Has Done for Us. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 18, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may18