Witness to Truth

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to conscious awareness of the Truth we hold as followers of Christ and how we act on that truth on our journey.

Truth and Peace

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter’s Speech declares how the Jewish authorities rejected the Holy One.

* [3:13] Has glorified: through the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, God reversed the judgment against him on the occasion of his trial. Servant: the Greek word can also be rendered as “son” or even “child” here and also in Acts 3:26; 4:25 (applied to David); Acts 4:27; and Acts 4:30. Scholars are of the opinion, however, that the original concept reflected in the words identified Jesus with the suffering Servant of the Lord of Is 52:13–53:12.

* [3:14] The Holy and Righteous One: so designating Jesus emphasizes his special relationship to the Father (see Lk 1:35; 4:34) and emphasizes his sinlessness and religious dignity that are placed in sharp contrast with the guilt of those who rejected him in favor of Barabbas.

* [3:15] The author of life: other possible translations of the Greek title are “leader of life” or “pioneer of life.” The title clearly points to Jesus as the source and originator of salvation.

* [3:17] Ignorance: a Lucan motif, explaining away the actions not only of the people but also of their leaders in crucifying Jesus. On this basis the presbyters in Acts could continue to appeal to the Jews in Jerusalem to believe in Jesus, even while affirming their involvement in his death because they were unaware of his messianic dignity. See also Acts 13:27 and Lk 23:34.

* [3:18] Through the mouth of all the prophets: Christian prophetic insight into the Old Testament saw the crucifixion and death of Jesus as the main import of messianic prophecy. The Jews themselves did not anticipate a suffering Messiah; they usually understood the Servant Song in Is 52:13–53:12 to signify their own suffering as a people. In his typical fashion (cf. Lk 18:31; 24:25, 27, 44), Luke does not specify the particular Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. See also note on Lk 24:26. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 4 is a confident plea for deliverance from enemies.

* [Psalm 4] An individual lament emphasizing trust in God. The petition is based upon the psalmist’s vivid experience of God as savior (Ps 4:2). That experience of God is the basis for the warning to the wicked: revere God who intervenes on the side of the faithful (Ps 4:3–6). The faithful psalmist exemplifies the blessings given to the just (Ps 4:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the First Letter of John declares Christ our Advocate and prompts obedience to  His Commandments.

* [2:1] Children: like the term “beloved,” this is an expression of pastoral love (cf. Jn 13:33; 21:5; 1 Cor 4:14). Advocate: for the use of the term, see Jn 14:16. Forgiveness of sin is assured through Christ’s intercession and expiation or “offering”; the death of Christ effected the removal of sin.

* [2:3–6] The way we may be sure: to those who claim, “I have known Christ and therefore I know him,” our author insists on not mere intellectual knowledge but obedience to God’s commandments in a life conformed to the example of Christ; this confirms our knowledge of him and is the love of God…perfected. Disparity between moral life and the commandments proves improper belief. (1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus appears to His Disciples in Jerusalem.

* [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. (Luke, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that in the first reading from Acts, Peter tells the people that Jesus really died, was put to death through their own actions, but then rose like it was told. He says he personally witnessed and experienced this. The Gospel of Luke continues the idea of veracity.

The readings today all make the point that this is real. They really saw this. They really experienced this. This really happened. And the reason it really happened is to redeem us. To save us. If we let it. We have to believe and follow Jesus. (Whitney, n.d.)

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 24:35-48 comments that it’s no wonder that Jesus’ first words when he appeared to the disciples were “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36). How they needed that peace!

Whatever your situation, Jesus longs to do for you what he did for his disciples. He longs to open your mind to his mercy so that you can be set free from guilt or shame. He longs to reveal his love so that you can see your past—especially the painful parts—through his eyes of love and compassion. He longs to give you new insight into his wisdom so that you can look to your future with hope and trust.

Quiet your heart today so that you can hear Jesus speak to you. Let him “open your mind” and show you how he looks at you. Let him give you his peace.

“Jesus, help me to see with your eyes, to hear with your ears, and to love with your heart.” (Meditation on Luke 24:35-48, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the very Jewish presentation of kerygma in the Temple. The context of sin in the First Letter of John suggests a different author than the Gospel of John in which the only sin is to not believe in Jesus as the Only Son. The response to the heresy of Docetism and the necessity to keep the Commandments are themes in this letter. Friar Jude tracks the development of our relationship to Jesus, expressed by Stoic Luke, as through the influence of others, Word and Sacrament, and personal relationship.

Brian Purfield, Head of Theological Education at Mount Street Jesuit Centre, examines the Gospel accounts of the appearances of the risen Jesus.

Luke then turns to the risen Jesus’ appearance to the Eleven. More than Mark or Matthew, Luke stresses what was already implicit in the empty tomb: the reality of the body of the risen Jesus who was not simply a spirit (23:37-43). Particularly significant is that the risen Jesus teaches the Eleven about his death and resurrection by explaining the Scriptures, “All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms must be fulfilled” (24:44). For Luke the Resurrection fulfils the Scriptures.

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus found their hearts burning when he opened to them the Scriptures. Again Luke’s emphasis is preparing the way for the Church life he will describe in Acts, where Peter, Stephen and Paul begin their preaching by emphasising that the Scriptures anticipate what happened to Jesus (Acts 2:14-21; 7:1-50; 13:16-22). (Purfield, 2008)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how art can serve as a gateway to mystical experience and deeper knowing. He shares two pieces of art that have given him this incarnational and contemplative insight.

The second piece of art is a small bronze statue of St. Francis, located in the upper basilica of Assisi, Italy. Created by a sculptor whose name is hidden, the statue shows Francis gazing down into the dirt with awe and wonder, which is quite unusual and almost shocking. The Holy Spirit, who is almost always pictured as descending from above, is pictured here as coming from below—even to the point of being hidden in the dirt! God is hidden in the dirt and mud instead of descending from the clouds. This is a major transposition of place. Once we know that the miracle of “Word made flesh” has become the very nature of the universe, we cannot help but be both happy and holy. What we first of all need is here!  (Rohr, n.d.) 

We contemplate the truth that is revealed to us through faith and seek the guidance of the Spirit to incorporate that truth in our actions.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/3?13 

Luke, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?35 

Meditation on Luke 24:35-48. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/14/936482/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2? 

Psalms, PSALM 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/4 

Purfield, B. (2008, March 22). The Appearances of the Risen Lord. Thinking Faith. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20080322_1.htm 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Art Leads Us to the Depths. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/art-leads-us-to-the-depths/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Opened Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr14 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/041424.html 

Steadfast in Tribulation

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today urge us to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties and challenges today and those connected with our passing from this world.

Walk in truth and love

 

The reading from the Second Letter of John underlines our need to persevere in truth and Love.

 

* [9] Anyone who is so “progressive”: literally, “Anyone who goes ahead.” Some gnostic groups held the doctrine of the Christ come in the flesh to be a first step in belief, which the more advanced and spiritual believer surpassed and abandoned in his knowledge of the spiritual Christ. The author affirms that fellowship with God may be gained only by holding to the complete doctrine of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:22–23; 4:2; 5:5–6).1

Psalm 119 praises the glories of God’s Law.

 * [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. 2

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus outlines the sudden coming of the days of the Son of Man.

 

* [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.3

Cindy Murphy McMahon comments that when she first read these passages, they added to the anxiety she was already feeling about many things going on in the world today: confusion, a pandemic, rivalry and distrust, and uncertainty about the future.

 

But upon further reflection I saw the simplicity of the letter to the new Christians, urging them to focus on loving one another and not being swayed by the Gnostics, who denied that Jesus was fully human as well as fully God. I saw how God’s will does prevail, because what once was a great threat to the Church (Gnosticism) was overcome and vanquished. And that bolstered my faith. In the Gospel, Jesus warns us not to be totally consumed with the daily preoccupations we all have. These things are not wrong – eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, building – they are the stuff of life. But there is more, much more, beyond those activities. And on that Truth, the truth that Jesus came in the flesh to lead all souls to heaven, we should reflect and be centered upon each and every day.4

Don Schwager quotes “Those working in the field are sowing the Word of God,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

 "'He that will be on the housetop, do not let him go down. He that will be in the field, do not let him turn back.' How may I understand what is the field unless Jesus himself teaches me? He says, 'No one putting his hand to the plough (plow) and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God' (Luke 9:62). The lazy person sits in the farmhouse, but the industrious person plants in the field. The weak are at the fireplace, but the strong are at the plough. The smell of a field is good, because the smell of Jacob is the smell of a full field (Genesis 27:27). A field is full of flowers. It is full of different fruits. Plough your field if you want to be sent to the kingdom of God. Let your field flower, fruitful with good rewards. Let there be a fruitful vine on the sides of your house and young olive plants around your table (Psalm 127:3). Already aware of its fertility, let your soul, sown with the Word of God and tilled by spiritual farming, say to Christ, 'Come, my brother, let us go out into the field' (Song of Solomon 7:11). Let him reply, 'I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my vintage of myrrh' (Song of Solomon 5:1). What is better than the vintage of faith, by which the fruit of the resurrection is stored and the spring of eternal rejoicing is watered?" (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.43.27)5

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 17:26-37 comments that when it comes to end times, however, the Church cautions us against reading too much into biblical images or trying to fit current events into the Scriptures. So when we reflect on today’s Gospel, perhaps we would find more insight if we thought less about whether we might be mysteriously whisked to heaven and more about how we’re spending our time here on earth.

 

So what will you leave behind? Perhaps a family more united because of your commitment to reconciliation. Maybe a parish that is closer to Jesus because of your witness to the joy of the Lord. Maybe grandchildren who are more thirsty for Jesus because of your intercession. Tomorrow is not assured. So what is Jesus calling you to do today? Begin by listening to the small promptings he has placed in your heart and acting on them. Someday Jesus will call you home. Until then, do your part to make the world a better place for the people you will leave behind. Start now! “Jesus, show me how I can leave behind a legacy of faith in you and love for one another.”6

Friar Jude Winkler connects the Docetism of the first century to Greek thought of God as existing at the end of the universe apart from a degenerate humanity. Heresies like Docetism and Gnosticism deny the reality of a world that needs to be transformed. Friar Jude reminds us that today is the day for conversion.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, hopes, whenever he speaks or writes, to help clear away the impediments to receiving, allowing, trusting, and participating in a foundational love. God’s love is planted inside each of us as the Holy Spirit who, according to Jesus, “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you” (John 14:26). Love is who we are. Fr. Richard reminds us of what we already know deep within our True Self. He invites us to live connected to this Source.

The first letter of John reminds us “God is love, and whoever remains in love, remains in God and God in her or him” (1 John 4:16). The creation story in Genesis says that we were created in the very “image and likeness” of God—who is love (Genesis 1:26; see also Genesis 9:6). Out of the Trinity’s generative, loving relationship, creation takes form, mirroring its Creator. If we are truly created in the “image and likeness of God”—then our family of origin is divine. We were created by a loving God to be love in the world. Our core is original blessing, not original sin. Our starting point is positive and, as it is written in the first chapter of the Bible, it is “very good” (Genesis 1:31). We do have a good place to go home. If the beginning is right, the rest is made considerably easier, because we know and can trust the clear direction of our life’s tangent.7 

In the light of our “original blessing”, we seek to be the Love that transforms the world in the period before the End Time.

 

References

1	(n.d.). 2 John, THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN | USCCB. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2john/1
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119
3	(n.d.). Luke, CHAPTER 17 | USCCB. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/17
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - Online Ministries .... Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111320.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture .... Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=nov13
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/11/13/177150/
7	(2020, November 13). God, the Lover of Life — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://cac.org/god-the-lover-of-life-2020-11-13/