Spirit Love and Law

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to invoke the Spirit as our guide to engage with Jesus' instruction on our relationship with the Law.

The Law of Love

The Passage from the Acts of the Apostles presents the Church at Antioch and Herod’s Persecution of the Christians.

* [11:19–26] The Jewish Christian antipathy to the mixed community was reflected by the early missionaries generally. The few among them who entertained a different view succeeded in introducing Gentiles into the community at Antioch (in Syria). When the disconcerted Jerusalem community sent Barnabas to investigate, he was so favorably impressed by what he observed that he persuaded his friend Saul to participate in the Antioch mission.

* [11:26] Christians: “Christians” is first applied to the members of the community at Antioch because the Gentile members of the community enable it to stand out clearly from Judaism. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [12:1–19] Herod Agrippa ruled Judea A.D. 41–44. While Luke does not assign a motive for his execution of James and his intended execution of Peter, the broad background lies in Herod’s support of Pharisaic Judaism. The Jewish Christians had lost the popularity they had had in Jerusalem (Acts 2:47), perhaps because of suspicions against them traceable to the teaching of Stephen.

* [12:2] James, the brother of John: this James, the son of Zebedee, was beheaded by Herod Agrippa ca. A.D. 44.

* [12:3, 4] Feast of Unleavened Bread…Passover: see note on Lk 22:1. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

Psalm 98 extolls 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). (Psalms, PSALM 98, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew presents Teaching About the Law in the Sermon on the Mount.

* [5:17–20] This statement of Jesus’ position concerning the Mosaic law is composed of traditional material from Matthew’s sermon documentation (see note on Mt 5:1–7:29), other Q material (cf. Mt 18; Lk 16:17), and the evangelist’s own editorial touches. To fulfill the law appears at first to mean a literal enforcement of the law in the least detail: until heaven and earth pass away nothing of the law will pass (Mt 5:18). Yet the “passing away” of heaven and earth is not necessarily the end of the world understood, as in much apocalyptic literature, as the dissolution of the existing universe. The “turning of the ages” comes with the apocalyptic event of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and those to whom this gospel is addressed are living in the new and final age, prophesied by Isaiah as the time of “new heavens and a new earth” (Is 65:17; 66:22). Meanwhile, during Jesus’ ministry when the kingdom is already breaking in, his mission remains within the framework of the law, though with significant anticipation of the age to come, as the following antitheses (Mt 5:21–48) show.

* [5:19] Probably these commandments means those of the Mosaic law. But this is an interim ethic “until heaven and earth pass away.” (Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that in the first reading Barnabas is faithful to the Lord and teaches others to be as well.

In the psalm we see the faithfulness of the Lord as well.  He has “made his salvation known” and ‘revealed his justice.”  “He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness.”  The Lord is faithful to us; we should be faithful to him as well.  He shows his faithfulness through kindness and what better way to repay him than in our faithfulness to him… Jesus hasn’t negated or abolished the commandments. He says the commandments are still in effect, will always be in effect. Those who break the least of the commandments or encourage others to do so will wish they hadn’t. Following the commandments is always the best way to live, and those who follow the commandments will prosper in this world and the next. (Whitney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “What you teach, you should do,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).

"While it is sinful to abolish the least of the commandments, all the more so the great and most important ones. Hence the Holy Spirit affirms through Solomon: 'Whoever despises the little things shall gradually die' (Sirach 19:1b). Consequently nothing in the divine commandments must be abolished, nothing altered. Everything must be preserved and taught faithfully and devotedly that the glory of the heavenly kingdom may not be lost. Indeed, those things considered least important and small by the unfaithful or by worldly people are not small before God but necessary. For the Lord taught the commandments and did them. Even small things point to the great future of the kingdom of heaven. For this reason, not only words but also deeds are important; and you should not only teach, but what you teach, you should do." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 20.2.1-3)

 

[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 5:17-19 comments that when Jesus became a man, he united himself to our humanity in an intense and intimate way. And by doing so, he took all that his people, Israel, had learned and all they had become, and he created something new out of it: the family of the Church.

In the Gospel readings over the next few days, Jesus will be laying out what he wants life in his new family to look like: reconciliation between brothers and sisters, turning the other cheek, purity in marriage, and love for our enemies. All of this can sound intimidating at first. But always remember: you are part of a new family. You are a “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)! That means you are an heir to all the grace you need to live the life Jesus has called you to. So how will you fulfill the purpose and intentions of God’s laws today?

“Thank you, Lord, for making me a new creation and bringing me into your family!” (Meditation on Matthew 5:17-19, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Barnabas accompanied Paul in the early days and was chosen to go to Antioch where Gentiles were among the followers first called Christians. Barnabas and Saul were consecrated to go and preach the Word by the laying on of hands.The passage from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew is very Jewish asserting we will follow even the smallest part of the Law. Friar Jude notes Paul's significance with the Gentile community over time brought the Church more to Paul’s understanding of the Law.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, explores midrash, the ancient Jewish practice of reading sacred texts that Jesus would have been familiar with. Jesus was consistently using questions to keep spiritual meanings open, often reflecting on a text or returning people’s questions with more questions. It’s a shame we didn’t imitate Jesus in this approach. It could have saved us from so many centuries of righteousness, religious violence, and even single-issue voting. Father Richard suggests several steps for a contemplative reading of Scripture. 

• Offer a prayer for guidance from the Holy Spirit before interpreting an important text. This begins to decenter our egoic need to make the text say what we want or need it to say. Pray as long as it takes to get to this inner intellectual freedom and detachment.   

• Once we have attained some honest degree of intellectual and emotional freedom, we must try to move to a position of detachment from our own will and its goals, needs, and desires.  

• Then listen for a deeper voice that isn’t our own. We will know that it isn’t the ego because it will never shame or frighten us, but rather strengthen us, even when it is challenging us. If it is God’s voice, it will take away our illusions and our violence so completely and naturally that we can barely identify with such previous feelings! I call this God’s replacement therapy.  

• If the interpretation leads our true self to experience any or several of the fruits of the Spirit, as they are listed in Galatians 5:22–23—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self-control—I think we can trust this interpretation is from the Spirit, from the deeper stream of wisdom.  

• If any negative or punitive emotions arise from our interpretation—such as feelings of superiority, self-satisfaction, arrogant dualistic certitude, desire for revenge, need for victory, or any spirit of dismissal or exclusion—this is not the Spirit at work, but our own ego still steering the ship. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

On our journey with Christ we implore the Spirit to illuminate the Law of Love that informs our action of inclusion of all people in Jesus' invitation to fullness of life.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/12 

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11?21 

Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5 

Meditation on Matthew 5:17-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/11/1304313/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/contemplative-questioning/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Great Are Those Who Teach and Obey the Commandments. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun11 

Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/061125.html 

Ingratitude and Authority

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us to avoid complacency and implore the Spirit for gratitude and courage as we deal with difficulty on our journey.

Gratitude and Courage

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims the Rest That God Promised.

Psalm 78 praises God’s Goodness and Israel’s Ingratitude

* [Psalm 78] A recital of history to show that past generations did not respond to God’s gracious deeds and were punished by God making the gift into a punishment. Will Israel fail to appreciate God’s act—the choosing of Zion and of David? The tripartite introduction invites Israel to learn the lessons hidden in its traditions (Ps 78:1–4, 5–7, 8–11); each section ends with the mention of God’s acts. (Psalms, PSALM 78 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Heals a Paralytic.

* [2:1–2] He was at home: to the crowds that gathered in and outside the house Jesus preached the word, i.e., the gospel concerning the nearness of the kingdom and the necessity of repentance and faith (Mk 1:14).

* [2:5] It was the faith of the paralytic and those who carried him that moved Jesus to heal the sick man. Accounts of other miracles of Jesus reveal more and more his emphasis on faith as the requisite for exercising his healing powers (Mk 5:34; 9:23–24; 10:52).

* [2:6] Scribes: trained in oral interpretation of the written law; in Mark’s gospel, adversaries of Jesus, with one exception (Mk 12:28, 34).

* [2:7] He is blaspheming: an accusation made here and repeated during the trial of Jesus (Mk 14:60–64).

* [2:10] But that you may know that the Son of Man…on earth: although Mk 2:8–9 are addressed to the scribes, the sudden interruption of thought and structure in Mk 2:10 seems not addressed to them nor to the paralytic. Moreover, the early public use of the designation “Son of Man” to unbelieving scribes is most unlikely. The most probable explanation is that Mark’s insertion of Mk 2:10 is a commentary addressed to Christians for whom he recalls this miracle and who already accept in faith that Jesus is Messiah and Son of God. (Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Gladyce Janky presents a midrash that explores one alternative for how Jonathan (the name of the paralytic in this story) decides to live after picking up his mat.

I will praise God daily for restoring my body and do as the rabbi instructed.  I will tell everyone who has not heard about my healing, the anointed One of God who gave me back my life. (Janky, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Reverse your relation with sickness,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you." (excerpt from HOMILY 50.6)

[Peter Chrysologus was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 2:1-12 comments that their persistence paid off. “When Jesus saw their faith,” he didn’t just heal their friend’s paralysis; he forgave his sins as well (Mark 2:5). Jesus made him new inside and out!

But don’t stop there! Think about your loved ones. Is there anyone you need to bring to the Lord? What sort of obstacles must you break through in order to intercede for them? Maybe you’ve begun to believe that your pleas have gone nowhere so far, so you might as well give up. Maybe you’re feeling that your friend’s situation is too dire to take any action. Whatever it is, remember the persistence and creativity of the friends in today’s Gospel. Let their example give you courage to keep asking Jesus for his healing and mercy! 

“Jesus, I believe that nothing is beyond your ability to heal and forgive!” (Meditation on Mark 2:1-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the concept of rest as experienced by the delay for the Israelites to enter the promised land and our entry into the rest of eternal life. The pattern of healing; situation, appeal, action, and reaction breaks down as the Scribes claim blasphemy in reacting to Jesus. Friar Jude reminds us of Jesus' understanding that it is easier to heal a broken limb than a broken heart.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces activist Sandhya Jha who describes the powerful example of a group of Muslim and Jewish women in the United States. Relationship building has emerged through the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, originally a group of 12 women in New Jersey that now has local chapters all over the country.

The local Kansas City chapter’s social action was to step in and provide meals at a local cancer treatment center during Christmas so that the Christian volunteers could spend the holiday with their families, creating another relational bridge in the process. [SOSS board member Amber Khan] also said there was something really powerful in the fact that in order to deal with anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, the women needed to confront the “isms” they had internalized about each other in order to be in true relationship with each other, and that has been some of the most powerful work she has witnessed.  

What Amber values is that the women of the local chapters “are not professional organizers; they’re women who said, ‘my community needs healing and I want to be a part of that.’” When white nationalists desecrated mosques, the Jewish community showed up in force, sometimes even sharing worship spaces.   

“I think there’s more of a sense of urgency,” says Aftab at the Sisterhood. “We’ve heard from people all over the country, even all over the world, saying, ‘I need to reach out and do something constructive rather than be affected by this fear in a negative way.’”  (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to enliven our gift of courage so that we may demonstrate truth, faith, and love in visible ways in our environment.

References

Janky, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011725.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?1 

Meditation on Mark 2:1-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/17/1181752/ 

Psalms, PSALM 78 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/78?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Power of Sisterhood. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-power-of-sisterhood/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan17