Guided by the Paraclete

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, remind us to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our labour in the vineyard of the Lord.

Our travels for Faith

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the growth of Christianity into Europe.

* [16:10–17] This is the first of the so-called “we-sections” in Acts, where Luke writes as one of Paul’s companions. The other passages are Acts 20:5–15; 21:1–18; 27:1–28:16. Scholars debate whether Luke may not have used the first person plural simply as a literary device to lend color to the narrative. The realism of the narrative, however, lends weight to the argument that the “we” includes Luke or another companion of Paul whose data Luke used as a source.

* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians).

* [16:14] A worshiper of God: a “God-fearer.” See note on Acts 8:26–40. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 149 invites the people of Israel to celebrate their God.

* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims a Paraclete is to be sent by the Father.

* [15:26] Whom I will send: in Jn 14:16, 26, the Paraclete is to be sent by the Father, at the request of Jesus. Here the Spirit comes from both Jesus and the Father in mission; there is no reference here to the eternal procession of the Spirit. (John, CHAPTER 15|USCCB, n.d.)

* [16:2] Hour: of persecution, not Jesus’ “hour” (see note on Jn 2:4). (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Michele Bogard comments she has never listened to Christian or Catholic radio.  But thanks to her son (and no doubt his religion teacher at school!), it may be the most played station in her car nowadays.

I can’t help but think about my unconscious eye roll when the radio came on just an hour earlier.  It wasn’t my choice.  It was a Christian station.  All the stereotypes flew into my mind.  And yet, I kept the station on as I drove home.  Perhaps it was to feel close to my son.  But maybe it was also the Holy Spirit gently nudging me to embrace my faith.  To sit with my preconceived notions of the radio station and what others must be like who listen to it.  And just maybe it was a moment where I was reminded to be proud of my faith and to defend it…not from external persecution but from my own questioning and internal battle. (Bogard, 2026)

The Irish Jesuits have a website called Sacred Space.  An anonymous poster adds “St Ignatius of Loyola is said to have prayed that the members of the order he founded would always be persecuted—it was a sign that they were doing their job. It is a strange paradox, but the message of Christian love and forgiveness, a message of peace and justice, is found by many to be very threatening and one that must be attacked.”

May we all find that internal and external peace that comes with surrendering to our faith.  And may the Holy Spirit continue to light our way. (Bogard, 2026)

 Don Schwager quotes “The Comforter is with us in our troubles, by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.” 

"He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:26–16:4 urges us to look at what happened when the Spirit came! Wavering men and women became unshakably convinced that Jesus was the Messiah—and they boldly preached that message. Homegrown fishermen traveled to distant lands to proclaim the truths of Christ that would change millions of lives. They wrote Gospels and letters that instructed new believers in the faith—words that touch our lives even today. All because of the Spirit of truth!

So ask the Holy Spirit to testify to Jesus in your heart today. Take today’s Scripture passages to prayer and expect him to reveal something about Jesus to you. Turn to him during your day, and ask for his guidance to help you follow Jesus better. Bring him your concerns, and know that you can rely on him to be your guiding light when you are confused or when, like the apostles, you face challenges. Keep your heart open to him and his words, confident that he can help you and strengthen you so that you don’t “fall away” into fear or sin or selfishness (John 16:1).

Because the Spirit of truth will testify to Jesus.

“Holy Spirit, help me to hear your testimony about Jesus today!” (Meditation on John 15:26–16:4, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts Paul has travelled into Greece at Philippi to a place of prayer to meet Lydia, likely a very rich woman in the purple dye trade. She suggests that Paul might live at her house and form a house Church. They would meet in the atrium. It is unclear whether Lydia was the head or host of the community. The Gospel of John speaks about the Advocate, a witness to the Truth and the presence of the Trinity and Jesus indicates that persecution is coming and they will lay down their lives out of love too. Friar Jude ponders if we are not being persecuted, maybe we are not living as a Christian?

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recounts the circumstances of Julian of Norwich’s mystical experience. What strikes him is the similarity between Julian’s time and our own. Here is how Episcopal priest and scholar Mary Earle describes Julian’s fourteenth-century context.

Julian lived at a time of vast social, [religious,] and political upheaval, incessant wars, and sweeping epidemics. Norwich, with a population of around 25,000 by 1330 … was struck viciously by the plague known as the Black Death. At its peak in the late 1340s in England, it killed approximately three-fourths of the population of Norwich. A young girl at this time, Julian was certainly affected in untold ways by this devastation. When the plague returned, she was about nineteen. [1]

In her anchor-hold, Julian certainly would have recognized the spiritual benefits of contemplation, such as the awakened ability through solitude to be personally present to divine love. Yet we must remember that she also let God’s love flow right through her to those on the street requesting her counsel, and to us through her writings. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as Paraclete, to instill in us the Power of Love that we may be witnesses to Christ in our actions to “renew the face of the Earth” particularly in times of chaos and persecution.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16 

Bogard, M. (2026, May 11). Daily Reflection May 11, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-11-2026 

John, CHAPTER 15|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?26 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16 

Meditation on John 15:26–16:4. (n.d.). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/11/1562135/ 

Psalms, PSALM 149 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). An Anchor-Hold of Love. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/an-anchor-hold-of-love/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). When the Counselor Comes, the Spirit of Truth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Where is Our Divine Connection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine how we understand our connection to God.

God with Us

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes Paul and Barnabas experience at Lystra.

* [14:8–18] In an effort to convince his hearers that the divine power works through his word, Paul cures the cripple. However, the pagan tradition of the occasional appearance of gods among human beings leads the people astray in interpreting the miracle. The incident reveals the cultural difficulties with which the church had to cope. Note the similarity of the miracle worked here by Paul to the one performed by Peter in Acts 3:2–10.

* [14:12] Zeus…Hermes: in Greek religion, Zeus was the chief of the Olympian gods, the “father of gods and men”; Hermes was a son of Zeus and was usually identified as the herald and messenger of the gods.

* [14:14] Tore their garments: a gesture of protest. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 115 asks us “Where is your God?”

* [Psalm 115] A response to the enemy taunt, “Where is your God?” This hymn to the glory of Israel’s God (Ps 115:1–3) ridicules the lifeless idols of the nations (Ps 115:4–8), expresses in a litany the trust of the various classes of the people in God (Ps 115:9–11), invokes God’s blessing on them as they invoke the divine name (Ps 115:12–15), and concludes as it began with praise of God. Ps 135:15–18 similarly mocks the Gentile gods and has a similar litany and hymn (Ps 135:19–21). (Where Is Your God?, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus introduces The Advocate for our Relationship with Love.

* [14:1–31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in Jn 14:1, 27: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

* [14:22] Judas, not the Iscariot: probably not the brother of Jesus in Mk 6:3 // Mt 13:55 or the apostle named Jude in Lk 6:16 but Thomas (see note on Jn 11:16), although other readings have “Judas the Cananean.” (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Tom Lenz comments that initially, it seemed confusing that Jesus was seemingly making a softer version of an Old Testament deal, “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father.” This seemed to imply that, “If you do not love me then neither will you be loved by my Father.” But this is not the message at all.

If you read a bit more from John 14 the entire message is about connectedness. What Jesus is saying to his disciples is that because we are connected here, then you (and me) are also connected to the Father. But this can only be realized if you “have my commandments and observe them” – which are not the same as the “thou shalt not” commandments in the Old Testament. The “commandments” that Jesus is talking about are more like invitations towards love and forgiveness. And, if we can embrace these, we will be able to more clearly “see” that a Great Chain of Connectedness exists between Jesus, us, and God. He explicitly says this in verse 20 (right before today’s reading begins) in the often quoted, “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” And the glue to all this connection and relationship is the Holy Spirit, as Jesus points out several times in John 14. (Lenz, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “God is pleased to dwell in us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God is not too grand to come, he is not too fussy or shy, he is not too proud - on the contrary he is pleased to come if you do not displease him. Listen to the promise he makes. Listen to him indeed promising with pleasure, not threatening in displeasure, "We shall come to him," he says, "I and the Father." To the one he had earlier called his friend, the one who obeys his precepts, the keeper of his commandment, the lover of God, the lover of his neighbor, he says, "We shall come to him and make our abode with him." (excerpt from Sermon 23,6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 14:21-26 comments that the indwelling of the Lord is not passive. He is an attentive occupant who knows the very structure of your heart—your priorities, attachments, and thoughts. He cares deeply about you. He delights in the parts that are working well, and he calls for improvements to the parts that don’t: the moments when your mouth has run like a leaky tap or your self-control has crumbled like old plaster.

At times these internal repairs may feel like too much. But don’t be overwhelmed; you are not working alone! Jesus is eager to work with you. He’s just waiting for you to invite him to help. So identify one “internal DIY project” you’d like to work on today, and ask him to roll up his sleeves and join you.

“Lord, I welcome you into my heart. Shape it and make it your home.” (Meditation on John 14:21-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in Acts, Paul and Barnabas continue to preach and when successful, the leaders, both Jew and Gentile, hatch plots against them. The healing they present has people conclude “god” has come down to them. How can Paul and Barnabas try to solve this confusion? In the Gospel of John Chapter 14, loving Jesus and keeping His word of the Father is possible as He promises an Advocate, in Greek, a Paraclete. This is an ambiguous word with many meanings fulfilled by the Spirit as the love between the Father and the Son and their love for us.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces the Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis who shares the history of the Song of Songs’ inclusion in the Bible. The scriptural status of the Song of Songs is so questionable that the Talmud actually records the great debate…. It was the declamation of Rabbi Akiba, the great teacher, scholar, and martyr of early Judaism, that finally carried the day:

Heaven forbid! No Jew ever questioned the sanctity of the Song of Songs; for all the world is not worth the day when the Song of Songs was given to Israel. For all the writings are holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies! [1] … (Rohr, n.d.)

Davis describes how the Song of Songs overcomes the separation that began in Genesis between God, humanity, and the earth:

The poet of the Song has a dream, and in that dream all the ruptures that occurred in Eden are repaired…. Following carefully and imaginatively where the words of the Song lead, we can share the poet’s and God’s dream of the original harmony of creation restored…. A woman and a man, equally powerful, are lost in admiration of each other—or more accurately, in admiration they truly find themselves and each other. And the natural world rejoices with them. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the Spirit to teach us about Love and the transforming power of our focus on how we can bring love, hope, compassion, and joy to our daily journey.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14? 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14? 

Lenz, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-4-2026 

Meditation on John 14:21-26. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/04/1557172/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Holy of Holies. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-holy-of-holies/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). If You Love Me, Keep My Word. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Where is your God? (n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 115 | USCCB. Retrieved May 4, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/115?1 

Challenge and Comfort

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the model offered by Paul and Luke to respond to the prompting of the Spirit to encounter people who are becoming aware of New Life available in community with Christ.

Community of Challenge and Comfort

1st Reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the entry of Paul and Luke into Europe.

* [16:11–40] The church at Philippi became a flourishing community to which Paul addressed one of his letters (see Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians).

* [16:14] A worshiper of God: a “God-fearer.” See note on Acts 8:26–40. 

(Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 149 celebrates God in song and festive dance.

* [Psalm 149] A hymn inviting the people of Israel to celebrate their God in song and festive dance (Ps 149:1–3, 5) because God has chosen them and given them victory (Ps 149:4). The exodus and conquest are the defining acts of Israel; the people must be ready to do again those acts in the future at the divine command (Ps 149:6–9). (Psalms. PSALM 149 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John proclaims the discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples in realization of the World’s Hatred.

* [15:1–16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [16:2] Hour: of persecution, not Jesus’ “hour” (see note on Jn 2:4). 

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jeanne Schuler comments that Jesus foretells difficult times to come for his followers.  At its core, truth abides in love, but the road is rocky.  In truth we are creatures who may try our best but never have all the answers.  We are vulnerable and cannot make it alone.

Luke was at Paul’s side during this journey: “We set sail…”   He will be with him until Rome.  Sometimes the Spirit warns them to change their plans and take another route.  They listen.  When we seek to hear God’s word, we will change.  We might sing a new song.  In gratitude we will open our lives.  Even strangers are not turned away. (Schuler, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “The Comforter is with us in our troubles,” by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.

"He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 16:11-15 comments that we probably know people like Lydia—maybe even someone dear to us—who have yet to embrace the “life” in the life-giving message of the gospel. It could be a family member or friend who was raised Catholic but who doesn’t attend Mass regularly because they don't feel a connection to God or the Church.

Some of this guilt may come from the mistaken idea that it’s all up to you. That’s just not true! As much as you love someone, as much as you want that person to encounter the Lord, know that Jesus’ love, and his desire for them to encounter him, far exceeds yours! And so, too, does his power to work in their hearts far exceed the persuasive power of your words or example. He may already be working in hidden ways that you can’t even imagine.

So yes, play your part. Let your words and actions reflect the love of Christ. But remember Lydia, and leave room for the Spirit to play his part. Let him “open the heart” of that person in whatever way he wants (Acts 16:14)!

“Lord, help me to surrender my loved ones to you!” (Meditation on Acts 16:11-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Acts passage of Paul’s journey to Europe. In Philippi, he meets Lydia, a women dealer in purple cloth, which was a source of wealth. She hosts Paul and the community in her house. In John’s Gospel, Jesus' Last Supper Discourse, describes how the Paraclete will help to testify to the Father. The Advocate will console and comfort in the suffering they will endure to know their fate will be like His, the Father’s Will to embrace.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes the temptation to hide and deny what we’ve been taught is unacceptable within us. Neither our persona nor our shadow is evil in itself; they just allow us to do evil without recognizing it. Our shadow self makes us all into hypocrites on some level. Hypocrite is a Greek word that simply means “actor,” someone playing a role rather than being “real.” We’re all in one kind of closet or another and are even encouraged by society to play such roles. Usually everybody else can see our shadow, so it’s crucial that we learn what everybody else knows about us—except us! 

The closer we get to the light, the more of our shadow we see. Thus, truly holy people are always humble people. Christians would have been done a great service if the shadow had been distinguished from sin. Sin and shadow are not the same! We were so encouraged to avoid sin that many of us avoided facing our shadow, and then we ended up “sinning” even worse—while unaware besides! As Paul taught, “The angels of darkness must disguise themselves as angels of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). The persona cannot bear to see evil in itself, so it always disguises it as good. The shadow self invariably presents itself as something like prudence, common sense, and justice. It says, “I’m doing this for your good,” when it actually manifests fear, control, manipulation, or even vengeance. Isn’t it fascinating that the name Lucifer literally means “light bearer”? The evil one always makes darkness look like light—and makes light look like darkness. (Rohr, n.d.)

We are challenged by our hypocrisy that may inhibit our action to share our time, talent, and treasure to invite people on our journey to surrender to full life with Christ.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?11 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16 

Meditation on Acts 16:11-15. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/26/1284658/ 

Psalms. PSALM 149 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/149?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Humility Welcomes the Shadow. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/humility-welcomes-the-shadow/ 

Schuler, J. (2025, May 26). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052625.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). When the Counselor Comes, the Spirit of Truth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may26