Called By Name

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to listen for our name as we consider our relationship to Christ.

Our Name Our Mission

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter’s kerygma calls us to repent and be baptized.

* [2:38] Repent and be baptized: repentance is a positive concept, a change of mind and heart toward God reflected in the actual goodness of one’s life. It is in accord with the apostolic teaching derived from Jesus (Acts 2:42) and ultimately recorded in the four gospels. Luke presents baptism in Acts as the expected response to the apostolic preaching about Jesus and associates it with the conferring of the Spirit (Acts 1:5; 10:44–48; 11:16). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 33 praises special people and their faithful response.

* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John proclaims the Appearance to Mary of Magdala.

* [20:11–18] This appearance to Mary is found only in John, but cf. Mt 28:8–10 and Mk 16:9–11.

* [20:16] Rabbouni: Hebrew or Aramaic for “my master.”

* [20:17] Stop holding on to me: see Mt 28:9, where the women take hold of his feet. I have not yet ascended: for John and many of the New Testament writers, the ascension in the theological sense of going to the Father to be glorified took place with the resurrection as one action. This scene in John dramatizes such an understanding, for by Easter night Jesus is glorified and can give the Spirit. Therefore his ascension takes place immediately after he has talked to Mary. In such a view, the ascension after forty days described in Acts 1:1–11 would be simply a termination of earthly appearances or, perhaps better, an introduction to the conferral of the Spirit upon the early church, modeled on Elisha’s being able to have a (double) share in the spirit of Elijah if he saw him being taken up (same verb as ascending) into heaven (2 Kgs 2:9–12). To my Father and your Father, to my God and your God: this echoes Ru 1:16: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” The Father of Jesus will now become the Father of the disciples because, once ascended, Jesus can give them the Spirit that comes from the Father and they can be reborn as God’s children (Jn 3:5). That is why he calls them my brothers. (John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB, n.d.)

Joan Blandin Howard reflects that Mary went to Jesus’ tomb.  The tomb was empty. Jesus was gone.  “Mary stood weeping…she turned and saw Jesus…but she did not know it was Jesus…(Mary) supposing him to be the gardener…Jesus said to her Mary!” Jesus called her by name “Mary” and she knew him.

Another garden of tender intimacy.  Yet, this time a garden off fulfilled, overflowing love and tenderness.  Jesus is intimately reunited with his mother and one of his faithful followers.  Jesus will continue to reunite with his followers in intimate love and tenderness.

Jesus spoke her name.  The Lover tenderly greeting his beloved, calling her by name.  “Mary”.

Who calls your name intimately, tenderly?  Whose name do you speak in love?  I invite you to listen in the silence of your heart for Jesus calling your name.  The Beloved speaking the name of the loved one, speaking your name.  Listen. (Howard, 2025)

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

"Because there are these two periods of time - the one that now is, beset with the trials and troubles of this life, and the other yet to come, a life of everlasting serenity and joy - we are given two liturgical seasons, one before Easter and the other after. The season before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live here and now, while the time after Easter which we are celebrating at present signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. What we commemorate before Easter is what we experience in this life; what we celebrate after Easter points to something we do not yet possess. This is why we keep the first season with fasting and prayer; but now the fast is over and we devote the present season to praise. Such is the meaning of the Alleluia we sing." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148, 1-2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 20:11-18 comments that at times like these, it can be helpful to go back to “Jerusalem,” to the rest of today’s story, and keep seeking the Lord. There we find that Mary stays at the tomb and waits. Suddenly she sees a man who asks her, “Whom are you looking for?” (John 20:15).

When we feel lost, when we feel we can’t find Jesus anymore, he wants us to remember that he is right there, next to us. He asks us to keep looking for him in daily prayer, to keep searching for him in the Scriptures. He wants us to find him in the Eucharist and in the people who surround us. And when we find him and recognize him as Mary did on that glorious morning, we can go and tell everyone the good news that Jesus is risen!

“Lord, help me to find you in everything I do and everyone I meet. Fill me with the joy of your resurrection!” (Meditation on John 20:11-18, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the kerygma preached by Peter in Acts calling the people to Baptism and forgiveness relating Christ, Adonai, to Yahweh. Mary Magdalene is outside the tomb, alone, the Church looking for her beloved. Friar Jude notes that this is one of three times that Jesus is initially not recognized after the Resurrection before Mary, “the Apostle to the Apostles” is called by name.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis who reminds us that we are each called by the resurrected Christ who knows us by name. Mary is the first preacher in the gospel … not because she recognizes Jesus, but because he knows her, and what she can do, and what she’s got to give.

You’re not preaching the first sermon. That’s happened already, but you’ve got sermons to preach. I have seen the Lord, because you have.…  

I have seen the crucified Body of Christ in all those places: in Indigenous people, in the broken heart of Mama Earth, in the brown bodies on the border, in the Black bodies languishing in prisons, I have seen the Lord in the struggling transwoman coming out…. I have seen the Lord in the teen who doesn’t know how to tell his pastor he’s queer. I have seen the Lord in the woman wrestling with the decisions about her body. I’ve seen the Lord in divorcing couples. I’ve seen the Lord in the troubled ones all over my life. I’ve seen the Lord, and I’m going to tell you about it. My job is to speak the truth to power. That’s your calling and mine: To listen deeply to the hearts of those who are languishing, to listen for their hopes, dreams, passions, fears, to love the hell out of them and to speak the truth.  

Christ is everywhere. Christ is in all things. We are all one. When you’re hungry, my stomach growls. When someone chops down a tree, I’m cut. When the oceans are being poisoned, I feel thirsty for something different. This is our calling, because we’ve been ordained, just like Mary, by the One who knows all about us. I’m inviting you to look in the mirror and see yourself. Recognize yourself as deputized by the Living God. Amen. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to strengthen our commitment to listen as the Lord calls our name and invites us to share our kerygma through piety, study, and action in relationship with the people on our journey.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?36 

Howard, J. B. (2025, April 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042225.html 

John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20?11 

Meditation on John 20:11-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/22/1260151/ 

Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?4 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Called by Name. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/called-by-name/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Have Seen the Lord! Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr22 

Light for the World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the response of people in our salvation history to the prompting of the Spirit to proclaim the Good News through their actions and, if necessary, their words.

Life and Light

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Barnabas and Saul are commissioned and the apostles preach in Cyprus.

* [13:1–3] The impulse for the first missionary effort in Asia Minor is ascribed to the prophets of the Antiochene community, under the inspiration of the holy Spirit. Just as the Jerusalem community had earlier been the center of missionary activity, so too Antioch becomes the center from which the missionaries Barnabas and Saul are sent out. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

In Psalm 67 the Nations are called to Praise God.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB, n.d.)

The passage from the Gospel of John provides a summary of Jesus’ Teaching.

* [12:37–50] These verses, on unbelief of the Jews, provide an epilogue to the Book of Signs. (John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available at publication time.

Don Schwager quotes “Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"[Our Lord] gradually accustoms their minds to penetrate the depth of the mysteries concerning himself, [leading them] not to the human person but to that which was of the divine essence. He does this inasmuch as the Godhead is apprehended completely in the person of God the Father, for he has in himself the Son and the Spirit. With exceeding wisdom he carries them onward, ... for he does not exclude himself from being believed on by us because he is God by nature and has shone forth from God the Father. But skillfully (as has been said) he handles the mind of the weak to mold them to godliness in order that you might understand him to say something like this: 'When you believe on me - I who, for your sakes, am a man like yourselves, but who also am God by reason of my own nature and because of the Father from whom I exist - do not suppose that it is on a man you are setting your faith. For I am by nature God, notwithstanding that I appear like one of yourselves, and I have within myself him who begat me. Forasmuch therefore as I am consubstantial with him that has begotten me, your faith will assuredly pass on also to the Father himself.' As we said therefore, the Lord, gradually trains them to something better and profitably interweaves the human with what is God-befitting." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 8.7) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 12:44-50 comments that when someone stayed with Jesus long enough, they saw beyond his unassuming appearance. They saw that he was more than a teacher or a healer or a prophet. His words of teaching, his look of love, his inner peace and joy all bore God’s own inspiration and went straight to their hearts. When they saw Jesus, they saw the Father!

Jesus is ready to surprise you today. He’s ready to reveal his Father to you. So as you read today’s Scripture passages, invite him to exceed your expectations. Ask him to show you something new. It doesn’t have to be momentous. Maybe it will be just a small insight or application you haven’t noticed before. Or maybe one verse will strike you in a new way. If you keep this up day after day, you’ll discover that God has revealed far more than you expected. And that revelation will fill you with joy!

“Lord, surprise me! Help me find your presence today.” (Meditation on John 12:44-50, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the continuance of the ministry related in Acts as John Mark, probably the author of the Gospel of Mark, is consecrated by laying on of hands to him and Barnabas and Saul for this mission work. The Holy Spirit guides the Church and at this time led preachers first to the Jews and then after rejection to the Gentiles. Friar Jude reminds us of the very dualistic theme in John’s Gospel that implores us to make a choice for Christ and live in that choice.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Barbara Mahany who writes of the converting experience the Book of Nature had on the Christian mystic Brother Lawrence.

Brother Lawrence [1611–1691], the seventeenth-century barefoot friar who found God in the pots and pans of his monastery kitchen in Paris, told one such story. In his one published work [1], a collection of fourteen letters, a wisp of an eighty-page volume I once unearthed from a library’s musky archives, he wrote how a tree in winter, stripped of its leaves, played the pivotal role in his uncanny conversion. It seems the good brother absorbed the tree’s stark emptiness, and, in that way that saints and wise souls do, he saw beyond it. He imagined the possible. As it’s recorded in his little book’s preface, the soon-to-be-friar stood before the naked tree picturing its branches soon filled with tiny leaves as if clasped in prayer. And thus he was hit, head-on. The surging sense of the immensity of the Holy One all but knocked him down, realizing the life force, the beautiful that would burst from the barren. In his little book’s preface, I was struck most of all by how strange it is that divine attributes can sometimes be seen in something so common. And how we’ll miss the whole of it if we refuse to be stopped in our tracks. (Rohr, n.d.)

We experience the inspiration of the Holy Spirit when events on our journey reveal truth, love and goodness that reflects Jesus' proclamation that He and God are One.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13 

John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?44 

Meditation on John 12:44-50. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/24/942032/ 

Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Preaching of the Trees. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-preaching-of-the-trees/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr24 

Compassion and Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to explore the difficult times of our life and consider how prayer and contemplation may have raised our spirit to continue our mission.

Continue the Mission

In the reading from the Book of Job, he expresses that suffering is without end.

* [7:1] Drudgery: taken by some to refer to military service; cf. also 14:14. (Job, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, 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, n.d.)

The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians shares his reason for not using his rights as he seeks to be all things to all.

* [9:15–18] Paul now assigns a more personal motive to his nonuse of his right to support. His preaching is not a service spontaneously undertaken on his part but a stewardship imposed by a sort of divine compulsion. Yet to merit any reward he must bring some spontaneous quality to his service, and this he does by freely renouncing his right to support. The material here is quite similar to that contained in Paul’s “defense” at 2 Cor 11:5–12; 12:11–18.

* [9:19–23] In a rhetorically balanced series of statements Paul expands and generalizes the picture of his behavior and explores the paradox of apostolic freedom. It is not essentially freedom from restraint but freedom for service—a possibility of constructive activity. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus heals many at Simon’s house and begins a preaching tour in Galilee.

* [1:21–45] The account of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum (Mk 1:21–31) combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teaching but of the effect of astonishment and alarm on the people. Jesus’ teaching with authority, making an absolute claim on the hearer, was in the best tradition of the ancient prophets, not of the scribes. The narrative continues with events that evening (Mk 1:32–34; see notes on Mt 8:14–17) and the next day (Mk 1:35–39). The cleansing in Mk 1:40–45 stands as an isolated story. (Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner comments that our own lives often become too full as well and can drain us in mind, body and spirit. Even when it’s good work or family or things we like do to, we need to step back and find that quiet place to pray and reflect.

We can turn to Jesus to ask him to refill those reserves that are running on empty. The gospel doesn’t say what Jesus prayed about. I would guess he asked for help to continue to do the work, for patience when it seemed too many people surrounded him, for understanding when the demands seem to be too much.  I have much the same prayer often when I am overwhelmed by work, family demands and my own procrastination. I am lucky to love what I do and to love my family, but sometimes, it’s overwhelming. Taking that time to pray and reflect offers a spiritual and emotional boost. And, then, as Jesus did, I get back to work and juggling responsibilities. (Zuegner, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The habit of prayer,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Jesus prayed and did not pray in vain, since he received what he asked for in prayer when he might have done so without prayer. If so, who among us would neglect to pray? Mark says that 'in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed' (Mark 1:35). And Luke says, 'He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray,"' (Luke 11:1) and elsewhere, 'And all night he continued in prayer to God' (Luke 6:12). And John records his prayer, saying, 'When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you"' (John 17:1). The same Evangelist writes that the Lord said that he knew 'you hear me always' (John 11:42). All this shows that the one who prays always is always heard." (excerpt from ON PRAYER 13.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Job 7:1-4, 6-7 notes that the next morning, Jesus told the disciples that he was going to other villages in Galilee to preach and heal. “For this purpose have I come” (Mark 1:38). Jesus came to give us hope: to heal us of our sins and free us from the power of death. He came to give us life in him, a life that begins now but will last into eternity.

Perhaps you are tempted to feel hopeless about a difficult situation in your life. Or maybe you’re discouraged about what the future will hold. But remember what Jesus said: he came for a purpose, and that purpose is being fulfilled in your life and in the world even now. He is the horizon you can look to whenever you are tempted to give up hope. May we always keep our eyes on him!

“Jesus, you are my hope, now and forever.” (Meditation on Job 7:1-4, 6-7, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the expression of Job that life is a drudgery which he continues to suffer. Paul describes his mission to the Corinthians and we note the reward for doing good is the ability to do good. Friar Jude suggests that the account of the first day of Jesus at Capernaum is from an eyewitness as Jesus' ministry is defined as sharing the Good News wherever they can.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how the gospel offers us a new story. Culture forms us much more than the gospel. It seems we have kept the basic storyline of human history in place rather than allow the gospel to reframe and redirect the story. Except for those who have experienced grace at their core, Christianity has not created a new story, “a new mind” (Romans 12:2), or a “new self” (Ephesians 4:24). The old and tired win/lose scenarios seem to be in our cultural hard drive. The experience of grace at the core of reality is much more imaginative and installs new win/win programs in our psyche, but has been neglected and unrecognized by most of Christianity.

The great traditions give name, shape, and ultimate direction to what our heart inherently knows from other sources. This is not new or unorthodox but exactly what Paul taught: “Ever since God created the world, God’s everlasting power and divinity—however invisible—have been there for the mind to see in the things of creation” (Romans 1:20). Similarly, as the Hebrew Scriptures say, “It is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach. It is not in the heavens, so that you need to ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down to us?’ Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to ask, ‘Who will cross the seas and bring it back to us?’ No, the word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart” (Deuteronomy 30:11–14). We must honor the infinite mystery of our own life’s journey to recognize God in it. Or is it the other way around? It seems that God is not going to let us get close unless we bring all of ourselves—in love—including our brokenness. That’s why the Good News really is good news. Nothing is wasted. [2] (Rohr, 2024)

When we experience weariness in life’s journey, we are wise to seek the consolation of the Spirit in prayer and contemplation that will restart the joy in our mission of love, compassion, and service.

References

Job, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/job/7?1 

Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?29 

Meditation on Job 7:1-4, 6-7. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/02/04/888758/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/9?16 

Psalms, PSALM 147. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?1 

Rohr, R. (2024, February 4). The Good News Story — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-good-news-story/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Healed Many Who Were Sick. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=feb4 

Zuegner, C. (2024, February 4). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/020424.html