Universal Love

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reconsider if the scope of our mission as followers of Christ is truly “catholic”.

Universal Love

In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul responds to Accusations before Gallio and  Returns to Syrian Antioch.

* [18:12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia: Gallio’s proconsulship in Achaia is dated to A.D. 51–52 from an inscription discovered at Delphi. This has become an important date in establishing a chronology of the life and missionary work of Paul.

* [18:13] Contrary to the law: Gallio (Acts 18:15) understands this to be a problem of Jewish, not Roman, law.

* [18:18] He had his hair cut because he had taken a vow: a reference to a Nazirite vow (see Nm 6:1–21, especially, 6:18) taken by Paul (see also Acts 21:23–27). (Acts, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 47 acknowledges the universal rule of Israel’s God.

* [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel’s God (Ps 47:2–5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Ps 47:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus restates His teaching on departure and return.

* [16:4b–33] A duplicate of Jn 14:1–31 on departure and return. (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Greg Dyche understands “in the name of” to mean “for the sake of the mission”. Jesus seems eager to further the mission, so if we ask for something in His name, God is going to answer.

The answer won’t always be what I think the mission needs or when I think the mission needs it, but God will answer for the sake of the mission. God has already given His Son for the sake of the mission, what else would he hold back?

I believe in the mission. I believe I am a part of the mission. If you’re reading this, we are on the mission together. That idea makes me a little happier. We aren’t alone, no matter how it feels at times. Let’s pray together, in the name of Jesus, that we can love others. And let’s do it together. (Dyche, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Alleluia will be our whole joy,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"I trust I will not weary you if I mention what you know already: that we say ALLELUIA daily and that we take delight in it daily. For you know that ALLELUIA means "Praise God" and by this expression we, agreeing in speech and thought, exhort one another to praise God. Only the one who displeases God in no respect praises God in security. Furthermore, in this time of journeying we say ALLELUIA for solace on our way. ALLELUIA is the song of the traveler for us; but we are advancing through a laborious path to a peaceful country where all our activities will be laid aside and nothing will remain for us except the ALLELUIA. Let us sing now, not for the delights of peace, but for comfort in our labor. Sing as travelers are accustomed to sing; comfort your labor by singing; do not love inactivity; keep singing and keep progressing. ...If you are advancing; progress in well-doing, progress in good faith, progress in good deeds. Keep singing and keep advancing. While we are here let us sing ALLELUIA though we are still beset with cares, so that in the future we may sing it there (in heaven) in tranquility. After the labors of this world there will be unceasing repetition of ALLELUIA. ..There ALLELUIA will be our food; ALLELUIA will be our drink; ALLELUIA will be our peaceful action; ALLELUIA will be our whole joy." [excerpts from Sermon 255 (1); Sermon 256 (1 and 3); Sermon 252 (9)] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 16:20-23 comments about our joy to know that we belong to Christ and that we have access to him at any time! That includes both the challenging times as well as the happy times. We can hear his assurance that he is with us when we are feeling burdened, and we can feel him rejoicing with us in the good times. Every day we can taste the sweetness of knowing that we are precious to him.

So let your heart rejoice! Jesus has promised that you will see him—that you can see him—right here and right now. And ask the Spirit to help you keep your eyes open for his presence within you and his work in the world and in the people around you.

“Lord Jesus, I rejoice in your presence!” (Meditation on John 16:20-23, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments Paul remained a long time in Corinth. The Spirit often speaks in dreams and we must discern carefully. Paul stayed there over a year. Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, was the brother of Seneca and the trial occurred around 51 CE. In Acts and Luke, Rome tries not to condemn Christians who are people who respect the Law. Paul makes a vow and in the tradition of Nazarites he shaves his head. In New Testament times it was a temporary vow and the head was shaved and hair still belongs to God. In Acts, Paul still follows some Jewish customs. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks about suffering for Jesus and His disciples. They have pain like the woman in labour and they will give birth to something wonderful. Friar Jude reminds us that followers of Jesus must die to self and serve others. We are invited into the Love of the Cross by God.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Matthew Fox who traces the universal nature of Julian’s message of mystical hope and divine love. When she celebrates the beauty of being human, she again makes explicit that she is talking about all and not some sectarian group. “God made us so rich and noble in our essence that all we can do is strive to enact his will and honor him in all things. “In God’s sight, all humanity is one person, and all people are a single humanity.”… [1] For Julian, the traditional teaching of the church as the mystical body of Christ is extended to the entire human race.

When she celebrates the beauty of being human, she again makes explicit that she is talking about all and not some sectarian group. “God made us so rich and noble in our essence that all we can do is strive to enact his will and honor him in all things. When I say ‘we,’ I mean all true spiritual seekers.” [2] When she says “all,” she means all. This would include, in our time, all versions of Christians and all Jews, all Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, Muslims, goddess worshippers, those of indigenous religions, and those of no religions, whether agnostic or atheist. That is how ecumenical she is—and in the fourteenth century, no less. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the universal love of God and invoke the Spirit to inspire our actions to be disciples of love, compassion, and care for all people, the Mystical Body of Christ, we encounter.

References

Acts, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?9 

Dyche, G. (2026, May 15). Daily Reflection May 15, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-15-2026 

John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16 

Meditation on John 16:20-23. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/15/1568198/ 

Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?20 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-dwells-in-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Return with Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to respond to the blindness of our society to the needs of those we are called to invite to return to communion with us on our journey.

Seeing our Way

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah describes the Road of Return for the exiles.

* [31:2–3] Jeremiah describes the exiles of the Northern Kingdom on their way home from the nations where the Assyrians had resettled them (722/721 B.C.). The favor they discover in the wilderness is the appearance of the Lord (v. 3) coming to guide them to Jerusalem. Implicit in these verses is the presentation of the people’s return from captivity as a second exodus, a unifying theme in Second Isaiah (chaps. 40–55). (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 126 proclaims a Harvest of Joy.

* [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6). (Psalms, PSALM 126 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is identified as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

* [5:1–10] The true humanity of Jesus (see note on Heb 2:5–18) makes him a more rather than a less effective high priest to the Christian community. In Old Testament tradition, the high priest was identified with the people, guilty of personal sin just as they were (Heb 5:1–3). Even so, the office was of divine appointment (Heb 5:4), as was also the case with the sinless Christ (Heb 5:5). For Heb 5:6, see note on Ps 110:4. Although Jesus was Son of God, he was destined as a human being to learn obedience by accepting the suffering he had to endure (Heb 5:8). Because of his perfection through this experience of human suffering, he is the cause of salvation for all (Heb 5:9), a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:10; cf. Heb 5:6 and Heb 7:3). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [5:1] To offer gifts and sacrifices for sins: the author is thinking principally of the Day of Atonement rite, as is clear from Heb 9:7. This ritual was celebrated to atone for “all the sins of the Israelites” (Lv 16:34).

* [5:2] Deal patiently: the Greek word metriopathein occurs only here in the Bible; this term was used by the Stoics to designate the golden mean between excess and defect of passion. Here it means rather the ability to sympathize.

The Gospel of Mark relates the Healing of Blind Bartimaeus.

* [10:46–52] See notes on Mt 9:27–31 and 20:29–34. (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [9:27–31] This story was probably composed by Matthew out of Mark’s story of the healing of a blind man named Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46–52). Mark places the event late in Jesus’ ministry, just before his entrance into Jerusalem, and Matthew has followed his Marcan source at that point in his gospel also (see Mt 20:29–34). In each of the Matthean stories the single blind man of Mark becomes two. The reason why Matthew would have given a double version of the Marcan story and placed the earlier one here may be that he wished to add a story of Jesus’ curing the blind at this point in order to prepare for Jesus’ answer to the emissaries of the Baptist (Mt 11:4–6) in which Jesus, recounting his works, begins with his giving sight to the blind. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Elvin Cardoso, S.J. comments that today, Jesus passes by each of us, inviting us to express our desires. However, we must ponder: Do we sincerely seek? The vision Jesus offers isn’t just about physical sight; it’s about perceiving ourselves through His loving perspective. It’s an opportunity to recognize our inherent worth, beauty, and our unique roles in His creation.

Reflecting on Bartimaeus’ journey from the roadside to following Jesus, let’s consider what it means for us to rise and walk with Him. This is where the challenge emerges: to accept and embrace our true selves in the light of God’s love. When we learn to love ourselves, we become equipped to share that love with others. Just as Bartimaeus was transformed and enabled to follow Jesus, we, too, are called to a life marked by generous service and authentic relationships, empowered by the insight we gain through Christ. (Cardoso, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Your Word will enlighten and save me,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes. Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light, that you may plainly recognize both God and man. More delightful than gold and precious stones, more desirable than honey and the honeycomb is the Word that has enlightened us (Psalm 19:10). How could he not be desirable, who illumined minds buried in darkness, and endowed with clear vision 'the light-bearing eyes' of the soul? ... Sing his praises, then, Lord, and make known to me your Father, who is God. Your Word will save me, your song instruct me. I have gone astray in my search for God; but now that you light my path, Lord, I find God through you, and receive the Father from you, I become co-heir with you, since you were not ashamed to own me as your brother. Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness that dims our eyes, and contemplate the true God, after first raising this song of praise to him: 'All hail, O light!' For upon us buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly light has shone, a light of a clarity surpassing the sun's, and of a sweetness exceeding any this earthly life can offer." (excerpt from EXHORTATION TO THE GREEKS 11.8) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:46-52 comments that Jesus wants us to ask him for whatever we need—whether that’s strength, boldness, or a particular set of gifts and talents—so that we can follow him.

Today at Mass, imagine Jesus asking you the same question he asked Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Don’t be afraid to tell him! Know that he is pleased when you come to him with your every need!

“Jesus, give me the courage to trust in you!” (Meditation on Mark 10:46-52, n.d.)

Peter Edmonds SJ writes about faith in the Gospel of Mark.

The word ‘faith’ occurs a fourth time in Mark in his account of the cure of Bartimaeus. He was a blind beggar who heard that Jesus was passing by. Three times he pleaded with Jesus for mercy and for the restoration of his sight. His prayer was granted and Jesus said to him, as to the woman previously, ‘Go, your faith has saved you’ (10:52). Paradoxically, Bartimaeus ignored this instruction to go; instead he followed Jesus on the way that led to Jerusalem, the city where Jesus was to die. His faith had expressed itself in repeated and persevering prayer, despite discouragement from those standing by. His example teaches us to persevere in prayer to the person of Jesus. Faith encourages the habit of regular and persistent prayer. Greek Christian tradition in particular has valued this prayer of Bartimaeus, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me’ (10:47); monks of old repeated it, as they trudged off to their work in the fields. (Edmonds, 2012)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the change of theme in this part of Jeremiah from condemnation of Judah to celebration of the return of the exiles from Babylon. Hebrews connects Jesus' priesthood to that of Melchizedek who offered bread and wine in the time of Abraham. Friar Jude notes the theme of the blind seeing Jesus' relation to God better than the sighted and the “saving” of Bartimaeus as indicating his physical and spiritual healing.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recognizes how a focus on religion as a matter of personal belief has discouraged some Christians from engaging in political action. The idea of “staying out of politics” doesn’t come from God. Fr. Richard senses that it arises from our egoic, dualistic thinking that has a hard time hearing a different perspective or learning something new. 

In my opinion, the reason we lost our Christian authority is because we did not talk about the inner world very well. We were much more focused on believing doctrines, practicing rituals, and following requirements, which are not, in and of themselves, inner or deep. Frankly, Buddhism spoke to inner transformation far better than the three monotheistic religions. We Christians did not connect the inner with the outer—which is a consequence of not going in deeply enough. Christianity now has become increasingly irrelevant, often to the very people who want to go both deep and far. We so disconnected from the political—the welfare of God’s aggregated people and the public forum—that soon we had nothing much to say.  

I am not talking about partisan politics here, but simply the connecting of the inner world with the outer world. We have allowed the word partisan to be the first and sometimes only meaning of the word political and so people don’t even allow us to preach a purely gospel message from the pulpit—as it might sound “political”!  

Here is my major point: There is no such thing as being nonpolitical. Everything we say or do either affirms or critiques the status quo. Even to say nothing is to say something: The status quo—even if it is massively unjust and deceitful—is apparently okay. This “nonpolitical” stance is an illusion we must overcome. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We reflect on our “blindness” to the needs of the people who we encounter on our journey and seek inspiration from the Spirit to include them as we seek goodness, truth and love.

References

Cardoso, E. (2024, October 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102724.html 

Edmonds, P. (2012, November 13). Faith in the Gospels. Thinking Faith. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20121113_1.htm 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/5?1 

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/31?7 

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?46 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9? 

Meditation on Mark 10:46-52. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/27/1113803/ 

Psalms, PSALM 126 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/126?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Beyond Private Virtue. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/beyond-private-virtue/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Do You Want Me to Do for You? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct27