Concluding Comment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate our response to the wrap up or conclusion of events in our lives.

 

Ancient History near Porta Asinaria

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the encounter of Paul, imprisoned,  and the Jewish Leaders in Rome.

* [28:30–31] Although the ending of Acts may seem to be abrupt, Luke has now completed his story with the establishment of Paul and the proclamation of Christianity in Rome. Paul’s confident and unhindered proclamation of the gospel in Rome forms the climax to the story whose outline was provided in Acts 1:8—“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28, n.d.)

Psalm 11 is a song of trust in God.

* [Psalm 11] A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7). (Psalms, PSALM 11, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus and Peter discuss the Beloved Disciple.

Porta Asinaria

* [21:23] This whole scene takes on more significance if the disciple is already dead. The death of the apostolic generation caused problems in the church because of a belief that Jesus was to have returned first. Loss of faith sometimes resulted; cf. 2 Pt 3:4. * [21:24] Who…has written them: this does not necessarily mean he wrote them with his own hand. The same expression is used in Jn 19:22 of Pilate, who certainly would not have written the inscription himself. We know: i.e., the Christian community; cf. Jn 1:14, 16. (John, CHAPTER 21, n.d.)

Edward Morse (2018) comments that today’s gospel suggests a different standard, that seeks to shift our focus away from looking at the benefits that others have or enjoy, but to look instead with expectation to our own relationship with God.  Can we trust God’s provision for us rather than clamoring for the same provision he makes for another?  Can we accept perceived inequality, recognizing that we don’t have all the facts and the future is yet to fully unfold? 

I am challenged by these readings.  I know that I need to find a path toward more gratitude, and less grumbling; toward more trust in God’s provision, and less doubt and worry; toward persisting in doing just deeds, even when injustice surrounds us.  This path is not easy, but it is the path we are called to follow.    

Lord, help us in our weakness and rescue us from our doubt.  We need your love and grace. Send us encouragement when we need it, and let us open our eyes and ears and hearts to receive these gifts we need to follow you on this path.  Thanks be to God. (Morse, 2022)

Don Schwager quotes “Peter follows, John remains,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The Lord either said what he said to Peter about his martyrdom, or he said it about the gospel of John. As regards the martyrdom and this 'Follow me,' [he means] suffer for me, suffer what I did. Because Christ was crucified, Peter too was crucified... while John experienced none of this. That is what is meant by, 'It is thus that I wish him to remain.' Let him fall asleep without wounds, without torment, and wait for me. You, Peter, 'Follow me,' suffer what I did. That's one way these words can be explained...

"As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord's humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:20-25 comments that worrying about someone else’s calling is a waste of time. At best, it can distract us from what God is asking us to do. But that kind of comparison can also make us ungrateful for God’s work in our own lives. It can drive a wedge between us and other people. It can even lead to gossip, envy, or bitterness (John 21:23).

So what should we do? Listen to Jesus when he says, “You follow me” (John 21:22, emphasis added). When you see that parishioner who always seems to have the pastor’s ear, or that family member who seems to have a more peaceful life than you, or your coworker who always seems to know the right thing to say, don’t let comparison steal your joy. Instead, consider: Are you following Jesus? Are you doing what he is asking you to do? Because the truth is, Jesus has a specific, essential calling for you. So when he says, “You follow me,” try your best to do what he’s asking of you. You can trust that the part you play, the job he gives you to do, will be critical in building his kingdom. “Lord, I love you and want to follow you. Help me keep my eyes on you.” (Meditation on John 21:20-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains that Paul had appealed to Caesar and is being kept until trial in his own house in Rome.  Perhaps the Beloved Disciple had died causing some scandal. Our misunderstandings may be like that of “blessed are the cheesemakers” in the Life of Brian. Often people misunderstand what is said Check it out carefully Life of Brian. Friar Jude notes the same author of the Chapter 20 ending of the Gospel has added Chapter 21 to deal with authority and the legend of the Beloved Disciple.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how a simple experience such as viewing a sunset can be an opportunity for contemplative “third-eye” seeing. Three people stood by the ocean, looking at the same sunset.

One saw the immense physical beauty and enjoyed the event in itself. This one was the “sensing” type who, like most people in the world, deals with what can be seen, touched, moved, and fixed. This was enough reality to consider, without much interest in larger ideas, intuitions, or the grand scheme of things. This is first eye seeing, which is good. The second person saw the sunset, and enjoyed all the beauty that the first person did. Additionally, like all lovers of coherent thought, technology, and science, this person also enjoyed comprehension of the cyclical rotation of planets and stars. Using imagination, intuition, and reason to see with a second eye was even better. The third one saw the sunset, knowing and enjoying all that the first and second people did. With the facility to progress from seeing to explaining to “tasting,” this person also stood in awe before an underlying mystery, coherence, and spaciousness that created a connection with everything else. Engaging this third eye is the best, for it is the full goal of all seeing and all knowing. (Rohr, 2022)

We seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enlighten our recall of the significant conclusions in our lives.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 28. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/28?16 

John, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?20 

Meditation on John 21:20-25. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/06/04/400441/ 

Morse, E. (2022, June 4). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060422.html 

Psalms, PSALM 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/11?4 

Rohr, R. (2022, June 4). Expanding Our Vision: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/expanding-our-vision-weekly-summary-2022-06-04/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 4, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jun4 

Taken for Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the connection of the events in our lives to our mission of practicing love as followers of Jesus.

Brotherly Love

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Festus consults King Agrippa about the imprisonment of Paul.

* [25:9–12] Paul refuses to acknowledge that the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem has any jurisdiction over him now (Acts 25:11). Paul uses his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to the jurisdiction of the Emperor (Nero, ca. A.D. 60) (Acts 25:12). This move broke the deadlock between Roman protective custody of Paul and the plan of his enemies to kill him (25:3). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 25, n.d.)

Psalm 103 offers thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.

* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (Psalms, PSALM 103, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus and Peter dialogue about love and care.

* [21:15–17] In these three verses there is a remarkable variety of synonyms: two different Greek verbs for love (see note on Jn 15:13); two verbs for feed/tend; two nouns for sheep; two verbs for know. But apparently there is no difference of meaning. The threefold confession of Peter is meant to counteract his earlier threefold denial (Jn 18:17, 25, 27). The First Vatican Council cited these verses in defining that Jesus after his resurrection gave Peter the jurisdiction of supreme shepherd and ruler over the whole flock. (John, CHAPTER 21, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner (2010) comments it seems pretty simple to be a follower.  We let someone else lead the way. But it’s not so simple when it is Jesus beckoning us to follow him.  When Jesus says, “Follow me” to Simon Peter and the apostles and to us, it means more. It means everything.

When Jesus says follow me, he starts with love, a love that can help us find our way. The journey won’t be easy for the apostles like Simon Peter. Jesus asks Peter to tend his sheep and feed his lambs. Jesus says the way won’t be easy. We also must tend to his sheep and feed his lambs. When we follow Jesus, we have to follow with our hearts, our souls, our minds. We have to expect roadblocks, setbacks, detours. When we follow with love, we can climb over the roadblocks, recover from the setbacks and maneuver the most winding detour. I am ready to follow. As I continue my journey, I echo today’s psalm: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name.” (Zuegner, 2022)

Don Schwager quotes “Do you love me? Feed my sheep,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Christ rose again in the flesh, and Peter rose in the spirit because, when Christ died in his passion, Peter died by his denial. Christ the Lord was raised from the dead, and out of his love he raised Peter. He questioned him about the love he was confessing and entrusted him with his sheep. After all, what benefit could Peter confer on Christ by the mere fact of his loving Christ? If Christ loves you, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And if you love Christ, it is to your advantage, not Christ's. And yet Christ the Lord wanted to indicate how people ought to show that they love Christ. And he made it plain enough by entrusting him with his sheep. 'Do you love me?' 'I do.' 'Feed my sheep.' All this once, all this a second time, all this a third time. Peter made no other reply than that he loved him. The Lord asked no other question but whether he loved him. When Peter answered, our Lord did nothing else but entrust his sheep to him." (excerpt from SERMON 229n.1.4) (Schwager, 2022)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 21:15-19 that we might feel like Peter in those times when it seems that the Lord is repeatedly asking us the same “question.” For example, as we battle a chronic, serious health issue, he might be asking us, “Do you trust me?” If we are worried and anxious about an elderly parent or our finances, he might be asking, “Will you surrender this to me?” Or if we are experiencing the same temptation again and again, he might be saying, “Do you believe that my grace is enough?” Like his exchange with Peter, Jesus doesn’t do this to shame or test us. Instead, he is encouraging us to put our faith in him, no matter what our challenges.

If the Lord is inviting you to respond with faith, it’s because he loves you and sees the next step forward in your life with him. Remember, Jesus chose Peter to be the head of the Church; his questioning didn’t mean that Peter wasn’t qualified to lead or that he lacked faith. Just so, God knows that you have faith in him, and he is pleased with you. Yet he is always ready to deepen the faith you already have. “Make me ready to receive what you have for me, Lord!” (Meditation on John 21:15-19, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares the background of sending Paul to Rome when Festus hosts Agrippa and Bernice. Paul was arrested for a disturbance in the Temple. He appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen. Friar Jude reflects on the use of philia, and agape in the Gospel to show Jesus takes us where we are to do the best we can.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes a contemplative teaching on three different ways or levels of seeing, and points out the need for people capable of seeing from the “third eye” and acting upon its wisdom. He wonders how far spiritual and political leaders can genuinely lead us without some degree of contemplative “third-eye” seeing and action. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that “us-and-them” seeing, and the dualistic thinking that results, is the foundation of almost all suffering and violence in the world.  It allows heads of religion and state to avoid their own founding teachers, their own national ideals, and their own better instincts. Lacking the contemplative gaze, such leaders will remain mere functionaries and technicians, or even dangers to society.

We need all three sets of eyes to create a healthy culture and a healthy religion. Without them, we only deepen and perpetuate our problems. The third-eye person has always been the saint, the seer, the poet, the metaphysician, or the authentic mystic who grasps the whole picture. We need true mystics who see with all three sets of eyes. Some call this movement conversion, some call it enlightenment, some transformation, and some holiness. It is Paul’s “third heaven,” where “he heard things that must not and cannot be put into human language” (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4). (Rohr, n.d.)

Acting with love to take care of the people we meet is the commission Jesus gives us and in which the Spirit guides our action.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 25. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/25 

John, CHAPTER 21. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21?15 

Meditation on John 21:15-19. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/06/03/399815/ 

Psalms, PSALM 103. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Third-Eye Seeing. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/third-eye-seeing-2022-06-03/ 

Schwager, D. (2022, June 3). Do You Love Jesus More Than These? Daily Scripture net. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=jun3 

Zuegner, C. (2022, June 3). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/060322.html