Trust and Service

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of how we navigate the challenges of our lives.

Still Waters

The passage from the Acts of the Apostles explains the calling of seven men to assist in distribution of assistance to the Greek speaking widows in the community.

* [6:1–7] The Hellenists…the Hebrews: the Hellenists were not necessarily Jews from the diaspora, but were more probably Palestinian Jews who spoke only Greek. The Hebrews were Palestinian Jews who spoke Hebrew or Aramaic and who may also have spoken Greek. Both groups belong to the Jerusalem Jewish Christian community. The conflict between them leads to a restructuring of the community that will better serve the community’s needs. The real purpose of the whole episode, however, is to introduce Stephen as a prominent figure in the community whose long speech and martyrdom will be recounted in Acts 7.

In the Gospel from John, Jesus becomes present to the apostles as they struggle in dangerous seas.

* [6:16–21] The fifth sign is a nature miracle, portraying Jesus sharing Yahweh’s power. Cf. the parallel stories following the multiplication of the loaves in Mk 6:45–52 and Mt 14:22–33.

Susan Naatz believes that the Apostles experienced peace and tranquility which sprang from their deep trust of Jesus.  Their trust and love for him helped their fear to dissipate.

Over and over in scripture, God assures us that we are loved and protected. In this gospel encounter we see how Jesus reassures his friends by inviting them to trust him.  “It is I. Do not be afraid.” He reminds them that he will protect them just as he protects us while we navigate the challenges of our lives.

Don Schwager comments on Jesus as a very present help in trouble.

The Scriptures remind us that the Lord is "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Whatever storms may beset us, he promises to "bring us to our desired haven" and place of calm rest and safety (Psalm 107:29-30). The Lord keeps watch over us at all times, and especially in our moments of temptation and difficulty. Do you rely on the Lord for his strength and help?

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the description of Luke of the community also includes details of difficulties between linguistic groups. The fifth sign in the Gospel of John is a nature miracle the is connected to Psalm 23. The community can see a fulfillment of this Psalm in Jesus.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, concludes discussions on the role of our bodies with an invitation to relax into our natural rhythm of breathing and to rest in gratitude for the wisdom of our body and the collective human body that all breathes the same air.
References

(n.d.). Acts, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts6:54

(n.d.). John 6. Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/john6.htm

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 14, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

Life Giving endeavour

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that Jesus disciples are called to follow Him as channels of Life giving Love.

Bread and Life

In the Acts of the Apostles, Rabbi Gamaliel advises the Sanhedrin that they may be working against God if those preaching Jesus message are inspired by the Spirit.

* [5:36–37] Gamaliel offers examples of unsuccessful contemporary movements to argue that if God is not the origin of this movement preached by the apostles it will perish by itself. The movement initiated by Theudas actually occurred when C. Cuspius Fadus was governor, A.D. 44–46. Luke’s placing of Judas the Galilean after Theudas and at the time of the census (see note on Lk 2:1–2) is an indication of the vagueness of his knowledge of these events.

The large crowd following Jesus in the Gospel of John participates in a sign of Jesus offering to them the Bread of Life in a prefiguring of the Eucharist.

* [6:1–15] This story of the multiplication of the loaves is the fourth sign (cf. note on Jn 5:1–47). It is the only miracle story found in all four gospels (occurring twice in Mark and Matthew). See notes on Mt 14:13–21; 15:32–39. John differs on the roles of Philip and Andrew, the proximity of Passover (Jn 6:4), and the allusion to Elisha (see Jn 6:9). The story here symbolizes the food that is really available through Jesus. It connotes a new exodus and has eucharistic overtones.

Mariana Miller is challenged to trust in the new life that the risen Christ wants to give through the Holy Spirit and resist fighting back to keep control, but being open to the Spirit and being generous in her response.

The Gospel passage of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to feed those who had even forgotten to eat as they were spending time with Jesus and listening to him, is just a wonderful story of generosity and trust where we are invited to collaborate and share, to offer all that we have in order for all to be able to be fed. Let us pray that we remain open to the Spirit of God that wants to bring new life to us individually, but also to our community through our generous sharing and collaboration so that all can have what they need.

Don Schwager offers questions for us to consider when we approach the Table of the Lord. What do we expect to receive? Healing, pardon, comfort, and rest for your soul?

The Lord has much more for us, more than we can ask or imagine. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist at the Lord's Table is an intimate union with Jesus Christ, our Divine Healer and Savior. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments to creatures and to be more firmly rooted in the love of Christ.

Friar Jude Winkler identifies Rabbi Gamaliel and notes the transformation of the apostles who, filled with the Spirit, suffer and give thanks to the Lord. Some of the many connections of Jesus sign with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to the people, Moses, Psalm 23, poverty and the Eucharist are shared in his commentary.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, today continues the theme of the role of our bodies in contemplative action by introducing Barbara Holmes who reflects on fighting for justice with contemplative practices and activism using the example of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Now, fifty plus years after the CRM, another approach is needed, and the BLMM like the LGBTQIA justice movements are updating the art of contemplative confrontation and noncompliance with the status quo . . . oppression and violence against black bodies. Today, the most respectable image that young protesters can offer is their authenticity, resolute voices, and pride in community and culture. . . . The BLMM uses disruption for transformation rather than the predictable politeness and political compromises that were part of the ordinary negotiations of social activists. . .

Rabbi Gamaliel calls for contemplation about the movement preaching the message of Jesus to discern if the Spirit of God is in their action. The Bread of Life is offered by Jesus to those seeking God who encounter Divine abundance as a response to poverty.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/5:34

(n.d.). John, chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/6

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 13, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Abundant Love addresses our need

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that the Abundant Love of God is always available to assist our journey.

God or Men?

Three verses stand out to frame the theme today.

We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5.29The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Psalm 34.6He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. John 3.34

The Sanhedrin are told by Peter, in the Acts of the Apostles, that the disciples of Jesus must obey God not men.

The Psalm of thanksgiving declares that God hears the cry of the poor.

* [Psalm 34] A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22).

In the Gospel from John, Nicodemus is taught that Jesus comes from the Father with the gift of the Spirit.

* [3:34] His gift: of God or to Jesus, perhaps both. This verse echoes Jn 5:8.

Cindy Murphy Mcmahon reflects on how often we face decisions or dilemmas that cause us to question the right course of action. Sometimes we are choosing between what our heart, or gut, tells us vs. what the social norm or “preferred way” dictates.

His (Peter) assurance was due in part to the fact, as stated by John in the Gospel, that God is indeed trustworthy. We can trust that if we truly believe, after reflecting and praying, that we are acting according to God’s guidance, then we are acting justly. If new information comes to light or things don’t turn out as planned, we can still be assured that God is pleased with our attempts to do the right thing and will show us the way forward once again.

Don Schwager quotes the advice of Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D., to always bless the Lord! This advice resonates with the attitude of Job.

"When are you to 'bless the Lord?' When he showers blessings on you? When earthly goods are plentiful? When you have a plethora of grain, oil, wine, gold, silver... - while your mortal body remains healthy, uninjured and free from disease; while everything that is born on your estate is growing well, and nothing is snatched away by untimely death; while every kind of happiness floods your home and you have all you want in profusion? Is it only then that you are to bless the Lord? No, but 'at all times.' So you are to bless him equally when from time to time, or because the Lord God wishes to discipline you, these good things let you down or are taken from you, when there are fewer births or the already-born slip away. These things happen, and their consequence is poverty, need, hardship, disappointment and temptation. But you sang, 'I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be in my mouth always,' so when the Lord gives you these good things, bless him, and when he takes them away, bless him. He it is who gives, and he it is who takes away, but he does not take himself away from anyone who blesses him. (excerpt from EXPOSITIONS OF THE PSALMS 34.3)

Friar Jude Winkler compares the inability of Peter to refrain from preaching to the fire within Jeremiah that he could not contain. The Law and some special Prophets, Eli, Elijah and Moses, connected to apocalyptic texts in Scriptures, were thought to bring understanding of heaven. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that He is one who is come from heaven.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, wonders why the same battles for justice must be fought by every generation.

Certainly, there were enough sacrifices, martyrs, and legislation during the ’60s to ensure justice for all. Yet . . . “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities and the rulers of darkness in high places” [Ephesians 6:12]. The powers or systems do everything they can to resist change. In response to the demand for justice, systems morph and adjust while maintaining the status quo.

In the confrontation with injustice, greed and evil we have the Spirit to guide us to the Will of God who hears the cry of the poor.
References


(n.d.). Acts 5. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/5:27

(n.d.). psalm 34. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/psalms34.htm

(n.d.). John 3. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/john/3:31 

 
(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Love and choices

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that the universal free gift of Love is interpreted as a threat by some.

https://www.amazon.com/John-T-Shirt-Colors-Sports-Jersey/dp/B01LBJJAJA

In the Acts of the Apostles, the Sadducees judge the followers of Jesus to be inauthentic prophets.

In this crisis the apostles are favored by a miraculous release from prison (Acts 5:18–24). (For similar incidents involving Peter and Paul, see Acts 12:6–11; 16:25–29.) The real significance of such an event, however, would be manifest only to people of faith, not to unbelievers; since the Sanhedrin already judged the Twelve to be inauthentic prophets, it could disregard reports of their miracles.

The well known text of John 3:16 in the Gospel declares Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment.

* [3:17–19] Condemn: the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment; some condemn themselves by turning from the light.

Scott McClure wonders how often he is like the boy in the story of The Giving Tree, receiving God’s gifts without recognizing that they come from Him, or why they come from Him.

John reminds us that Jesus did not come to condemn but to save. And while God’s love is dependent neither on our reception of it nor on our recognition of him as the giver, we are still called to recognize his presence in our daily lives. Therefore, this Easter season, let us each make an effort to live our lives as prayers of thanksgiving in recognition of God’s enduring and unfailing love.

Today is the Optional Memorial of St. Stanislaus, bishop & martyr and Catholic Culture website details the life of St. Stanislaus of Cracow who reminds us to seek the gift of fortitude.

Sometimes evil has to be confronted boldly, whatever the consequences. Brave men like St. Stanislaus of Cracow risked death in facing evil. There is little chance today that we will ever be in that danger, but we must always be willing to defend the truth, and it should be very clear, in the face of genuine evil, where we stand. Christ our Lord can expect no less from us. Say an extra prayer today for the gift of fortitude.

Don Schwager asserts that If our love is guided by what is true, and good, and beautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. He quotes John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D., on The Intensity of God's Love and Our Response.

"The text, 'God so loved the world,' shows such an intensity of love. For great indeed and infinite is the distance between the two. The immortal, the infinite majesty without beginning or end loved those who were but dust and ashes, who were loaded with ten thousand sins but remained ungrateful even as they constantly offended him. This is who he 'loved.' For God did not give a servant, or an angel or even an archangel 'but his only begotten Son.' And yet no one would show such anxiety even for his own child as God did for his ungrateful servants..."    "He laid down his life for us and poured forth his precious blood for our sake - even though there is nothing good in us - while we do not even pour out our money for our own sake and neglect him who died for us when he is naked and a stranger... We put gold necklaces on ourselves and even on our pets but neglect our Lord who goes about naked and passes from door to door... He gladly goes hungry so that you may be fed; naked so that he may provide you with the materials for a garment of incorruption, yet we will not even give up any of our own food or clothing for him...  These things I say continually, and I will not cease to say them, not so much because I care for the poor but because I care for your souls." (HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 27.2–3)

Friar Jude Winkler gives background on the conservative heritage of the Sadducees and their fear of the crowd who respected the apostles as messengers of God. In the very dualistic Gospel of John, Jesus purpose is to save but we have to choose to walk in the light and avoid the darkness.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Barbara Brown Taylor who writes in An Altar in the World that where Christians are concerned, our attitude to our bodies leaves us in the peculiar position of being followers of the Word Made Flesh who neglect our own flesh or—worse—who treat our bodies with shame and scorn.

My body is what connects me to all of these other people. Wearing my skin is not a solitary practice but one that brings me into communion with all these other embodied souls. It is what we most have in common with one another. In Christian teaching followers of Jesus are called to honor the bodies of our neighbors as we honor our own. In [Jesus’] expanded teaching by example, this includes leper bodies, possessed bodies, widow and orphan bodies, as well as foreign bodies and hostile bodies—none of which he shied away from. Read from the perspective of the body, his ministry was about encountering those whose flesh was discounted by the world in which they lived.

In the tension between closed and open, contained and released, true goodness and beauty and the opposite we are thankful to God for so loving the world.

References


(n.d.). USCCB - NAB - Acts 5 - lantius.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018, from http://lantius.org/leew/project/bible/acts/acts5.htm

(n.d.). Acts 5.17-26. Retrieved April 11, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/5:17

(n.d.). John 3:16-17. Retrieved April 11, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/john3.htm

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 11, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(2018, April 10). Optional Memorial of St. Stanislaus, bishop & martyr - April 11, 2018 .... Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2018-04-11

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

(n.d.). Amazon.com: John 3:16 T-Shirt, Three 16, 316 Colors Sports Jersey .... Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://www.amazon.com/John-T-Shirt-Colors-Sports-Jersey/dp/B01LBJJAJA

Tension and being lifted up

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today teach us to learn from tension between people and the ideas they profess.

From Henry Ossawa Tanner, 'Nicodemus Coming to Christ'

Luke describes and ideal attitude towards possessions in the Acts of the Apostles.

* [4:32–37] This is the second summary characterizing the Jerusalem community (see note on Acts 2:42–47). It emphasizes the system of the distribution of goods and introduces Barnabas, who appears later in Acts as the friend and companion of Paul, and who, as noted here (Acts 4:37), endeared himself to the community by a donation of money through the sale of property. This sharing of material possessions continues a practice that Luke describes during the historical ministry of Jesus (Lk 8:3) and is in accord with the sayings of Jesus in Luke’s gospel (Lk 12:33; 16:9, 11, 13).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches Nicodemus about the need to be born again.

* [3:15] Eternal life: used here for the first time in John, this term stresses quality of life rather than duration.

Ann Mausbach offers an example of how it is in the tension that we can form understanding and meaning.

Many times, when we think about letting Spirit in our lives, the word surrender surfaces, but I think what Jesus is trying to tell us today is that it isn’t so much about letting go as it is in opening up. Surrender means to give up and this is the opposite of what God wants for our relationship. God wants us to lean in. Being open requires us to work with the tension that is inherent in all relationships.

Kermit Zarley shares one point of view on the new birth that Jesus presents to Nicodemus.

So, by truly believing in Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, and thus accepting him as our Savior, we have the promise of eternal life in the eschaton–the blessed world-to-come.

Don Schwager exhorts us to experience life in the death of Jesus as he quotes Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D. on how Jesus descended so that we might ascend.

"Spiritual birth happens when human beings, being earthly, become heavenly. And this can only happen when they are made members of me. So that he may ascend who descended, since no one ascends who did not descend. Therefore everyone who needs to be changed and raised must meet together in a union with Christ so that the Christ who descended may ascend, considering his body (that is to say, his church)6 as nothing other than himself." (ON THE MERITS AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND ON INFANT BAPTISM 1.60)

Friar Jude Winkler explores the conflicts that Luke’s optimism about the community may overshadow. There are words in the Gospel of John that require us to contemplate many scenarios about Jesus that arise from ambiguity.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Michael Poffenberger
Executive Director, Center for Action and Contemplation quoting Brian McLaren on the importance of considering hearing difficult prophetic truth.

Truth, especially prophetic truth, can be hard for all of us to hear sometimes. Our hope is that together we can develop a contemplative stance that can lean into the places where we’ve grown too comfortable. As one of our CONSPIRE 2018 presenters, Brian McLaren, points out, “Comfort and power can become great enemies of true spirituality, which explains why we often say that the prophets come not only to comfort the afflicted, but also to afflict the comfortable.” We are so grateful to be in this sometimes uncomfortable community with you. We strongly believe that each person’s participation truly matters and impacts the whole.

In the tension between what we know now and the revelation of other knowledge we find the space for the necessary contemplation that opens our understanding to the Spirit.
References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts4:56

(n.d.). John 3:16-17. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/john3.htm

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html 

(2014, February 2). Was Jesus Original in Telling Nicodemus To Be "Born Again"? - Patheos. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kermitzarleyblog/2014/02/was-jesus-original-telling-nicodemus-to-be-born-again/ 

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Learning about status through Mary

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary on Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord can initiate contemplation of the connection between the status we experience in our ordinary lives and the place of dignity we share with all humanity as siblings of Jesus.

From ‘The Annunciation’ by Helen Elwes. Photo: Campion Hall

The connection of our lives to the will of God is in the forefront of the declaration in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah that God is with us.

* [7:14] Isaiah’s sign seeks to reassure Ahaz that he need not fear the invading armies of Syria and Israel in the light of God’s promise to David (2 Sm 7:12–16). The oracle follows a traditional announcement formula by which the birth and sometimes naming of a child is promised to particular individuals (Gn 16:11; Jgs 13:3). The young woman: Hebrew ‘almah designates a young woman of marriageable age without specific reference to virginity. The Septuagint translated the Hebrew term as parthenos, which normally does mean virgin, and this translation underlies Mt 1:23. Emmanuel: the name means “with us is God.” Since for the Christian the incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s willingness to “be with us,” it is understandable that this text was interpreted to refer to the birth of Christ.

In the Letter to the Hebrews, the author declares the status of Jesus as high priest who replaces the sin offerings of the Hebrew Tradition.

* [10:1–10] Christian faith now realizes that the Old Testament sacrifices did not effect the spiritual benefits to come but only prefigured them (Heb 10:1). For if the sacrifices had actually effected the forgiveness of sin, there would have been no reason for their constant repetition (Heb 10:2). They were rather a continual reminder of the people’s sins (Heb 10:3). It is not reasonable to suppose that human sins could be removed by the blood of animal sacrifices (Heb 10:4). Christ, therefore, is here shown to understand his mission in terms of Ps 40:5–7, cited according to the Septuagint (Heb 10:5–7). Jesus acknowledged that the Old Testament sacrifices did not remit the sins of the people and so, perceiving the will of God, offered his own body for this purpose (Heb 10:8–10).

The Gospel of Luke describes the decision of Mary to surrender to the will of God and be the Mother wherein the Word becomes flesh.

* [1:36–37] The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angel’s announcement to her is the pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. If a woman past the childbearing age could become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Mary’s pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God.

Edward Morse shares growing closer to Mary, attracted by her gentle yet powerful commitment to our Lord, which begins at the annunciation and continues throughout Jesus’ life, which begins at the annunciation and continues throughout Jesus’ life, even to his death on the cross.

Instead of focusing on her rights, her interests, or her own discomfort, Mary offered herself wholly to the Lord.  The concept of a handmaid was familiar to her, as servant/slave status was a common feature of life in this era. Yet she embraced that status, placing herself in a position to receive whatever the Lord would send her way, instead of preferring her own way instead.

Don Schwager quotes Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D. on being born of God.

"Just imagine the incredible kindness and mercy! He was the only Son, but He did not want to remain alone. So that humans might be born of God God was born of humans. Begotten of God is He through Whom we were created - Born of a woman is He through Whom we are to be re-created. The Word first wished to be born of humans, so that you might be assured of being born of God" (excerpt from Sermon on John 2, 13)

Gerard J. Hughes SJ comments on a John Henry Newman sermon that urges thinking about Mary as she appears from the texts to help us to understand our own call to faith.

thinking about Mary as she appears from the texts can help us to understand our own call to faith. I would like to try to develop these three themes. What, then, in our lives corresponds to the natural love of a mother for her child which illuminated the meaning of it all for Mary? Surely the answer to that has to be the practice of prayer. Prayer after all is love seeking understanding. Prayer in love seeks a grasp of God which is deeper than all our everyday words, beyond our best theological formulae.

Friar Jude Winkler examines the subtle patterns in Scripture that develop our understanding of the Annunciation and the freedom of Mary to surrender to the will of God. Mary begins her mission immersed in signs, promises, and faith that will develop as she meets the challenges of Mother of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, connects that in Paul’s estimation, the old world was forever gone and a new world of universal human dignity emerges, grounded in our objective and universal Christ identity.

Perhaps the present #MeToo movement is encouraging a similar revolution. Today we are witnessing a fear-based reaction in the United States from people who need their white (often male) privilege and superiority, who do not want to be told that people who are poor, any who cannot afford health insurance, refugees and immigrants, people of color, and individuals with bodily or developmental limitations have equal dignity. Power systems like to preserve a hierarchy in which some people are higher and some are lower. The Gospel has no use for it.

Faith and prayer are connected so that we grow in one through the practice of the other and status as disciples of Jesus moves toward the example of Mary. 
References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 7 The Syro-Ephraimite War Crisis in Judah. 1In the days of .... Retrieved April 9, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/isaiah7.

(n.d.). Hebrews, chapter 10 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 9, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/10

n.d.). Luke 1. Retrieved April 9, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/luke1.htm

(n.d.). Creighton's Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 9, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 9, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, March 24). Between doctrine and discipleship: reflections on the Annunciation .... Retrieved April 9, 2018, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/between-doctrine-and-discipleship-reflections-annunciation

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 9, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Mercy and faith

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Second Sunday of Easter (Or Sunday of Divine Mercy), lead us to hear the Word in Scripture and Tradition about mercy and faith.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinhutton

The Acts of the Apostles describes the sharing concern of the early Christian community for each other.

* [4:32–37] This is the second summary characterizing the Jerusalem community (see note on Acts 2:42–47). It emphasizes the system of the distribution of goods and introduces Barnabas, who appears later in Acts as the friend and companion of Paul, and who, as noted here (Acts 4:37), endeared himself to the community by a donation of money through the sale of property. This sharing of material possessions continues a practice that Luke describes during the historical ministry of Jesus (Lk 8:3) and is in accord with the sayings of Jesus in Luke’s gospel (Lk 12:33; 16:9, 11, 13).

In the First Letter of John, faith is described as the source of power in the world for the Christian.

* [5:1–5] Children of God are identified not only by their love for others (1 Jn 4:7–9) and for God (1 Jn 5:1–2) but by their belief in the divine sonship of Jesus Christ. Faith, the acceptance of Jesus in his true character and the obedience in love to God’s commands (1 Jn 5:3), is the source of the Christian’s power in the world and conquers the world of evil (1 Jn 5:4–5), even as Christ overcame the world (Jn 16:33).

The Conclusion of the Gospel of John follows the deep profession of faith by Thomas, recipient of the mercy of God in his encounter with the Resurrected Jesus.

* [20:1–31] The risen Jesus reveals his glory and confers the Spirit. This story fulfills the basic need for testimony to the resurrection. What we have here is not a record but a series of single stories.

Carol Zuegner declares that we all doubt. She characterizes doubts about our ability, our loved ones, our being abandoned. Sometimes we are not sure we are worth much.

The good news: We can believe in Jesus, in the crucifixion and the resurrection. Even if we can’t touch the nail marks or the scourges in Jesus’ side, we can believe in the presence of Jesus in our lives.
And if we believe in that presence, we have to erase the doubt about ourselves and others. Today also is the Sunday of Divine Mercy, fitting as God’s mercy compels us to act, to forgive, to console, to help. Acting with mercy compels us to overcome our doubts about ourselves and about others. I can help. I can contribute. I can see the God in others and in myself.

Pope Francis teaches that mercy is key to the life of faith.

Harry Elias SJ shares a wealth of connections to Scripture that encourage us to keep asking whether we truly believe in, and so experience, the power of God’s mercy.

The faithfulness of God in fulfilling these prophecies is seen both as judgment on evil and as merciful love, bringing forgiveness. For Jesus, salvation and God’s mercy were the focus; his warnings of judgment were to enable people to repent and receive God’s mercy in the grace of forgiveness. Jesus suffered obediently the judgment of death for sin, which is common to all, but in his rising from the dead, God’s mercy comes in the Holy Spirit, with forgiveness for all who repent and believe in him and are baptised (see Acts 2:38).

The Catholic Culture website shares this excerpt from the Diary of Sr. M. Faustina Kowalska.

"[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice.

Don Schwager shares a prayer for disciples of Jesus today.

"Lord Jesus Christ, through your victory over sin and death you have overcome all the powers of sin and darkness. Help me to draw near to you and to trust in your life-giving word. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and strengthen my faith in your promises and my hope in the power of your resurrection."

Friar Jude Winkler comments on Luke as a bit of a pollyanna, the community in the First Letter of John now needing commandments, and the different viewpoints of the mystic and the historian on the timing of the Spirit given to the Apostles. Thomas declares a strong profession of faith that Jesus is God even in light of Shema prayer of Jews.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that Jesus returned to the “flesh” after the Resurrection; so, flesh cannot be bad, as it is the ongoing hiding place of God.

Christianity makes a daring and broad affirmation: God is redeeming matter and spirit, the whole of creation. The Bible speaks of the “new heavens and the new earth” and the descent of the “new Jerusalem from the heavens” to “live among us” (Revelation 21:1-3). This physical universe and our own physicality are somehow going to share in the Eternal Mystery. Your body participates in the very mystery of salvation. In fact, it is the new and lasting temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and throughout Paul’s letters).

Our need for mercy and the renewal of mercy as the centre of our understanding of the heart of Jesus is our starting point for continuing to “Come and See” the Way.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 8, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts4:56

(n.d.). 1 John, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 8, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1john/5

(n.d.). John, chapter 20 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 8, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/20:1

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 8, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(2015, April 10). Doubting Thomas and faith in the resurrection | Thinking Faith: The .... Retrieved April 8, 2018, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/doubting-thomas-and-faith-resurrection

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 8, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 8, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/