Surprises and expectations

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the surprises in living as disciples of Christ and some of the reactions we may expect from our society toward followers of Christ.

Community and Church

In the Acts of the Apostles, Paul travels to Philippi where Lydia hears the Good News and offers support in the mission of the Apostle to the Gentiles.

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

In the Gospel of John, Jesus instructs the disciples to expect the Holy Spirit to testify to the Truth of Jesus and also to know that this Truth will generate consequences of persecution from the religious authorities.

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

Molly Mattingly is inspired by Psalm 149 and the story of Lydia today to encourage us to join with God and take delight in God’s people, and, like Lydia, pay it forward.

we are told that God opened Lydia’s heart to receive the good news of Christ. God was there, in her heart, and in the events, practices, and relationships that had prepared her to receive. I picture Lydia with similar delight to my student, hearing something familiar from a foreign source and lighting up with recognition. She immediately wants to pay that forward, by offering hospitality to the disciples

Don Schwager quotes the Prayer of Anselm of Canterbury for support from the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

"O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Friar Jude Winkler shares some details about the encounter of Paul in Philippi with Lydia, a wealthy woman, who may have led first house Church. Disciples encounter some difficulty and pay a price for being Christian. Friar Jude focuses on the Glory in the opportunity to proclaim the Truth.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that living Jesus teachings on forgiveness, healing, and justice work are the only real evidence of a new and shared life. If we do not see this happening in churches and spiritual communities, religion is “all in the head” and largely an illusion.

Paul’s communities are his audiovisual aids that he can point to inside of a debauched empire (where human dignity was never upheld as inherent), to give credibility to his message. To people who asked, “Why should we believe there’s a new or different life possible?” Paul could say, “Look at these people. They’re different. This is a different social order.” In Christ, “there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, JB). This is not just a religious idea, but a socioeconomic message that began to change the world—and still can.

The journey of Spiritual Surprises and conflict with a debauched empire are experiences of living today with the Spirit.

References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 16 Paul in Lycaonia: Timothy. 1He reached (also) Derbe .... Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/acts16.htm

(n.d.). CHAPTER 16 John Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/16

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 7, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 7, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/

Called to loving communion

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary invite us to contemplate becoming friends of God as the Love of God is revealed to us by the Spirit.

A communion of friends

The narrative in the Acts of the Apostles centers on the conversion of the “God-fearer”, Cornelius.

* [10:1–48] The narrative centers on the conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile and a “God-fearer” (see note on Acts 8:26–40). Luke considers the event of great importance, as is evident from his long treatment of it. The incident is again related in Acts 11:1–18 where Peter is forced to justify his actions before the Jerusalem community and alluded to in Acts 15:7–11 where at the Jerusalem “Council” Peter supports Paul’s missionary activity among the Gentiles. The narrative divides itself into a series of distinct episodes, concluding with Peter’s presentation of the Christian kerygma (Acts 10:4–43) and a pentecostal experience undergone by Cornelius’ household preceding their reception of baptism (Acts 10:44–48).

The First Letter of John declares that Love, as we share in it, testifies to the nature of God.

* [4:7–12] Love as we share in it testifies to the nature of God and to his presence in our lives. One who loves shows that one is a child of God and knows God, for God’s very being is love; one without love is without God. The revelation of the nature of God’s love is found in the free gift of his Son to us, so that we may share life with God and be delivered from our sins. The love we have for one another must be of the same sort: authentic, merciful; this unique Christian love is our proof that we know God and can “see” the invisible God.

The Gospel of John exhorts us to grow into friends of God, as modeled by Abraham.

* [15:15] Slaves,friends: in the Old Testament, Moses (Dt 34:5), Joshua (Jos 24:29), and David (Ps 89:21) were called “servants” or “slaves of Yahweh”; only Abraham (Is 41:8; 2 Chr 20:7; cf. Jas 2:23) was called a “friend of God.”

Barbara Dilly finds two themes in the Gospel that may invoke tensions are inside of us.

There are two themes: 1) we are all human beings and God shows no partiality among those who act uprightly; 2) some are the chosen ones.  I do think those tensions appear elsewhere in the Bible. In fact, so much so that some Christians think that you must be a Christian of a certain sort who obeys specific narrow rules to be saved.  They feel so strongly about that they feel they are obliged to condemn those who are not among their ranks. They think that is their calling.
Well, the lessons for today clearly argue against that way of seeing the world.  Not only does God not show partiality to anyone who is acceptable to him, he is clear about what is acceptable.  It isn’t labels and laws. It is about love!

This article from the Christian Churches of God discusses Abraham as “friend of God.”

The parallel for us as Christians is that we make an agreement with God at baptism. We say, Yes! We’ll go where you want to go. We’ll do what you want to do. At baptism, we covenant with Him to love Him and obey Him. He in turn promises forgiveness, the gift of His spirit, and eternal life in His Kingdom. If we stick to our covenants with God and make sure we submit our wills and desires to His will – if we let Him set the pace and determine the route we will take, then we will be in agreement with Him which is one of the necessary factors for Him to call us His friends.

Don Schwager asks What does it mean to be a friend of God?

Friendship with God certainly entails a loving relationship which goes beyond mere duty and obedience. Jesus' discourse on friendship and brotherly love echoes the words of Proverbs: A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). The distinctive feature of Jesus' relationship with his disciples was his personal love for them. He loved his own to the end (John 13:1). His love was unconditional and wholly directed to the good of others. His love was also sacrificial. He gave the best he had and all that he had. He gave his very life for those he loved in order to secure for them everlasting life with the Father.

Friar Jude Winkler shares background on the gift of the Spirit to “God fearers” and beyond. The First Letter of John cites expiation for our sins and John In the Gospel indicates we are saved by Jesus revealing the Love of God. In the Life of the Trinity, we have to love one another in the small everyday events of our life and become willing to die to self especially for those we think do not deserve it.

The Orthodox Church in America shares Doctrine and Scripture understanding of the Letters of Saint John.

The first letter of Saint John proclaims that Jesus is truly “the Christ,” the Messiah and Son of God who has come “in the flesh” to the world as “the expiation of our sins, and not ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (2.2). Those who believe in Christ and are in communion with Him and His Father have the forgiveness of sins and the possibility not to sin any more (1.5–2.12). They “walk in the same way in which He walked” (2.6) being the “children of God” (3.1, 5.1). They know the truth by the direct inspiration of God through the anointment [chrisma] of the Holy Spirit (2.20–26; 6.7). They keep the commandments of God, the first and greatest of which is love, and so they are already recipients of eternal life, already possessing the indwelling of God the Father and Christ the Son “by the Spirit which He has given us” (2.24–3.24).

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, underlines that we come to know who God is through exchanges of mutual knowing and loving.

God’s basic method of communicating God’s self is not the “saved” individual, the rightly informed believer, or even a person with a career in ministry, but the journey and bonding process that God initiates in community: in marriages, families, tribes, nations, schools, organizations, and churches who are seeking to participate in God’s love, maybe without even consciously knowing it.

Our evangelization efforts need to attend to the advice of Fr. Richard that “until Christ is passed on personally through faithfulness and forgiveness, through concrete bonds of union, I doubt whether he is passed on by words, sermons, institutions, or ideas.”

References


(n.d.). Acts 10:34-43. Retrieved May 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/acts10.htm

(n.d.). 1 John, chapter 4 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1john/4

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 6, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john15:29

(n.d.). Why was Abraham called "the Friend of God"? (No. 35). Retrieved May 6, 2018, from http://www.ccg.org/weblibs/study-papers/p035.html

(n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 6, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 6, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2018, April 28). Daily Meditations Archive: April 2018 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 6, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2018/04/

Path of Promise and Persecution

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage contemplation of the path on which we travel and how we are guided along the way.

Spirit in the journey

The Acts of the Apostles describes the journey of Paul and Timothy through Lycaonia and the call of the Spirit to bring the Good News to Europe.

* [16:3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19–23).

In the Gospel from John, Jesus identifies that some are not receiving His message and that He and His disciples will encounter hate and persecution.

* [15:21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Mt 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus.

Sr. Candice Tucci comments on our travel as a spiritual journey in faith with a community of faith, past, present and future.

Our interior journey provides us the strength to live in our world by doing our part in witnessing to the Reign of God and securing it for our day and times to come.  We have choices as how to live in right relationship with all of creation which includes humankind and care for our planet, Earth.

The Word Among Us Website offers a reflection on how Paul and his companions had to learn to recognize the signs God sent them.

As you’re trying your best to follow his guidance, you’ll probably make both good and bad turns along the way. Remember, following God’s direction is not like a magic GPS. But with time, you’ll get better at hearing the Holy Spirit and acting on what you feel he’s saying to you. The more you work at listening for and following his lead, the more sensitive you’ll become.

Don Schwager quotes Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D., about those who suffer with Christ and reign with Christ.

"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the circumcision of Timothy because his Jewish identity comes from his mother. People who Follow the truth were identified as “anonymous Christians” by Karl Rahner. We notice that the Spirit guides in ways that may include dreams. John speaks of the world as those people who have rejected Jesus.

Todd Wilken notes that Anonymous Christianity is also taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."
"Those who no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience—those too may achieve eternal salvation."

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, exhorts us to commit to seeing God’s presence in someone or some creature this day.

you might greet them by placing your palms together at your chest, bowing, and speaking “Namaste.” (Namaste is a familiar Indian, Hindi greeting which means “I bow to the divine in you.”) Or you might say, “The Christ in me sees the Christ in you.” If it is uncomfortable to speak these words aloud, carry them in your heart. Bring this loving gaze and an inner stance of humility and recognition to all you encounter.

Our spiritual journey in resonance with the Spirit is the path to Life.

References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 16 Paul in Lycaonia: Timothy. 1He reached (also) Derbe .... Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/acts16.htm

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john15:29

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). 5th Week of Easter - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations .... Retrieved May 5, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). What is the Catholic Teaching of "Anonymous Christianity" by Todd .... Retrieved May 5, 2018, from http://www.issuesetcarchive.org/issues_site/resource/archives/anonchrs.htm 

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/

Freed for Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer guidance to our actions as loving friends of Jesus.

collective consciousness

The Acts of the Apostles tells the message from the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem to Gentile followers of Jesus about rules they need to follow.

Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).

In the Gospel from John, Jesus commands us to love one another as He does to His friends.

* [15:13] For one’s friends: or: “those whom one loves.” In Jn 15:9–13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapaō. In Jn 15:13b–15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileō. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean “to love”; cf. also Jn 21:15–17. The word philos is used here.

Tom Purcell imagines being in Judea 2,000 years ago and hearing through the grapevine that an itinerant teacher was drawing crowds, preaching a new order in which sharing love, not acquiring and exerting power, was the divine imperative. Tom’s prayer today is to stop, look, listen, and act.

Jesus doesn’t command people in general, he commands YOU and me and each one of us individually.  Because He commands each one of us, we each are individually accountable. How did we or didn’t we love when we saw someone in need, or heard someone ask for help, or observed a situation that called for a loving response?  It seems to me we can look in the mirror frequently and ask ourselves pointedly – how am I doing with this love command? What little things did I do or not do today, or in the last hour, or even in the last few minutes, that responded to this command?  Did I make someone’s life better by a simple act of kindness? Did I ignore someone by my insensitivity and in doing so make their life a little sadder? How aware am I of my loving, or un-loving responses and actions?

Don Schwager quotes Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD) showing Love encompasses the other commandments.

"This is my commandment." Have you then only one precept? This is sufficient, even if it is unique and so great. Nevertheless he also said, "Do not kill" (Matthew 19:18) because the one who loves does not kill. He said, "Do not steal," because the one who loves does even more—he gives. He said, "Do not lie," for the one who loves speaks the truth, against falsehood. "I give you a new commandment" (John 13:14). If you have not understood what "This is my commandment" means, let the apostle be summoned as interpreter and say, "The goal of his commandment is love" (1 Timothy 1:5). What is its binding force? It is that of which [the Lord] spoke, "Whatever you want others to do to you, you should do also" (Matthew 7:12)."Love one another" in accordance with this measure, "as I have loved you." That is not possible, for you are our Lord who loves your servants. But we who are equals, how can we love one another as you have loved us? Nevertheless, he has said it... His love is that he has called us his friends. If we were to give our life for you, would our love be equal to yours?... How then can what he said be explained, "As I have loved you"? "Let us die for each other," he said. As for us, we do not even want to live for one another! "If I, who am your Lord and God, die for you, how much more should you die for one another." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 19.13)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the amalgamation by Luke of the rules directed to the first century Church communities by the leaders in Jerusalem. Jesus example of Love is laying down our lives for others. Friar Jude explains that, as His friends, Jesus wants us to be the most loving people possible.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recognizes the work of Louis Savary and Patricia Berne who share how Christopher Bache, a college professor, noticed what he called “collective consciousness”. Savary and Berne turn to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin to explain how collective consciousness happens.

Love is the most powerful force or energy in the universe. That power is multiplied in relationships. Love’s potency is released most powerfully among people who have formed a relationship (a union). People who truly unite for a purpose beyond themselves become “differentiated” as they unite and work together in a shared consciousness to achieve their larger purpose.
. . . . In a true relationship, no one’s individuality is lost. It is increased. That is the beauty of Connections.

Friendship with Jesus draws us to seek the most loving response to Divine connection.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/acts/15:22

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john15:29

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2018, February 28). Daily Meditations Archives - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 4, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2018/02/

Chronology, Christology and Relationship

Texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today mentioning two apostles, Philip and James, on their feast day, also opens consideration of Ontology, Christology, Theophany and Kerygma.

Solid beginning

The Gospel Teaching (Kerygma) of Paul in the First Letter to the Corinthians contains the fundamental content of all Christian preaching and belief.

* [15:1–11] Paul recalls the tradition (1 Cor 15:3–7), which he can presuppose as common ground and which provides a starting point for his argument. This is the fundamental content of all Christian preaching and belief (1 Cor 15:1–2, 11).

In the Gospel from John, Philip seeks a revelation of God, or Theophany, similar to that in the Hebrew Testament to understand Jesus relationship to the Father.

* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18.

Amy Hoover asks how are we being invited to notice God in All Things today?

Jesus’ declaration that the Father is in him and he is in the Father is a reminder to me that we all carry God within us.  I think sometimes God is hidden beneath our wounds and our defenses but God is incarnate within us and animates us through our souls.  God is in all of us. Even those that challenge our patience or make us angry or do heinous things. God loves us all and is present within us.  We get to choose, however, to recognize this and enter into relationship or not.
Lastly, the reading from First Corinthians reminded me that God is in all of our experiences, even death.  God is always with us. Whether this is physical death or metaphorical death, God is there consoling us and inviting us to new life.  It a message of the Paschal Mystery. Each death we experience results in an opportunity for new life. Once again, we have to choose to see and enter into relationship with the one who brings the new life.

Larry W. Hurtado, PhD, FRSE scholar of the New Testament and Christian origins, explores the origins of the so-called “ontological” categories in the New Testament.

The so-called “ontological” categories are simply the products of one particular historical discourse and philosophical development, whereas the NT writings are largely shaped by the categories and concepts that derive from the biblical and ancient Jewish tradition.  So, for example, NT writers tend to refer to God’s name, glory, throne, and role as creator and sovereign over all, instead of God’s “being” or “essence.” If it seems to us inevitable that Christian thought had to develop into “ontological” expressions, I submit that this only reflects how much our outlook has been shaped by our intellectual history, so heavily influenced by Greek philosophical traditions.

Don Schwager quotes from “All nature serves for our instruction”, by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D..

"All nature serves the Word of God for our instruction. Through all the turning points of the year, as if through the four Gospels, we learn from the unceasing trumpet both what we should preach and what we should do... What is there through which the truth does not speak to us? Its voice is heard in the day, it is heard in the night, and the beauty of all things, established by the work of one God, does not cease to put into the ears of our hearts a ruling order, to let us see the 'invisible things of God through those which have been made intelligible to us,' and it is subject not to the creatures but to the Creator of all things." (excerpt from Sermon 19,2)

Franciscan Media reflects on the development in Saints Philip and James of the power to love like God.

As in the case of the other apostles, we see in James and Philip human men who became foundation stones of the Church, and we are reminded again that holiness and its consequent apostolate are entirely the gift of God, not a matter of human achieving. All power is God’s power, even the power of human freedom to accept his gifts. “You will be clothed with power from on high,” Jesus told Philip and the others. Their first commission had been to expel unclean spirits, heal diseases, announce the kingdom. They learned, gradually, that these externals were sacraments of an even greater miracle inside their persons—the divine power to love like God.

Friar Jude Winkler shares background on the Scripture Paul may have used to address the Corinthians. Our basis to continue Jesus Ministry is our entering into the relationship of Jesus and the Father. The Way of Jesus points to Truth even if we die we continue to live.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on the work of Jesuit philosopher and paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955), who by studying the human race over many thousands of years, realized that humanity was indeed learning to evolve in love. And once enough people began living with agape love, it would create a revolution like no other revolution. In time, such all-embracing love would bring about true freedom, true peace, and true harmony on Earth.

[In] Teilhard’s approach, when two people come together in a caring and productive way, not only are the two relating people enhanced and their capacities developed by their interaction, but their union, or relationship, becomes itself a Third Self [which] Teilhard calls . . . “a psychic unity” or “higher soul” or “higher center.” . . . The Third-Self relationship is capable of accomplishing more than either [of the members] alone.

Our essence as sons and daughters of God is our starting point to make Love visible.

References


(n.d.). 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. Retrieved May 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15

(n.d.). Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth * and the life. No one. Retrieved May 3, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/john14.htm

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 3, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(2016, September 26). Chronology and Ontology | Larry Hurtado's Blog. Retrieved May 3, 2018, from https://larryhurtado.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/chronology-and-ontology/ 

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 3, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Saints Philip and James – Franciscan Media. Retrieved May 3, 2018, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saints-philip-and-james/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 3, 2018, from https://cac.org/richard-rohr/daily-meditations/daily-meditations-archive/

Connecting to the vine

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today point to how our conscious love and decision to be guided by the Spirit bring us to bear fruit for the greater glory of God.

To the Glory of God

The Acts of the Apostles describes the lead up to the guidance from the Spirit as to whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include obligation to follow Mosaic Law and tradition.

* [15:1–5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation.

In the Gospel from John, Jesus describes the fruit of being connected to God through Him that gives glory to God.

* [15:2] Takes away,prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs.

Colleen Chiacchere asks us to reflect on “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15:8).

A few questions for us to reflect on today: What areas of our lives need the trust and hope that God will bear fruit?  What areas of my life are becoming withered and lifeless because I have separated God from them? For which areas is it easy for me to grateful …which are flourishing… like buds and flowers confidently growing up though the winter ground?

Don Schwager quotes from Cleansed by Jesus' word, by Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.

"So the world - life enslaved by carnal passions - can no more receive the grace of the Spirit than a weak eye can look at the light of a sunbeam. First the Lord cleansed his disciples' lives through his teaching, and then he gave them the ability to both see and contemplate the Spirit. He says, 'You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you' (John 15:3). Therefore 'the world cannot receive him, because it neither sees him nor knows him... You know him, for he dwells with you' (John 14:17). Isaiah says, 'He who settled the earth and the things in it; and gives breath to the people on it, and Spirit to them that tread on it' (Isaiah 42:5). From this we can learn that those who trample earthly things and rise above them become worthy to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (excerpt from ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 22.53)

Friar Jude Winkler explains the gathering  of Paul and Barnabas in Jerusalem to what prescriptions would apply to Gentiles since Jesus was sent by Yahweh to the Jewish people. Seeking the voice of the Spirit not their own opinions was crucial in this meeting. To bear good fruit we must continue nourishment in the Eucharist. God wants us to be one with Him.

Franciscan Media reflects today on the Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church who defended the true faith for his flock, regardless of the cost to himself. In today’s world we are experiencing this same call to remain true to our faith, no matter what.

Cynthia Bourgeault beautifully describes growth in “conscious love” in her sermon, given at her daughter’s wedding. (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Finally, “love endures all things.” . . . Everything that is tough and brittle shatters; everything that is cynical rots. The only way to endure is to forgive, over and over, to give back that openness and possibility for new beginning which is the very essence of love itself. And in such a way love comes full circle and can fully “sustain and make fruitful,” and the cycle begins again, at a deeper place. And conscious love deepens and becomes more and more rooted. . . .

Connected to the vine and open to pruning we thrive and glorify God.

References


(n.d.). Acts, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts/15

(n.d.). John, chapter 15 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john15:29

(n.d.). Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 2, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2018, April 28). Daily Meditations Archive: April 2018 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 2, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2018/04/

Working with transformation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate Jesus being present to us in the work we do and in our encounters with people and things.

Transformation time

In the Acts of the Apostles the travels of Paul and Barnabas to return to Antioch and the appointment of presbyters in the Greek communities are works in the name of Jesus.

* [14:23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18).

The Gospel from John describes Jesus promise to be with the disciples and to be shalom in their journey until He returns.

* [14:27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation šālôm; but Jesus’ “Shalom” is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing.

Chas Kestermeir, S.J. is inspired to ask where Jesus is present to us.

Whether we see Him or not, He actually is present to us in those around us in all their weakness and need to be loved: “What you do for the least of my brothers...” (cf. Matthew 25:40).  And that is especially true for each of us: He is more present to us than we are to ourselves....

May 1st is the Optional Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker and the liturgy for this feast vindicates the right to work. In many of the documents of the Church, reference is made to the Christian spirit that should permeate one's work, after the example of St. Joseph. The Catholic Culture website notes there is a special dignity and value to the work done in caring for the family.

COLLECT PRAYERO God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Don Schwager reminds us of the peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)? What kind of peace does Jesus grant as his gift to his disciples?

The peace of Christ is more than the absence of trouble. It includes everything which makes for our highest good. The world's approach to peace is avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face unpleasant things. Jesus offers the peace which conquers our fears and anxieties. Nothing can take us from the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. No sorrow or grief, no danger, no suffering can make it less.

Friar Jude Winkler points to the travelog of Paul and Barnabas to show the work they did without ever losing faith. In the Gospel Jesus is leaving peace or shalom that is profound like the lion lying with lamb. Satan has no power over Jesus and the disciples if they live in the Love and obedience to which they are called.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, references James Finley and Martin Buber to express that love demands a transformation of consciousness.

Think of Paul’s famous “I live no longer, not I, but with the life of Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is not fantastic religious poetry, it is the heart of the experience of human and divine love. What we allow ourselves to see is what we eventually become.

We must be liberated from ourselves, which is done by somehow becoming the other.

References

(n.d.). Acts, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 1, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/acts14:230

(n.d.). John, chapter 14 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 1, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john14:36

(2018, May 1). Optional Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker - May 01, 2018 - Liturgical .... Retrieved May 1, 2018, from https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2018-05-01

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 1, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(2018, April 28). Daily Meditations Archive: April 2018 - Center for Action and .... Retrieved May 1, 2018, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2018/04/