Love for All

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the laws we follow that support our desire to follow the Way of abiding in Jesus.

Laws for Love

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the Council of Jerusalem. 

* [15:13–35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. 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).

* [15:14] Symeon: elsewhere in Acts he is called either Peter or Simon. The presence of the name Symeon here suggests that, in the source Luke is using for this part of the Jerusalem “Council” incident, the name may have originally referred to someone other than Peter (see Acts 13:1 where the Antiochene Symeon Niger is mentioned). As the text now stands, however, it is undoubtedly a reference to Simon Peter (Acts 15:7). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 offers praise to God Who comes in Judgement.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus exhorts us to abide in His love.

* [15:1–16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

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

Don Schwager quotes “Joy in rejoicing over us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"And what else is Christ's joy in us except that he is pleased to rejoice over us? And what is this joy of ours that he says is to be made full, but our having fellowship with him?... His joy, therefore, in us is the grace he has bestowed on us, and that is also our joy. But he rejoiced over this joy even from eternity when he chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Nor can we rightly say that his joy was not full. For God's joy was never at any time imperfect. But that joy of his was not in us. For we, in whom that joy could exist, had as yet no existence. And even when our existence commenced, it began not to be in him. But in him it always was, who in the infallible truth of his own foreknowledge rejoiced that we should yet be his own. Accordingly, he had a joy over us that was already full when he rejoiced in foreknowing and foreordaining us. And there could hardly be any fear intermingling in that joy of his that might imply a possible failure in what he foreknew would be done by himself." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 83.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:9-11 comments that when Jesus tells us, “Remain in my love,” we can receive it as an invitation to do a spiritual version of Swedish death cleaning. We can ask whether there are other loves—false loves—that are distracting us, burdening us, or preventing us from fully remaining in the love of Jesus.

Jesus promised that as we remain in his love, his joy will be in us and our joy will “be complete” (John 15:11). Like the people who practice Swedish death cleaning but on a much deeper level, our hearts will be lighter and our minds will be clearer.

“Jesus, your love is all I need! Help me to remain in that love.” (Meditation on John 15:9-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the account of the Council of Jerusalem where Paul and Barnabas receive the rules that Gentile converts should observe. The earlier version of this meeting in Galatians emphasizes the role of Paul and requires no observance of Mosaic Law by the Gentile converts. Friar Jude reminds us of the joy, not happiness, that we experience as we attend to the mission of abiding in Jesus.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest and spiritual director Margaret Guenther (1929–2016) reflects upon the challenge of “true” simplicity.

We grow in generosity as we embrace simplicity. We are able to hold all things lightly and, if need be, let them go—our possessions, our money, our pretensions, even our anger, our prejudices, and our fears. But the letting-go, if it is the fruit of generous simplicity, can never be coerced. It must be joyful, and it must be voluntary. It is not to be confused with spiritual deadness, living without passion. Indeed, we live more passionately because we are set free from the burdensome work of holding on tightly to anything that comes within our grasp. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Holy Spirit to guide us in the path that abides in the Love of Christ and serves the needs of the people we encounter on our journey. 

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?7 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?9 

Meditation on John 15:9-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/02/947510/ 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Set Free from Holding Tightly. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/set-free-from-holding-tightly/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Abide in My Love. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may2 

Life Connected to the Vine

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today underline the connection between the Love of God in Christ and our full life in Christian community.

Connection to the Vine

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes The Council at Jerusalem.

* [15:1–35] The Jerusalem “Council” marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing.

* [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. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 122 is a Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)! (Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John declares Jesus as the True Vine.

* [15:1–17] Like Jn 10:1–5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Is 5:1–7; Mt 21:33–46 and as a vine at Ps 80:9–17; Jer 2:21; Ez 15:2; 17:5–10; 19:10; Hos 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Ps 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sir 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf. Mk 14:25, “the fruit of the vine.”

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

* [15:6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

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

Don Schwager quotes “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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:1-8 comments that of course, Jesus glorified his Father perfectly. We can glorify God too, even if we don’t do it perfectly.

In ancient Israel, a rabbi had disciples—people who followed him, were formed by him, and spread his teaching. The goal was that anyone who saw the disciple would immediately recognize the master through that disciple’s words and actions. The same is true for us, followers of the Lord. The more we are conformed to the Son who perfectly reflects the Father, the more we can bring him glory!

God can be glorified in each one of us. So stay close to Jesus. Let him make you more like himself. And let his life shine forth from you today.

“Jesus, help me to glorify my heavenly Father!” (Meditation on John 15:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler asks the question of the Council of Jerusalem about what do the people who convert become? Perhaps a Jew who believes in Jesus as Messiah? What about observing Mosaic Law? The parable of the Vine and the Fruit in the Last Supper Discourse indicates a choice we have to make. Friar Jude reminds us that if we choose not to be one with God in Jesus, it will not be so.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers Francis and Clare of Assisi models of the liberation and joy of letting go. 

When we agree to live simply, we put ourselves outside of others’ ability to buy us off, reward us falsely, or control us by money, status, punishment, and loss or gain. This is the most radical level of freedom, but, of course, it’s not easy to come by. Francis and Clare created a life in which they had little to lose, no desire for gain, no debts to pay, and no luxuries they needed or wanted. Most of us can only envy them. 

When we agree to live simply, we can understand what Francis meant when he said, “A man had not yet given up everything for God as long as he held on to the moneybag of his own opinions.” [1] Most of us find that this purse is far more dangerous than a money purse, and we seldom let go of it.  

When we agree to live simply, we don’t consider people who are immigrants, refugees, or unhoused as a threat or as competition. We’ve chosen their marginal state for ourselves—freely and consciously becoming “visitors and pilgrims” in this world, as Francis puts it (quoting 1 Peter 2:11). A simple lifestyle is quite simply an act of solidarity with the way most people have lived since the beginnings of humanity. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to find the path that opens the experience of the Love of God as expressed by Christ through the Christian community to all God’s people.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?1 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?1 

Meditation on John 15:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/01/947008/ 

Psalms, PSALM 122 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/122?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Joy of Simplicity. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-joy-of-simplicity/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Abide in Me, and I in You. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may1