Chosen Out of the World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer the example of Paul and his dedication to sharing the Way and the teaching of Jesus to meet opposition with Love.

Opposition by the World

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Timothy joins Paul and Silas and Paul shares a vision of the man of Macedonia.

* [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).

* [16:7] The Spirit of Jesus: this is an unusual formulation in Luke’s writings. The parallelism with Acts 16:6 indicates its meaning, the holy Spirit. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 100 declares all lands are summoned to Praise God.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them.

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John describes the World’s Hatred.

* [15:18–16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Mt 10:17–25; 24:9–10.

* [15:20] The word I spoke to you: a reference to Jn 13:16.

* [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. (John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

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

Don Schwager quotes “Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:18-21 comments that like our Lord, we need to see our persecutors as men and women who are created in the image of God and are loved by the Father. We need to remember that God wants everyone to know him and be saved. If we can keep these truths in mind, we are more likely to follow Jesus’ example to love those who hate us. That loving response, in fact, can be a powerful witness. It might just help someone recognize that it is only Jesus and his life in us that makes such a response possible.

Does someone “hate” you for your Christian faith? Today, pray for that person. Then ask the Spirit to soften your heart so that you can love them with the love of your Savior.

“Holy Spirit, give me the grace to love even those who hate me.” (Meditation on John 15:18-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains that the seemingly odd circumcision of Timothy is based on his Jewish heritage being passed to him through his mother. Paul refrains from going to Asia because he saw his mission to preach where the Way had not already been shared, like Europe, through Macedonia. Friar Jude reminds us of the honour and trust that comes from following Jesus through giving witness on our cross.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Sophfronia Scott who, prompted by the life and writings of Thomas Merton, asks  “What else might we see more clearly if we could hold our stuff more loosely?”

 

As Merton writes, we have to exercise this feeling of “enough.” But we also have to recognize a certain tension inherent in this sensibility—this isn’t about being stingy or coming always from a place of grasping and lack. He observes, 

Knowing when you do not need any more. Acting just enough. Saying enough. Stopping when there is enough. Some may be wasted, nature is prodigal. Harmony is not bought with parsimoniousness. Yet stopping is “going on.”… [2] 

For me, “going on” looks like holding something in love but being willing to let it go—not because I have to get rid of it in a flurry of decluttering but because it has to leave my life when a turn of events warrants it. And knowing that’s OK. (Rohr, n.d.)

We live in an environment where we may encounter opposition and persecution because of our faith from those forces named by John as the world. We invoke the Spirit to guide our action to encounter opposition with love.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1 

John, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?18 

Meditation on John 15:18-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/04/948601/ 

Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Path to Simplicity: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/simplicity-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not of the World. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may4 

Way Truth and Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the impact of a relationship with Christ on the action of apostles in Jesus time, and people in our community today.

Way Truth and Life

The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims the Resurrection of Christ.

* [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).

* [15:3–7] The language by which Paul expresses the essence of the “gospel” (1 Cor 15:1) is not his own but is drawn from older credal formulas. This credo highlights Jesus’ death for our sins (confirmed by his burial) and Jesus’ resurrection (confirmed by his appearances) and presents both of them as fulfillment of prophecy. In accordance with the scriptures: conformity of Jesus’ passion with the scriptures is asserted in Mt 16:1; Lk 24:25–27, 32, 44–46. Application of some Old Testament texts (Ps 2:7; 16:8–11) to his resurrection is illustrated by Acts 2:27–31; 13:29–39; and Is 52:13–53:12 and Hos 6:2 may also have been envisaged. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.

* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.

* [19:4] No speech, no words: the regular functioning of the heavens and the alternation of day and night inform human beings without words of the creator’s power and wisdom. (Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares He is the Way Truth and Life.

* [14:6] The truth: in John, the divinely revealed reality of the Father manifested in the person and works of Jesus. The possession of truth confers knowledge and liberation from sin (Jn 8:32).

* [14:7] An alternative reading, “If you knew me, then you would have known my Father also,” would be a rebuke, as in Jn 8:19.

* [14:8] Show us the Father: Philip is pictured asking for a theophany like Ex 24:9–10; 33:18. (John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford urges us to take time to read the verses for today slowly, to interact with the Scriptures, and to recognize anew just how amazing and deep God’s love is for us.  As we do, the Holy Spirit will bring to our attention any number of things we should remember.

For me, that happened with the Gospel of John, when Jesus tells Philip that “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.”  I am embarrassed to admit that I all too often focus on my personal limitations and forget that with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).  We who believe in Christ have the capacity to do greater things than the miracles the disciples had seen Jesus do. (Crawford, n.d.)

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

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 19:2-5 comments that both Sts. Philip and James died as martyrs for preaching the gospel, so their message did indeed go out “to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:5). That message still goes out today through the apostles’ successors and through every Christian who shares the good news of Jesus.

Like Philip and James, your encounters with Jesus can equip you to share the good news with someone in your path. So follow their example. Listen to Jesus in the words of Scripture and in the quiet of your prayer. Let him teach you about his Father and fill your heart with zeal to share his love. And don’t be afraid to say, “Come and see” (John 1:46). You might just lead someone to believe in Jesus.

“Lord, help me to share your good news wherever I go.” (Meditation on Psalm 19:2-5, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the kerygma shared by Paul with the Corinthians contains references to the Song of the Suffering Servant and the Jewish understanding of the intervention of God occuring on the third day. The large number of witnesses to the Resurrection cited by Paul is an expression of his deep belief. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus offers us a life that is so meaningful that even if we die, we will live.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest and activist Adam Bucko who describes a simple prayer practice that sustains him.

One of the greatest lessons in my life about prayer came from a renegade rabbi who spent decades working on the streets of New York City rescuing kids from homelessness and prostitution—a holy man who dedicated his life to seeking God in the darkest shadows of Manhattan. He helped to make prayer real by giving me these simple instructions: “When you pray, talk to God just as if you were talking to your best friend. Tell the Holy One everything. Especially, dedicate specific times each day when you tell God about all your worries, all your hurts, all of your problems. Take off your mask and just speak. If you do that, if you really let your whole essence speak to God like that, some days there will be a lot of tears. But that’s a good thing. And when you are done telling God about your hurts, … just silently rest in God, letting God hold you. And then for the rest of the day practice joy and optimism knowing that you are God’s beloved child, knowing that you are loved, and knowing that you are carrying a great gift in your heart ....”  (Rohr, n.d.)

We are witnesses today to Life that is sustained and fruitful through our acceptance of the Way as revealed by the Spirit to the Truth of the Love of God for all Creation.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/050324.html 

John, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?6 

Meditation on Psalm 19:2-5. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/03/948023/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/15?1 

Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Praying Simply. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/praying-simply/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Lord, Show Us the Father. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may3a