Authority for Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the guidelines and experiences that shape our relationship with God and Creation.

Review our Guidelines

 

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles stresses that we “obey God rather than any human authority.”

When the Twelve immediately resumed public teaching, the Sanhedrin determined to invoke upon them the penalty of death (Acts 5:33) prescribed in Dt 13:6–10. Gamaliel’s advice against this course finally prevailed, but it did not save the Twelve from the punishment of scourging (Acts 5:40) in a last endeavor to shake their conviction of their prophetic mission. * [5:30] Hanging him on a tree: that is, crucifying him (cf. also Gal 3:13). * [5:31] At his right hand: see note on Acts 2:33.1

 

Psalm 34 is praise for deliverance from trouble.

* [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).2

 

In the Gospel of John, the One Who Comes from Heaven is declared.

* [3:31–36] It is uncertain whether these are words by the Baptist, Jesus, or the evangelist. They are reflections on the two preceding scenes.3

 

Julie Kalkowski asks what if we were all obedient to God?  Would we then be able to hear ‘the cry of the poor’ from today’s psalm?  Would we be able to act on that love to diminish the overwhelming suffering of our world?

So, during this Easter season, I am going to sit and think about being obedient to God.  And, if truth be told, probably dream about who we could be and what our communities and world would look like if we all obedient to God’s law of love.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “Always bless the Lord! “ by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"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)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 5:27-33 asks, about the apostles, what made them so joyful and confident? From the start, the apostles were in the habit of pulling weeds out of their own hearts: weeds of self-righteousness and selfishness and pride. Weeds of arrogance and self-importance and vengeance. They worked on uprooting anything that might keep them from bearing joyful witness to Christ—even in the midst of threats and persecution.

If the “work” of tending your garden ever seems too hard, remember that Jesus has promised a full and rich harvest. He promises you nothing less than the love, the peace, the gentleness, and the patience that are the “fruit” of the Spirit living within you. (Galatians 5:22-23). So fix your attention on the kind of person Jesus is turning you into, and the daily toil will be well worth the effort! “Lord, help me to focus on the bounty that you have promised for those who are faithful.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes the resolution of the apostles to listen to God and the Spirit of Boldness before threats. The image in the Gospel is Jesus breathing the Spirit in our hearts to be witnesses to the Way. Friar Jude notes the sin in the Gospel of John is to not believe that Jesus is the Son sent to save.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Contemplative author and artist Christine Valters Paintner,who honors the formal sacraments of the church while also inviting us to celebrate the sacramental nature of all life and all beings.

This discovery that every creature and every created thing can be a window of revelation into the divine nature is an invitation to fall more and more in love with the world. To see that teachers of grace exist everywhere means to bring a sense of reverence to the way we walk in the world. When we encounter nature as sacrament, we can no longer objectify it. We can instead create the circumstances that nurture and nourish this kind of vision. . . . Sacramental vision means not only that we grow in our love of God’s ways in the world but also that we grow in our sense of kinship with creation. . . . There is a sense of God’s incarnate presence in creation that shimmers forth to reveal the holiness of all things. Notice how your senses come alive when you walk out in the world aware of its sacramental nature. What do your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin each reveal to you about how God is alive in the world around you?7

 

The Law of Love is revealed to us through the Spirit to motivate our transformation as disciples of Christ.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/5
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34
3	(n.d.). John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3
4	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042822.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=apr28
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/04/28/371707/
7	(n.d.). 2022 Daily Meditations: Nothing Stands Alone - Center for Action .... Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://cac.org/sacramental-vision-2022-04-28/

 

Persecution Love and Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with our familiarity with the “John 3:16 “ slogan to challenge us to follow the prompting of the Spirit to love the world.

Love the World

 

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and John are persecuted.

* [5:17–42] A second action against the community is taken by the Sanhedrin in the arrest and trial of the Twelve; cf. Acts 4:1–3. The motive is the jealousy of the religious authorities over the popularity of the apostles (Acts 5:17) who are now charged with the defiance of the Sanhedrin’s previous order to them to abandon their prophetic role (Acts 5:28; cf. Acts 4:18). 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.1

 

Psalm 34 is praise for deliverance from trouble.

* [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).2

 

The Gospel of John is the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus that reveals how God so loved the world.

* [3:16] Gave: as a gift in the incarnation, and also “over to death” in the crucifixion; cf. Rom 8:32. * [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. * [3:19] Judgment is not only future but is partially realized here and now.3

 

Mary Lee Brock comments that today we are invited to explore the impact of John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” In these joyous days of the Easter Season there can be no better focus than this simple yet profound statement of our Christian faith.  It is no wonder that when selecting a verse from the Bible to place on posters, bags, plaques and placards, “John 3:16” is the choice.  Yet it is not enough to simply promote the verse, we must accept the mantle of responsibility for the glorious gift from God to live our faith.

In this season of Easter as we celebrate the promise of eternal life from God’s loving gift, we need to ask ourselves how we can invite others to this celebration.  We can ask God to show us what prison walls such as greed, envy, fear, and distraction are holding us from fully living our faith.  We can pray for the grace of courage to speak what we know to be true.  We can strive to respectfully meet others where they are as we share the joy of our faith in God. Our words and our actions can be guided by this final line in today’s Gospel from John:  “But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”4

 

Don Schwager quotes “The Intensity of God's Love and Our Response,” by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.

"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)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 5:17-26 comments that the risen Christ has asked us, his beloved brothers and sisters, to leave our “prisons” behind and go. These are prisons of fear or discouragement or unworthiness or lack of confidence or complacency. Maybe we’re locked up but don’t realize it. Maybe we don’t recognize what is holding us back. God doesn’t want us in chains; he wants to set us free to go wherever he is sending us.

Today, ask God if there is any prison door you need to walk through. Believe that the Holy Spirit wants you to experience the freedom that Christ has already won for you, and then take some action, however small, to begin to break out of that prison. Jesus has set you free so that you can accomplish his work in the world. One step at a time, you can, like the apostles, Go and take your place. “Lord, open my eyes to the ‘prisons’ that keep me from doing your will.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler notes the futility to fight against God’s Will as the experience of Peter and John shows. The text from the Gospel of John calls us back to the prologue of this Gospel. Friar Jude concludes that our freedom to reject HIs relationship breaks God’s heart.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Christian author Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) who has an expansive understanding of how Christians, as the body of Christ, can celebrate the sacraments together.

Indeed, the word sacrament is derived from a Latin phrase which means “to make holy.” When hit with the glint of love’s light, even ordinary things become holy. And when received with open hands in the spirit of eucharisteo, the signs and wonders of Jesus never cease. The 150-plus gallons of wine at Cana point to a generous God, a God who never runs out of holy things. This is the God who, much to the chagrin of Jonah, saved the rebellious city of Nineveh, the God who turned five loaves of bread and a couple of fish into a lunch to feed five thousand with baskets of leftovers to spare. This God is like a vineyard manager who pays a full day’s wage for just one hour of work, or like a shepherd who leaves his flock in search of a single lamb, or like a father who welcomes his prodigal son home with a robe, a ring, and a feast. We have the choice, every day, to join in the revelry, to imbibe the sweet wine of undeserved grace, or to pout like Jonah, argue fairness like the vineyard employees, resent our own family like the prodigal’s older brother. At its best, the church administers the sacraments by feeding, healing, forgiving, comforting, and welcoming home the people God loves. At its worst, the church withholds the sacraments in an attempt to lock God in a theology, a list of rules, a doctrinal statement, a building.7

 

The Love of God for the world calls us to live with compassion, mercy, faith, and that the Spirit calls us to be in the world.

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/5
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 34 | USCCB. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/34
3	(n.d.). John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042722.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=apr27
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/04/27/371050/
7	(n.d.). 2022 Daily Meditations: Nothing Stands Alone - Center for Action .... Retrieved April 27, 2022, from https://cac.org/where-god-meets-us-2022-04-27/

Reborn Reality

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess the changes in our actions and attitude that we need to implement to bring fullness of life to all people.

Respond to the "ruah"

 

In the reading from the Acts Of the Apostles, the believers share their possessions.

* [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).1

 

Psalm 93 praises the Majesty of God’s Rule.

* [93:1] The LORD is king: lit., “the LORD reigns.” This Psalm, and Ps 47; 96–99, are sometimes called enthronement Psalms. They may have been used in a special liturgy during which God’s ascent to the throne was ritually reenacted. They have also been interpreted eschatologically, pointing to the coming of God as king at the end-time.2

 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches Nicodemus about being born from above.

* [3:8] Wind: the Greek word pneuma (as well as the Hebrew rûah) means both “wind” and “spirit.” In the play on the double meaning, “wind” is primary. * [3:14] Lifted up: in Nm 21:9 Moses simply “mounted” a serpent upon a pole. John here substitutes a verb implying glorification. Jesus, exalted to glory at his cross and resurrection, represents healing for all.3

 

Barbara Dilly comments that most Christians do not take the passage in Acts 4 for today literally. But we should all take it seriously. Despite our faithful intentions and generosity there are still too many needy persons among us on the planet and even in our own communities.

This great need is weighing us down. And then we read that “the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” There is a lot of heavy lifting that needs to be done to witness to the resurrection. Even if Christians everywhere give everything we have to the poor and stand on the corner preaching day and all night, we cannot do it. We are certainly humbled by our need for Christ to help us. I stand today with Nicodemus. What must I do? Jesus tells us we must be born of the spirit. It is not about what we do with our material things. It is about what happens to unify our hearts and minds when the spirit guides us. How will that unified Christian community of faith give us the power to witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus in our times? I pray today that we will each find renewed purpose in our faith response through our Christian communities.4

 

Don Schwager quotes “He descended so that we might ascend,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"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)5

 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:32-37 comments that as Christians, we may differ in many ways, but we have what is most essential in common: we have been baptized into the one body of Christ. All we are and have is given to us so that we can bless one another. So how can we live out this call?

These believers found creative ways to build up the common good. How is God inviting you to be a little more generous with your brothers and sisters today? “Holy Spirit, show me one specific way to make myself more available to someone today.”6

 

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the literary style of Luke in reference to Barnabas. “Ruah” as spirit, breath, or wind is applied to the Spirit of God. Friar Jude reminds us that in John’s Gospel, Jesus' hour of glory is the Cross with His outpouring of Love.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, continues to emphasize the centrality of the Eucharist in a Christian life. ( In Romans 8:19–25 (as creation), 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, and 11:23–25 (as bread and wine), and in 12:12–13 (as people).) In each of these Scriptures, and in an ever-expanding sense, Paul expresses his full belief that there is a real transfer of human and spiritual identity from Christ to Creation, to the elements of bread and wine, and through them to human beings.

Thus Eucharist, like Resurrection, is not a unique event or strange anomaly. Eucharist is the Incarnation of Christ taken to its final shape and end—the very elements of the earth itself. It is all one huge continuum of Incarnation. It is indeed one sacred universe, all things turning around one thing (uni versus), the divine. [1]7

 

Our transformation as we embody our reality in the Body of Christ calls us to Love that addresses the needs of all Creation.

 

References

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 93 | USCCB. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/93
3	(n.d.). John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3
4	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042622.html
5	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=apr26
6	(n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/04/26/370260/
7	(n.d.). 2022 Daily Meditations: Nothing Stands Alone - Center for Action .... Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://cac.org/the-body-of-the-cosmos-2022-04-26/