Readings for Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
We jump ahead in the story of Paul’s return to Jerusalem. In this passage, Paul has been recognized as the one who is converting many outside Jerusalem to the “Way” and the Jews are furious. A riot has broken out in the Temple precincts (Paul takes a beating) and he is taken into custody by the Romans (probably saving his life).
The Centurion, learning that Paul is a citizen of Rome, allows him to speak to the Sanhedrin which is what we hear today. He has just recounted his conversion story to them and now fuels an argument between the Sadducees and Pharisees over the concept to the resurrection which the Pharisees believe in and the Sadducees deny. A second time Paul is rescued from Jewish violence by the Romans and then hears from Jesus that he will be sent to Rome to bear witness there.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Psalm 16 is an individual hymn of praise. This selection seems to resonate with the emotions St. Paul must feel as he undergoes physical and mental abuse in the story above. He remains faithful in the face of persecution and accepting as he is sent on yet another journey.
Gospel John 17:20-26
Here is the final part of the “High Priestly Prayer” from the Lord’s final discourse. In this selection we are linked with the disciples as Jesus says; “…but also for those who will believe in me through their word”. Again the theme of unity between the Father, and the Son, and his followers is emphasized and brought to a conclusion with “…that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
Homily:
If we were sitting on the sidelines silently rooting for St. Paul as he was brought before the Jewish leaders who wanted him put to death, we might say something like; “Come on St. Paul, think of something to say. You’ve been in tough spots before. Use that massive intellect and find a way out of this.”
Then we’d hear his shout, as he stood in front of this angry mob; “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” He knew that, while they were of the same faith, there was a point of faith upon which they did not agree and he exploited that article of faith and we see the result. Their unity was shattered and they began fighting among themselves.
Had St. Paul not found that point at which to strike, it is likely that he would have followed the Savior very quickly and joined St. Stephen the first martyr. Instead, we see him on the verge of taking a huge leap forward in God’s plan, preparing him to go to the heart of the civilized world to infuse the love of Christ there, a place from which it will spread to every corner of that vast empire.
What lesson must we take from these passages of Holy Writ? We could say that seeing St. Paul so boldly standing before the hateful crowd that it tells us we too must be courageous. That lesson is there. We could also see in the actions of the Pharisees and Sadducees the trap laid by the evil one for all who have faith. If we become so intent upon the letter of our faith that it overshadows the spirit of faith, we are vulnerable to one who would divide and conquer.
We, who have faith in the one God with his Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit, must remember constantly that it was in love and compassion he came to us. His great Priestly Prayer, the conclusion of which was given today, calls us to be one in him and one with the Father. We cannot afford to be bickering and fighting among ourselves. We must recall that the Fathers work is not completed and the world still does not know him.
Our prayer today is for unity in the Christian world. May the coming of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost herald a new unity that will bring Christ glory and the world peace.
Pax
[1] After Links tor Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Jesus and Paul” by Johann Christoph Weigel, 1695
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
We jump ahead in the story of Paul’s return to Jerusalem. In this passage, Paul has been recognized as the one who is converting many outside Jerusalem to the “Way” and the Jews are furious. A riot has broken out in the Temple precincts (Paul takes a beating) and he is taken into custody by the Romans (probably saving his life).
The Centurion, learning that Paul is a citizen of Rome, allows him to speak to the Sanhedrin which is what we hear today. He has just recounted his conversion story to them and now fuels an argument between the Sadducees and Pharisees over the concept to the resurrection which the Pharisees believe in and the Sadducees deny. A second time Paul is rescued from Jewish violence by the Romans and then hears from Jesus that he will be sent to Rome to bear witness there.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Psalm 16 is an individual hymn of praise. This selection seems to resonate with the emotions St. Paul must feel as he undergoes physical and mental abuse in the story above. He remains faithful in the face of persecution and accepting as he is sent on yet another journey.
Gospel John 17:20-26
Here is the final part of the “High Priestly Prayer” from the Lord’s final discourse. In this selection we are linked with the disciples as Jesus says; “…but also for those who will believe in me through their word”. Again the theme of unity between the Father, and the Son, and his followers is emphasized and brought to a conclusion with “…that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
Homily:
If we were sitting on the sidelines silently rooting for St. Paul as he was brought before the Jewish leaders who wanted him put to death, we might say something like; “Come on St. Paul, think of something to say. You’ve been in tough spots before. Use that massive intellect and find a way out of this.”
Then we’d hear his shout, as he stood in front of this angry mob; “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” He knew that, while they were of the same faith, there was a point of faith upon which they did not agree and he exploited that article of faith and we see the result. Their unity was shattered and they began fighting among themselves.
Had St. Paul not found that point at which to strike, it is likely that he would have followed the Savior very quickly and joined St. Stephen the first martyr. Instead, we see him on the verge of taking a huge leap forward in God’s plan, preparing him to go to the heart of the civilized world to infuse the love of Christ there, a place from which it will spread to every corner of that vast empire.
What lesson must we take from these passages of Holy Writ? We could say that seeing St. Paul so boldly standing before the hateful crowd that it tells us we too must be courageous. That lesson is there. We could also see in the actions of the Pharisees and Sadducees the trap laid by the evil one for all who have faith. If we become so intent upon the letter of our faith that it overshadows the spirit of faith, we are vulnerable to one who would divide and conquer.
We, who have faith in the one God with his Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit, must remember constantly that it was in love and compassion he came to us. His great Priestly Prayer, the conclusion of which was given today, calls us to be one in him and one with the Father. We cannot afford to be bickering and fighting among ourselves. We must recall that the Fathers work is not completed and the world still does not know him.
Our prayer today is for unity in the Christian world. May the coming of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost herald a new unity that will bring Christ glory and the world peace.
Pax
[1] After Links tor Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Jesus and Paul” by Johann Christoph Weigel, 1695
No comments:
Post a Comment