Tuesday, June 3, 2025

 Memorial of Charles Lwanga and Companions

 (Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)

The old priest was found dead on the floor without life signs.  Some would say that he had the best death possible – without suffering or invasive hospital procedures.  But this point is debatable. Today's readings show other ways to die.

 Paul feels his end is near as he travels to Jerusalem.  On the journey he stops at the port of Miletus and sends for the church workers in Ephesus to meet him.  With old friends around him he shares his affection and concerns.  In the gospel Jesus has been instructing his disciples throughout the long final discourse.  In today’s passage he prays to his Father for them.

No one can enjoy suffering.  But we should not always run from it.  Through suffering we can draw closer to Jesus on the cross.  It even allows us to share in his work of redemption.  Suffering in the dying process may also afford us opportunity to confirm our love for those who mean the most to us.  Like both Paul and Jesus, we may want to embrace it for the sake of others.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

 Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a)

Both today’s first reading and gospel involve farewell discourses.  However, they have very different tones. In the reading from Acts Paul tells the presbyters from Ephesus that he is compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem.  There he expects imprisonment and hardships.  Paul seems to intimate that, like Jesus, he is being called to suffer for the good of his people, the Jews.  Perhaps he feels called to make of himself a sacrifice so that the Jews, who refused to convert in masse with Jesus’ crucifixion, may finally do so with his offering.

Jesus’ prayer closes his final discourse to his disciples.  He knows the hour of his paschal transition has come and prays that its purpose be fulfilled.  In John’s gospel Jesus does not express foreboding about his death because he foresees the ordeal ending in glory.

The Spirit has given both Paul and Jesus its gift of courage to do the will of the Father.  Paul should not be faulted if he feels anxious.  Jesus should not be considered brazen for having complete confidence.  Both are following the Spirit’s lead.  At times we will be like Paul in anticipating landmines in the road ahead.  Hopefully, experience will teach us to trust as Jesus does in his prayer to his Father.  But let us always accept the courage that the Spirit offers to do the Father’s will.