Thursday, June 1, 2017

Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17: 20-26)

Paul’s trial before the Roman commandeer is reminiscent of a famous episode in the life of St. Justin Martyr whom the Church remembers today.  Justin was a second-century philosopher who embraced Christianity.  He was taken into custody for not worshipping the Roman gods.  At his trial before the Roman prefect, he explained why it would be absurd for a Christian to offer sacrifices to idols.  He said, “No one who is right thinking stoops from true worship to false worship.”  The refusal to comply with this Roman law won for him a martyr’s glory.

Paul, of course, fares better, at least for the time being.  When he is accused of preaching Jesus, He cleverly instigates a dispute among the two parties of Jews leveling the charge.  One party declares Paul innocent when he puts himself on its side of the dispute.  Paul, however, will not escape martyrdom.  Indeed, Jesus tells Paul in this same passage that he will have to bear witness to him in Rome.  There he will be beheaded.

We should be aware that Christians today are facing the same kind of martyrdom as befell St. Justin and St. Paul.  Ideas matter, and some people cannot tolerate the beneficent ideas of Christianity.  That should not deter us from proclaiming them.  To say that Jesus is the Son of God is to declare God’s love for the world.  Even if that idea offends some people, it is worth dying for.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:20-26)

Toward the end of the Gospel of Luke Jesus warns his disciples of the hardships to come.  He tells them that they will be hauled into prison and put on trial.  But he insists that they do not worry as he assures them, “’… I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.’”  Paul seems to have known about that promise as he faces the Jews in today’s first reading.

Having lived in Jerusalem, Paul is also aware of its politics.  The liberal Pharisees accept the relatively recent teaching of the resurrection of the dead while the conservative Sadducees reject it as foreign to Torah.  No doubt the question masked a much greater rivalry between the two groups.  In any case Paul exploits the ideological difference.  He raises the question of resurrection from the dead to distract both sides from prosecuting him.

We sometimes refrain from talking about our faith because we are afraid of being judged.  We don’t want to appear to others as weak.  This may stop us from pronouncing a blessing on someone or sharing with another a deep-seated conviction.  Such timidity is neither necessary nor helpful.  If we believe in God, we should call on Him to bless others (as long as we do not do it condescendingly).  Similarly, since we know that God is behind everything good thing we do, we should openly give Him credit for enabling our accomplishment.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:22-26)

Often when feeling criticized, we go on the offensive.  We search for impressive words to show off our wit and to put down the critics.  Surely this is a questionable strategy.  We would do better to listen carefully to what others are saying, pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance, and speak forthrightly what comes to mind.  Jesus tells us to do as much when he says, “'When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’”  In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul follows Jesus’ advice. 

Paul is being held prisoner for allegedly starting a riot.  The crowds want to kill him, and the Roman officer does not know what to do with him.  Paul evaluates the crowd, sees a mixture of Pharisees and Sadducees in it, and speaks to it with ingenuity.  His reference to being a proponent of the resurrection of the dead divides his persecutors.  What starts as an attempt to kill Paul turns into a debate over the possibility of rising from the dead. 

The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this and all apostolic activity in Acts of the Apostles.  It brings Christianity from its humble origins in Jerusalem to the corners of the whole world.  The Holy Spirit remains as God’s eternal presence in our lives.  The Spirit enlightens our minds and orders our wills so that we too might bring the light of Christ to the world.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:22-26)

Often when feeling criticized, we go on the offensive.  We search for impressive words that show off our wit and put down the critics.  Surely this is a foolish strategy.  We would do better to listen carefully to what others are saying, pray to the Holy Spirit for prudence, and speak forthrightly what comes to mind.  Jesus tells us to do as much when he says, “'When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’”

In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul follows Jesus’ advice.  He evaluates the situation and speaks to it.  His reference to being a proponent of the resurrection of the dead divides his persecutors.  What starts as a conspiracy to condemn Paul turns into a debate with half the assembly supporting him.  The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this and all apostolic activity in Acts of the Apostles.  He brings Christianity from its humble origins in Jerusalem to center stage in Rome where it will fan out throughout the whole world.

The Holy Spirit is God’s immeasurable gift of Himself to us.  The Spirit enlightens our minds and orders our wills so that we too might manifest God’s love to the world. 

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:20-26)

Often when we feel criticized, we plan on how we are going to defend ourselves. We search for impressive words that will show off our wit and put down our critics. But this is a foolish strategy. We would do much better to listen carefully to what others are saying, pray to the Holy Spirit that we might respond prudently, and speak forthrightly what comes to mind. Jesus tells us as much when he says, “'When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’”

In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul seems to be following Jesus’ advice. He evaluates the situation and speaks to it. His reference to being a proponent of the resurrection of the dead divides his persecutors. What starts as a probable conspiracy to condemn Paul turns into a debate with half the assembly supporting him. The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this move and the rest of the apostolic activities in Acts. He brings Christianity from its humble beginning in Jerusalem to center stage in Rome where it will fan out throughout the whole world.

The Holy Spirit is God’s incomprehensible gift of Himself to us. We are never abandoned when he settles upon us. The Spirit bestows peace in trial and strength to endure persecution. Sunday, the feast of Pentecost, we proclaim the Spirit’s coming. God is never reluctant to share His Spirit, but we should directly and persistently petition his presence.