Friday, May 6, 2016

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23)

The account of Gallio’s judgment in Acts today is significant for two reasons.  First, it gives a clue for dating Paul’s missionary activities.  Second, it gives biblical precedent for the separation of Church and state.

Roman records show that Gallio was proconsul in Corinth for only the summer of 51 A.D.  Because Paul is thought to have left Corinth shortly after the episode with Gallio, he must have stayed there from 50 to 51 A.D. (if what Acts says about his being there only a year and a half is accurate).  That year then acts as a hinge for determining other dates in Paul’s sojourn.  Although the date is disputed, Paul likely concluded the controversy over circumcision in Jerusalem in 49 A.D.  Also, his first letter to the Thessalonians, the earliest New Testament piece and written in Corinth, carries a 50-51 A.D. vintage. 

The Jews haul Paul off to the tribunal because he is converting non-Jewish “God-fearers” to Christ rather than to Orthodox Judaism.  However, Gallio, the emperor’s representative, does not adjudicate in their favor.  Believing it imprudent for the state to meddle in religious affairs, he dismisses the case.  His action would be praised by the Church today.  Since a human should follow conscience, religious belief must not be imposed on anyone.  The role of government is to guarantee this freedom. 

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 18:1-8; John  16:16-20)

In speaking of going and returning in today’s gospel Jesus is referring to his death and resurrection.  His crucifixion will cause his disciples great anguish, but his resurrection will multiply their present joy.  We may, however, see the passage in a different light.

Jesus has hidden himself in the bread and wine of the Eucharist.  We cannot see his human features although we believe he is there.  We await his full revelation at the end of time when we will see him face to face.   Still at times we have a deeper experience of his presence.  Perhaps good friends make us feel that he is with us, or maybe it is a preacher’s insights into the Word of God.  In any case it is as if he has already restored to us the joy of his company.

Such moments are to be cherished and recalled when we feel lonely or bored by poor preaching.  Jesus is always with us, especially in the Eucharist.  However, to experience his presence requires faith that is often enhanced by happy memory.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 17:15.22-18:1; John 16:12-15)

In his First Letter to the Corinthians St. Paul writes of his intention in Corinth.  He explains that he did not come preaching wisdom but Christ crucified.  This admission corresponds perfectly with his experience related in today’s reading from Acts.

In this famous passage Paul tries to engage the Athenians in rational discourse.  He begins by noting the place in the Greek pantheon of “an Unknown God.”  He proceeds to claim that this God is the uncreated Creator of all things whom Israel worships.  He concludes by relating the story of Jesus.  His listeners, however, brush him off with what amounts to saying that his ideas are interesting.  Paul has had enough with logic.  From Athens he will proceed to Corinth where he will use a completely different approach.

We will find ourselves at times in a situation similar to Paul’s in Athens.  We want desperately to convince others of the principles of our Catholic faith but find them resisting our efforts.  We are wiser to state what we believe and defend it not by reason but by the deeds that merit eternal life.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

(I Corinthians 15:1-8; John 14:6-14)

The fact that little is known about most of the apostles hints that they did not follow Jesus to become famous.   The New Testament portrays Peter with depth and refers to James and John in a number of situations.  We also have a feeling for Thomas, but in a negative way -- because of his protestations about belief in the resurrection.  Of course, we associate Judas with the foulest of characters that we have ever known or heard of.  But it is hard to get a sense of what the other apostles are like.

Saints Philip and James are not exceptions to this scarcity of knowledge.  Besides appearance on the lists of apostles, Philip emerges at the beginning of John’s gospel and again toward the end in the passage read in today’s mass.  In chapter one he seems to be on a noble search for the Messiah.  But by chapter 14 he appears to have missed the point of his quest by failing to recognize Jesus as the image of the Father.  In both cases he is given less description than the deacon Philip in the Acts of the Apostles who boldly preaches the gospel.  It is unlikely that this James is “the brother of the Lord” whom the Acts of the Apostles treats as co-leader of the Jerusalem community along with Peter.  He is named on New Testament lists as “son of Alphaeus,” but who is Alphaeus?  A strand of tradition refers to him as “James the Less” which at least removes any pretension from his identity. 

The anonymity of the apostles is instructive for us.  Like them we should not follow Jesus for earthly glory.  Rather we should let go of our desire for notariety in order to serve God.  By praising His name and caring for His people we will receive a much more cherished reward than fame or fortune.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Memorial of Saint Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Acts 16:1-11; John 15:26-16:4a)

The four gospels may be called different answers to the question, “Who is Jesus?”  Put simply, Matthew sees Jesus as the definitive teacher; Mark, as the suffering Messiah; Luke, as the gracious prophet; and John, as the kingly Son of God.  It took the genius of St. Athanasius to explain how Jesus might fulfill all of these roles only if he is truly God.  Challenged by a popular idea that Jesus was created by God, and therefore subordinate to the Father, Athanasius corrected the error.  He taught that the Son, born of the Father before time began, shares His divine nature.

In today’s gospel passage Jesus tells his disciples that he will send the Advocate to testify to the Son.  This is the Holy Spirit who moved Athanasius to elucidate how the Father and the Son could be both one and distinct.  Along with the same Spirit the two have existed for all eternity before the creation of time.

The sharing of the divine nature puzzles most of us.  But that fact is not so important.  We have only to accept how Jesus’ natural divinity has made it possible for us to be adopted into God’s family.  Holding on to this belief, we strive to live the love characteristic of God.