May 2, 2024 - Mem. of St. Athanasius (Readings from Thu. of 5th Week of Easter)
May you continue to experience the joy of the Lord Jesus as you give witness to the GOoD News by the way you interact with others.
Both in the book I read, The Hole in Our Gospel, and in the experience of people who are sharing the GOoD News, it is amazing to hear how blessed and joy-filled are those who proclaim the marvelous deeds of GOD to others. When individuals are performing ministry and service to others, they sense a profound experience of peace and inner joy as they see others accept the gift of the Gospel that they share with them. Most people who are catechists or perform liturgical ministry or give to the poor mention how they feel more blessed in the act of living out the Gospel than when they are not doing so. They “know” what Jesus meant in today’s Gospel when He said, “I have told you this, so that My joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
May you continue to experience the joy of the Lord Jesus as you give witness to the GOoD News by the way you interact with others.
Both in the book I read, The Hole in Our Gospel, and in the experience of people who are sharing the GOoD News, it is amazing to hear how blessed and joy-filled are those who proclaim the marvelous deeds of GOD to others. When individuals are performing ministry and service to others, they sense a profound experience of peace and inner joy as they see others accept the gift of the Gospel that they share with them. Most people who are catechists or perform liturgical ministry or give to the poor mention how they feel more blessed in the act of living out the Gospel than when they are not doing so. They “know” what Jesus meant in today’s Gospel when He said, “I have told you this, so that My joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050224.cfm
Saint Athanasius: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-athanasius
Readings: Acts 15: 7-21; Psalm 96: 1-2a, 2b-3, 10; John 15: 9-11
“Proclaim GOD’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.” These words from today’s Responsorial tie the readings together.
In the First Reading we hear St. Peter and St. James speak about the spread of the GOoD News to the Gentiles. St. Paul and St. Barnabas are said to have shared the stories of their work among the non-Jews. The leaders of the early Church understand what Jesus meant when He commissioned His followers to go out to all the world and share the GOoD News. He was not sending them to invite the Gentiles to become believers in Judaism, but to have a relationship with the GOD of the Jews – the one and only true GOD.
Jesus in the Gospel today summarizes His ministry: keeping the commandments of His Abba-Father and inviting others to keep the new commandments. Those who choose to do this will have the joy of Jesus and that joy will be complete.
GOD’s deeds are truly marvelous. As Jesus reminds us today, GOD wants us to have joy – Jesus’ joy – joy that is complete. Joy is much more than happiness or giddiness. Joy is the sense of knowing we are doing what GOD wants us to be doing.
I was discussing with someone the mystery of salvation. We both agreed what is so magnificent about salvation is that it is all gift – gift from GOD. We cannot earn salvation. The joy comes from knowing how much GOD has gifted us. Keeping the commandments is not what brings us salvation. Salvation, and our realization of salvation, leads to our wanting to keep the commandments. Our “GOoD” actions show that we have accepted the gift of faith/salvation that GOD has given us.
In the book, A Hole in Our Gospel, the author remarks that there are three commandments: 1) Love GOD with our whole mind, heart, soul, and body; 2) Love our neighbor as ourselves; 3) Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel, the GOoD News.
Part of the “GOoD” actions – the commandments – that we should want to do is spreading the GOoD News which we have received. We are called to share that with others. That’s what today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles relates.
I always chuckle at St. Peter’s words in today’s First Reading. In speaking about the Jewish rules and regulations, he says: “Why, then, are you (some of the Christian leaders) now putting GOD to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?” Peter realizes that the stipulations of the Jewish laws are impossible to fully keep. Besides, strictly keeping all the precepts of the law does not bring us salvation. Jesus has brought us salvation. Peter reminds us: “We believe we are saved through the grace (gift) of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they (the non-Jews).” Salvation is a gift. It is not the reward for keeping the laws nor belonging to the “correct” religion.
Does that mean that all laws are meaningless? No, not at all. They are to be guides for us. Once when I was meeting with my sixth grade advisory group at school, the question came up about whether we can disobey a law that is wrong. One student remarked: “I would if I knew I wouldn’t be caught.” After others shared their feelings, I shared my view. There is a stipulation in Church teaching that “an unjust law is no law at all.” We, as followers of Jesus, are called to a higher plane than rules and regulations. St. Paul describes it as the “Law of Love.” This law demands that we, with formed conscience, can go, and are called to go, against mere mortal laws for a higher reason. We should be willing to go against unjust and bad laws, not just if we won’t be caught, but also even if we will be caught. In fact, we should be willing to face the consequences of disobeying a “bad” law, if we are motivated by a higher law of loving GOD and those whom GOD loves, and thus bringing the GOoD News to others. If we are willing to live out this new commandment of Jesus (“love one another as I have loved you”), then we will know the joy of Jesus and that joy will be complete, even in the midst of any flack or persecution we may face.
I received an email from someone who receives my reflections. This person wanted to share a joyful experience with me. The joy came from being able to minister to a customer who came into the retail store in which the “friend” worked. After being able to witness about the Lord Jesus, the “friend” felt a deep sense of joy and wanted to share the joy with me by emailing me. A real sense of joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit was evident not only from the experience itself, but also in the very sharing of the experience with me. By proclaiming GOD’s marvelous (or in the words of this person, “awesome”) deeds, at least three persons were edified and were made joyful. And I pray that you who are reading this reflection may be edified and have a sense of joy also.
What is important is accepting the gifts that come from Jesus. The gift of salvation, the gift of witnessing, the gift of joy, the gift of being “at-one” with Jesus, His Abba, and the Holy Spirit. The gift is being able to sit at table with the Triune GOD, and share in GOD’s joy. Once we have accepted those gifts, we will want to live a life that proclaims the GOoD News we have accepted. We will live the life of Jesus (“love one another as I have loved you”), even if, or especially if, that means acting in a way that goes against rules and regulations that do not reflect Gospel values. Living as a follower of Jesus means standing up against ways that promote non-GODly points of view.
I am also conscious of all the people, like my friend who died a few years ago, who live out the GOoD News of Jesus, while not feeling enslaved to the rules and regulations of societies, including religious organization. This friend was always conscious about loving everyone because he sensed the love he had received from others – his family and ultimately from GOD. He would go out of his way to serve and minister to anyone who needed his help. Even as he was dying with his family surrounding him, he had a sense of joy and hope as he not only looked back on his life, but also looked forward to being with loved ones who had passed on before him. He was able to proclaim the marvelous deeds of GOD even in his dying.
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever loving. Through Your GOoDness, You have given us gifts throughout our lives (both our individual lives and our lives as members of the human family). You want us to experience the joy that comes from following Your Son, Jesus. He has given us an example of what it means to do Your will – to love others through caring service. We thank You for the gift of salvation that flows from Jesus and His death and resurrection. May we accept the gift You give us and reflect that joy as we proclaim the GOoD News to others. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who wants us to have His joy, a joy that is complete, for He is our Master and Lord Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: How Great is Our GOD by Hillsong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WdOPfao4KI
We Must Go by Tim Hughes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3NelRb1LY4
Video of the Day: Who Was Athanasius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGQeMKIJDu0
Suggested Book: The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis
© rjk, 04-08-22
Saint Athanasius: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-athanasius
Readings: Acts 15: 7-21; Psalm 96: 1-2a, 2b-3, 10; John 15: 9-11
“Proclaim GOD’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.” These words from today’s Responsorial tie the readings together.
In the First Reading we hear St. Peter and St. James speak about the spread of the GOoD News to the Gentiles. St. Paul and St. Barnabas are said to have shared the stories of their work among the non-Jews. The leaders of the early Church understand what Jesus meant when He commissioned His followers to go out to all the world and share the GOoD News. He was not sending them to invite the Gentiles to become believers in Judaism, but to have a relationship with the GOD of the Jews – the one and only true GOD.
Jesus in the Gospel today summarizes His ministry: keeping the commandments of His Abba-Father and inviting others to keep the new commandments. Those who choose to do this will have the joy of Jesus and that joy will be complete.
GOD’s deeds are truly marvelous. As Jesus reminds us today, GOD wants us to have joy – Jesus’ joy – joy that is complete. Joy is much more than happiness or giddiness. Joy is the sense of knowing we are doing what GOD wants us to be doing.
I was discussing with someone the mystery of salvation. We both agreed what is so magnificent about salvation is that it is all gift – gift from GOD. We cannot earn salvation. The joy comes from knowing how much GOD has gifted us. Keeping the commandments is not what brings us salvation. Salvation, and our realization of salvation, leads to our wanting to keep the commandments. Our “GOoD” actions show that we have accepted the gift of faith/salvation that GOD has given us.
In the book, A Hole in Our Gospel, the author remarks that there are three commandments: 1) Love GOD with our whole mind, heart, soul, and body; 2) Love our neighbor as ourselves; 3) Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel, the GOoD News.
Part of the “GOoD” actions – the commandments – that we should want to do is spreading the GOoD News which we have received. We are called to share that with others. That’s what today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles relates.
I always chuckle at St. Peter’s words in today’s First Reading. In speaking about the Jewish rules and regulations, he says: “Why, then, are you (some of the Christian leaders) now putting GOD to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?” Peter realizes that the stipulations of the Jewish laws are impossible to fully keep. Besides, strictly keeping all the precepts of the law does not bring us salvation. Jesus has brought us salvation. Peter reminds us: “We believe we are saved through the grace (gift) of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they (the non-Jews).” Salvation is a gift. It is not the reward for keeping the laws nor belonging to the “correct” religion.
Does that mean that all laws are meaningless? No, not at all. They are to be guides for us. Once when I was meeting with my sixth grade advisory group at school, the question came up about whether we can disobey a law that is wrong. One student remarked: “I would if I knew I wouldn’t be caught.” After others shared their feelings, I shared my view. There is a stipulation in Church teaching that “an unjust law is no law at all.” We, as followers of Jesus, are called to a higher plane than rules and regulations. St. Paul describes it as the “Law of Love.” This law demands that we, with formed conscience, can go, and are called to go, against mere mortal laws for a higher reason. We should be willing to go against unjust and bad laws, not just if we won’t be caught, but also even if we will be caught. In fact, we should be willing to face the consequences of disobeying a “bad” law, if we are motivated by a higher law of loving GOD and those whom GOD loves, and thus bringing the GOoD News to others. If we are willing to live out this new commandment of Jesus (“love one another as I have loved you”), then we will know the joy of Jesus and that joy will be complete, even in the midst of any flack or persecution we may face.
I received an email from someone who receives my reflections. This person wanted to share a joyful experience with me. The joy came from being able to minister to a customer who came into the retail store in which the “friend” worked. After being able to witness about the Lord Jesus, the “friend” felt a deep sense of joy and wanted to share the joy with me by emailing me. A real sense of joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit was evident not only from the experience itself, but also in the very sharing of the experience with me. By proclaiming GOD’s marvelous (or in the words of this person, “awesome”) deeds, at least three persons were edified and were made joyful. And I pray that you who are reading this reflection may be edified and have a sense of joy also.
What is important is accepting the gifts that come from Jesus. The gift of salvation, the gift of witnessing, the gift of joy, the gift of being “at-one” with Jesus, His Abba, and the Holy Spirit. The gift is being able to sit at table with the Triune GOD, and share in GOD’s joy. Once we have accepted those gifts, we will want to live a life that proclaims the GOoD News we have accepted. We will live the life of Jesus (“love one another as I have loved you”), even if, or especially if, that means acting in a way that goes against rules and regulations that do not reflect Gospel values. Living as a follower of Jesus means standing up against ways that promote non-GODly points of view.
I am also conscious of all the people, like my friend who died a few years ago, who live out the GOoD News of Jesus, while not feeling enslaved to the rules and regulations of societies, including religious organization. This friend was always conscious about loving everyone because he sensed the love he had received from others – his family and ultimately from GOD. He would go out of his way to serve and minister to anyone who needed his help. Even as he was dying with his family surrounding him, he had a sense of joy and hope as he not only looked back on his life, but also looked forward to being with loved ones who had passed on before him. He was able to proclaim the marvelous deeds of GOD even in his dying.
- The personal question/action for today: To what laws or prescriptions am I enslaved and that prevent me from fully accepting the gift of salvation and the joy from the Lord Jesus? How do I manifest the joy of the Lord Jesus in my daily life? To whom can I proclaim the marvelous deeds of the Lord Jesus by the way I treat him/her/them?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever loving. Through Your GOoDness, You have given us gifts throughout our lives (both our individual lives and our lives as members of the human family). You want us to experience the joy that comes from following Your Son, Jesus. He has given us an example of what it means to do Your will – to love others through caring service. We thank You for the gift of salvation that flows from Jesus and His death and resurrection. May we accept the gift You give us and reflect that joy as we proclaim the GOoD News to others. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who wants us to have His joy, a joy that is complete, for He is our Master and Lord Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: How Great is Our GOD by Hillsong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WdOPfao4KI
We Must Go by Tim Hughes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3NelRb1LY4
Video of the Day: Who Was Athanasius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGQeMKIJDu0
Suggested Book: The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis
© rjk, 04-08-22