May 10, 2007 Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

  2007년 5월 10일 부활 제5주간 목요일

 

 제1독서

 사도행전 15,7-21
그 무렵 7 오랜 논란 끝에 베드로가 일어나 그들에게 말하였다.
“형제 여러분, 다른 민족들도 내 입을 통하여 복음의 말씀을 들어 믿게 하시려고 하느님께서 일찍이 여러분 가운데에서 나를 뽑으신 사실을 여러분은 알고 있습니다. 8 사람의 마음을 아시는 하느님께서는 우리에게 하신 것처럼 그들에게도 성령을 주시어 그들을 인정해 주셨습니다. 9 그리고 그들의 믿음으로 그들의 마음을 정화하시어, 우리와 그들 사이에 아무런 차별도 두지 않으셨습니다.
10 그런데 지금 여러분은 왜 우리 조상들도 우리도 다 감당할 수 없던 멍에를 형제들의 목에 씌워 하느님을 시험하는 것입니까? 11 우리는 그들과 마찬가지로 우리도 주 예수님의 은총으로 구원을 받는다고 믿습니다.” 12 그러자 온 회중이 잠잠해졌다. 그리고 바르나바와 바오로가 하느님께서 자기들을 통하여 다른 민족들 가운데에서 일으키신 표징과 이적들에 대하여 이야기하는 것을 들었다. 13 그들이 말을 마치자 야고보가 이렇게 말하였다.
“형제 여러분, 내 말을 들어 보십시오. 14 하느님께서 처음에 다른 민족들 가운데에서 당신의 이름을 위한 백성을 모으시려고 어떻게 배려하셨는지, 시몬이 이야기해 주었습니다. 15 이는 예언자들의 말과도 일치하는데, 성경에 이렇게 기록되어 있습니다.
16 ‘그 뒤에 나는 돌아와 무너진 다윗의 초막을 다시 지으리라. 그곳의 허물어진 것들을 다시 지어 그 초막을 바로 세우리라.
17 그리하여 나머지 다른 사람들도, 내 이름으로 불리는 다른 모든 민족들도 주님을 찾게 되리라. 주님이 이렇게 말하고 이 일들을 실행하니 18 예로부터 알려진 일들이다.’
19 그러므로 내 판단으로는, 다른 민족들 가운데에서 하느님께 돌아선 이들에게 어려움을 주지 말고, 20 다만 그들에게 편지를 보내어, 우상에게 바쳐 더러워진 음식과 불륜과 목 졸라 죽인 짐승의 고기와 피를 멀리하라고 해야 합니다. 21 사실 예로부터 각 고을에는, 안식일마다 회당에서 모세의 율법을 봉독하며 선포하는 이들이 있었습니다.”

  

 복음

 요한 15,9-11
그때에 예수님께서 제자들에게 말씀하셨다.
9 “아버지께서 나를 사랑하신 것처럼 나도 너희를 사랑하였다. 너희는 내 사랑 안에 머물러라. 10 내가 내 아버지의 계명을 지켜 그분의 사랑 안에 머무르는 것처럼, 너희도 내 계명을 지키면 내 사랑 안에 머무를 것이다.
11 내가 너희에게 이 말을 한 이유는, 내 기쁨이 너희 안에 있고 또 너희 기쁨이 충만하게 하려는 것이다.”

 

 

 

 May 10, 2007

 Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

 Reading 1
Acts 15:7-21

After much debate had taken place,
Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,
“My brothers, you are well aware that from early days
God made his choice among you that through my mouth
the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit
just as he did us.
He made no distinction between us and them,
for by faith he purified their hearts.
Why, then, are you 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?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”
The whole assembly fell silent,
and they listened
while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders
God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded,
“My brothers, listen to me.
Symeon has described how God first concerned himself
with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

After this I shall return
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
known from of old.

It is my judgment, therefore,
that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,
unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
For Moses, for generations now,
has had those who proclaim him in every town,
as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”

 

 

 Commentary

 

 Peter speaks first in favor of not imposing old laws on the new believers because the Spirit of God came to them without their experiencing the old law. We are saved by the favor of God, not the law. Then Paul and Barnabas recount all that has happened as they preached on mission. And James quotes the scriptures of old to speak about what God has done in Jesus and is doing now. He says that they are not to hinder what God is doing by demanding circumcision but should only require those things that will not cause scandal: abstain from anything connected to idols, illicit sexual unions, and eating the meat of strangled animals and blood (what would be the equivalent of these issues today?) What are our idols-of war, commerce, selfishness, avarice, domination? The last issue is one of hygiene at the time. What would the Spirit say now?

 

 

 “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love….
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

Throughout the readings after the Resurrection we experience joy and moments for reflection about how we are saved through the death of Jesus and that we are called to live a life worthy of a jubilant resurrection with him.

Here is a reading I want to share with you because it seems to fit this time in the liturgical year. It is taken from Psalms of a Laywoman by Edwina Gateley, V.M.M. I have taken the liberty to space the lines differently from what is printed on pages 68 and 69 of her book.

Called To Become

You are called to become a perfect creation.
No one is called to become who you are called to be.

It does not matter how short or tall
Or thick-set or slow you may be.
It does not matter whether you sparkle with life or are silent as a still pool --
Whether you sing your song aloud or weep alone in darkness.
It does not matter whether you feel loved and admired or unloved and alone…

For you are called to be become a perfect creation.

No one’s shadow should cloud your becoming
No one’s light should dispel your spark
For the Lord delights in you – jealously looks upon you
And encourages with gentle joy every movement of the Spirit within you.

Unique and loved you stand, beautiful or stunted in your growth
But never without hope and life…

For you are called to become a perfect creation.

This becoming may be gentle or harsh, subtle or violent
But it never ceases, never pauses or hesitates,
Only is –
Creative force – calling you, calling you to become a perfect creation.

 

 by
Pat Callone
Institutional Relations

 

 

The mention of commandments might appear to be out of place when speaking about love.  We often set these two in contrast to each other (see yesterday’s reading and comment).  It is well to remember that even the Ten Commandments of the Old Testaments are ways of freedom.  They are prefaced by these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Exodus 20:2).  All the more must this be true of the commandments of Jesus, especially the supreme commandment.  “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). 

            It is much easier to understand rules than to understand freedom, and perhaps this is why we so often reduce our religion to rules.  Religious experience is more like music: it cannot be described easily or exactly.  The descriptions we give are often unhelpful: they are a different medium, they describe externally, in the way a music critic describes music.  A critic can point out similarities but does not and cannot say what two pieces similar to each other are similar to.  There is a strong temptation to describe our faith as if it were a philosophy, a theory about God, so that description is the essence of it.  This does not mean that all description is useless.  Descriptions, one might say, are place-holders of faith.  It is important that they should be in the right place, but more important that there should be something to hold. 

How do you describe freedom, for example, except by saying what it is not?  How do you describe joy?  It is useful to distinguish it from other things, like happiness, or excitement, or pleasure.  But no description will convey its meaning to someone who has never experienced it.  A disciple is not someone who keeps repeating the right words, but rather someone who knows from the inside what Jesus is saying  -  in much the same way that a musician knows what music is.     

 

 

 "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love"

 Do you know the love that produces immeasurable joy? Jesus speaks of the love which the Father and he have for those who belong to him.  We can never outgive God in love, because he has loved us without measure. Our love for him is a response to his exceeding mercy and kindness towards us. Paul the Apostle tells us that we can abound in joy and hope because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:5).  In God's love we find the fulness of grace, life, peace, and joy. Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment -- a new way of love.  We are to love others as Jesus has loved us.  What is the essence of this new commandment?  True love is sacrificial.  It gives all to the beloved.  And there is no greater proof in love than the sacrifice of one's life for the sake of another. Jesus proved his love for his disciples by giving his life for them, even to death on the cross. We prove our love for God and for one another when we embrace the way of the cross.  What is the cross in my life?  When my will crosses with God's will, then God's will must be done.  Do you know the joy and contentment of a life fully surrendered to God and consumed with his love?

"Lord, may I abound in hope, joy, and love.  Inflame my heart with love for you and your ways and with charity and compassion for my neighbor.  May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from your love."

Psalm 113:1-8

1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised!
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

 

JESUS, JOY, AND US

'All this I tell you that My joy may be yours and your joy may be complete.' John 15:11

Jesus offers us His complete joy. The question is: do we really want Jesus' type of joy, that is, 'complete joy,' or would we rather have a cheap, temporary joy? To answer that question, let's look at what constitutes Jesus' joy:
* Jesus finds 'joy' when we faithfully obey Him, bear lasting fruit, and receive greater responsibilities (Mt 25:21, 23). Do we find joy in being assigned more work for Jesus?
* He has great joy when a sinner is rescued (Lk 15:5, 32), despite risking His own safety. Do we find joy in risking harm to lead lost people to repentance and conversion?
* He finds great joy and gladness amid persecution (Mt 5:12; Lk 6:23). Does persecution for Jesus' sake bring us joy?

Jesus wants to share His joy completely with us (Jn 17:13). Do we still want Jesus' joy if it involves ever-increasing labor, an exhausting, dangerous quest for repentance and conversion, and exposure to escalating persecution?

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). The Spirit is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32). Joy and unselfishness are linked (Phil 4:4-5). To have Jesus' complete joy, we must die to ourself (Lk 9:23), obey Jesus, and want what He wants, not what we want. Then we will rejoice with His joy that no one can take from us (Jn 16:22). We will share His joy completely (Jn 17:13). Our names will be written in heaven, and that will bring Jesus great joy (Lk 10:20-21).

Praise: Ron often witnesses to others that the way to find joy is to put Jesus first, others next, and yourself last.
Prayer: Jesus, my Joy (Ps 43:4), I abandon my life unto You.
Promise: 'We are saved by the favor of the Lord Jesus.' Acts 15:11 

 

 

«As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you»

Today, we hear again the intimate confidence Jesus made last Holy Thursday: «As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you» (Jn 15:9). The Father's love for the Son is immense, tender, dear. We can read it in the Book of Proverbs, when He affirms that long before initiating his deeds «Then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while» (Pr 8:30). This is how He loves us and, prophetically announcing it in the same book, He adds: «Playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the sons of men» (Pr 8:31).

The Father loves the Son, and Jesus tells us so: «And He that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him» (Jn 8:29). The Father loudly proclaimed it in the Jordan, when He says: «You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased» (Mk 1:11) and, later on, in Mount Tabor: «This is my beloved Son. Listen to him» (Mk 9:7).

Jesus has replied, «Abbà», Pater! Now He reveals us, «As the Father has loved me, so I love you». And what shall we do? To stay indeed by his love, to abide by his commandments, to love His Father's Will. Is not this the example He gives us? «I always keep my Father's commandments and remain in his love».

But we, who are weak, fickle, cowards and —why not just admit it— even wicked at times, shall we then lose his friendship forever? No, He will not allow us to be tempted well over our own forces! And, if we ever fail to abide by his commandments, let us ask him the grace of quickly coming back to him, as the prodigal son to the Father's house. And of being able to receive the Sacrament of Penance and be forgiven our sins. «I love you —Jesus tells us—. I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete» (Jn 15:9-11).
 

 

The first reading today tells of what might be called the “First Ecumenical Council” of the Church.  There is a great dispute in the Church: Is the Law of Moses irrevocable, as the Pharisees say?   Is the Torah eternal and unchangeable?   Does a person, therefore, need to become a Jew before he can be a Christian?  Many Jews were perfectly willing to accept Jesus as the Messiah, but they still believed that a person had to be Jew before being Christian. 
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the apostles and presbyters gathered.   They determined the doctrine of the Church: We are freed from the Torah.   Gentiles do not need to become Jews before being Christians.  Gentiles are equal members of the Church with Jews.    From this point on, the Church will increasingly become Gentile.   The Church will become aware that it is no longer a part of Judaism.
In the gospel, Jesus tells us to remain in his love.    The way to remain in his love is to keep the commandments.   And the supreme commandment is to appreciate the Father’s love and to extend it to others.

Also Blessed Damien Joseph deVeuster of Moloka’i (1849 - 1899)
Born in Belgium, he became a member of the Community of the Sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary.   In 1863, he volunteered to go to Hawaii when his older brother (also in the community) was too ill to go.   He was ordained in 1864.   In 1863, the bishop of Honolulu asked for volunteers to work at the leper colony on Molokai.  He intended that several would volunteer, and that no one would need to serve too long in that wretched place. But Damian offered to go alone and to devote himself entirely to the work.
Because of the hopelessness of the disease, immorality was rampant on the island.   Father Damian introduced methods of health and hygiene.   He treated the lepers as he would treat anyone else – with dignity.  He gave them dignity.   And his primary concern, of course, was their spiritual welfare.
In the course of his ministry, he was accused of many things – disobedience, worldliness, and even a violation of his vow of celibacy.  He contracted leprosy in 1884 and died in 1889.   He was a martyr to the lepers.  He was beatified in 1995. 

 

 

 This very short, concise Gospel is often used at Nuptial Masses.  Love and Joy.  These two words very much occur on wedding cards and invitations.  So let us remember the pattern of all nuptial love is the love of the Trinity for the Church.  The Trinitarian love of the Father and the Son is given to the Church: Abide in my love.  The Church is brought as a bride to God for mystical union based on love and the gift of mutual joy.  The experience of love and joy are heightened in the Paschal Season.  The Risen Jesus is at the center of the Church and at the same time makes us mystically abide in the Trinity.  This is the joy that Jesus shares with us now in the Church through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The other key word is commandments.  Love and joy as words disintegrate into sentimentality and sensuous, destructive self-love without the will struggling in fortitude to be faithful to the will of the Father expressed in the commandments in the fullness of the Gospel light.  Prayer must be rooted in desire to be faithful to the path given by Christ through the Church.  The infinite longitude of love and joy comes only from the reality of the narrow way of obedience.  Seemingly narrow only in the moment of surrender, but infinite in the opening into the live of God.  Jesus warns us that the path is broad that leads to destruction