Sunday Lectionary: It’s all you need

Sixth Sunday of Easter: 13th May, 2012

The Readings this week start to wrap up our Easter Season prior to the Feasts of Ascension and Pentecost.

In the First Reading we read about that great moment in Church History when the first Gentiles received baptism and entered the Church. In our Second Reading, we conclude our study of St. John’s First Epistle by hearing about the love of God. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus unpacks His teaching concerning His metaphor of “the vine and the branches”  which we heard last week.

As we come to the Eucharistic table this week let us come with thankful hearts. God’s love is so great that He came to redeem us, call us His friends, pour His Spirit into our hearts and make us members of His family.

 

Reading I: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

Our First Reading this week marks an important moment in the life of the Church. In AD 40, about ten years after the Ascension of Christ, the first Gentiles entered the Church.

St. Paul is rightly called “The Apostle to the Gentiles”, but St. Paul was not actually the first person to bring Gentiles into the Church. That honour belonged to the Prince of the Apostles, St. Peter.

I don’t really like the way the Lectionary has edited this Reading, missing out important chunks of the narrative. Please allow me to retell the story, filling in the gaps:

Earlier in Acts we are told about the visions received by St. Peter and Cornelius. As a result of these visions, Peter comes to Cornelius’ house. He is greeted by Cornelius and, after correcting his excess homage, enters the Gentile’s house.

Peter tells Cornelius that Jews would not normally be “associated with or visit a Gentile”, but that God had shown him that he “should not call anyone impure or unclean”.

He asks Cornelius why he sent for him. Cornelius tells him about his vision. Amazed, Peter responds by preaching the Good News, proclaiming the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While preaching, the Holy Spirit falls on all those Gentiles gathered and they begin to speak in tongues.

Seeing this, Peter asks “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?”. He then gives orders for them to be baptized, thereby welcoming the first Gentiles into the Church.

Okay, here’s the Lectionary text:

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” …

Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” …

While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?” He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Questions:

• Who is the “Peter” referred to here?
• Who is the “Cornelius” referred to here? What do you know about him?
• What events take place between the first paragraph and the second paragraph? What about between the second and third?
• What does this event culminate in?

Commentary:

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him… 

Both Peter and Cornelius had received visions. In Peter’s vision, God revealed to him that he “should not call anyone impure or unclean”. In Cornelius’ vision he was instructed by an Angel to send for Peter, giving him instructions as to where he could find him.

The Peter referred to here is St. Peter, the man formally called “Simon”, renamed by our Lord to “Peter”, the rock, and to whom Jesus gave the “keys to the Kingdom” (Matthew 15:13-20).

Cornelius was a Gentile (i.e. not a Jew). Earlier in Acts we are told that he was “a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment…he and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly”. So although he was not a Jew, he worshiped the God of Israel. Such people are referred to in the New Testament as “God fearers”.

…and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.”

It appears that Cornelius gives Peter excessive homage. Peter corrects him, saying that he’s just human and not divine (Paul has to do the same thing in Acts 14:11-18). Worship is due to God alone.

Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”

The Lectionary has skipped a few verses here. Cornelius has just told Peter about his vision. Peter had previously told him about his own vision saying “God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean”, but upon hearing about Cornelius’ vision, Peter goes a step further in the interpretation of his own vision saying that “whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him [both Jew or Gentile]”. What Peter says here alludes to a description of God in Deuteronomy:

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partialityand accepts no bribes – Deuteronomy 10:17

 Paul would later write something similar to the Galatians:

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus – Galatians 3:28

While Peter was still speaking these things, …

Again, the Lectionary skips out a few verses. Peter has been preaching the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

…the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out on the Gentiles, just like it did at Pentecost.

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy…” – Acts 2:17-18 (Quoting the Prophet Joel)

The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter… .

These were the Jewish Christians who came with Peter from Joppa.

..were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, …

How could it be that God poured out His grace on non-Jews?! However, the gratuitousness of God’s Spirit should not have surprised them as something similar happened in the Old Testament (Numbers 11:17, 25-29)

…for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.

Again, just like at Pentecost.

Speaking in tongues was evidence that God welcomes Jew and Gentile.

Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?”

The answer to this is, of course, “Nobody”. Like at Pentecost, there is a call for Baptism.

He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Heaven had not withheld the Spirit, therefore Earth could not withhold the waters of rebirth. The first Gentiles enter the Church and the New Covenant of Christ.

You sometimes hear this verse used to try to demonstrate that we should be baptise in the name of Jesus rather than using the Trinitarian formula. However, this verse does not prove this. It simply means that they received the baptism commanded by Jesus, who said “go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Christian history confirms the use of the Trinitarian formula:

And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water – The Didache, Chapter 7

You can find a thorough defense of Trinitarian baptism here (Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3).

 

 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

The psalm this week is a psalm of praise for the great deeds of God before all the nations.

R. (cf. 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him,  his holy arm.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

Questions:

• How is this psalm linked with our First Reading?
• What echo of these words do we find in the New Testament?

Commentary:

R. (cf. 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The saving power of God has been revealed to the whole world (“the nations”).

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

The new works of the Lord require new praise (“a new song”). It is a song of the salvation won by God Himself (“His right hand…his holy arm”).

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

The saving work of God is displayed to the world (“in the sight of the nations”). Israel has not been forgotten (“He has remembered…the house of Israel”). We find very similar words on the lips of Simeon when he sees Jesus at the “Presentation in the Temple” (4th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary):

“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” – Luke 2: 30-32

Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises to Israel and the light which will draw all nations to God.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

The whole world (“the ends of the earth”) have seen God’s salvation. Because of this, praise the Lord!

 

 

Reading II: 1 John 4:7-10

This is our last week of reading from John’s First Epistle. Our reading of John culminates in a great hymn of love. In John’s letter as a whole the word “love” is used in some form forty-three times and the majority of uses come from the section from which this extract is drawn:

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

Questions:

• Why should we love one another?
• What does John say of those who are without love?
• How does John say that God was revealed to us?
• Why did God send Jesus into the world?
• Who loved first? Us or God? What does this tell us about God and grace?

Commentary:

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; …

This is why we should love, because God is love. This is quite a statement. John does not say that God is loving, but love itself. Love has its origin in God. This is because God is a community of persons, forever pouring out love to each other.

…everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Those who love are born (“begotten”) from God and know Him.

Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

Conversely, those without love don’t know God because they lack what God is.

In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.

The love of God was revealed in the coming of Jesus. Jesus was sent into the world so that we might have life.

In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

We did not love God first. No, He loved us first. This theme will be picked up again in the Gospel.

 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:6-8

Synonyms for “expiation” would include “atonement”, “compensation” and “reparation”. It means that through Jesus and His atoning sacrifice our sins are wiped away and we are made right before God.

 

Gospel: John 15:9-17

In last week’s Gospel Reading Jesus described Himself as “the true vine”. He exhorted his disciples to remain in Him and to bear fruit. This week’s Gospel Reading picks up where we left off:

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 may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

Questions:

• What is the context for this passage? What did we hear last week?
• In the first paragraph, how does Jesus describe His relationship with us?
• What does He tell us to do? How do we remain friends of Jesus?
• How did Jesus lay down His life? How are we to lay down our own lives? In what way has someone lain down their life for you?
• Why does Jesus give us this commandment?
• How exactly does He say we are to love?
• In the second paragraph, how does Jesus describe His relationship with us?
• Who chose first? Us or God? What does that tell us about God and grace?

Commentary:

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you…”

Jesus compares the love of the Father for the Son to the love of the Son for His Church.

“…Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, …” 

Following the image of “the vine and the branches”, Jesus exhorts His disciples to “remain” in His love, which is done by remaining obedient to His commandments. As we saw last week, this flies in the face of novel doctrines such as “Once Saved, Always Saved” (sometimes known as “Eternal Security”)

“…just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”

Jesus then compares again the our relationship with Him to His relationship with the Father (“…just as”).

Jesus Himself remained in the Father’s love by remaining obedient to the Father:

“Even as I have kept My Father’s commandments”. The Apostle explains what these commandments were: “Christ became obedient to death, even the death of the cross” (Phil 2:8) – Alcuin

By imitating Jesus we get to participate in the life of the Trinity:

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. – 2 Peter 1:4

Love was the cause of Christ’s coming. Love was also the motivation for and the means by which the Church was born.

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

The voice of sin always promises us joy, but always fails to deliver. Jesus, however, always remains true to His word.

Jesus is telling His Apostles this on the eve of His Passion. Despite His impending suffering, He wants them to have joy because he is being obedient to the Father and offering Himself out of love.

For a meditation on the subject of joy I would suggest reading the entirety of St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, a letter in which the subject of joy is found constantly:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4

The fact that the letter was written from captivity should tell us something about the nature of true joy.

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

This is the central commandment of the Lord. He tells us to not just love, but to love as He loved us.

Where then love is, what can be wanting? Where it is not, what can profit? But this love is distinguished from men’s love…by adding “As I have loved you”… Let us therefore so love one another, as that our love be different from that of other men… – St. Augustine

How did Christ love? By putting Himself at the service of others through healing (Luke 5:17), teaching (Mark 6:34), washing the feet of His Apostles (John 13:1-17) and by offering His life on the cross (Mark 10:45).

We are to love our neighbour, motivated by our love of God:

From one and the same love, we love God and our neighbor, but God for His own sake, our neighbor for God’s  – St. Augustine

This commandment to “love one another as I love you” sums up all His teaching:

But when all our Lord’s sacred discourses are full of His commandments, why does He give this special commandment respecting love, if it is not that every commandment teaches love, and all precepts are one? Love and love only is the fulfillment of every thing that is enjoined. As all the boughs of a tree proceed from one root, so all the virtues are produced form one love: nor has the branch, i.e. the good work, any life, except it abide in the root of love – St. Gregory

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

True love is sacrificial. As Jason Evert explained, the lover seeks the good of the beloved, no matter the cost to the lover.

Jesus’ words will find their fulfillment initially in the Garden of Gethsemane:

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” – John 18:8-9

…but finally and more perfectly on the cross:

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again – John 10:17

We too are also called to lay down our lives, in both the great things and in the small:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? – 1 John 3:16

“Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Prayer of Ignatius Loyola

In the centuries which followed the Gospel events, Christians would demonstrate their love by literally laying down their lives:

This the martyrs have done with ardent love And therefore in commemorating them at Christ’s table, we do not pray for them, as we do for others, but we rather pray that we may follow their steps. For they have shown the same love for their brother, that has been shown them at the Lord’s table – St. Augustine

St. Gregory has something quite remarkable to say about this verse:

Our Lord came to die for His enemies, but He says that He is going to lay down His life for His friends, to show us that by loving, we are able to gain over our enemies, so that they who persecute us are by anticipation our friends – St. Gregory

Now there’s something worthy of meditation!

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Friendship with Christ is found through loving obedience to Him.

I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It is, in fact, a great honour to be the slave/servant of God:

Moses: And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said – Deuteronomy 34:5

Joshua: After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten – Joshua 24:29

David: I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him – Psalm 89:20

St. Paul and St. Timothy: Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus… – Philippians 1:1

St. James: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ… – James 1:1

When writing about this verse, St. Augustine makes a distinction between different kinds of servitude. He says that there are two kinds of servitude in the same way that there are two kinds of fear. Perfect love casts out one kind of fear, as well as one kind of servitude. However, another kind of fear and another kind of servitude are “pure” and therefore “remain forever”. Therefore “we are servants, and yet not servants”.

It is the former state of servitude, which our Lord refers to; not the state of that servant to whom it is said, “Well done, you good servant, enter you into the joy of your Lord” (Matt 25:21), but of him of whom it was said below, “A slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever” (John 8:35) – St. Augustine

However, we are not only slaves/servants, we are friends of God. This was an honour first given to Abraham, a man noted for his faith and obedience:

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. – James 2:23

In being called God’s friends we have been granted a great privilege previously afforded only to the greatest of Israel’s leaders:

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp… – Exodus 33:11

Also, we are not only called God’s friends, but as we have read in previous weeks, His children (1 John 3:1).

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you…

Typically, disciples would choose the rabbi to whom they would be attached, but the reverse is true of Jesus. This is consistent with grace:

We love because he first loved us – 1 John 4:19

God is the one who acts first. It is His gratuitous gift:

But let no one who has attained to this dignity of being called the friend of God, attribute this superhuman gift to his own merits – St. Gregory

…and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.

This connects with last week’s Gospel about the vine and the branches. If we are part of the vine (i.e. in Christ), it has been appointed that we bear fruit of holiness, virtuous character and good works.

It is worth noting the qualification that Jesus gives – this is fruit that will remain. Faith in Christ is not just a flash-in-the-pan, but a lifelong relationship and journey with the Lord.

As we saw last week, there is again the indication that disobedience is an impediment to prayer.

This I command you: love one another.”

Boom.