To thee, O God, we turn for peace; but grant us, too, the blessed assurance that nothing shall deprive us of that peace, neither ourselves, nor our foolish, earthly desires, nor my wild longings, nor the anxious cravings of my heart.
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Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), Journals
(Peace that the world cannot take away . . . Thank you, Lord.)
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Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 Jn 17:20-26
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in
me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent
me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you
sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."
Reflection on the Scriptures
The seven weeks that draw double alleluias from us, the glorious Easter season, is
ending. We already have rejoiced at the resurrection of Jesus, and we have celebrated the Ascension. As we await Pentecost and ponder the wonders and gifts that God has showered upon us, we read in Acts 22 and 23 of St. Paul’s continuing perils as he spreads God’s message. Paul’s status as a Roman citizen and a Pharisee by birth, coupled with the intervention of a Roman Commander, saved Paul from being “torn to pieces” by a group of Sadducees who opposed his beliefs. Violence ensued, and Paul
was ostensibly saved by the action of the Roman. God, we are reminded, often moves in marvelous and mysterious ways. Acts tells us of the many dangers experienced by the early Apostles. Spreading the word by oration and action at the continual risk of losing their lives is truly inspiring. Luke tells us that Jesus came to Paul during this time and stood by his shoulder. “Courage,” he said. Paul would need that. Preaching in Jerusalem was dangerous, but Jesus knew that Paul’s work in Rome would
lead to his death. Yet he persisted. We surely need to be willing to have this faith. Faith for which so many died. We do need to pray “keep me safe, O God, you are my hope.” Alleluia alleluia.
-by Tom Quinn
Proverbs for Perspective and Spiritual Living by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. From Pathways to Serenity, 1989, Liguori Publications; reprinted by Contemplative Ministries, Inc., 2013 (Minor editing applied.)
- https://shalomplace.com/view/pathview.html Included in Light for the Christian Journey, 2020: Contemplative Ministries, Inc.
https://shalomplace.com/view/light-journey.html
III. Identity
14. The truth is not “Christ lives in you,” but “You live in Christ.” He is not yours, you are his. You
are the clay, he is the potter.
15. You are like a brain cell in God’s consciousness. Having awakened, you are now privileged to see with God’s seeing, and love with God’s loving. The old cellular structure remains; the life within it is different. New wine, new wineskins!
16. The Christ-self is awakened by Love, nurtured in Love, and expanded in Love. In Love it lives and moves and has its being.
17. Most people discover the love of God through the love of other
people. The mystic, however, discovers love of others primarily through the love of God.
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