These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
During the night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we sought passage to Macedonia at once, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them. (Acts 16:1-10)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051323.cfm
Paul’s vision leads him to begin his ministry in Europe; the gospel is on the move! The visions of Our Lady of Fatima are not a part of public but rather private revelation which does not require belief. Unfortunately, very early on Fatima attracted the “conspiracy fringe” of the church. It would have been helpful if the Lady could have given us a heads up about conspiracy theories, the real vision of hell.
Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation. (Acts 15:22-31)
Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” (Acts 15:22-31)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051223.cfm
The happy conclusion and reception of the “Council of Jerusalem” reflects a much later period in the life of the early church when the ”Gentile question” had long since been resolved. What we do know from the letters of Paul is that James and the Jerusalem community continued to harass the Gentile Christians and Paul over keeping Jewish Law, especially in regards to circumcision. Perhaps for good reason the Lord keeps reminding us: Love one another.
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." (Jn 15:9-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051123.cfm
Love and joy. Jesus is not talking about butterflies and bunny rabbits. Jesus is talking about the hard work of building a world of justice, the hard work of forgiving unforgivable hurts and injuries, the hard work of reconciliation and of loving unlovable people. The joy of the Risen Lord in us makes our joy complete.
Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (Jn 14:27-31a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050923.cfm
Peace. The Shalom of God. This is one of the most beloved passages of the gospels. Even though we receive the peace from above, it doesn’t mean there won’t be problems, which is why the Lord adds: "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." Our faith is in the One God has sent. As Saint Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you."
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. (Jn 15:1-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051023.cfm
Another striking image from the Fourth Gospel, the vine and the branches. And as the Lord reminds us: Remain in me, as I remain in you, for without me you can do nothing.
