May 30, 2009

Acts 28:16-31
16Upon our arrival in Rome, the captain turned the prisoners over to the military governor but permitted Paul to lodge in a private house with the soldier who guarded him.
17After three days, Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them: “Brothers, though I have not done anything against our people or against the traditions of our fathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18They examined me and wanted to set me free, for they saw nothing in my case that deserved death. 19But the Jews objected, so I was forced to appeal to Caesar without the least intention of bringing any case against my own people. 20Therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I bear these chains.”
21They answered: “We have not received any letter about you from Judea, and none of the brothers who have come from there have brought any message or said anything against you. 22But we wish to hear from you what you think, although we know already that everywhere people speak against this sect that you belong to.”
23They set a day for him and came in great numbers to his lodging. So Paul explained everything he wanted to tell them regarding the kingdom of God and tried to convince them concerning Jesus, taking the Law of Moses and the Prophets as his starting point. This continued from morning till night. 24Some were convinced by his words, others were not. 25Finally the Jews left, still arguing strongly among themselves; and Paul sent them away with this statement:“What the Holy Spirit said has come true, when he spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah:
26Go to this people and say to them: However much you hear, you will not understand; you will see and see again but not perceive.
27The heart of this people has grown hard; they have covered their ears and closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest their spirit understand, and I should heal them.
28Let it be known to you, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the pagans: they will listen.”
30Paul stayed for two whole years in a house he himself rented, where he received without any hindrance all those who came to see him. 31He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught the truth about Jesus Christ, the Lord, quite openly and without any hindrance.


Commentaries: When they get to Rome, Paul is treated fairly well. Instead of being put in jail, he is allowed to stay in the city, handcuffed (with his right arm tied to the left arm of the guard).

Psalms 11:4-7

4The Lord is in his holy place –
our God whose throne is in heaven.
He looks down to earth
to observe the race of Adam.
5The Lord searches both righteous and wicked.
He hates those who delight in violence.
6Upon the wicked, he will rain
coals of fire and brimstone;
a burning blast will be their lot.
7For the Lord is righteous;
he loves justice.
The upright will see his face.


Commentaries: When foundations fall to ruin, what can the righteous do? That is what the tempter suggests, “Do not swim upstream, everyone does it; do as they do and say nothing. Flee to the mountain, simple one; you have seen nothing, forget about injustice and see to your own business, or instead go to your religious practices!”
Let us pray for those who struggle against organized oppression, for those who awake each day to the threat of terrorism.


Jn 21: 20-25
20Peter looked back and saw that the disciple Jesus loved was following as well, the one who had reclined close to Jesus at the supper and had asked him, “Lord, who is to betray you?” 21On seeing him Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I come, does that concern you? Follow me.”
23Because of this the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, “He will not die,” but “suppose I want him to remain until I come.”
24It is this disciple who testifies about the things he has recorded here and we know that his testimony is true. 25But Jesus did many other things; if all were written down, the world itself would not hold the books recording them.

Commentaries: See Mk 2:18-22 Many religious leaders sympathized with Jesus. How they would have liked that he rekindle the faith of the nation! Jesus himself did not feel that his primary task was to reorganize worship and bring people to the synagogues.
The Pharisees were fasting. Fasting, a sign of repentance, supported their prayers that God come and liberate his people. God comes in the person of Jesus: joy and celebration are more appropriate than fasting. The prophets had announced the wedding feast of God with his people when he would come to visit us (Is 62:4-5). Because of this, in presenting himself as the bridegroom, Jesus identifies who he really is.
What is the new wine? (Mk 2:22) It is of course the Gospel, and the enthusiasm because of the Holy Spirit that leads the disciples to every kind of madness to manifest the love of the Father and the freedom that they have acquired. In order to understand this, let us read the Acts of the Apostles and the lives of the saints, who have marked Church history.
Old skins: Gospel does not fit into the molds of religion and likewise does not enter into those persons who hold onto them at all costs. Mark wants us to catch Gospel’s novelty. We have just seen Jesus welcoming sinners, now we wonder that he doesn’t come like religious groups with prayers and fasting.
The events related in this chapter show how Jesus situates himself in society and with what people he relates: with a small group of fishermen who will be in charge of his new movement, with lepers and sick people who seek him. He calls people who, like Levi, belong to a despised group.