Word to the Wise
Saturday, May 18, 2024 - 7th Week of Easter - Sat morning
[Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 and John 21:20-25]When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him....He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts] It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. [John]
These two passages from today's scriptures mark the end of the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel According to John. They also mark the end of the Easter season. With the celebration of the feast of Pentecost tomorrow, we will be back in "Ordinary Time." The endings of the two books, however, mark beginnings as well. There are writings that post-date the gospels and the Acts. We have James, the letters of John, the letters of Peter, the letter of Jude, Hebrews, and Revelation that show the continuation of the preaching of the gospel. As in many, if not most, of the books of the Bible, the name in the title does not mean that person wrote the work. The language and ideas clearly show development in Christian theology that post-dates the apostles and first disciples. The Holy Spirit went to work after Pentecost in many other disciples.
The passage from Acts speaks to St. Paul's last days before his martyrdom, which tradition puts around 64 AD. The passage from the Gospel According to John is the ending of the last chapter (21), which is called the "Johannine Appendix," since there is an earlier ending at chapter 20!!! The gospel text was in development over a period of time [90-110 AD]. All of this speaks to a growing and dynamic reflection in the earliest Church on the significance of Jesus Christ and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church. Tomorrow's feast, Pentecost, is often called the "birthday of the Church." We, as missionary disciples, continue what was begun on that day. AMEN