Monthly Archives: May 2025

Glory

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This coming Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Easter in Liturgical Year C. The gospel is taken from John 13:31-35. Our short text can be divided into three parts:

  • vv. 31-32 – the glorification of God and Jesus
  • v. 33 – Jesus’ departure
  • vv. 34-35 – the commandment to love.

Before we delve into the text itself, we should perhaps consider the word “glory.” If asked, what would you give as a definition? Merriam Webster reflects on the definition in all the ways the word is used in the common palance: glory – renown, magnificence, exaltation, achievement, and more. When speaking of God, at best, these seem to linger on the edge of meaning, but not approach the heart of the matter.

If we turn to the Hebrew scriptures to discover what is meant by God’s glory, we quickly find it is not a single, well-defined concept. In fact, it is probably best to treat the word as something of a cipher, a term used to point to the ineffable qualities of God. In the OT kabod is perhaps the most important of many related words and refers in its root meaning to what is weighty, important or impressive. That would certainly apply to the people’s experience of God’s interactions in the world; not a direct experience but an experience nonetheless.

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Beginning Private Ministry

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This coming Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Easter in Liturgical Year C. The gospel is taken from John 13:31-35. Perhaps we should place this short gospel passage in context. The public ministry of Jesus has drawn to a close with John 12.  Here in Chapter 13 begins the “private ministry” of Jesus preparing his disciples for his impending death.  John 13:1-17:26 is characterized by Jesus’ being alone with his disciples before his betrayal and arrest. While there may have been others present, such as those who were serving the meal, the focus is on the Twelve (so also Mt 26:20; Mk 14:17; Lk 22:14). The section begins with an account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and the prediction of Judas’ betrayal (13:1-30). Then there is a lengthy section known as the farewell discourse, which consists of teachings (13:31–16:33) and a concluding prayer by Jesus (17:1-26).

These five chapters (13-17) veer sharply from the previous presentation of Jesus’ teaching and performing signs to an insistence on the Christian’s actual, realized life in Jesus. In the course of offering assurance and comfort in the face of his impending departure, Jesus develops various themes that have been introduced earlier in his ministry, including glory, mutual indwelling and love. His main point is the realized experience of life in God the disciples have and will continue to have. 

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The still small voice

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“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

In many ways the stories of the Bible highlight people hearing God call their names and they respond by following. Noah heard his name called, built an ark, and saved lives. Abraham and Sarah heard their names called, traveled to a land not their own, and became our parents in faith. Moses heard his name and set his people free. The prophet Samuel heard his name called and responded, “Here I am Lord. Your servant is listening.” Hosea, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and all the prophets heard their names called and followed.

Mary the mother of Jesus heard her name and said, “Yes.”

Peter, James, John and Andrew heard their names called and followed, leaving boats and nets behind.

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Oneness

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This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter for Year C of the Lectionary Cycle. The gospel is taken from John 10:27-30.  In yesterday’s post we considered membership in the flock, but from Jesus’ perspective, as we focused on knowing, being given, and following. Today we consider the oneness of Jesus and the Father. 

The Oneness of Jesus and the Father are at the heart of our Christian confession – there is a unique relationship between Jesus and the Father (and the Holy Spirit).  That oneness is expressed in Scripture as a oneness of nature, of will, of knowledge, and many things, all the while being a distinct persona.  Some Christians point to v.30 (The Father and I are one.) are a simple proof text of the uniquely Christian confession.  While this verse is part of the confession, this verse is actually quite limited in what it claims.

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New Life

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Today at the Mass for the children of the parish elementary school, the gospel reading is taken from John 20, the scene on Easter morning when Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Jesus. As part of the encounter, Jesus says to Mary: “Stop holding on to me.” What could those words mean? What is Jesus trying to tell Mary?

In part, I think Jesus is telling Mary that the “old Jesus” – the one she knew – has been raised from death into a new life. While it is hard to think of the “new Jesus” when Jesus is truly God. But remember He is also truly human. Standing there in front of Mary is new life, the newness of life that awaits us.

St. Paul told the people of Rome that if we have been baptized in Christ then we are promised the newness of life, but in the same letter he also tells them that they can’t hold onto things from the past that would keep them from the new life.

I think Jesus understands that Mary’s comfort zone is the Jesus she knew, the One she depended on – and as good as that is – as great as that is – there is a newness of life awaiting with the coming of the Holy Spirit that will bring her and all believers new grace, new gifts and new life.

I hear tell that “eighth grade-itis” has come upon the senior class of the school. They are ready for the school year to conclude – but also ready for the new life that awaits them in high school. You have worked hard and are well prepared. Hold onto the memories and friends you have made here, but be ready to step into new opportunities and roles that await you in your new life.

That seems a very appropriate message here on the first full day of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. From the South Side of Chicago, to seminary, to Chiclayo Peru as priest and later Bishop, to Rome as Cardinal, and now as the 267th pope.  Each step, newness of life awaited him, even as he treasured the life he was leaving behind to serve the people and the Church. 

It was Jesus’ message to Mary. It is Jesus’ message to us – strengthened by the grace of God, step into the newness of life

Anima una et cor unum in Deum: One mind and one heart intent upon God

Image credit: Patheos, CC-BY-NC

Being Given

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This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter for Year C of the Lectionary Cycle. The gospel is taken from John 10:27-30.  In v.29 it is clear that it is the Father who has given the sheep to Jesus.  This small part of one verse, when reflected upon can be a quite challenging revelation. We are part of Jesus’ flock because of what God has done, not because of anything we have done, (cf. “You did not choose me but I chose you””15:16a). Can we refuse to be God’s gift to Jesus? Jesus is clear that “the Jews” to whom he is speaking do not belong to his sheep. Why not? Clearly they have heard Jesus words – yet they refuse to listen and follow. What is the word they refuse to hear? It simply this: “God has given you to Jesus.”

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The Momsen Lung and things Submarine

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I suspect that most people read the title of this post and went, “What…???” Well… as it happens, this day in history, the first device to provide a means to escape a sunken submarine underwent its first testing. The Momsen Lung consists of a rubber bag containing a canister of soda lime that removes carbon dioxide from exhaled air and replaces it with oxygen. It was developed by Lieutenant Charles B. Momsen (UNSA Class of 1919), Chief Gunner Clarence L. Tibbals, and civilian engineer Frank Hobson.

The only known emergency use of the Momsen lung was during the escape from USS Tang on October 25, 1944. The Momsen lung was replaced by the Steinke hood beginning in 1962. This was the device that was standard during my time of service. My only experience with the hood was during SubSchool when all are required to do an ascent from ~100 feet. It was actually kinda’ fun.

The USS Tang was launched in 1943 and immediately went into action with Commander Richard O’Kane USN. Throughout the war the submarines had been plagued with faulty torpedoes. Sadly, Tang was actually sunk by her own torpedo which went into a circular run. She sank off China in the Taiwan Strait on 24 October 1944.

The engagement was at night with Tang surfaced and so there were several crew members along with O’Kane topside in the sail of the submarine. The majority of the crew was below decks. Several men escaped via the Momsen Lung, several did a free-ascent, but in the end only 78 perished. Nine, inlcuding O’Kane, survived and were captured by the Japanese, spening the remainder of the was in a POW camp.

In her short career in the Pacific War, Tang sank 33 enemy ships. Commander O’Kane received the Medal of Honor for her Tang’s last two engagements (23 and 24 October 1944)

O’Kane also received three Navy Crosses and three Silver Stars, for a total of seven awards of the United States military’s three highest decorations for valor in combat. Before commanding Tang, O’Kane served in the highly successful USS Wahoo as executive officer and approach officer under noted Commander Dudley “Mush” Morton. In his ten combat patrols, five in Wahoo and five commanding Tang, O’Kane participated in more successful attacks on Japanese shipping than any other submarine officer during the war.

In the world of WWII submarine lore, Morton and O’Kane are legendary.

Image credit:
Momsen Lung: United States Navy, photographer unknown
Steinke Hood: National Museum of the U.S. Navy – 330-PSA-262-63 (USN 711388), Public Domain

Random Happens

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Sometimes there is a nexus of events that seem random or perhaps purposeful – usually hard to discern the difference. Many years ago when leading a Bible study on the Book of Revelation, one of the participants told me that every evening when driving home from the session (it was summer), he saw a black crow sitting on a fence. He asked if it was a sign. Could be…. or since it was farm country and the fence was bordering a corn field, it might have just been a crow. I have to admit there is a part of me that operates out of the old maxim: if you hear hoofbeats don’t assume zebra, it’s probably a horse. At least it’s a good maxim for the United States.

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Listening and Knowing

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This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter for Year C of the Lectionary Cycle. The gospel is taken from John 10:27-30.  In yesterday’s post we focused on the idea that if Jesus is the Good Shepherd – then what/who constitutes the flock? Who are the sheep that follow the promised Messiah? And in the course, we spend some time nuancing some of the language used in the text.

27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 

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Privateering – the new side gig

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Given the state and possible future of a new global order in a world of trade wars, tariffs, and mercantile mischief, I thought it good to again post an article from last year. It might just be, for you, a viable side-gig.

Did you know that you have a constitutional right to become a government-sanctioned pirate? I present for your consideration Article I, Section 8: Clause 11, War Powers – To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water. This means that, with Congress’s permission, private citizens can weaponize all manner of watercraft, put  out to sea, capture enemy vessels, and keep the booty. Rather than fly the Jolly Roger, you’d proudly fly the Star-and-Stripes. And even more, rather than taking on the name “pirate”  although that has a certain cache to it, you might go by the title “privateer.” But I must admit that “Pirate Jack” sounds a fair bit more daunting than “Privateer Jack.”

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