Brothers and Sisters:
We have been hearing many beautiful readings during this time of Easter and many of them show us the importance of changing our life, of experiencing the resurrection and turning more decidedly to the Lord. Peter found his courage, Paul changed his way of thinking, and last week Paul told us that it is necessary to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. If it was true for Christ, it has to be true for us.
Today we hear of a tension going on in the early Church (as there is today) in the merging of two cultures. Something similar happens in a marriage, especially if the two are from different countries, and always one has a way of doing things that is different or in opposition to the other. The early Christian communities were comprised mostly of Jews, like Jesus, and all of his apostles. And as the Church spread, and especially with the impetus of Paul, it grew among gentiles, non-Jews. The question became do these gentiles have to live the Law of the Old Testament to follow Jesus Christ.
Part of the requirements of the Law was circumcision and other dietary laws, which would be substantial sacrifices for anyone to make. Paul and Barnabas had their concerns about imposing this on their new Christian communities and decided to bring the issue to the apostles in Jerusalem. There were certain Jews who were Pharisees who insisted that the gentiles had to be circumcised and instructed to keep the Law of Moses; they said the gentiles had to be circumcised and end of discussion.
There was a long debate about this and Peter said that God has already showed us his approval of the gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, and we should not put God to the test by imposing burdens on the new Christians that we ourselves were not able to support. We believe that we are saved through the grace of Jesus Christ, and so are they. Peter continued to argue that gentiles belonged to the Church and that all humanity will look for the Lord. ‘My verdict then,’ says Peter, ‘that instead of making things more difficult for gentiles who turn to God, we should send them a letter telling them to abstain from anything offered to idols, and from illicit marriages.’ In other words we should make it easier for them.
James, the bishop of Jerusalem agrees and says, ‘It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God.’ Other translations say, ‘Let’s not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.’ Let’s make it as easy as possible for people who were far from God, who didn’t know God to come to him. Let’s get rid of any obstacle that keeps people from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
This gathering was called the Council of Jerusalem and a letter was sent saying that we would not impose upon gentiles the Jewish laws except what was stated above. When the gentiles received this letter they rejoiced, especially the men. This same attitude should be true of our church and parish. Faith is not about following one law after another, and earning God’s love. It is about a relationship with Jesus Christ who demands nothing from us. He gives himself totally to us, and to all people.
We need to make it easier for people to come to God. Sure there are rules but they are not primary. We need to help people enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ. We have started to do this and so much more needs to be done: to welcome new people, to have the right kind of classes that the kids learn and want to come, to have Kidzone at all masses that allows parents to rest and hear a Word from God. All the ministries from the greeters to the parking ministers remove the obstacles that prevent people from coming and entering or developing a relationship with God.
The recent mission shows us that this is possible, and with the help of God all the obstacles will be overcome, in time. Do not be afraid to join us and lend your bodies in welcoming the unchurched into our beautiful home.
To do this we need the help of the Holy Spirit, who comes to guide, to teach, to remind, to testify and convince us of the truth. The Paraclete is one called along side to help. He helps those who hear his Word, and he shows himself to them. He sends us Peace: do not be troubled or fearful. God acts gently. He calls an old man, Abraham, he shows himself to an insignificant group of people, the Jews. The son of God becomes man and is ignored. He appears only to those who love him. He knocks at the door of our hearts. He waits for us to answer. He does not overwhelm but offers and elicits from us only one thing: love. Let us respond to this invitation that comes from God to respond to him, to follow him and to lead others to him. You can do a lot to bring many people to the Lord. For sure there is someone in your life that needs a hand to return to the Church.