Thursday of Fifth Week after Easter, May 10, 2007

Scripture: Acts 15:7-21. Psalm 96:1-3,10. John 15:9-11. Lectionary # 288:

Jerusalem is a sacred city where all three monotheistic religions pray:
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All venerate the person of Abraham as
the origin for their faith in the one God. For us Christians God is the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today's reading from Acts made me think
of this beautiful city so troubled and complicated today because of lack of
peace and because of the constant threat of terrorism. The situation
during the time of Acts shows us that the first community of Christians
came from Jerusalem or possibly from the area of Jerusalem called Zion. It
was David who united both the northern tribes and the southern ones through
Zion which he had captured. Jerusalem also is the site for this first
great council of decision for those who were being brought into the Church
by Barnabas and Paul. They have been successful and are now reporting to
Jerusalem to solve a problem that arises because of the Gentiles not
following the prescriptions of the Torah like circumcision and other
requirements. These two apostles gather with the other disciples in the
holy city and discuss how to go about solving their problem with the great
influx of the Gentiles. In a certain way, this may be considered the first
ecumenical or general council of the nascent churches named after Christ as
we have learned from the Acts in chapter 11: 26: "And it came to pass that
for a whole year they assembled themselves with the church and taught many
people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
Now a year later we find that the gathering taking place in Jerusalem is
presided over by Peter while recognizing that it is James who is overseer
for the church in Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas are the spokespersons for
the Gentiles. A decision is reached and a letter is to be sent to the
churches where Christianity is now emerging. Circumcision is not required
of the Gentiles; the rite of initiation will be Baptism. Some simple and
clear rules of Christian morality are to be followed: 1) they are to
refrain from worshipping idols or their former religious rituals and
beliefs 2) they are to not live promiscuous lives and 3) they are not to
eat food resulting from the strangulation of animals nor to drink blood.
All of this is the work of the apostles and disciples who have brought the
Gospel to the Gentiles under the guidance and inspiration and power of the
Holy Spirit. God has testified to the Gentiles who have also been given
this same Holy Spirit and who has cleansed their hearts by the gift of
faith in Jesus as their Savior. In turning to the Gospel passage for the
day, I felt the following verse gave another dimension to what was
happening. Here are the words of Jesus according to John, "As the Father
has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love." Amen.