Daily Reflections

Scripture:

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
john 14:23-29

Reflection:

As I read our first reading for this Sunday (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29), I found myself returning to some things that have been on my mind for some time: How do we see the “other?” Are we called to be more inclusive or exclusive? Must we always be in battle? The reading covers a time when some Christians were saying to others, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.’ For Paul and Barnabas, who had been proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to Jew and Gentile alike, this went against their understanding of the Gospel. And so, the apostles and other leaders in Jerusalem called a meeting to decide what the community would do. The full debate is not covered in our reading, but we do have the result. And the result was that the leaders discerned that the Gentiles did not have to be circumcised in order to be part of the church. In other words, the Gentiles didn’t have to become something they were not in order to join the Christian community.

When we read this, I think our natural reaction is to see the wisdom and compassion of the decision. And yet, I think the Church at times continues to struggle with the questions of identity and unity and diversity. Do we have unity only when everyone is the same, and so we are to try to make everyone the same? Or is there room for differences according to cultural understanding and expression? For example, when I visited India, most Catholic churches had no seats, not to mention kneelers. The congregation sat on the floor. Were they less Catholic because of this? I think many who are reading this would say, “Obviously not!” But still, there seems to be a strong temptation to judge people who are not like us.

Is there an answer to how we are to treat others, including those who are different from us? In our Gospel reading (John 14:23-29), Jesus says to the apostles at the Last Supper: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him…I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” For me, Jesus is telling me to heed and follow His words, many of which speak about love and not giving in to fear. Jesus’ words tell me to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, not the prejudices I may hold in my heart or the stereotypes I may hold in my mind.

There may be limits to diversity that can be sustained in any group or institution, but there can be no limits on love. There are no limits on God’s love for us! That is what we need to remember when we wrestle with the issues of inclusion and exclusion, or when we’re tempted to condemn.

May the love of God in Jesus Christ keep us and open us to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.