Thursday of Fifth Week of Easter
In this 5th week of Easter, we are continuing to follow the adventures of the early Church and to muse on some of the conflicts and problems that they encountered in trying to figure out how to be Christians. This task became particularly difficult when it came to negotiating the acceptance of the Gentiles into this new faith. After all, although faith in Jesus was new, it was really a fulfillment of a very old faith – the Jewish faith, and the Gentiles as a group didn’t belong to the Jewish faith in any proper sense (although there were individuals who converted to Judaism).
Whenever we encounter readings that seem to be criticizing Judaism, we have to be very careful. Today’s first reading is not meant to be the Apostles’ dismissal of all things Jewish. No, if we have been paying attention in the last few weeks, we will have noticed that the early Church continued many of their Jewish practices, such as praying in the synagogue. But they also were constantly challenging the Jews to recognize their Messiah, Jesus. The apostles also preached to the Gentiles, and many Gentiles were converted. So the problem naturally arose as to how Jewish a Gentile had to be in order to be a Christian. Certain Jewish standards had to be maintained – no unlawful marriage and no worship of idols, for example. But other Jewish practices – such as circumcision – had to be reevaluated.
And in today’s passage, Peter insists that both the Jews and the Gentiles are saved through the grace of Jesus Christ. In other words, neither group is saved through circumcision, and therefore it is unnecessary for both Jews and Gentiles who wish to become Christian. Wow! This was a very important conclusion reached by the leaders of the early Church; they understood Christ’s saving work to be the same, regardless of Jewish or Gentile background. They knew that if the Gentiles were to be included in the Church, they had to be admitted as equal members, and not forced to Judaize prior to entering. In making this decision, the leaders of the early Church made it possible for the Christian population to continue to expand geographically and grow larger in numbers.
What a gift, when we realize that most of us who reflect on these readings are descended of Gentiles! We are included and made equal members in this Church. What is asked of us as members of this faith is reflected in the gospel reading from John. We are to keep the commandments of Christ and to remain in his love. Indeed, the greatest commandment is to love. Jesus wishes us to have his joy, and for our joy to be complete. This does NOT mean that rules don’t matter or that the 10 Commandments are abolished. But what it does mean is that everything we do ought to be guided by love. Even our adherence to Catholic practices and regulations should be done out of love, knowing that these rules are to help us grow in love.
In this Easter season, complete joy is ours for the taking. God gives it to us, asking only that we remain in his love. Let us never fail to recall the love shown to us by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection... and our own invitation to share in his glory!
- Maria Morrow