Easter

Dec 16 2024

Membership Qualifications

Groucho Marx once said, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member.” We laugh because usually, the opposite is the case. We don’t want to belong to any club that would have anyone very different from me as a member. The Church, however, is true to its calling when the welcome mat is out for all.

Acts today gives us a “tweeter’s” version of the early council of Jerusalem on the issue of whether Gentiles can be received into the community without circumcision and accepting the Law of Moses. Take some time to read all of Chapter 15 to hear the three important speeches that determined the conditions for the outcome of this debate. The final decision was reached under two influences: “the Holy Spirit and us”—the “us” being Peter, Barnabas, and Paul, and James, leader of the church in Jerusalem.

In a more intimate manner of expression, though no less binding, Jesus speaks about the requirements for having the Father and him come to dwell with the disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” That “word” we heard last week, his great commandment: Love one another as I have loved you. Jesus gives further assurance: “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

In both instances, the Holy Spirit is recognized. May the Holy Spirit always continue to work on the Church’s membership drive and guide the deliberations of its leaders.

Consider/Discuss

What do you see as necessary for being a member of the Catholic Church?
Do you know what the Church declares necessary for being a member in good standing?

Responding to the Word

Holy Spirit, you descended upon Christ at his baptism, guided him through his ministry, and were his first gift after the Father raised him from the dead. Continue to be with his body, the Church, to guide its work so that all its members live according to his word.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The question of conditions for membership was one of the most serious disputes that raged in the first years of the church. Since the Jesus movement was originally an internal Jewish renewal, the Jewish Christians continued to observe the religious practices of their former faith, and they expected the same of Gentile converts. However, Paul allowed his Gentile converts to refrain from Jewish observance. An official letter from the Jerusalem church decided the issue. Though requiring minimal observance, this decree affirmed the belief that salvation came only from Jesus and not even indirectly through the law. The vision of the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven recalls several prophecies of ancient Israel, particularly from the book of the prophet Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 40:2; 48:30–35). Coming from God, the city is radiant with the splendor of God. The new Jerusalem is founded on the apostolic teaching; the role played by the tribes of Israel is not as evident. Perhaps they reflect an element of Jewish eschatology that expected the restoration of the twelve tribes at the end time. There is no temple in this new city, because the risen Christ is the place where God and human beings now meet.

Love is the fundamental message of Jesus’ last discourse. He calls for a demanding kind of love, one that is as self-sacrificing as was his own. Jesus and his Father make an abiding dwelling with those who love like this. Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit is sent by the Father. The Spirit is not a substitute for Jesus, but is an emissary, participating in the mission of Jesus by reminding the disciples of the things that Jesus taught them. Jesus’ words end on a note of reassurance. He bequeaths his peace. This is more than a wish; it is a blessing that includes all of the benefits of the Resurrection. Jesus’ peace is grounded in his relationship with his Father and his self-sacrificing love of the world.

Dec 16 2024

Work for Everyone, Guaranteed

We go from Acts’ record of the early days of the church to a vision of the final coming of God’s kingdom. In Acts, those first days were a time of building up and strengthening the community. Paul and Barnabas moved from town to town: Elytra, Conium, Antioch, Epicedia, Pamphylia, Pergo, and Attala. Their work was preaching to convert, lifting the spirits of believers and encouraging their perseverance, and appointing local leaders.

Revelation offers an idealized vision of how the work begun then will turn out: a new heaven and earth, a holy city where God will dwell with the human race and will wipe away all tears caused by death and pain. Of particular interest is the phrase “the sea was no more,” the sea being a symbol of chaos and destructive powers.

How will this come about? How will this activity be sustained through persecution, sin, and human weakness? The Gospel holds the key—by living the new commandment Jesus gave to his disciples: “Love one another as I have loved you.” In this way, Christ continues to be glorified and God glorified in him.

The names of the cities may have changed. Now the work continues in Arlington, Baltimore, Newton, Flossmoor, Arroyo Grande, San Jose, among others. But whether cities or towns, a new creation will only result if a community of believers, under dedicated leadership, perseveres in loving as Christ loved. When this happens, the seeds of Resurrection life are certain to bear fruit.

Consider/Discuss

Have you accepted your job assignment?
Could God be calling you to move on to “a different city,” some new place to love as Christ loved?

Responding to the Word

Your commandment to love as you loved us, Lord Jesus, with a willingness to give generously, not counting the cost, is frightening to most of us most of the time. Give us your companionship, which we surely need, and increase our hope in the fulfillment you have promised. We place our trust in you.

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

The suffering that Paul and Barnabas were forced to endure is referred to as the “birth pangs” of the Messiah, the inevitable suffering that occurs when one passes from “this age” to the “age of fulfillment.” These men were not independent missionaries. They were sent forth by the church in Antioch, and it was to that same church that they reported what was accomplished through them. It is important to note that the success of the mission is credited to God. Still, it was through Paul that the door of faith, an opportunity to believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, was opened for the Gentiles.

The new heaven and new earth do not merely suggest transformation or renewal; they describe something entirely new. The new Jerusalem is a sacred place where God dwells in a very special way. The old order has passed away, along with death and tears. In fulfillment of the prophetic promise, God will comfort the people who mourn, wiping away their tears. The reading ends in a summary note: All things are made new. While “new” is the eschatological catchword, the present tense of the verb indicates that God’s new creative action is unfolding now.

The hour of Jesus’ death is the hour of his glorification. He is glorified both in his willingness to obey God even unto death, and in God’s glorification of him by making his sacrifice effective for the salvation of all. Jesus tenderly admonishes his disciples to love one another. Since he will not remain with these loved ones for long, the love that they show one another will be the earthly counterpart of the mutual glorification of God and Jesus himself. They are to love one another with the same self-sacrificing love that Jesus has shown them. Such love will be the universal sign of discipleship of Jesus. The love that the followers of Jesus have for one another shows forth the glory of God.

Dec 16 2024

Good Shepherds Still Needed

God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, promising to shepherd Israel (Ezekiel 34:11ff), so it is not surprising that Jesus himself used the image of the shepherd to speak of his mission. Nor was it surprising that the first mission of his apostles was described as being sent out to gather the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6). Going further, in his own ministry, Jesus reached out to those beyond the boundaries of Judaism, bringing healing to some Gentiles by exorcising their demons (Mark 5:1ff and 7:24ff). And the vision of Revelation reveals the Lamb as one who shepherds people of every nation, race, and tongue.

The role of shepherding was given to Peter in the Gospels, while the example and letters of Paul certainly show his own acceptance of this role in the various communities of Gentiles. Today’s first reading presents Paul as the one who will be God’s instrument in bringing God’s light, Christ, to the Gentiles outside Israel through his preaching. The Greek word for “good” (kilos) used to characterize the shepherd does not refer to moral character—though that is certainly a necessary attribute of all shepherds—but this particular word indicates that the shepherd is one who is “good at” shepherding. This helpful distinction challenges all who are called to participate in ministry in whatever capacity, however small, that concerns the nurturing and care of God’s people. Competence and skill must accompany holiness and wisdom. When all these qualities are in play, there is greater certitude that the Church will have good shepherds.

Consider/Discuss

Have you experienced Jesus as a Good Shepherd?
How does your calling to be a disciple involve you in the work of the Good Shepherd, caring for his lambs and sheep, being good at bringing others closer to God?

Responding to the Word

Gentle Shepherd, continue to raise up good shepherds for your church. May all you have called to shepherd your people continue to be attentive to the guidance of your voice and follow your example in all that they do. Direct and protect our shepherds as they tend to your people.