Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 15:1-2 & 22-29; Rev 21:10-14 & 22-23; Jn 14:23-29 (Year C)
"Some men came from Judaea and taught the brothers: ‘Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.’ This led to disagreement.”
Unanimity has never been a distinguishing characteristic of the human condition. It was therefore almost inevitable that the early Church, from within its own congregations, would soon encounter disagreement. When disagreement gives way to prideful intransigence, it becomes a sinful and destructive force. Thus, when the question of circumcision and Mosaic observance became a divisive issue, Paul and Barnabas surrendered the case to the Holy Spirit and to the Apostles in what came to be known as the first Council of Jerusalem.
The fundamental question reached far beyond the complex detail of the Mosaic Law to something that concerns every believer. How are we saved, and how do we enter into a life-giving communion with our Risen Lord? Is this achieved through our own imperfect observance, or received as the unmerited gift of the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ? The Council of Jerusalem, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, clearly decided that salvation, far from being our own achievement, is a gift received in faith.
Jesus proclaimed the same truth in the language of an intimate relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit: “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and the Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home in him.”
This unimagined intimacy seems to contradict an understandable sinful frailty that struggles to believe itself loveable. Faith is our surrender of the unloveable to the Father’s redeeming love. Perception is achieved only in the gift of the Holy Spirit. “I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.”
Jesus went on to describe salvation as that peace for which sinful hearts long, but can never achieve of themselves. “Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
May the peace of the Risen Lord guard us in mind and heart.
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