(SUBSCRIBERS AND READERS)
As we read about the early Church in Acts today, it brings to mind how stubborn most of us are to change. And yet change is the norm, not the status quo of our lives. The Jews in St. Paul’s time were upset because non-Jewish believers of Jesus did not follow Moses’ covenant laws of circumcision. They could not accept that Jesus is the fulfillment of that law. In essence, the change was too much for them and they got lost on their journey to eternal life. It was an expensive price to pay for not trusting in God’s love. For us as Gentiles, it was a quicker road for acceptance to God’s promise of everlasting happiness by being of one spiritual mind through unity.
And yet not much has changed in the 2000 years since the beginning of Christianity as it regards differences in how we practice our faith. The Catholic Church is split between western and eastern expressions of faith, while Protestant faiths have numerous sects that accept various way of interpreting Sacred Scripture. One of the goals of the Holy Spirit’s advocacy is to build up the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church so that it reflects the holy city of Jerusalem as depicted in our reading from Revelation.
The second purpose of the Holy Spirit is to make sure that we are one with the teachings of Jesus. Do we live a sacramental life by practicing our faith? Do we read Scripture to better understand who God is and what He has done for us in our lives? In other words, do we think, speak and act in ways that support God’s love for us and our love of others as He loves us?
The peace about which Jesus is eternal because it comes with a promise of Jesus through His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, sending of the Holy Spirit and judging us with love beside the Father in heaven. We are asked be calm like Jesus in our dealings with others by fully practicing the gift of love He gave us. We need to use positive affirmation in being with people we know or don’t know.
If we have a difference with someone, we need to give that person the benefit of the doubt as we put ourselves in their shoes before judging them. Without having their perspective, it is hard to be fair in difficult situations. Even if we still disagree, remember that only God has the right to judge those who have not repented from their sins and continue to reject God and His ways. As a sinner myself, it is my hope that I will treat others with love and respect as God always treats me.
Let us take this week of the Easter Season to reach out to someone who we have a difference of opinion. It could be a serious disagreement or one of unclear communications in respect to what was heard and how it was interpreted. Often, when we have a clearer picture of the situation, especially after a passing of time, we come to realize that our separation could have been rectified soon after it happened. We have wasted an opportunity to share our lives and sometimes regret we didn’t approach each other sooner.
That is the peace of Jesus that brings us calm, unifying our efforts to strengthen our relationship with each other and God so we can persevere in the living faith of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling.
Reading 1: Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29
Reading 2: Revelation 21: 10-14, 22-23
Gospel: John 14: 23-29
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