“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.
Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes a sermon of Saint Paul to a mixed crowd of Jews and gentiles, and its reception. The gentiles were delighted to hear the good news, as were many of the Jews; but the leaders of the synagogue opposed him. Eventually they would run him out of town. Saint Luke uses this story to describe the unexpected metamorphosis of Christianity from a Jewish sect to an international religion.
Saint Paul’s appeal to “those among you who are God-fearing” has always been the foundation of our missionary work. Whereas the first missionaries went from city to city preaching to Jews within their synagogues, we go through the world looking for men and women with the innate ability to recognize the truth when it appears. The expression “God-fearing” includes virtues like reverence, piety, devoutness, and respect. The “God-fearing” know that honesty is the best policy, that a person is a person no matter how small, and one’s word is one’s bond.
The Christian proclaims the gospel to God-fearing people and they welcome it. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not something they could have discovered on their own. It is neither a philosophical principle nor a set of teachings, though it carries elements of both. It is rooted in an unprecedented, unrepeatable historic event. People learn of it only through missionaries who announce it. They become Christian only when this historical event is integrated into their own personal histories.
It is a word from God that finally evaluates, integrates and makes sense of human experience. God-fearing souls welcome it because they always knew there was something missing but could not name.
The Church still appeals to reasonable, God-fearing people, "Come let us reason together." As we speak with people of different religions and free-thinkers of no religion about abortion, euthanasia, suicide, birth control, capital punishment, health care and innumerable other issues, we appeal to that universal sense of decency that stands beneath all civil society.
God-fearing people understand that the Church's principles are wise even when some of our people act foolishly. They listen to us as we listen to them. Human beings do not relish killing one another. Human beings are built with an inexhaustible capacity for sympathy. We can work things out.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.