Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,
“My brothers, you are well aware that from early days
God made his choice among you that through my mouth
the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us."
Saint Peter, in today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, demonstrates one of the Petrine office's most important responsibilities; and that is to keep the Church together.
It doesn't matter which group anyone describes, "If there are ten people in the discussion, there are fifteen different opinions." Human beings have opinions and most of us take pride in our opinions; and even when we know this particular idea is neither to the point nor important, we want to express it. Diversity is not and never should be a problem.
But, more often than not, at some point, we have to agree; because no one can do anything good alone, but anyone can do a lot of harm. To do anything worth doing, we have to work together.
So there was Peter, whom Catholics revere as the first pope and true Vicar of Christ, at the first council of the Catholic Church while they were making a critically important decision: "Should we recognize uncircumcised believers in Christ as fellow Christians?"
Unlike some of the leaders there, Saint Peter had been outside of Jerusalem, and he had met with, and listened to gentiles who loved the Crucified-Risen Nazarene and believed he is the Savior of the World. The exercise of office often gives leaders wider experience, deeper understanding, and a more intense appreciation of critical issues.
Everyone may have an opinion but the leader's opinion makes the difference, and everyone is called to settle their differences by setting aside their opinions and coming together. Intransigence in the Church rarely demonstrates the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Pope Leo XIV clearly recognizes his responsibilities as he deals with difficult bishops and cardinals within the Church; and addresses the concerns of Catholics in perilous situations , like those in China. He cannot permit the secular authorities of any nation to decide who will pastor Catholics. The Church must never be an arm of any government, party, or corporation. Christian rulers as well as atheists covet that power!
But neither can he risk the lives of vulnerable Catholics when he himself is not in danger. Pope Pius XII is still vilified by some people because he did not publicly condemn Hitler and the Nazi regime, although he found ways to save the lives of many Roman Jews.
"...you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe."
