stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law."
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
If the disciples hiding in the Cenacle on Easter Sunday finally recognized Jesus by his wounds, it follows that we will know the true church by its wounds, especially by the controversies that tear us apart. We can handle the criticism and opposition we meet from others so long as we stand together. That’s no big deal. But the schisms and factionalism that tear us apart – those are painful.
And yet, as Jesus said, they will come. He knew human nature that well. If I am occasionally “of two minds” about any issue, I have to expect the church will have many different “minds” on many different issues. As one legislator said, “I don’t always agree with everything you say. But then, I don’t always agree with everything I say!”
Jesus predicted divisions and scandal in Luke 17: 1-2
He said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Saint Paul also recognized the presence of factions when he wrote 1 Corinthians 11:18-19, but he saw potential for good in them:
First of all, I hear that when you meet as a church there are divisions among you, and to a degree I believe it; there have to be factions among you in order that (also) those who are approved among you may become known.
The Church which Saint Luke described in the Acts of the Apostles suffered a paralyzing rift with the question about gentile Christians. Should they be baptized and welcomed to the Eucharist although they have not been circumcised? It seemed like a problem Jesus had not anticipated. Certainly several of his closest disciples were unprepared for it, especially Peter and James; and the ones who opposed them, Saints Barnabas and Paul, were newcomers. They had never met the Lord during his earthly ministry!
The church today is also riven by divisions. That should come as no surprise to anyone, nor need it be a great scandal to the mature in faith. We know that controversies are a sign of good health in a democratic society. They lead to better policies and decisions. Historians tell us the Confederate States of America and innumerable Communist parties failed for lack of partisanship. Because they dared not disagree with one another their policies gelled, hardened, fractured and disintegrated in the face of new realities.
The challenge of Acts of the Apostles, as we shall see in the readings of the next few days, is whether all members of the Church can accept the decisions of the whole church, or whether minority sects will split away from the body to form a permanent, intractable opposition.
Today the United States is paralyzed by “veto-cracy.” Moralistic, well-funded factions have settled into permanent trench warfare. They veto one another’s initiatives for no reason but spite, and agree only to accomplish nothing of worth. Fortunately the Holy Spirit will not allow that to happen to the Church. The Spirit outlasts every sectarian notion; and, like gravity, draws its members back to the faith. With our sacrificial life of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and fellowship we always work out our differences.
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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.