Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Lectionary: 284

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.

Saint Luke saw the Hand of God guiding those gentiles who accepted the Word of God over the objections of their Jewish family, friends and neighbors. He brought an apocalyptic vision to the incident, they were "destined for eternal life," with its implication that the others, especially the opponents of Paul and Barnabas were not so blessed.  

He put a bitter icing on that awful confection when the Apostles said, 

"It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,

but since you reject it

and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,

we now turn to the Gentiles.

Thus began an historic rift between the Jewish and Christian religions that would be confirmed by the Council of Jerusalem circa 49 AD; and never closed.

We read the passage carefully. First, we notice how the missionaries' frustrated remarks were heard by the curious gentiles; 

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.

So it was good news for some people despite the circumstances. We can understand the Apostles' anger, and still regret both their words and their effect. No one should condemn anyone as unworthy of eternal life. If we have apocalyptic expectations of our standing before God -- that at any moment we may be saved or damned -- we never forget God's merciful patience with us. We do not despair. 

Nor should we despair of another's salvation. We pray for our enemies that they might know the Goodness of God as we do. For that matter, we should remain open and ready to hear our opponents' complaints about our unkindness and unfairness. We might be no better than our enemies!  

Saint Paul, in his later Epistle to the Roman, wept as he tried to understand why the rupture happened and why it was necessary. He never lost hope for a reconciliation, and predicted as much. 

I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise in your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 

“The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob; and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29)

Better, deeper theologians have pondered this cryptic passage and discussed its meaning. It certainly means:

Stop judging, that you may not be judged.
For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? (Mt 7:1)

Jesus came not to reform the law but to fulfill it. He and his Virgin Mother fulfilled the law perfectly. I do not. Nor did Paul and Barnabas. Nor does any Christian or Jew. 

With the Jews we pray for God's mercy, as we admit we are no better than anyone. 

We have sinned like our ancestors;
we have done wrong and are guilty. Psalm 106:6