May 5, 2013

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Sixth Sunday of Easter 
Lectionary: 57

Reading 1ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,

“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,

you cannot be saved.”

There were some Jewish converts to the Christian faith who considered it necessary that all men be circumcised according to the Mosaic faith.

Because there arose no little dissension and debate

by Paul and Barnabas with them,

But Sts. Paul and Barnabus did not agree with this idea.  And there arose a dispute.

it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others

should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders

about this question.

It was decided to take the question up with the Apostles and elders of the Church.  

This is the first recorded instance of the implementation of instruction in Matthew 18:17 where Jesus said:

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

We skip the details of the gathering which is known as the Council of Jerusalem and go down to the decision.  The decision was that Sts. Paul and Barnabus were correct and there is no longer need for circumcision. 

The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,

decided to choose representatives

and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,

and Silas, leaders among the brothers.

This is the letter delivered by them:

“The apostles and the elders, your brothers,

to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia

of Gentile origin: greetings.

Since we have heard that some of our number

who went out without any mandate from us

have upset you with their teachings

and disturbed your peace of mind,

we have with one accord decided to choose representatives

and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So we are sending Judas and Silas

who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:

‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us

not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,

namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,

from blood, from meats of strangled animals,

and from unlawful marriage.

If you keep free of these,

you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”

Interestingly, circumcision was not even mentioned.  But I suppose the representatives would explain the contents of the message and the fact that circumcision was no longer necessary.  

The contents of the message seemed to focus upon pagan worship ceremonies which were known for being mostly sexual orgies and sacrifices to idols.  These were forbidden piecemeal rather than saying, "Don't attend pagan worship ceremonies."

Responsorial PsalmPS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Let us always praise God, who made us and loves us and saves us from our own sinful nature.

Reading 2REV 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city
for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God gave it light,
and its lamp was the Lamb.

The Jerusalem which is above, the heavenly Jerusalem, is the Church in which we are baptized.  It is the Catholic Church which is on Mount Sion where we walk with the Saints.  The Catholic Church is already the heavenly Jerusalem.

GospelJN 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.

Obedience is very important.  Only those who obey God will be saved.

“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.”

Jesus reveals the coming of the Holy Spirit who will remind the Church of all which He taught.    And He tells them these things before they happen as a sign for them that He foretold them the future.