The first reading from Acts of the Apostles describes the period in time just after the council of Jerusalem in the first century. At this council, the Church leaders, under the direction of Peter, decided that the Gentiles didn’t have to observe Mosaic law and be circumcised. Then, they chose representatives to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to tell the people the good news. They told the people of Antioch: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond the necessity.” The people of Antioch were delighted with this news.
It is significant that they said that it was the decision of the Holy Spirit and of them. This is one of many instances of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church during periods of difficulty. I wonder what our Church would look like today if the Council of Jerusalem hadn’t made this decision and had required that all Christians must be circumcised. I think it is safe to assume that our Church would be much smaller, and that the missionary effort to the gentiles wouldn’t have been as successful as it was. In fact, most and maybe even all of us can thank this decision, and many other spirit-led decisions through the ages for our gift of faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us “It was not you who chose me but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so at whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” This again tells us that we aren’t in charge, but are meant to do the will of the father so that he may give us what we need to do what we are called to do.
With our intellect and our free will, it is difficult for us to discern and to follow the Father’s will for us. I found it difficult to discern the Father’s will regarding my vocation as a deacon and now, it is difficult for me to discern what I am meant to do as a deacon. Sometimes I seem to be called to do things that I’m not well suited for. But, I try to listen to the Holy Spirit so that I am doing what I am being called to do.
At times, some are critical of decisions made by Church leaders. These decisions may involve disciplinary or liturgical matters, such as the changes on the Roman missal which will take effect when Advent begins. Or they may involve matters of faith and morals, such as the Church’s teaching on marriage and family. Some resist these changes because they dislike any change and they are comfortable with the status quo. Others resist change because they tend to reject authority, especially the authority of Church leaders.
It is important for us to realize what our role is and how critical it is for us to perform that role well. Most of us are not in a position to influence or even debate these changes. We are like the gentiles in the early Church who waited patiently for their leaders to return from Jerusalem and then accepted and rejoiced in these decisions. I’m sure that there were some in Jerusalem and even in Antioch who didn’t agree with the decision of the council. For the sake of their souls and for the sake of their mission in the early Church, I hope that they accepted the decision and obediently followed it.
As Jesus says in the Gospel, he doesn’t call us slaves, instead he calls us friends. We aren’t forced, as slaves would be, to accept the decisions of our Church. Instead, like friends, he constantly calls us lovingly to follow him and to follow his Church. We are called to respond to this invite with love, even if we don’t currently understand or even like what is being done. Then, we become true disciples who, like the apostles and many others thru the ages, will bear good fruit.
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