6 May 2021
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter, US National Day of Prayer
“…we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” (Acts 15:11)
The decision of the Apostles in Jerusalem, responding to the debate which had arisen among the Christians in Antioch, again gives us an example of how to attend to authority in our time and to allow the apostolic manner of the Church in influence our own ways of thinking, speaking, and acting.
First, after everyone has had their say in the debate, everyone listens to St. Peter. There is a silence which allows those in the debate to hear the apostle Peter, for whom Christ had prayed that he might strengthen his brothers (Lk 22:32), as he speaks of what God had done for the Gentiles, and focuses on the gift of the grace of Christ which God has given to the Gentiles as He had to the Jewish Christians. The respectful silence which had allowed those debating to hear Peter, now allows them to hear St. Paul and St. Barnabas more clearly describe the miracles that God has done in their work among the Gentiles. There is silence which is precious and sadly too rare, which allows for the hearing of the work of God bestowing grace and granting miracles. Second, there is a practical decision that is made, expressed by St. James. Following Peter, in accordance with Scripture, the apostle James presents practical resolutions. As none of the practical resolutions demand circumcision, some of those in the original debate may be disappointed. As all four of the practical resolutions are drawn from Mosaic Law, others in the debate may be surprised. Patient listening and attention to apostolic authority does not allow for a mere vindication of one side of a debate. Rather, it provides a way for all in the Church to become aligned with the Word of God.
In the Gospel, Our Lord’s words show that remaining in divine love is inseparable from keeping divine commandments. Some may incline towards emphasizing remaining in love, others towards emphasizing keeping commandments. But what we hear proclaimed today, is that following Jesus means following the Son who has kept the Father’s commandments and who remains in the Father’s love. There is no keeping the commandments without remaining in love, and there is no remaining in love without keeping the commandments. May we pray for the grace to listen to those with authority in the Church to hear how we might follow the Son more closely, might remain in the Son’s joy, and find our completion in Him.