8 May 2021
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
We might be confused by what we hear in today’s first reading. “On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had [Timothy] circumcised, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.” (Acts 16:3) Did not St. Paul just have a huge debate with others in which he argued against the necessity of circumcision, a debate which took him to the Apostles in Jerusalem, a debate which had finally been settled to the delight of the Church in Antioch, settled against the necessity of circumcision? And now, St. Paul has Timothy circumcised! Why?
Again, St. Paul gives us an example of apostolic humility. His argument had not been against circumcision, but rather that it was not necessary for salvation. He could both fervently argue that God had show that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised in order to receive the grace of Christ, and humbly admit the missionary benefits of Timothy receiving circumcision so that he could minister amongst in Jewish settings.
Are we able to distinguish after debate precisely what the argument was about? Are we able to do so in such a way that we might be aligned with those whom we once debated? Let us pray for the grace to see that what matters most is not how we are perceived (whether we are loved or hated based on how others view us), but rather that we are conformed to Christ who has chosen us, and who sends us, knowing that if we follow Him, we will be treated as He. (Jn 15:18, 20)