During the Easter season we have been hearing from the Acts of the Apostles; a record written by Saint Luke of how the early church expanded as the disciples went out into the whole world. \u00a0We read how the early Christians owned everything in common, how many died courageously in defense of the faith, and how thousands were baptized at a time after zeal-filled sermons delivered by the apostles.\u00a0 It is easy to mistakenly conclude that everything was rosy and peachy back then\u2026 some yearn for those days of old, \u201coh if only we could go back to that time when everyone got along.\u201d \u00a0But today\u2019s passage from Acts shows that the early church was not free of disagreements and infighting.<\/p>\n
The first significant controversy in the early church was important yet fairly simple.\u00a0 The debate was this: should those who are not Jews, need to first become Jews before they can be baptized and become Christians?\u00a0 Or can they simply skip becoming Jewish, and be baptized right away.\u00a0 It\u2019s a legitimate question: Christianity arose out of Judaism, so many argued that those who wished to be part of the Church, should first embrace the Jewish faith.<\/p>\n
Why was this point so important?\u00a0 The question was foundational \u2013 if non-Jews or Gentiles as they were called \u2013 must first become Jews, they would have to follow the Jewish dietary laws, and other laws, including the circumcision of men.\u00a0 Since the times of Abraham, male Jews are circumcised as babies to mark them as members of God\u2019s chosen people.\u00a0 Do Christians need to follow these laws, or not?\u00a0 Do adult men who wish to be baptized also need to be circumcised?<\/p>\n
Saint Paul, on one side, argued it was not necessary to embrace the Jewish law before baptism \u2013 circumcision was not necessary.\u00a0 He argued that baptism provided a circumcision of the heart \u2013 which was more important.\u00a0 He would say that Baptism alone marked the new Christians as members of God\u2019s chosen people.\u00a0 Others begged to differ.\u00a0 Paul spoke strongly on this point, even confronting Saint Peter on it.<\/p>\n
How was this dispute resolved?\u00a0 We hear it in today\u2019s first reading.\u00a0 In the year 48, representatives from the early churches were sent to Jerusalem and consensus was reached, a way forward was found.\u00a0 \u201cIt is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities\u2026\u201d. The early Church identified the components of the Jewish law that would still be followed by Christians: \u201cto abstain from meat scarified to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage.\u201d\u00a0 The gathering of Church leaders said, \u201cif you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right.\u201d \u00a0The issue was solved.<\/p>\n
The dispute was resolved first by gathering all interested parties, then by invoking the Holy Spirit, and finally reaching a consensus.\u00a0 This has been the way of the Church for centuries.<\/p>\n
Jesus promised that the Father would send the Advocate, or Holy Spirit, to both teach us and remind us of everything He taught.\u00a0 The Church has invoked and trusted the presence of the Holy Spirit, God among us, to guide us through challenging times, and find our way.\u00a0 God has not left us orphans, but has sent the Holy Spirit to guide.<\/p>\n
It is impossible to avoid conflict and disputes: think of our own families, relationships, workplaces, clubs, friends, churches, etc.\u00a0 Wherever people gather, there will eventually arise conflict, and the church is not an exception.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s readings pose a challenging question to us, \u201chow do we resolve conflict in our lives?\u201d<\/p>\n
Do we imitate our elders in the faith who gathered to address the conflict head-on with the assistance of the Holy Spirit?\u00a0 Do we do this with a spirit to find consensus where all parties find a beneficial way forward?<\/p>\n
Or do we choose to let the conflict rage within us.\u00a0 Do we gossip and talk to everyone else about it, except those involved?\u00a0 Do we slander and speak wrongly of those we disagree with?\u00a0 Do we disparage them? \u00a0Do we seek revenge or become vindictive towards those we disagree with?<\/p>\n
Our modern world encourages tolerance and open-mindedness, yet at the same time, paradoxically, it also encourages us to quickly cancel others after one mistake, vilify and dehumanize those we disagree with, and to listen only to those we agree with.\u00a0 More and more, we live in independent silos or echo chambers, and the chasm that exists between people with different opinions or points of views becomes ever wider.\u00a0 Agreement and consensus is frowned upon, some are suspicious of dialogue.<\/p>\n
How do each of us resolve conflict?<\/p>\n
The early Church gives us a good example: gathering all those involved, praying to the Holy Spirit for inspiration, and reaching agreements.\u00a0 May the promised Holy Spirit help us resolve the conflicts of our lives, that we may become instruments of His peace.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
During the Easter season we have been hearing from the Acts of the Apostles; a record written by Saint Luke of how the early church expanded as the disciples went out into the whole world. \u00a0We read how the early Christians owned everything in common, how many died courageously in defense of the faith, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2533,"featured_media":6563,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[1937,30,1934,1940,561,480,198,1943],"class_list":["post-6560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homily","tag-acts-of-the-apostles","tag-catholic","tag-conflict","tag-conflict-resolution","tag-holy-spirit","tag-meditation","tag-peace","tag-wisdom"],"yoast_head":"\n