St James Catholic Church

Spirit to remind them of everything he taught them.  And so, once again this weekend, we rejoice in God’s abiding presence with us.

The first apostles had a fundamental decision to make about the future of the church.  They could choose to create vigorous requirements for admission, restricting membership to only those from the same tradition as the apostles themselves, or they could opt for very basic provisions only necessary to express this new faith.  Jesus never specified what direction to take.  He welcomed people of all backgrounds and never probed his disciples’ pasts to make sure they were faithfully practicing the Jewish faith.  Moreover, before he ascended to heaven he told them to make disciples of all the nations.  So Peter and the apostles concluded that it was not necessary for Gentiles to follow Mosaic law and practices in order to be baptized.

The care the apostles took in delivering their response reflected Jesus’ words to them in today’s Gospel.  Jesus comforted them, telling them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”  In the same spirit in our first reading from Acts, the apostles and elders first apologized to the Gentiles for those who “disturbed your peace of mind,” then declared their intention “not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities.”  The Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus in the Gospel and relied upon by the apostles in the first reading, extended the peace Jesus gives to all those whose hearts are troubled.  It is now up to us to extend the Lord’s peace in our world, our community, in our parish, and in our family.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob

Just a reminder.

This coming Thursday, May 26th, is forty days after Easter, The Ascension of the Lord.  That Solemnity has been transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 29th.