May 5, 2010
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Breaking Open the Word By James Cavanagh May 9 Sixth Sunday of Easter Scripture readings: • Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Overview: The first reading recounts the first ecumenical council of the Church, which took place in Jerusalem around the year A.D. 50. The main issue to be decided was whether Gentile converts had to become effectively Jewish in order to be Christian. The specific issues concerned circumcision, dietary regulations, idolatry and sexual morality. According to Genesis 17:14, circumcision was required to be part of God’s family. “Unless you are circumcised,” some argued, “you cannot be saved.” Since the Church began as a movement within Judaism, the status of Gentiles was a vexing problem. In the end, the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, decided that Gentiles need not be circumcised. They were, however, to “abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage.” Regarding the last injunction, the translation is somewhat misleading. The Greek word, porneia, suggests something much more serious than merely “unlawful marriage.” The second reading describes the heavenly Jerusalem, which has 12 gates corresponding to the 12 tribes of Israel and a foundation of 12 courses of stones corresponding to the 12 apostles. The Church on earth is a reflection of heaven, resplendent with the glory of God. There is no Temple, however, because “its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.” The Gospel readings during the Easter season come from the “farewell discourses” in John’s Gospel. Originally they were spoken by Jesus on the night before he died at the Last Supper. But read here, just before Pentecost (May 23), Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit acquires added significance. The initial gift of the Holy Spirit took place on Easter Sunday and continued for 40 days, culminating on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled the whole Church. Key verse: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything” (Jn 14:26). “Catechism of the Catholic Church”: “When he proclaims and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus calls him the ‘Paraclete,’ literally, ‘he who is called to one’s side,’ ad-vocatus. ‘Paraclete’ is commonly translated by ‘consoler,’ and Jesus is the first consoler. The Lord also called the Holy Spirit ‘the Spirit of truth’” (No. 692). Pope Benedict XVI: “Ecclesial communion is inspired and sustained by the Holy Spirit and preserved and promoted by the apostolic ministry. And this communion, which we call “Church,” does not only extend to all believers in a specific historical period, but also embraces all the epochs and all the generations” (Audience, April 26, 2006). Life application: There can be no disjunction between our experience of the Risen Lord through the Holy Spirit, and the Church. This week’s readings show how the two realities are utterly inseparable. It is the Spirit of the Risen Christ, acting in and through the Church, that we, the people of God, are guided “into all truth” (Jn16:13). James Cavanagh is director of Evangelization and Catechesis for Metro-Area Parishes of the Denver Archdiocese.
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