Gospel Reflections for May 1 2016
Conflict in Jerusalem!
The early Catholic Church has a problem to resolve.
For the first few years after Jesus, almost all Church members were local Jews. They recognized Jesus as the Son of God but were also still following the Jewish rituals. However, the message of Jesus became popular among Romans, Greeks, and others in the ancient world as well. Should all these new Christian converts follow Jewish customs too?
The First Reading describes the gathering in Jerusalem of Christian leaders, especially Peter and Paul, to discuss this issue …and the answer they found. A little background helps.
We should remember that Paul had a brilliant mind. He had great intellectual stature and was a Roman Citizen as well. He had been the best student of Gamaliel, the greatest teacher in all of Judaism. Paul knew Jewish and even Greco-Roman wisdom, and was a brilliant orator as well.
Peter was a simple fisherman, and yet, because Jesus chose him to be the first leader of the Christian Church, Paul comes to Peter in Jerusalem for counsel. That is extraordinary humility!
Paul knows where wisdom is found and it is from Our Lord …and His choice of Peter.
There is a famous story of a university professor who considered himself the smartest man in the world. He learns there is a monk in China who has the same reputation, and he goes to meet him and declares, “I am the smartest person in the world. What wisdom can you tell me?” The monk simply says, “First we have tea.” The monk places two cups between them and pours tea into the professor’s cup until it overflows …and then keeps pouring! The professor shouts, “Stop! My cup is already full!” The monk calmly replies, “Yes, and when you first arrived I saw your mind was already full with your own ideas …so I knew you had no room for mine.”
Paul, who was filled with the best of education had the humility to present himself to Peter, the former fisherman from Galilee, and arrived seeking to be filled with his wisdom because he knew that Peter had the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The conflict in Jerusalem was resolved from that humility and the desire of everyone there to follow the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and not human pride.
In any of our own conflicts, let us empty ourselves and seek the wisdom of God.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Beautiful. Thank you.
You are welcome!
Beautifully said Father Dave!!! “In any of our conflicts let us empty ourselves and seek the wisdom of God!!!” Our loving God created us so preciously to love, think, make decisions, influence others, touch the world with His love!! In seeking God’s wisdom in all that we do, and filled with our precious Holy Spirit, we will become the loving, faith filled persons God created us to be!!!!!!! and make the world beautifull!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!!
Loveeeee, Franca and Dick
Well said!
Wonderful insight so eloquently expressed; a precious gift to us all.
We are inspired to prayerfully seek the ability to “empty ourselves of pride”.
Thanks and blessings,
Bob and Rose Mary
You are welcome!
Wonderful reminder to be humble and value the wisdom of others who have walked different paths through life.
Well said!
Fr. Dave,
That was so beautiful!, Really learned a lot really learned a lot, Thank you for your great wisdom in explaining it to us..
Hope all is going well with you.
Many Blessing,
Marie and Hank Ceci
All is well. Getting ready for our annual Holy Land tour in late June.
Thank you, Father Dave, for your insight into the readings for this Sunday. I guess the message that Judas and Silas brought to the Gentiles contained “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” The love of Christ is so comforting that human concerns fade. Humility is such an anti-human characteristic. We are very blessed to have Pope Francis, who is the epitome of humble relations with the world. Hopefully the world can assemble some of his teachings.
I think it is fair to say that Pope Francis has caught the attention of the world, and very favorably!
As always, I have learned from your fact-filled homily…keep my mouth closed and listen more.
Blessings, Carol
The Scripture readings each Sunday are filled with wisdom. I am glad to simply point out what is there. It is a great joy for me to do so.
I had to do the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles this evening and it’s always such a benefit to read your explanations and insights before a “reading” to prepare myself for Lectoring.
Thank you for your sharing your gift of teaching from the God and I really appreciate all the preparation it takes to do these Liturgy explanations each week! We are blessed and thankful for ‘all” the gifts of Holy Spirit which
you share with us!
Your thoughs on todays reading was very well put. I can imagin how hard it was for Paul to submit to his elders when he was smarter. However he was given grace and once te power of God heald his eyes. It must have been amazing.
O was readomg tje Tpraj [prtopms fpr tjos weel a;sp ot was easu tp see Gpds grace. When we look at the great leaders of the past and see how they fell into sin and yet God used them to their fllest. When you think of Moses, how he broke the commandments and we can’t forget David and how about Sampson. Then we get to the new; testament and Peter denyed Christ 3 times. It really shows God’s mercy to us and how he still loves us and wants to use us in a special way.
I can also imagin what Paul must ave been thinking on his way to see Peter. But also he was hmbled falling of his donkey and going blind and then having to go get prayer from the ones he hated the most. With all the scriptures it really showed God’s grace and mercy towards us and with that there is hope for us. PTL and never give p.
Fr. Dave
I really appreciate you teachings because I don’t have enough wisdom
or biblical study to understand what I am reading a lot of the time. You always fill in the holes in my understanding.
Dick
I am honored and grateful that you enjoy these reflections!
Thank you Father Dave
Beautiful visible imagery to always remember and do as I am a tea lover.
I think the Tea Ceremony explains the Gospel so well.
Thank you Father Dave
Beautiful visible imagery to always remember and do as I am a tea lover and won’t forget the overflow cup.
Fr. Dave,
Great reflection – so true & insightful.
Fondest re, Joe
You are welcome!
Dear Father Dave,
I always appreciate your Gospel Reflections, but more so when I am scheduled to be a Lector. I did the First Reading yesterday so the background really helped me understand the reading. Thanks for all you do.
Dorothy
You are most welcome!