20240501 INTEGRATION
01 May 2024, Wednesday, 5th Week of Eastertide
First reading | Acts 15:1-6 © |
They were to go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders
Some men came down from Judaea and taught the brothers, ‘Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.’ This led to disagreement, and after Paul and Barnabas had had a long argument with these men it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.
All the members of the church saw them off, and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they told how the pagans had been converted, and this news was received with the greatest satisfaction by the brothers. When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church and by the apostles and elders, and gave an account of all that God had done with them.
But certain members of the Pharisees’ party who had become believers objected, insisting that the pagans should be circumcised and instructed to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders met to look into the matter.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 121(122):1-5 © |
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
or
Alleluia!
I rejoiced when I heard them say:
‘Let us go to God’s house.’
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
or
Alleluia!
Jerusalem is built as a city
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
or
Alleluia!
For Israel’s law it is,
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgement
of the house of David.
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamation | Jn10:14 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me.
Alleluia!
Or: | Jn15:4,5 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you,
says the Lord;
whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty.
Alleluia!
Gospel | John 15:1-8 © |
I am the vine, you are the branches
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,
and they are burnt.
If you remain in me
and my words remain in you,
you may ask what you will
and you shall get it.
It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,
and then you will be my disciples.’
INTEGRATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ACTS 15:1-6; JOHN 15:1-8]
In this age of globalization and migration, we would think that the world should be more united. We presume that with improved digital technology and mass communications, there will be greater mutual understanding. Unfortunately, there are also downsides to globalization and migration. With so many cultures, religions and races coming together, tensions are bound to arise. In the old days it was easier to unite the people in a country, because most of them shared a distinct culture and religion. But this is not the case today. Indeed, all over the world, countries are faced with the challenge of integrating migrants as, if not managed well, they could become a potential source of conflict, misunderstanding and tension in society.
The Church today faces the same challenge of integration. The Church is called Catholic, which means universal. How do we maintain unity when members come from so many diverse nationalities, cultures and languages? Before the era of globalization and migration, it was not that difficult because most Catholics were homogenous within their own communities. But regardless whether we are Catholic or not, the local churches all over the world have to deal with the integration of migrants into their local community. If not properly handled, the Church could become very divisive as well, because we know that culture has to do with emotions rather than with logic.
Consequently, we can learn from the experience of the early Church, which we read in the Acts of the Apostles. Right from the start, they had to deal with the entry of the Gentiles into the Church. Until then, the early Christians were mostly Jews. Whilst accepting Christ as their Saviour and Lord, they remained true to their Jewish faith. They continued to be circumcised, for that was the way to be members of the Covenant. They also followed strictly the laws of Moses as prescribed, even for food and rituals. With a great influx of Gentiles into the Christian community, the Jewish Christians also felt uncomfortable mixing and socializing with the Gentiles for fear of contamination. It was in this context that this issue was brought before the leaders in Jerusalem.
The implications were far reaching, and any decision would determine the future of the growth of Christianity. If they required the Gentiles to be circumcised over and above the reception of baptism, then Christianity would be reduced to another sect in Judaism. But if they were to say that the Gentiles need not become Jews and practise the customs of the Jews and follow the laws of Moses as prescribed in the Old Testament, then it would mean that Christianity had distinguished itself from Judaism. Membership would no longer be by circumcision with all the implications of being a Jew, but simply by faith in Christ through baptism.
Salvation therefore did not depend on whether they became members of the Old Covenant through circumcision, but whether they had faith in Christ. In other words, by accepting the Gentiles into the Christian faith without requiring them to renounce their culture, other than those values or practices that were deemed to be alien or non-compatible to the gospel, the Christian Church would have established herself as members of the New Covenant; that is, no longer under the old Law of Moses but only the Law of Christ. Indeed, this would be the step forward to unite all peoples regardless of their language or culture. Unity, above all, must be based on faith in Christ. How we express our faith is another different matter altogether.
This is the message of today’s gospel when Jesus spoke of the fundamental integration that is required of us all. All unity must be founded on our unity with the Lord. For this reason, at the beginning of the Mass, we say, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” The gathering of the Christian community is founded on our union with the Holy Trinity. Hence, we are called to be integrated first and foremost in Him. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.”
Secondly, we are to be integrated with the leaders of the Church. One cannot be in union with Christ without being in union with His appointed successors. The sure way of being united in the Lord is to be in communion with the leaders of the Church. For this reason, Paul and Barnabas sought clarification from the apostles at Jerusalem when there was a dispute over the necessity of circumcision of the Gentile Christians. Paul recognized the authority of the apostles in making decisions for the future of the Church, as such matters were not found explicitly in the bible. We must not so be simplistic to hold the principle that everything is found in the Word of God. The bible is not a kind of encyclopaedia that gives an explicit answer to every question. Many of our modern day questions are not found explicitly, but implicitly in the Word of God. Hence, when new questions are raised, it is the task of Church leaders to come together to discern the Lord’s will with regard to new issues.
Thirdly, discerning leaders must be rooted in the Word of God. In the work of discernment, leaders must be in touch with the Word of God. This is what the Lord says, “You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you.” Whilst the bible does not give explicit answers, nevertheless, Church leaders are required to make sure that their decisions are always based on the principles founded in the Word of God. Indeed, no doctrine or dogma can contradict the bible even though they are not found explicitly in the scriptures. The Word of God is applicable for all time, but not to be understood literally.
Fourthly, integrity of life is the sign that we are integrated and in communion with Him and His Church. This is seen in the fruits we bear in our lives. St Paul gives us the criteria of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22f) Jesus also made it clear “A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.” (Mt 7:18-20) We must be wary of those Christians who claim to have the truth but will do things in ways that are not in union with their leadership or in agreement with the Word of God. Jesus warns such people, “Anyone who does not remain in me is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire, and they are burnt.”
In the final analysis, let us realize that tensions in the Church and among members of the community are not always negative, but the teething problems of growing up. It is, as Jesus tells us, part of the pruning process which entails some trimming on the part of those who are growing in the Spirit and those members that have become obstacles in the growth of the Church because of complacency and routine. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more.” It calls for sensitivity to each other, especially respect for each other’s cultures. There is a need for sincere and honest dialogue, just like what the early Christians did. Instead of cutting each other off, resulting in schism, we must remain together and united in prayer when engaging each other. At the end of the day, we must glorify God by our unity and love for each other.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
