| Readings for May 13, 2012
In the first reading, the Apostles begin their mission to convert the Gentiles. Since Jesus' death they have been preaching mainly to the Jewish followers of Jesus. They aren't even called "Christians" yet. In an earlier passage, we learn that two men have had visions, Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and Simon Peter. Cornelius is known as a devout and God-fearing man. The angel, in his vision, tells him to send three servants to Peter and tell him to come to meet Cornelius. On the way Peter falls into a trance where a voice tells him to eat profane and unclean food. The voice says, "What God has made clean, you are not to call profane." The Spirit then tells Peter that he has sent these men to him. When Peter meets Cornelius, Cornelius falls on his feet and pays Peter homage. It would be highly unusual for a high ranking Roman soldier to do this. Peter tells him to get up because they are both human. It was also against Jewish law to associate with a Gentile. Peter then explains his vision with the words, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation, whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him." Then the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to Peter. The Jews were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles also and then Peter had the Gentiles baptized.
In the second reading the author is warning the Johannine community about false prophets. He calls them beloved and says, "let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." The ultimate love is that God sent Jesus as atonement for our sins.
This leads us to the Gospel where we find Jesus in the upper room with his disciples at the last supper giving them his last teachings. "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete...love one another as I love you... I have called you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father...It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you...This I command you love one another."
It does not always happen that the three readings complement each other as well as these do. What a message they give for us today! "What God has made clean, you are not to call profane." A Jew kept the covenant with God by circumcising males and keeping the Law, including dietary laws. The Holy Spirit tells the followers of Jesus that whoever fear him and act uprightly are acceptable. Do we tend to try to define who is a true follower of Jesus by condemning those who don't follow man-made laws? We call them unclean, secular, modern, feminist, or not doctrinaire. God's law is "love one another, because love is of God." It is by loving one another that we love God. We are to love and serve the poor, the oppressed, the outcast, the unclean, the sick, and the possessed. A Christian keeps the covenant of God by loving one another and therefore loving God. God's intimate Spirit of love is within all of us. We are chosen. All we need to do is respond.
Gene Wesolowski is a social worker and student at Catholic Theological Union.
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