The development of Christian doctrine, rituals and pietistic practices has always been contentious and problematic. Debates, discussions, condemnations, accusations of heresy and then the formal proclamation of a dogma can take centuries to unfold. Some practices of the modern Church were once forbidden, just as some practices of the medieval Church would be unthinkable today. Controversy seems a necessary, if not problematic way for the on-going revelation of God’s plan of salvation to unfold before us.
Paul and Barnabas launch the first great crisis in the development of Christian teaching and in the First Reading we hear the account of what is often called the Council of Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas changed a fundamental practice of the nascent Church regarding the practice of initiating Gentile converts to the faith. The apostles expected that all Gentiles would first become Jewish. This meant circumcision for men, and then the understanding and observance of Jewish dietary and religious laws and customs. Both Paul and Barnabas felt that these were unnecessary burdens and contrary to the teaching of Jesus, and consequently they changed them on their own. Needless to say, this did not sit well with the apostles, and Paul and Barnabas were summoned before the council to make their case. In the end, the requirements of Jewish law and practice were lifted and Paul and Barnabas were free to preach and baptize as they had been doing, and the rest of the Church was expected to follow.
This did not settle the matter completely, and we see throughout the subsequent writings of Paul and in the Acts of the Apostles, that there was much resistance to ease these requirements. Many continued to try and force the Gentiles to convert first to Judaism. A generation will need to pass, and the rejection of the Jewish officials to the teaching and evangelical efforts of the apostles must come to a head before the issue is resolved on practical grounds.
We, too, experience a Church which seems to be painfully divided along lines of liberal and conservative. It seems that there exists a significant tension between those theologians and bishops who identify with the theological and pastoral approaches of Pope Francis, and those who identify with the theological and pastoral approaches of Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI.
This is a sad and potentially schismatic situation that serves only to work against the proclamation of the Gospel and the salvation of souls which is at the core of the mission of Jesus Christ.
Most of us can certainly feel caught in the middle, unprepared for the disruptions and struggling to understand why the Church seems to be almost at war with itself. The unfortunate reality that anyone can post anything on a blog, social media, or podcast and have it sound authoritative or definitive adds even more fuel to this fire.
The abuse scandals of modern times have served to even deepen this crisis. We are searching to blame someone or some tendency, practice or group within the Church, while failing to take on any accountability.
As we endure yet another round of media coverage and encounter these struggles, it is the voice of Jesus to his apostles on the night of the Last Supper that we hear in this Sunday’s Gospel that should offer us hope, comfort and consolation: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Right now it might feel as though this this promise is being fulfilled. We might wonder where is this Advocate when we need him the most. This same Spirit often admonishes us through painful instruction and this is another one of those times to be sure.
We need to pray fervently that the Spirit will bring to the Church the peace the Lord promises – but peace first demands humility, and among those who are not at peace with one another humility seems to be even farther away.
Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.