6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER B
TURN AWAY NO ONE
The married life of my cousin and
her husband was blessed with intimacy, prosperity and joy. But after a long
time of trying, the couple remained childless. Adoption was a welcome but
frightening option. The couple took a lot of time, discussion and prayer before
they finally took the crucial step. A few days ago, they proudly introduced
their adopted baby girl and brought her to church for baptism. This family will
never be the same again, I’m sure.
The early Christians were faced
with huge dilemmas. They were experiencing new situations. They were asking new
questions. One such problematic concerned membership. Who were called to belong
to this new community of faith? Did not Christ come to bring salvation to the
Jews? Should the Gentiles or non-Jews be allowed to enter into the unity of God’s
new people?
As Peter prayed hard (Acts 10),
the Lord showed him a vision, and then a crucial realization. God was pushing
the church beyond narrow limits toward a new broader direction. Peter and the
others must take the lead to throw open the gates and welcome all – men, women,
old, young, servants, free, rich, poor, Jew and Gentile. By accepting Cornelius
and his household to the faith, Peter embraced the conviction that “God shows
no partiality” and and that all who believe will equally receive the generous
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In the Resurrection, God’s heart is nothing but
an open heart!
In our churches today, are we
continuing the Easter message of openness and acceptance of others? Many times
the poor feel excluded and unappreciated because of their status. In some
places, the youth are neglected because they are too rowdy, undisciplined and
scattered. At times the attitudes of church leaders drive people away because
of the arrogance, greed, and selfishness they feel when they approach these
leaders. The words mercy and compassion are great but where is its
application in the daily life of the church?
As we are all members of the
church, let us pray and work for a community of faith faithful to the
inspiration of Peter. Let us start by welcoming new people, loving the
unlovable and reaching out to the ones we never thought of approaching. They,
like us, are people whom our Lord Jesus call friends, for whom he laid down his
life.
