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 02/05/2024

I have only a general understanding of the relationships between the Apostles who organised the disciples in Jerusalem. The Acts do not record the details of all their discussions which led to the teaching inherited by the second generation of Christians. 

It was at discussions, the earliest Church Councils,  such as reported in this morning's first reading that they came to understand the meaning of what they had witnessed and been ordered to announce to the whole world.

Peter is full of confidence as he reminds them that it is he to whom it was revealed that the "pagans" were to have the Good News revealed to them exactly as it had been revealed to the Jews of Jerusalem and that they too had received the "Holy Spirit".

My mind is taken back to the "peace" that Jesus had ordered to be given by the disciples who had been sent  on the first missionary journeys in Palestine.They were to take it back if they were not welcomed by the household to whom it had been given. 

St. Luke does not record any opposition  to St Peter's statement that these "pagans" have been given the Holy Spirit just as they have but there is no record of how they could all be so sure. Then St James too speaks as leader and it is he who rules that the outward signs of Jewishness need not be forced onto pagan converts. 

His reference to "Peter" by his given Jewish name rather than the "Peter", stone of the foundation of Jesus' Church, could indicate how difficult it was for the Jews to accept anything that deprived them of their position as the  "Chosen Ones" or it could be just a sign of the  minor human disgruntlement that arises even amongst  saints while they are on earth.

Dear Lord, You have given me Faith. Help me to be true to it. I can never know you fully for you are the Evergreater. Only you can see my soul but I know that it is the being which knows you and through which I am known. No-one has seen the Father except the Son. The Holy Spirit is God's Gift to all of us who seek him out. "If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love."