Growing as the Body of Christ

Good News Reflection
Wednesday of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time
October 6, 2010

Today's Readings:
Gal 2:1-2, 7-14
Ps 117:1bc, 2
Luke 11:1-4
http://www.usccb.org/nab/100610.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_10_06.mp3

Growing as the Body of Christ

In today's first reading, we get an inside view of the tension in the early Church that helped it mature. We see that Paul respected the authority of Peter (who is calledCephas or Kephas in Greek), James and John, and they acknowledged Paul's vocation to the Gentiles. But Peter erred in his use of authority and Paul spoke to him about it – respectfully but boldly in front of everyone who might have been led astray by his error, so that all would hear the truth and grow from it.

Humbly, Peter recognized the truth of Paul's criticism and was willing to change. His sin had been hypocrisy caused by worrying about human disapproval. When he had visited the Gentile Christians, he had eaten their food (God had prepared him for this in a vision that told him it was okay to eat non-Kosher food; see Acts 10:9ff). But to avoid the disapproval of Jews, Peter caused confusion among the Gentiles by acting as if it was still wrong to eat their food.

Peter's hypocrisy spread to others because of his example, especially because he was the leader (the first pope) of the Church. He should have been willing to let his behavior teach those who witnessed it that it is right to trust and cooperate with God's plan even when this brings changes to the Church.

God was in the process of maturing the early Church. Peter's hypocrisy worked against this. Paul had both the humility to recognize that God was instituting a change and the courage to speak up for it.

How do we handle Church leaders who work against God's plans? Do we have both the passion and the compassion that Paul had to courageously call attention to the problem, with the same level of respect for their authority? True respect is based on love, not fear, and an understanding that God is calling us to work together in accomplishing the work of his kingdom.

If we see a Church leader sinning and we do nothing to stop it, we are hypocrites and we contribute to the scandal. Do we respect the sinner enough to speak to him or her about it? And if that doesn't work, do we have enough respect for the rest of the Body of Christ to take the matter to higher authorities?

Peter's hypocrisy came from fear; he overcame it through his respect for Paul. Do we have the humility of Peter to listen to and obey what the Lord is telling us through others?

The Church is still maturing. Until we're perfectly imitating Christ, we will continue to need more growth. Purification is not fun, and no one likes to deal with the consequences of speaking up about the need for purification, but we are each responsible for doing everything we can, in mutual respect and love for one another, with bold passion, to strengthen the Church's holiness.

Note: We at Good News Ministries often hear from people after a reflection like this, who tell us about injustices in their parish or diocese. They seek prayers and guidance and encouragement. For this reason, and because we have been in these shoes and learned to walk with Christ down this difficult road, we provide help on our website athttp://wordbytes.org/special ... and we have begun a ministry called Parish Restoration Services: http://parishhope.com

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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