PRAYER MOMENT             

Monday, 12 May 2014

WHO AM I TO JUDGE?

Pause. Be still before God.

Reading: Acts 11:1-18

Reflection. Peter was questioned by the church in Jerusalem about his going to the house of the gentile Cornelius (chap. 10) and baptising him. Up to that time the mission of the apostles had been to the “house of Israel” and the “elders” were still in the traditional mind-set that the mission of Jesus was only to the Jews. It shocked them that their mission was truly, as Jesus had indicated, to the whole world and these two chapters, 10 and 11, are a careful explanation as to how this came about. It was the first of many conversions the church was to go through up to today. Peter’s explanation, in the course of which he says, “Who was I to stand in the way of the Spirit?,” satisfied them. In another context Pope Francis also said recently, “Who am I to judge?” The church is often seen, by those inside her and outside, as fixed and solid. But her true nature is to be precarious and wondering.   

     

Prayer. Lord, help us to be open to the many ways and times you call us to change our way of thinking. Amen..

David Harold-Barry SJ