Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest

On the contrary, we believe that we are saved

through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”

Acts of the Apostles describes in some detail the first crisis of the church. It came not from persecuting Romans or ostracizing Jews but from within, as “old Christians” wondered what to do with the “new Christians.” The old ones were Jews who had come to believe in Jesus as the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law and the Hebrew Prophets. He was their long-awaited priest, prophet and king.

The new Christians were gentiles who might know something of Jewish moral teachings but would show little immediate interest in Jewish history or customs. Clearly they were enthusiastic about Jesus and were convinced he had set them free from their old, evil ways. But could they really know Jesus without knowledge of the Law and Prophets? Could they appreciate the challenge he represented to Jewish customs and the satisfaction he gave to those who believed in him? Do they bring real faith to the Church or just a passing enthusiasm?

This is no unfamiliar crisis. Many “Anglo-Catholic” parishioners in the United States are reluctantly ceding their parishes to Hispanic or Asian immigrants. They were baptized, made First Communion and got married in these beloved old structures, and now – in their final years -- they feel like they’re entering a foreign country when they go to church. They often heard about but paid little attention to the international dimensions of their “Roman Catholic Church.” Now they wonder, “Who are these people, anyway? And why have they come here? If they have to be here why can’t they learn our language, songs and customs and forget their own?”

The ancient crisis is reflected also in the skepticism about the new converts. The Jewish Christians in the Acts of the Apostles might have asked, “Are these enthusiastic gentiles going to stay with Jesus after they have refashioned our religion? Do they have the stamina we have developed after centuries of persecution and ostracism? Or will they finally want to conform to the ways of the world?”

But faith in Jesus could neither survive nor flourish without reaching beyond one nationality. He commanded us to “make disciples of all nations” and when those nations make it easy for us by showing up in our own neighborhoods, schools and churches, we cannot turn them away!

Facing today’s crisis in America and remembering its roots in the Acts of the Apostles, we should appreciate all the more the wisdom and courage of Saints Peter, Paul and James as they allowed the Holy Spirit to guide them into an unknown and unpredictable future.