REFLECTION FOR 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C.
by Rev. Sylvanus Ifeanyi Amaobi
(1st Reading, Acts 15:1-2,22-29; 2nd Reading, Rev. 21:10-14,22-23; Gospel, John 14:23-29)
My dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WORD OF LIFE
In the Gospel (Jn. 14:23-29), Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. And whoever does not love me does not keep my word. The word of God is the word of life. It gives life. It gives direction in our life's journey. It is spoken and taught for the betterment of the people and the salvation of humankind.
Equally, the commandments, laws, and precepts of the Lord are good and wonderful and are all given for the betterment of the Children of God. The Psalmist puts it thus, "The precepts of the Lord are right; they gladden the heart" (Ps 19:9). The precepts of the Lord are not meant to be burdens on the people of God because they are given as an act of love by God. For instance, in the Gospel of last Sunday, Jesus commanded us to "love one another, as I have loved you" (John 13:34).
THE WORD OF GOD UNBURDENS. IT DOESN'T ADD TO OUR BURDEN.
However, when there is a false teaching or when there is a false presentation of the word of God, the commandments of God, or the laws of God, they become burdens to the people of God. This premise is the setting of the first reading from Acts 15:1-29. As we read, some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved."
The teaching of having the adult converts circumcised so that they could be integrated into the community of believers was difficult to digest for the new converts. It was a heavy yoke to carry on their shoulders and a burden difficult to bear. It brought about dissension and controversy amongst the early church.
Teaching and preaching the word of God to the people should unburden them. It should not add to their burden. Paul and Barnabas recognized this fact and, in their wisdom, appealed to the apostles in Jerusalem for help with the problem they encountered in their ministry. It is essential to understand the wisdom of the apostles in resolving this problem and controversy in what is today known as the 'Apostles Council' in Jerusalem.
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART, NOT OF THE FORESKIN.
Circumcision reminds the Jews, who are descendants of Abraham, of the Abrahamic covenant with God (Gen. 17:9-12). It is a Jewish ritual meant to set them apart as Children of God and remind them of the obligation to obey God and His laws as His chosen people. It goes beyond the outward and physical removal of the foreskin. It has more significance in the circumcision of the heart (Deut. 30:6). The 'false teachers' failed to understand this, but Peter and the rest of the apostles understood.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul elaborated more on the circumcision of the heart when he said circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. Circumcision, indeed, is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. In the words of St. Paul, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law (Rm. 2:27).
One is not a Jew outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical but of the heart (Rm. 2:28-29). Thus, rather than focus on external rites, Paul focused on the condition of the heart. Using circumcision as a metaphor, he says that only the Holy Spirit can purify a heart and set us apart as children of God. This should be our main focus as Christians, the Children of God, and the New Israelites.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!