One of the first internal
challenges of the early Church was the notion of Church membership. Those who converted from Judaism wrongly
supposed that Gentiles were not included in God's kingdom.
Consequently, as we
heard in the reading from acts today, they objected that Peter "entered
the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them". Jesus, of course, taught to make disciples of
all nations, and Saint Paul, as we know, takes up that mission to convert the
Gentiles.
Yet, we hear in today’s Gospel,
Jesus’ warning about spiritual thieves and marauders—those who have come “only
to steal and destroy”. The early Church
was very aware of forces both external and internal which seek to scatter and
destroy the Church—false shepherds who lead the sheep away from the unity of
the one flock.
Jesus says today that he is the
gate of the sheepfold. In one way, no
one can become a member of his flock without going through him—one must be
baptized through, with, and in Jesus to gain membership into this flock
destined for eternal life. Yet, today, I
think Jesus is warning us to be very, very careful about those forces which disrupt
or harm Catholic unity—to be very vigilant against those attitudes which are
divisive or take us away from the right practice of the Catholic faith: to
beware of politicians, tv and movie-stars, or even priests who teach things
which are contrary to the Catholic morality or doctrine.
On the other hand, in connection
with the first reading, people of every race, nation, and tongue need to be
welcomed with generous open arms, if they are living a life of faith in Jesus.
Jesus said today, “I came so that they
might have life and have it more abundantly.”
May we be free from all divisive attitudes which keep us from living
this abundant life, vigilant against all forces which seek to take us away from
Jesus, and at work to bring and welcome those who desire it, into the unity of
Jesus’ flock, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
Great homily.
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