In the study of moral theology, Fr. Robert Ng, S. J. told us that it took a martyr to live up to the Kantian duty ethics. In our daily life, we cannot insist on winning all our principles hands down. Sometimes, we have to compromise, yielding some minor principles.
At that time, James was the bishop of Jerusalem. The burden of responsibility rested upon him. Therefore, it was his burden to exercise his authority to have the final say, to pass judgment on the circumcision issue. Listen to his authority.
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood (Acts 15:19-20).
The dietary precepts were minor in comparison to the circumcision issue. Now that the Gentiles were handed down a favourable judgment, it would be reasonable for them to give in some minor customs. Some scholars remark that these dietary precepts facilitated the interactions between Jews and Gentiles.
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood (Acts 15:19-20).
The dietary precepts were minor in comparison to the circumcision issue. Now that the Gentiles were handed down a favourable judgment, it would be reasonable for them to give in some minor customs. Some scholars remark that these dietary precepts facilitated the interactions between Jews and Gentiles.
The Jerusalem Council issued a letter to the Gentiles in Antioch to seal the matter. In this letter, we find an interesting sentence.
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell (Acts 15:28-29)
The Holy Spirit had manifested itself in the Church. Everything was measured against the Holy Spirit. But what does "good to the Holy Spirit" mean? Wasn't it the judgment of James? Where did the Holy Spirit come in?
It is difficult to decide from this context what it means. We need to look elsewhere. St. Paul may help shed light on this.
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice,
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:29-32).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. It is also the Spirit of Love. All Christians form a communion in love, in the Spirit. Anything that splits this communion grieves the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is good to the Holy Spirit for Christians to maintain this fellowship. The circumcision issue threatened to split the Church. Therefore, it is good to compromise in this issue, to lay no more burden than the necessary. We should admire the wisdom of the apostles. We should praise the Holy Spirit for keeping Christians in one fold.
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell (Acts 15:28-29)
The Holy Spirit had manifested itself in the Church. Everything was measured against the Holy Spirit. But what does "good to the Holy Spirit" mean? Wasn't it the judgment of James? Where did the Holy Spirit come in?
It is difficult to decide from this context what it means. We need to look elsewhere. St. Paul may help shed light on this.
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice,
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:29-32).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. It is also the Spirit of Love. All Christians form a communion in love, in the Spirit. Anything that splits this communion grieves the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is good to the Holy Spirit for Christians to maintain this fellowship. The circumcision issue threatened to split the Church. Therefore, it is good to compromise in this issue, to lay no more burden than the necessary. We should admire the wisdom of the apostles. We should praise the Holy Spirit for keeping Christians in one fold.
Dear Lord, let us learn to humble ourselves by not imposing our whims upon our brothers. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment