Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Wednesday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gal 2:1-2, 7-14 and Luke 11:1-4]And when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he was clearly in the wrong....[Galatians]
If I had to make a list of historic conversations to which I would want to see and hear, the confrontation between Paul and Peter [Cephas] would be near the top of the list! Paul recounts the story in the first scripture today. The issue was one that threatened to destroy the young Christian community. Should Gentile converts be required to observe the Mosaic Law which Jewish converts continued to observe? On a personal level, Paul accuses Peter [the first pope!] of hypocrisy! Peter had been casual about this until some folks from over in Jerusalem showed up and then he got strict because he feared their bad opinion. On the level of preaching, however, the issue was one of identity. What mattered more? Was belief in Christ conditioned on acceptance of the Mosaic Law? The answer, ultimately, would be "No!" However, the community realized that observance of the Mosaic Law was an important part of llife for Jewish converts and it should remain a part of their identity. Gentile converts, who had not grown up in that observance, however, should not be required to observe the Mosaic Law. It was a historic compromise that saved the community.
All of this might be interesting history, and only that, were it not for similar events that we have witnessed in recent years in the church. On one hand there are those who reject the Second Vatican Council and insist on returning to the pre-conciliar observance. The church has made it possible for the older liturgical observance to be used, but has insisted on acceptance of the teachings of the council. This group has refused and remains in schism. The second example is the accommodation made for Anglican communities who wish to return to Roman Catholicism. They are permitted to retain their liturgical observance with minor changes and are accepting the teachings of the church, including those of the Second Vatican Council. At times this all seems confusing but it is a matter of what is essential and what is periphral. Where is there room for compromise? How can unity be preserved? Peter and Paul will continue to debate for as long as the church exists! AMEN
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