The reading from the Acts of the Apostles is noteworthy for at least two reasons. First, we had just heard about the Council of Jerusalem in which the decision was made that Gentile men were not forced to undergo circumcision before baptism. Yet, Paul has Timothy, a man of both Greek and Hebrew ancestry, circumcised because of the Jewish community. Paul had prevailed in the argument, but was still willing to bend to the needs of the community in order to further the growth of the Gospel.
Another aspect of which we need to take note is that the Holy Spirit is directing the journey, forcing St. Paul to cancel his own plans and move in other directions. Again it displays his willingness to set aside his own decisions and his own will in favor of the mission itself. In so doing, we also note that for the first time, the Gospel moves out of Asia Minor and into Europe as Paul moves on to Macedonia. The Gospel is spreading quickly having now reached the Gentiles of Asia, Africa and Europe. You will remember that the apostles were commissioned to take the Gospel to the entire world. These are the only three parts of the world that were known at that time as the Americas and Australia were not yet on the map in the first century.
So the one of the purposes of the Acts of the Apostles, namely to record the growth of the community is being well served in this fashion. At the same time, we see that the apostles are letting themselves be guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit in their midst. The responsorial psalm for today sings praise as the message of the Gospel reaches the far corners of the world.
Despite the success that is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, the Gospel reminds them and us that just as Jesus encountered opposition in his life, his followers can expect the same. However, as long as we too follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we will also succeed in our part of the mission.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator