Fr. Jude Botelho:
This Sunday’s first reading from the Acts reminds us of the conflict that arose in the early Christian community. The Jews felt that to be a follower of Jesus, one had to be a Jew. Hence they insisted on circumcision. Recent converts did not see the need to undergo a ritual practice of the Jewish faith. For these converts Jesus alone mattered and accepting Him and his teaching was all that was required. This conflict divided the early Christian community. To solve the problem they decide to meet together and discern what God was saying through the many voices heard.
This Sunday’s first reading from the Acts reminds us of the conflict that arose in the early Christian community. The Jews felt that to be a follower of Jesus, one had to be a Jew. Hence they insisted on circumcision. Recent converts did not see the need to undergo a ritual practice of the Jewish faith. For these converts Jesus alone mattered and accepting Him and his teaching was all that was required. This conflict divided the early Christian community. To solve the problem they decide to meet together and discern what God was saying through the many voices heard.
