January 21st - Reflection

Galatians 2:1-10 (NRSV)
Paul's authority in the growing church

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.

Reflection
We recognize one another as Christians by seeing grace active in our lives. It's the freedom in Christ, not the law that springs forth children of God. If the law were in control division would continue until we were all lined up one by one. But by the grace of Jesus acts here on this earth we are brought together as one. Brought together as One Church not because of any of the laws we were able to correct and abide by, but brought together as One Church because of what Jesus has acted upon and lived and died for in those sins that would separate us.

United, we are not individuals of unique accomplishments over sin, but we are saved children of God united in the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit calls, unites and gifts us so that our unique gifts now combine together into the one Body of Christ and the catholic church is formed. The one universal, true, catholic church under God is alive and active.

Greet one another with the grace that has been given to you and remember the poor. Live in unity and love.

Paul took the controversy of separation in the church and put it on it's head with the message of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, make your Church One in your grace. --- Amen