First Reading: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Response: Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8; Second Reading: Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; Gospel: John 14:23-29
This reading from Acts 15 describes a gathering of the apostles which is often called “the council of Jerusalem.” The purpose of this gathering was to resolve whether or not circumcision was necessary for salvation in Jesus Christ. Some Jewish Christians were telling Gentiles that they must be circumcised to be baptized in Christ. Thus: “Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised… you cannot be saved.”
But if the Gentiles would have submitted to circumcision, this would have committed them to following the Law of Moses, as the Jews did. Paul strongly opposed this. Jesus Christ conquered sin and death – nothing more is needed for our salvation. Paul and Barnabas had been sent to Jerusalem by the Christian community of Antioch (see Acts 14:26), which contained both Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. Paul and Barnabas asked the apostles to publicly proclaim that the Gentiles need not be circumcised to join the Christian community. In response, the apostles in Jerusalem addressed their letter: “to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin.” Then Paul and Barnabas carried to this message to Antioch, where “they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation” (Acts 15:30-31).
In their message, the apostles said: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities….” The apostles were not making a decision by their own judgment, but rather they had discerned that the Holy Spirit was directing them to baptize the Gentiles in Christ’s name without them submitting to the Law of Moses. For example, recall the experience of the Apostle Peter with the centurion Cornelius (Acts 10). At the direction of the Holy Spirit, Peter ordered that the Gentile Cornelius be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ – without being circumcised.
Likewise the Church at Antioch had discerned that the Holy Spirit was commanding them to send Paul and Barnabas on mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to Jew and Gentile alike. Paul and Barnabas proceeded to do this with great success (Acts 13–14). All of this preceded the apostles’ decision when they gathered in Jerusalem. The apostles sent Judas and Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas in their journey Antioch, in order to communicate that the Gentile Christians need not be circumcised.
The next reading is from Revelation 21. The preceding chapter (Rev 20) describes the final destruction of Sin and Death. This will be accomplished by Jesus Christ when he comes again at the end of this age. Then Revelation 21 describes the new heavenly Jerusalem of the “new creation” brought by Christ’s return. In Revelation 21:1 the visionary John wrote: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away.” His vision continues with today’s reading: “The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.”
The new heavenly Jerusalem shines with the “splendor of God.” This divine splendor is compared to precious stone “like jasper, clear as crystal.” Further, it says that “the wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation.” These twelve courses of precious stone are named in Revelation 21:18-20. The first course is “jasper.” This precious stone is an opaque quartz which has been valued since ancient times. Jasper can be various colors, but it is most often red or green. According to page 161 of George Wilson’s “History of Dubois County” (1910), the city of Jasper, Indiana was named for this precious heavenly stone described in Revelation 21:19. Nearby at Saint Meinrad monastery, we use humbler building material – local sandstone. But as we monks remind ourselves in times of vexation: “Saint Meinrad is not the heavenly Jerusalem.”
John continues his vision: “I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.” In Jesus’ time, the Temple in Jerusalem was considered to be God’s dwelling place. But the heavenly Jerusalem is different from the earthly Jerusalem – because in heaven God dwells with his redeemed people. Revelation 21:3 describes the heavenly Jerusalem by saying: “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.” Thus no temple is needed. Likewise, the heavenly Jerusalm has “no need of sun or moon to shine on it” because God shines on his heavenly people with his glory – revealed through Christ his Son, the Lamb.
Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus telling his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word” (John 14:23). This restates Jesus’ statement of 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” For those who keep his commandments, Jesus promises that “the Father… will give you another Advocate to be with you always” (14:16). Jesus repeats this promise in today’s Gospel: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you” (14:26). The Holy Spirit is God’s presence dwelling within Christians who keep Christ’s commandments. “Advocate” translates the Greek word “Paraclete.” The Holy Spirit “advocates” for us as we persevere in this world of sin and death.
In this gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples for his death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father in heaven. Jesus says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… if you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father.” Jesus promises his disciples that they will receive the Holy Spirit, who will remain with them when Jesus returns to the Father.
When Jesus tells his disciples these words, they neither believe nor understand. But Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” Jesus promises his disciples that they will understand his words later when they receive the Holy Spirit.
Benedictine Father Paul Nord is a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey, and teaches at St. Meinrad Seminary. His Sunday Scripture columns are © Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.