This blog follows the daily bible readings of the Catholic Church

After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. 10 Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” 12 The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. 13 After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

16

‘After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, 17 so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, 18 known from of old.’

19

It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. 21 For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

Difference is strength

Luke is giving the history of a political revolution in the early church. There will have been harsh words of which Luke reports nothing-Paul speaks of angry confrontation between himself and Simon-and doubtless some will have left the church and returned to the fold of Judaism. But Luke associates the change with the advocacy of Simon, and the readiness of the chief “Jewish” Christian, James, to move forward. In he process, Holy Scripture is re-interpreted. The crucial point in the debate is the agreed dependence of all believers on the grace of Jesus Christ.

It seems clear to me that the incident provides a model of how the churches should deal with the issue of homosexuality

GOSPEL: John 15: 9-11

Jesus said to his disciples

“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

Here is a doctrine of the Trinity: the father’s love for Jesus the Son is expressed in his creative commandments, just as Jesus love for the father is expressed in his creative obedience. If we enter into this divine love, our lives will be filled with the Holy Spirit, who is joy. In spite of all frustrations, we should vote today in Britain, out of this joy.