Daily Reflection Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

 The issue of becoming a Christian according to the old Jewish law surfaces as Jesus’ disciples continue to preach the Good News. During Moses’ time circumcision for men and ceremonial baths for women had been part of the Jewish covenant with God. Now there is a split of opinion. Do non-Jewish men need to be circumcised in order to become followers of Jesus? In an effort to come to a peaceful decision, Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem where they are welcomed by the Church. The presbyters and apostles meet together to ascertain if it is necessary for men to be circumcised and women to undergo ceremonial baths in order to become Christians. There is certainly dissension among Jesus’ followers. The early Church is composed of people like us who want to follow Jesus and his teachings. Yet, some still cling to the particulars of the Jewish law.
 
    In John’s gospel, Jesus is seriously telling us that we are the branches on the vine of God. We cling to this vine and absorb as much of Jesus as we can. We allow ourselves to be open to him, so what is selfish, arrogant, or insubordinate can be pruned by grace.
 
    From the study of plant science, we know that any disease or insect that infects one branch will travel to others and destroy them. This metaphor of the vine and branches refers to us, followers of Jesus: how we respond to our God and how we treat each other.
 
    Pope Francis has initiated the process of synodality. Like Jesus, he wants us, the branches, to work together on the vine, the Church. Also, like the early Christians, Pope Francis’ aim in synodality is to have each of us work together as church: evaluate our responses to the Spirit in the workings of the Church, critique structures that need life-giving tune-ups. Only in gathering together in prayer and openness are we able to be instruments of change within our Church.
 
   Will the Catholic Church in the United States enter the new millennium
   as a church of promise, augmented by the faith of rising generations
   and able to be a leavening force in our culture? Or will it become a
   Church on the defensive, torn by dissension and weakened in its
   core structures? American Catholicism can confront an array of
   challenges with honesty and imagination and whether the Church
   can reverse the polarization that inhibits discussion and cripples leadership.
                                                                  
 --Cardinal Joseph Bernardin