Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. Our Holy Father Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome (655). Newly Revealed Martyrs Anthony, John and Eustathius (1342).
Acts 6:1-7. Mark 15:43-16:8.
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Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Wow, these are high qualifications for overseeing church suppers – “good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” And I don’t think I’ve ever seen perogy pinchers having hands laid on them and being ordained to that work! What is going on here?
Well, context is everything. Two things stand out. One, spiritual momentum. The story begins with “the disciples were increasing in number;” it ends with “the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” In between, though, there was a threat to that momentum – ethnic conflict over the even touchier subject of widowed mothers.
The wisdom the Apostles brought to the Church’s discernment is that it’s about the relationships. That is what “good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” signifies. There is nothing about cooking in the qualifications of those appointed over this business, though, being wise, they would have made sure to put good cooks on the job!
Look at the delicate situation – Luke doesn’t say the Hellenists (culturally Greek Jews) were incorrect. The disciples were multiplying at this crucial early juncture but that could have been derailed by conflict over ethnic bias negatively affecting poor widows – an explosive situation for division.
We now have an opportunity to reflect on how we may contribute toward unity and effective progress in our parishes. Such reflection may lead to greater awareness of how we may be called to be sensitive to blind spots we may have in relationship with others and how wisely making reparation for hurts can contribute to the salvation and healing of souls.