Some time ago we faced a problem in Elgin. The number of children for first communion was so high that St Sylvester’s Church turned out to be too small to contain all candidates and their guests. In the hot debate about solving the problem one idea was to split the group. The criteria seemed to be obvious: a Polish group and an English speaking group. But this would have been exactly opposite to what we have tried to do in the parish for the last four years. Since I came to Elgin we have been encouraging the massive Polish community to become part of the local parish. Splitting children would have shrunk or even moved back that effort. After long discussions and exchanging various arguments we made a decision to have one first communion in a bigger church, namely St Peter’s in Buckie.
In today’s first reading we can see a situation which is quite similar. There was one Christian community consisting of two groups: Hebrews (locals) and Hellenists of non-Jewish origin. The latter had the impression that they had not been treated equally to the Hebrews. As the tension grew the Apostles decided to solve the problem and assembled the community. I suppose they had a long discussion, quite likely the members of the two groups expressed their anger, bitterness and resentments. I’m sure the Apostles tried to understand both groups and their arguments. Eventually they presented a solution: a group of people selected by the assembly in charge of charity work for the community. This proposal was accepted by the congregation. Subsequently ‘the word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased’.
In my home country with a prevailing 90% Catholic population most of the people inherited their religion. For many it’s just a part of their cultural background, with some rituals and practises, but with very little impact on their everyday lives or decisions. People sharing the same beliefs are able to share and nurture hatred, aversion, resentments, bad feelings… Their faith doesn’t push them to compromise, to seeking a solution, to forgiveness. But let me ask a question: Is it just a problem in my home country?
In today’s gospel we hear these worn out words: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’. It seems to be an empty religious slogan, repeated on many occasions, but meaningless. However this is a very simple, but powerful proposal for my life and yours.
A road leads us from the place we are at present to another place. To reach that other place we have to follow the road; it means that in some ways we imitate the builder of the road. A believer follows Christ and that means imitating his way of life. It’s possible only when we are honest, when we truthfully judge ourselves and others; when we look for the truth. As a result we have life in its fullness – life full of peace.