Cornelius the Centurion: Being Open to New Things

Today's Scripture Reading


Acts 11:1-18  (NRSV)

Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, `Get up, Peter; kill and eat.' But I replied, `By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But a second time the voice answered from heaven, `What God has made clean, you must not call profane.' This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, `Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, `John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."

Blog Reflection

Reading the story of Peter's experience in Joppa shows us that he had a lot of growing up to do.  Peter was used to the Christian Faith being one that only should apply to the Jews who followed Christ.  While Christianity was not suppose to become the religion of supercessionism, it also was not to be isolated to only one people, place or time.  Nor was it to be a Faith that was stagnant.  Peter is met head on with his own narrow prejudices.  God's Spirit told him "What God has made clean, you must not call profane."

Cornelius received the Christian Faith, because the Apostles minds were opened to sharing it with people outside of their comfort zones.  They could begin to understand that the Gospel is meant to defy human logic, and yet it is to communicate love and respect for the dignity of all human persons.  So does our Baptismal Covenant in the Book of Common Prayer p. 292-294.

This is such a great commemoration on the same day that the Federal Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit ruled that Proposition 8 that restricts marriage for straight people is unconstitutional.  You can read the entire document of that ruling here.  LGBT people all over the country are celebrating this moment of victory for the hopes of full marriage equality.   What a wonderful day.

The internet is buzzing with the usual good news, along with comments from those who oppose Prop. 8 as well as those who want it to stay put.  Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council.   Concerned Women for America.  The Alliance Defense Fund.  The National Organization for Marriage.  Catholics for the "Common Good."  These groups have all come out with their usual hateful rhetoric and total disregard for Christian Charity,  tooting their own horns about today's ruling as "bad for children and families" etc, etc.

This kind of reaction brings me back to the words Jesus spoke in John 16: 12 and 13.

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." 

I think the experience of Peter that led to the conversion of Cornelius is a perfect example of the Holy Spirit leading the Church into all truth.  The Church and hopefully all Christians are still being led into all truth. We are not completely there yet.  Truth for Christians was revealed in someone, namely Jesus Christ. That Truth is never stagnant or complete until he returns.  In the mean time, the Holy Spirit is still speaking those things that are to come.  For us in the 21st Century, that appears to be recognizing that LGBT people are good and holy as we are.  Our sexuality is blessed by God as a means of loving others, and serving everyone's "common good" and not just a certain few.  When exercised in holy and life-giving relationships, the sexual expression between two people of the same-sex communicates love and the self sacrifice of one person for the other.  Yes, these things are possible as God continues to lead us into all truth as our Mother the Holy Spirit speaks and declares what is to come.

It is possible for us, just as it was for Peter and Cornelius. to be drawn to a greater understanding of God, others and ourselves by being open to that Conversion of Life St. Benedict refers to in the Rule that calls us to serve others out of reverence for Christ.  What is needed is for us to be open and willing to allow God to change our hearts and to repent of our sins of prejudice in attitudes and behaviors. 

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us into all truth, and help us to be open to new things for the glory of God's reign.  Because Jesus also said: "Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you." (John 12: 35).


Prayers

O God, by your Spirit you called Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles; Grant to your Church such a ready will to go where you send and to do what you command, that under your guidance it may welcome all who turn to you in love and faith, and proclaim the Gospel to all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for Cornelius the Centurion, Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, p. 215).

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us
the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known
to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p. 216).


O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).