The First Ecumenical Council of the Church

WORD 2day: Wednesday, 5th week in Easter time

May 13, 2020: Acts 15: 1-6; John 15: 1-8

There is so much talk about the Vatican Council II, an ecumenical council that has revolutionised the Church of late. There are those who look at it as the rebirth of the Church in the Modern times and there are others who criticise it saying it was the deconstruction of a solid faith! That apart, today we have the account of the first ever ecumenical council held - the Council of Jerusalem! It stands as a wonderful Christian model of handling crisis and confusion: getting together in brotherly dialogue and faithful communion. 

The Community of faith gives us a splendid possibility of remaining united as branches to the one Vine, Jesus the Lord. That is the key to Christian Unity and Spiritual Communion. Today, when crisis and confusion arise, how many human methodologies we follow to handle them: writing anonymous letters, spreading calumny about others, raising unchristian slogans, speaking an unholy language, using all means to destroy the other and unleashing uncharitable actions... 

Is it truly a 'Christ'ian way of approaching a problem or a dilemma? What are we aiming at? Establishing our ego? Gaining our political mileage? Assuring our social and economic security? Making ourselves relevant and craving to prove ourselves to those around?

Let us remember - division among us is the worst scandal we can give to the World, as people of God. Let us be strive to be united with the one Vine, nourish ourselves from that vine, be filled with the sap from that vine and give fruits worthy of that vine. Or else, we will have to be pruned and charred!