Good Shepherd Catholic Parish

Readings: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (R: “O God, let all the nations praise you!”); Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29

Many of us of a certain age, remember Vatican Council II. Throughout the history of the Church, there were times when leaders were called together in a major center of the Catholic Christian faith to settle disagreements, to decide on major aspects of the Christian faith, and to respond to the new era in which the Church was continuing it’s mission throughout the world. If the council had “world wide” representation, it was called an Ecumenical Council; Vatican II was the 21^st such Ecumenical Council (Wikipedia has a good article, “Catholic ecumenical councils”, which covers what was addressed at each of them).

In today’s Acts of Apostles reading we hear part of the story of the Jerusalem “Council” (meeting, conference). It is not counted as “ecumenical”; nevertheless, it had world wide effect, because it decided what was required to become a member of the Body of Christ, the Church. For Paul and Barnabas, and others preaching the gospel to Gentiles, faith in Jesus Christ and baptism were all that membership required. Others, however, reasoned that because Jesus had been a Jewish man, the Gentiles, the “uncircumcised”, had to first follow the Law of Moses, most especially circumcision, dietary laws, and special feast and practices, before becoming members of the Church. This controversy arose in various areas where Paul and Barnabas preached and brought people into the Church (e.g., in Galatia). We don’t hear the “no little dissension and debate” that is noted in our reading’s introduction. Rather after the introduction, our reading jumps to the conclusion of the council.

Paul defended his preaching and practices by introducing Gentiles who had come to faith and who manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit (e.g., Titus, as noted in Gal. 2). Even Peter defended Paul’s practice, because Peter had experienced the conversion of the Gentile Cornelius and his household; Peter witnessed the Holy Spirit coming upon all of them (see the story in Acts 10; btw, Peter and Paul did not always see eye-to-eye).

The decision that was handed down in the Jerusalem Council is both a win and a compromise. The mission to the Gentiles “wins”, because following the Law of Moses as a prerequisite of becoming a member of the Church is set aside. Nevertheless, the compromise notes some “legal” matters that were different between Jewish and Gentile groups: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right.”

Throughout Acts of the Apostles, we witness the early Christian community trusting in the Holy Spirt to help them make decisions for the sake of the life of the Church and her faithfulness to the gospel message. In this way, then, we see that Jesus’ promise in John 14 has been fulfilled: “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, continues to inspire and guide the Church when she gathers in council, when she holds synodal meetings (as we have been doing), and when the Church’s local communities and individual members keep the word, the teaching, of our Lord Jesus Christ. In that, we know the peace that Jesus gave to his disciples and continues to give to us—we recall this passage in every Mass. In these ways, the Church continues her world-wide mission; each of us is called to do our part in supporting that mission with time, talent and treasure—in our local parish, in our diocese, in our national Catholic conference, and throughout the world. In that way, we make sure that we can truly join the Psalmist: “O God, let all the nations praise you!”

This is a “Stewardship Prayer” from Our Sunday Visitor. This prayer provides all of us good food for reflection.

My parish is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is.
It will be friendly, if I am.
It will be holy, if I am.
Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.
It will do great work, if I work.
It will be prayerful, if I pray.
It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.
It will bring others into worship, if I invite and bring them in.
It will be a place of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith,
of compassion, charity and mercy,
if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things.
Therefore, with the help of God,
I now dedicate myself to the task of being all
the things that I want my parish to be.
Amen.

PASTOR
Rev. Timothy A. Friedrichsen
206 N 2nd Street  PO Box 39
Breda, IA  51436
Breda Rectory Office (712-673-2351) t.a.friedrichsen@gmail.com

BOOKKEEPER/ADM ASSISTANT
Cindy Lawler
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
304 N 2nd Street  PO Box 29
Breda IA  51436
Phone: 712-673-2582
Office Hours Mon - Fri: 8:30am-2:30pm 
goodshepherd@westianet.net

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST-Arcadia
Julie Eich, Administrative Assistant
Office Hours: Mon & Fri 7:30-11:30 am Phone: 712-689-2595
stjohnarcadia@gmail.com

ST AUGUSTINE-Halbur
Rosie Sporrer, Administrative Assistant
Office Hours Mon & Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Phone: 712-658-2464
Fax: 712-658-2464 staug@iowatelecom.net