Blog

Rules, Rules, Everywhere a Rule

We are a world of rules: we can’t enter another country without a passport; when driving, motorcycling or biking, we must stop at a red light; should we desire something, we must provide compensation before we can take ownership of it. We are a country of rules: we are expected to file our income tax on time each year; we need to register the births of our children and the deaths of our loved ones; one must be 18 years old and a Canadian citizen to vote. And we are a Church of rules: Roman Catholics are expected to participate in Sunday Eucharist weekly; we are to accept the teachings of Christ; we are required to live a Christian life. Rules can dominate our lives and often influence our decisions.

Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, have leaders of the early Church in a discussion about rules. Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, as his apostles continued the work of sharing the Good News and bringing about the Kingdom of God, their first followers were the Jewish people. Gradually, however, and especially during the time of Paul’s missionary outreach, that message began to grow in awareness among the Gentiles – those who were not Jewish. This presented certain challenges to the leaders, as evidenced by the discussion which Paul and Barnabas were appointed to take to the “apostles and … elders” in Jerusalem around the question of circumcision. Circumcision was a ritual of the Jewish faith; “certain individuals” believed that new members must be circumcised before they could be welcomed into the Church. It was a rule.

Through their prayer, reflection and conversation, the Church elders came to believe this was not necessary. How do we know this? Because following their discussion, they appointed two to return with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch and declare, “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood and from what is strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” What had seemed important at one time, was no longer deemed essential.

This is the way of good rules. As we evolve in our understanding, as the world around us changes, what was once considered imperative to living out the Commandments, adjusts. That tradition of dialogue, prayer, reflection and attentiveness to the direction in which we are being led by Holy Spirit, has often, through her 2000+ years of existence, led the Church to see a different way for her people to best live a Christian life. Our language has changed also. What was once called fortitude is now called courage; piety is now called reverence; fear of the Lord is now called wonder and awe. These changes are made to bring clarification to today’s audience, using words and rules that make sense in today’s world; using words and rules that will have a deeper impact on those to whom we are ministering.

In his first apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis told us “Nor do I believe that the papal magisterium should be expected to offer a definite or complete word on every question which affects the Church and the world.” (EV16) The only message that never changes is this: “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.” (EV164) Pope Francis reminded us that this “Principal proclamation [is] one which we must hear again and again in different ways.” (EV164)

Rules need to make sense. If they do not make sense, they will be ignored. The world, our country has learned this to their peril. As the Church, under the leadership of Pope Leo IV, continues her synodal journey, may she hear again and again this reminder from Pope Francis – Jesus Christ loves you – and find new and innovative ways to share that message with the entire Church and maybe even, the entire world. Clearly it is a message we all need to hear – we are loved – and therefore, as John says in his Gospel, our hearts need not be troubled, and we need not be afraid. 

~Ellen Bennett