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May 13, 2023
In the first reading we see two churches, no one is not better than the other, but both are guided by the Holy Spirit. What an awesome reminder for those churches that have two masses in two distinct languages yet are called to form one community of faith. In some cases, people complain and think we have two separate churches in one building. I really don’t like to put things in such a way. There are masses with distinct languages, but all are part of the body of Christ, forming one church. We can be worshiping in our own language, and with our own cultural traditions but remain committed to the one faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and we can learn from each other. This is what we see in the first reading. The church of Samaria was witnessing great power through the apostle Philip and this brough great joy to their city. Philip went down to Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them, because even though they were not from Jerusalem, they too were deemed worthy by God to receive the Gospel. As I have stated many times there is no copyright on the Gospel, no nation or state has exclusivity over It. The gospel is meant to be shared and to be lived together. Jerusalem is no better than Samaria, they both have need of the Gospel, and so it the same among nations. The first reading also states Phillip went down. This could be taken as a geographical movement of Phillip, but it’s also a posture of humility and of discovery. Phillip needed to come down from his world view and realize there were more people who needed to be evangelized. Many are not looking beyond to see their brothers and sisters in the faith. Just as Moses went down and saw the suffering of this people, so we too can go down from our pedestal of comfort and see the need to share the Gospel with others. Those that are different than me but all the same sons and daughters of God. There were many healings and prodigies happening in Samaria and yet there was no indication of jealousy from the church in Jerusalem. A win for one is a win for all. If we see activities happening at this mass, it should not be a source of bitterness for the other mass. All the community should rejoice and participate in the other’s activities as much as possible. The healings are happening for the benefit of all, and there should be great joy in the parish community. It is not an “us” vs. “them” mentality to adopt but rather share in each other’s successes and sufferings. The church of Jerusalem once they heard what was happening, they send them two of their best to support the mission in Samaria: Peter and John. It shows a level of solidarity that we all can have in the Church. The reading finishes saying they prayed and laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. More prayer is needed to heal the wounds of divisions we have created, and as Pentecost grows nearer it is invitation to realize, we are in the same boat, and we are guided by the same Holy Spirit. A church that prays together invoking the Holy Spirit, supports each other in their needs and rejoices in the successes of all is one where spiritual maturity is happening. May we be that type of Church!