SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

God’s Church, Not Ours

What a timely set of readings! As I’m writing this, live coverage of the election of Pope Leo XIV is playing in the background. Much ink will be spilled in the coming weeks analyzing this event. Both Christian and secular media outlets will attempt to predict how Pope Leo XIV will handle the theological and social questions du jour. Leading up to the conclave, one could find websites that compared the stances of various “front-runner” cardinals on multiple topics. The election of the Bishop of Rome has been, and will continue to be, covered like a political election. This is a profound misrepresentation of the Church, and it is against this backdrop that we can read today’s passages.

Our first reading from Acts reminds us how differently God’s Church operates from a modern political body. What a sense of hope and confidence we should have! When a serious debate between well-intentioned Christians is not able to be resolved locally, the Council of Jerusalem convenes and settles the matter. “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us,” the apostles and elders write. In deciding, the Apostles did not rely solely on their own intelligence, wisdom, and holiness. They did not need to compromise their principles to achieve a majority bipartisan vote. The Holy Spirit rewarded their imperfect, yet faithful, efforts by guiding them inerrantly to the truth. When a new president is elected, it is understandable for some to be concerned about what changes may come; when a new Pope is elected, we have no need for such concerns, for the Holy Spirit remains unchanged.

The Holy Spirit’s guidance is not merely clinical. St. John records the compassionate words of Christ: “The Advocate…will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” Don’t overlook that title for the Holy Spirit! An advocate is one who argues on our behalf. How different it would be if Christ told his disciples, “The Enforcer will keep you in line.” That would portray the Third Person of the Trinity as One who is sent to punish and harshly correct. But that’s not the portrayal we get. Instead, Christ assures us He is sending not a disciplinarian, but a compassionate guide. Let’s not forget why the Spirit moved the Apostles to convene the Council of Jerusalem in the first place: because some had “disturbed [their] peace of mind.” In other words, “Your Father knew you were upset, so He answered your question!” This is not secular politics – this is a perfectly loving Father leading His children to holiness. It is not our elected Pope who preserves God’s Church – it is our God Himself who does!

Take heart! God promises to guide and protect His Church because of His love for us! He has faithfully fulfilled this promise since Pentecost and will assuredly continue to do so until the end, when “the city [has] no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.”

–Shaun Mills

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.