Saturday 16 May 2020

Psalm: Psalm 38:9-22

Background

Today’s reading summarises what has been narrated in the previous chapter. The Gentile Cornelius and his friends receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized is a landmark moment in the spread of Christian faith. But until now the followers of Jesus had assumed that only circumcised Jews were eligible.

The leaders in Jerusalem are concerned. What appears to concern them most, however, is that Peter has broken two rules of Jewish observance. He has entered a Gentile house and he has eaten non-kosher food. Peter’s narrative calms their anxieties and they accept what has happened as a sign of God’s will.

To Ponder:

• How do we decide whether God is calling us to break from hallowed tradition and do some new thing?
• Have there been moments in your own life when you have changed your attitude to a person or a practice? What made you do it?