It is the decision of the Holy Spirit…

Hard times and uncertainty. Difficulty and confusion. Disagreement among the faithful in how to respond in these times is nothing new in the life of the Church. The book of Acts makes this abundantly clear. Not only has the Church faced persecution from the beginning, but there have also been times when internal strife, human failings, and questionable intent have put the unity and witness of the Church in seeming jeopardy.

In Acts chapter fifteen, we read of a group from Judea going about in the name of Jesus Christ, without any mandate from the Apostles and leaders of the Church at the time. Scripture makes it clear that they disturbed the peace of mind and upset many due to their teaching. According to this group, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.”

No doubt an understatement, but Scripture sums up the result of the situation like this: “there arose no little dissension and debate.”

In response, all the leaders of the Church (particularly the Apostles) gathered in Jerusalem for what we know to be the first “Church Council”. Jewish law required circumcision. Was this still a requirement of the Christian? Was this something that would be required of Gentile believers? This would not be the last time the leaders of the Church would need to gather to find the solution to a challenge presented.

Their answer to the question: ‘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” (Acts 15:28-29). What I would like to focus on in this blog is not so much the list of four things prescribed, but how the “Jerusalem Council” as its known, chose to begin its response. It demonstrates a very important lesson for us.

“It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us.” Another translation states it this way, “It seemed good to us and the Holy Spirit.” Notice the emphasis on the Holy Spirit in the decision-making process! Why is this important? What do we have to learn from it? First, let’s look at the words of Jesus: “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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:26-27).

Here we see an example of the Magisterium (teaching office – pope/bishops in union with him) at work. Jesus has made Apostles and their successors (bishops) servants of the Word; they exercise this authority in the name of Christ and interpret it with the aid of the Holy Spirit. They protect the teaching of the faith from falsification. It is the work of the Holy Spirit and their cooperation and reliance upon Him that is key.

Since the very beginning there have been those who, like these men from Judea, have failed to embrace the faith in its entirety, have majored in minors, have (whether intentionally or not) preached another gospel (Gal 1:7-8), have divided the Church (whether intentionally or not) through phrases like Conservative and Liberal, Charismatic and Traditional, Left and Right. There are indeed, still today – perhaps growing by the day – troubles and division in the Church. Yet the answer and only remedy remains the same today as it did for the Apostles 2,000 years ago. “It seemed good to us and the Holy Spirit.” “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us.” Ultimately, it is God himself, the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth; that leads and guides the Church and her faithful. It is one of the great mysteries of God that he chooses man to participate in this great work of salvation and as such, has established the Magisterium in this unique way.

Throughout her history the Church has been seen as a boat. It’s a funny thing about boats… to be too far to the right or too far to the left has a habit of putting you outside of the boat. Whether I like it or not, the Catholic Church is a both/and kind of place. Sure, I have my preferences and opinions, but the Holy Spirit is ultimately the Captain of the Ship. Yes, it is true that there are many problems facing the Church. But we have the words of Christ, a promise, that the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us into all truth. “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit…” This may require me to surrender my pride, to deny myself, to lay down my own agenda, and – certainly at the least – evaluate my thinking according to the standard the Lord has established. “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (or even “and to me”). This requires humility. This requires trust. It requires me to stay on the path and follow Him; to not stray. The same principle we see at work in Acts 15 applies in our lives as individuals. “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit…” Can we say this of our decisions? Can we say this of our opinions? Can we say this of our agendas? Whose voice are we listening to?