Thursday, September 5, 2013
The Council or Jerusalem
Dear Friends,
A reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians (2:1-10):
Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. I went up in accord with a revelation, and I presented to them the gospel that I preach to the Gentiles – but privately to those of repute – so that I might not be running, or have run, in vain. Moreover, not even Titus, who was with me, although he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, but because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us – to them we did not submit even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain intact for you.
But from those who were reputed to be important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) – those of repute made me add nothing. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter to the circumcised, for the one who worked in Peter for an apostolate to the circumcised worked also in me for the Gentiles, and when they recognized the grace bestowed upon me, James and Peter and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas their right hands in partnership, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, we were to be mindful of the poor, which is the very thing I was eager to do.
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Although it was cloudy yesterday morning, the sun did come out in the afternoon and we had a lovely evening.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Open your hearts to the General Councils of the Church, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters. I was the one who called the first Council known as the Council of Jerusalem. Many of the leaders of the Church were present including the Apostles. The big problem which they had to face was this: should the Gentiles first become Jews before they can become Christians? With the Apostles leading, they came to the conclusion through the power of the Holy Spirit that the Gentiles did not have to become Jews before becoming followers of My Church. So the Gentiles did not have to be circumcised and they did not have to follow the rules of the Jews, for example, they could eat pork if they were used to it without any trouble. I had not forbidden any people from eating pork, but the Jews were not allowed to eat this kind of meat. The Gentiles only had to follow My teachings as members of My Church. The Apostle Saint Paul was very happy with the outcome, as that was what he taught since the beginning. I had taught him to teach what he was teaching. I now bless you all and I want you all to walk with Me.”
Father Melvin