DEFINING A COMMUNITY - Luke writes for a mixed community of Jewish and Gentile Christians who struggle define themselves over against the non-converting Jews. On one hand, Luke includes the conversion of many Jewish persons in his account-including some of the Pharisees-and Paul never ceases to be named one. On the other hand, Luke includes narratives that condemns Pharisees and accuses Israel of hard-heartedness (Acts 7:51-53; 28:23-31).

CREATION AS A CONTINOUS ACTIVITY OF GOD - Keep in mind the Acts 1:8 strategic plan that Luke works from-we’re in chapter 8 moving into the evangelization of Samaria and beyond that to a mission to the Gentiles.

As this week’s homily suggests, the feud that goes on behind scenes of Samaritans and Jews makes this baptismal service momentous. The healing that can bring two recalcitrant groups together in worship is nothing short of a miracle! For a short review of the animosity between the two and how it got started, see 2 Kings 17:24. The Jews of Judea considered Samaritans no longer to be Jewish and refused their help in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem after the exile (Ezra 4:2-24; Nehemiah 2:19; 4:2-9).

 

What prejudices were you brought up with? How is the gospel breaking through those prejudices in your life?

How does the Christian sect close the gap that had existed since before the Exile half a millennium earlier?

How does the act of baptism open us up to new reconciliation with creation and with every human being?