Love first
- Gary Fritsch
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
Continually looking between the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospels is important for three reasons: One - the Gospels are forged in the time of Acts. What we come to read in the Gospels were the stories and accounts of Jesus that were shared among the Apostles during the time immediately following the Resurrection and Pentecost. Two - the Gospel accounts are all written from a post-Resurrection lens. Three - the Acts of the Apostles demonstrates the difference that the Resurrection makes.
In His interaction with the Apostles (which, by the way, had to scare the crap out of them), Jesus first sets their minds at ease, He repairs their relationship first. By breathing peace on them, He speaks forgiveness for their lack of loyalty and support in His time of distress. Then He gives them their mission of peace - to spread forgiveness to their brothers and sisters. He does this before He opens their minds to the scriptures - they need to be free of worry or concern to receive all He has for them.
We see Peter take this assignment seriously in His address to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. "Now I know, brothers and sisters, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did". They also need to be free of worry and concern before they can receive what Peter has to teach them.
Our liturgy follows the same model in saying "if your brother has anything against you, go and be reconciled before your bring your gift to the altar" and so we have the sign of peace. This is a pattern we are called to repeat. Before we would share a word of teaching, or even reproving a brother, we should also make sure that we establish peace between us through forgiveness, through love.
As the sign in my office says "Love first, ask questions later."
Comments