Worthy Of Eternal Life

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth."

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:44-52)

I disagree.  Both Paul and Barnabas were not filled with the Holy Spirit because they said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you [the Jews] reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”  No charity or kindness there.  Then again, perhaps it’s Luke lacking the Spirit since he is the author of Acts, and he condemns “the Jews” through his words likely put into the mouths of Paul and Barnabas.   The disciples also lacked the Spirit since they were “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” when Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet in protest against them [the Jews]. 

Consider some of the Holy Spirit’s fruits such as charity (or love). Charity encompasses our love for God and of our neighbors. This kind of love puts the needs of others before our own and it manifests in concrete actions toward God and other people. Then there is kindness having a heart that is willing to do acts of compassion and give to others above and beyond what we owe to them. Goodness involves constant renouncing of evil in our day-to-day actions. Mildness in behavior means having a heart of forgiveness and grace. It means not being easily provoked and choosing a response of meekness and peace rather than one that leads to revenge.

Sure, the Lord made Paul and Barnabas a light to the Gentiles to be instruments of salvation to the ends of the earth.  But the Lord would never condemn the Jews as unworthy of eternal life.  This reading from Acts claims it happened.  No way!

We Catholics must be careful how we read and interpret Acts especially the parts that cast a dark shadow over the Jewish people who did not believe Christ was the Messiah.  We must make sure we manifest the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon David Pierce