Please read carefully the Act of the Apostles lectionary selection for TODAY'S READINGS. What you will encounter is a picture of the struggle humanity has had and always will have with the very heart of our Christian faith. It is a struggle even today. Progress (???) in our society's growth and the development of Church in so many cultures provide testing grounds for the foundation of our faith. After Vatican II, for more contemporary issues than that of circumcision, the changes made to our liturgical experience divides many Catholics.

Today, some 40 years later, there is a growing part of our community calling for a return to the Latin Mass, for the replacement of the altar railings, and even for the turning around of the altar with the celebrant's back to the congregation. What a change that would be for the majority of contemporary Catholics! These were distinctive styles that many believed were the very essence of our Roman Catholic faith.. The early Church had to determine what role the Law and covenant with the Israel had for the Church. So, too, today we encounter questions about how we practice our religion. Law and covenant seem so foreign to a world where cultures have grown in democratic practices and bring that experience to every part of life.

The disciples work of spreading the Good News, the gospels, brought people of different cultures to know and experience Jesus. Today's first reading reminds us of the struggle the early disciples had with the Greeks who listened to their preachings. Today, the Church is growing in every culture. Differences of opinion arise. Today our Church's leadership has to confront genuine "hot issues" that divide followers because of cultural differences. The challenge to Popes, Bishops, Pastor, Deacons and Laity, alike, is to NOT forget that it is in and with the Holy Spirit that we are able to maintain a close and well-formed relationship with Jesus. The gospel reading reminds us of that reality. John's recollection of Jesus' preaching puts before us pointed words while speaking of the vine and branches imagery. Jesus says: "He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit."

How challenging the pruning we experience in our own faith journey; how painful the reality that some branches are taken away.