Again, in the selected portion of the Acts of the Apostles, today's first reading for the liturgy, we are offered a solution to a disturbed peace of mind. Luke recalls how the apostles confronted a challenged presented to the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Silicia (cities a goodly distance from where the apostles were, places where Paul and Barnabas were planning to visit) . There were some ardent teachers who were preaching on their own, not in accord with the teachings of the apostles and Jesus. They teaching that the Jewish members of the community and the Jewish Christians elsewhere had to separate themselves from some of their Jewish understanding and practice that they continued.
It is a picture of unity that we see in this portion of Acts. It is a lesson to us when we are disturbed by almost any issue or event in our lives. You name it and if unity is brought to it, you will experience the peace the working together can bring. Of course it will not make the problem disappear. However, it will bring an ability to confront the challenge and find a peace in one's heart.
Is it not the same message caring parents offer their children when they offer encouragement to talk about the problems that might be weighing upon the younger members of the family?
