August 4, 2019

In the Letter to the Colossians (3: 9-11), our 2nd reading, St Paul identifies one of the reasons why Christianity grew so quickly.

"Here there is not Greek and Jew, ... barbarian, Scythian, slave, free..."

He would not permit labels or divisions. In the sight of God, all were equal children. None better than the other. The Christian community prayed together and then fed anyone who was struggling. In imitation of Jesus, Paul drew people together.

The word "Catholic" means universal in Greek. In 100 AD, we acquired that name which signified we opened the doors to all parts of society. Politics aside, we must strive to treat all as our brothers and sisters of the common Creator.