Friday 4 May

Acts 15:22-31; Psalm 57; John 15:12-17

Decided by the Holy Spirit

As the newly-formed Christian church spread around the known world, it was faced with challenges of inculturation – as it is still today. Preachers and evangelisers need to know what is ‘core faith’ and what is cultural or social tradition. What local traditions can be kept without diluting faith? Then, and now, issues are referred to the leader (the Pope) and apostles (synod of Bishops). We would do well to make the effort to read and reflect on the encyclicals and exhortations that are circulated from the Vatican – they are still Spirit-inspired.