May 5.  Moral Issues.  The debate about whether Gentiles should be circumcised like the Jews became an interesting cultural debate during New Testament times but has relevance for our day too.  Many of the men had gone to circumcision schools and that practice was still accepted by some but rejected by others.  Bruce asked, “ Does this also speak to us about sterilization, contraception, condoms and abortion or where do we draw the line?  Those were discussed at the Synods on the Family and noted by Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia.

Some men were teaching that unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved. The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider the matter. Acts 15:1-6.  Pope Francis:  There is a need to respect the rights of peoples and cultures and to appreciate that the development of a social group presupposes an historical process which takes place within a cultural context and demands the constant and active involvement of local people.   Nor can the notion of the quality of life be imposed from without, for quality of life must be understood within the world of symbols and customs proper to each human group. LS 144.    Mary, understanding teacher, pray for us.