OK men. Be honest here. When reading the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, was there any cringing involved? Maybe instinctively crossing your legs a bit? For those who may not have read this weeks readings yet, here would be the offending passage:
Paul reached also Derbe and Lystra
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Now, we can talk about the Biblical teaching here in terms of whether uncircumcised Jews and Gentiles needed to have the deed done in order to be a convert (and I will address this below). But I wanted us all to realize the sense of commitment that Timothy showed. An adult getting circumcised is no small thing. At least that is what I have been told. I cannot imagine Timothy’s response here. Remember, he was not a Jew. At least not in practice. His Mother was a Jewish believer in Christ and so, technically, Timothy was Jewish since the Jewish lineage follows the line of the Mother. But his Father was Greek. A Gentile. And Timothy was not brought up in the Jewish faith. So, I am guessing he felt like he dodged the surgical bullet in not needing to be circumcised. But here comes Paul setting up an appointment for a Mohel (person who performs the ritualistic circumcision). Timothy did not say, “no dice” and walk away from Paul. He grinned and bore it for the sake of the Gospel.
So many of you who read this passage may be saying to yourself, “I thought this all got settled before. That uncircumcised converts to Christianity no longer were required to have the surgery in order to be accepted into the fold?” And you would be right. The requirement was no longer in force. No one was forcing new believers to go under the knife for God. But that is not what is happening here with Timothy. Paul is not saying to him that he cannot be a follower of Jesus unless he gets circumcised. Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke (apparently Luke was now traveling with them since Luke in writing Acts says “we” when speaking of the group traveling on their missionary journey) are preparing for a pilgrimage which will bring them into contact with groups of circumcised Jews in the synagogues. They KNOW Timothy’s Father is a Greek. Not a Jew and definitely not circumcised. Their respect and acceptance of Timothy would be limited if they realized that he was not circumcised. Remember. His Mother was a Jew. I know what you may be thinking. Did they have a circumcision inspector standing at the door of the synagogue inspecting all who entered? I doubt it but the word got out somehow. Maybe HIPPA laws were not as secure back then.
So what we are seeing here is Paul and Timothy wishing to show respect for cultural norms in order to increase the likelihood that their message will be listened to. We see that these days as well, don’t we? Female visitors to Muslim countries will wear the abaya and hijab in order to not offend. In some countries we bow instead of shaking hands. I remember the revulsion I received from my Italian cousin when I gave her a hug in greeting instead of the more customary double cheek kiss. Never, ever shake with your left hand in Muslim countries. The “thumbs up” sign of saying all is OK is interpreted in a very different way in some countries. Missionaries know this when they minister in foreign countries. They learn the local customs and adhere to them in order to not offend and increase the chances that their teachings are well-received. Our new Pope, Leo XIV, lived as a missionary and Bishop in the Peruvian city of Chiclayo for many years before being called back to Rome. They claim him as one of their own (even though we know he is a Cubs fan and, therefore, all Chicago). A resident of Chiclayo said this about Leo (Cardinal Robert Prevost):
“He’s a Pope who eats ceviche, eats his beans with mutton, eats his cau cau,” he said outside the cathedral, referring to popular local dishes. “I assure you that one year from now, the pope will visit for the food.”
Paul and Timothy made the decision to remove one of the potential obstacles to being taken seriously by those that they would be preaching to. Timothy could have easily said, “Nope. Don’t have to. Don’t want to.” Held his breath until he got his way. But what God had in store for him was way too important. They were laying the groundwork for the Kingdom of God here on earth. The pain I am sure was intense. But temporary. But the consequences were immeasurable. The pain a woman feels in childbirth can be excruciating. But she soldiers through because on the other side of that pain is a life. Given to her by God. And again referencing the new Pope. In 1975 he gave up a lucrative career as an attorney by turning down his acceptance to Harvard Law School in order to become a missionary on Peru. Sacrifice. The cornerstone of Love. Pope Leo has shown it in his life. Timothy certainly showed it in his.
