June 18

When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us joyfully. — Acts 21:17 BSB

Wherever Christians meet, they recognize each other as brothers and sisters.

Though strangers at first, they greet one another as friends. The Jews welcomed Paul and rejoiced at the work among the Gentiles. However, they knew some Jewish Christians still distrusted Paul, believing he was disloyal to his people. But what they had heard about him wasn’t true. He had never told Jewish Christians to abandon Moses. Unfortunately, bigotry often twists the words of its opponents.

Sometimes, to clear up false impressions, we have to do things we shouldn’t have to do. Paul followed the advice of the leaders and made a public display of his loyalty to Jewish customs to prove to those who doubted him that he was still connected to his people.

It’s right to clear our names when doing so promotes the greater good of the Church.