Aren’t we fortunate? Think about what St. Jerome did. Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church (c. 342-420). Having studied both Latin and Greek, he was asked by Pope Damasus to translate the Bible into the Latin language of the common people. Fast forward many, many centuries to the Second Vatican Council in 1962 convoked by St. Pope John the XXIII resulted in making the Roman Catholic Faith more accessible and inclusive to the common person.

In the spirit of aggiornamento, (bring up to date)  The Council became the process of updating the Church's teachings and practices to better communicate with people today. This resulted in the document on The Church in the Modern World.  The Spirit was alive and active. One outcome changed the Bible, many prayers, and the Mass, to be prayed in the language of people everywhere!
When Liturgy became expressions of God’s presence in varied cultures and languages, I have had wonderful experiences of meeting the many diverse and beautiful Faces of God through prayer and worship.

Scripture became alive in our lives having the resources to pray with this sacred Word of God while understanding and contemplating what we are praying! Hard to believe, and we may take it for granted that what we can do today is not what has always been. So here we are with Daily Reflections! Each of us savoring the Word of God as it speaks to our hearts.

Jesus instructed the disciples "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you." This followed their concern about “others” doing what they were doing with Jesus. I think this is another example of inclusivity that Jesus promoted. Others, too, can carry on his mission as defined by his life and call of his Abba, God. Men and women alike.

The Documents of Vatican II empowered the roles of laity within the Church. The apostolate of the laity derives from their Christian vocation and the Church can never be without it. Sacred Scripture clearly shows how spontaneous and fruitful such activity was at the very beginning of the Church (cf. Acts 11:19-21; 18:26; Rom. 16:1-16; Phil. 4:3). Pope Paul VI -Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity

Unfortunately, sometimes our memory is short, or catechesis faltered by not keeping it alive. Like Job’s experience, Satan keeps  trying to get us off track and lose our way in challenging our faith and practices. There is a danger of presumption of “it’s always been like this” or I cling to something that does not prove to be lifegiving and stunts growth. Perhaps Jesus was giving an insight for what would be changing and evolving for the then to become Church when he would be gone physically from this earth. The anticipated Pentecost!

We must stay on course, be close to the WORD of God and be an inclusive Church for and within society being witnesses to the Gospel Way of Life.
Like Children not yet taught bigotry or biases, Jesus teaches us to be a welcoming world, without judgement of race, creed, culture, or identity. Without conviction of rich or poor, immigrant or established citizen. Imagine Jesus with a child from every race and color together on his lap!
“Whoever receives this child in my name receive me, and whoever receives me receives  the one who sent me.  For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”
In the words of the Prophet Micha: May we, act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God. Amen
[Icon of St. Jerome; Monastery Icons.com]