The Acts of the Apostles, the sequel to Luke’s gospel, describes the life of the Church as it developed after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. In Sunday’s first reading from Acts some members of the Sanhedrin, the religious governing assembly of the time, are persecuting Jesus’ followers, who will not be silenced.
The Sadducees take violent action against the disciples, arrest them, and throw them in jail (Acts 5.17), but a Pharisee named Gamaliel defends Jesus’ followers, saying, “If this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; you may even be found fighting against God.” Sunday’s reading omits Gamaliel’s speech (5.34-39).
The Second Vatican Council cautions us not to blame all Jews or Jews today for Jesus’ death. Many Jews became Jesus’ followers. Both Judaism and Christianity descend from Israel’s ancient religion, which ends with the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70.
In Acts Luke portrays Peter as fearless in his zeal to preach the gospel. When the high priest questions him about his activities and warns him to stop talking about Jesus, Peter boldly states: “We must obey God, not humans!” He and the rest of the apostles refuse to be silenced. This Peter is a very different man from the one who denied Jesus. Peter and the apostles have begun their mission to be fishers of people, to gather in believers from all parts of the world.
Peter gives witness.
The high priest began the interrogation of the apostles in this way: “We gave you strict orders not to teach about that name, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for that man’s blood.”
To this, Peter and the apostles replied: “Better for us to obey God than human beings. The God of our ancestors has raised up Jesus, whom you put to death, ‘hanging him on a tree.’ He whom God has exalted at his right hand as ruler and savior is to bring repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We testify to this. So, too, does the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those that obey him.”
The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles not to speak again about the name of Jesus, and afterward dismissed them. The apostles for their part left the Sanhedrin full of joy that they had been judged worthy of ill treatment for the sake of the Name.
Acts 5.27-32,40-41
- About what can you not be silent? How is it rooted in who Jesus is?