Acts 5:34-42

Acts 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,

a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,

stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,

and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel,

be careful what you are about to do to these men.

Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,

and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,

and all those who were loyal to him

were disbanded and came to nothing.

After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.

He also drew people after him,

but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.

So now I tell you,

have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.

For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,

it will destroy itself.

But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;

you may even find yourselves fighting against God."

They were persuaded by him.

After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,

ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,

and dismissed them.

So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,

rejoicing that they had been found worthy

to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,

they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you guide the Church through the sending of your Spirit. May your Spirit fill my heart and renew me. May your Spirit fill the Church with your Love and grace, so that the face of the earth will be renewed and recreated.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Suffering for Jesus: In the First Reading, we learn that the Apostles in Jerusalem were flogged by the Sanhedrin and ordered to stop preaching and speaking in the name of Jesus. The efforts of the Sanhedrin were futile: the Apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to share in Christ’s suffering and continued their ministry both in the Temple and in their homes. They preached and taught in the name of Jesus and proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He has delivered the people from spiritual slavery and death. He is the Prophet whom they should heed. He is the New Moses, who has given them heavenly bread. 

2. The Sage Advice of Gamaliel: Gamaliel, who was Paul’s teacher (Acts 22:3), offered sage advice to the members of the Sanhedrin. He said that if Jesus were a false prophet and not the Messiah, then Christianity would implode like the rebellion movements led by Theudas and Judas the Galilean. If, however, the Christian way came from God, then every action against it on their part would be a fight against God and rejection of his divine will. Though the leaders were persuaded by Gamaliel not to stone the apostles, they nevertheless flogged them and ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus before dismissing them. The early Christians did not respond to the dishonor of being flogged with sadness, but with rejoicing. Their dedication to Jesus only became stronger, and they persisted in teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah both publicly in the Temple and privately in their homes.

3. Signs of Credibility and Authenticity: Two thousand years later, the growth and holiness, the fruitfulness, the catholic unity and stability of the Church continue to be signs and motives of credibility (CCC, 156, 812). They are signs that point us to faith in Jesus Christ and his saving work. Gamaliel’s advice to the Sanhedrin and the example of the apostles are something we can use to discern the authenticity of charisms, spiritualities, and works within the Church. “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:16). If something within the Church is merely of human origin or motivated by greed or power, it will eventually implode and pass by the wayside. The eventual fruits will not be those of holiness or service, but of scandal and hypocrisy. On the contrary, authentic works and charisms in the Church will lead men and women to live holy lives and give witness to a dimension of the mystery of Christ. The fruits, often accompanied by suffering and humiliation, will be a greater conformity to the life of Christ.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I have been reborn of the Spirit through Baptism and sealed with the Spirit through Confirmation. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may aspire to things eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may choose the surest way of pleasing God and attaining eternal life, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with you, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow in holiness, the Spirit of Piety that I may worship God with all my heart, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with filial reverence toward God.

Living the Word of God: How can I be more attentive and docile to the urgings of the Holy Spirit in my life? What fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, chastity, self-control, generosity – can I discern?