St. Joseph the Worker
Acts 5: 27-33
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.
The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
We are Witnesses
In today’s reading from Acts, the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin (the high court in ancient Israel) for continuing to teach in Jesus’ name after being strictly ordered not to do so. “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.”
When you as a Christian are called by God, empowered by the Spirit, and made “God’s own,” you are driven to obey God and to spread God’s way of mercy and forgiveness far and wide. You may even be led to high places to speak truth to power.
As an Easter person, are you aware of God’s power, the Spirit, driving you in your everyday living? How are you called to speak God’s truth to power?
—Marge Sears is a writer and parishioner at Gesu Parish, Detroit MI.
Prayer
Praise God for love, praise God for life, in age or youth, in husband, wife. Lift up your hearts. Let love be fed through death and life in broken bread.
—Brian Wren