Lectionary: 271
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 Christ Jesus.
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 Christ Jesus.
These disciples are an amazing bunch. They have left everything to follow the Lord; and now that he has been most cruelly humiliated and executed as a common thief they are not bereft. On the contrary, they are fired up and fairly glowing with joy. They are irrepressible and everything the Sanhedrin does to discourage them -- including imprisonment and flogging -- only gives them more spirit and energy.
It might be easy to say, "Well, they have seen Jesus raised from the dead." But can a resuscitated corpse inspire people to such courage?
They have seen more than a revived dead man; they have seen God.
And not merely seen him. Visions and spectacles are imminently forgettable, especially when confronted with hunger, thirst and severe physical abuse. Most people would respond to such treatment with, "Well, perhaps I was a bit carried away."
The disciples are possessed by the Holy Spirit. They are eager and grateful and honored to obey the prompting of the Spirit. It clearly has more authority than the Sanhedrin; it speaks more intimately to their hearts than the flogger's scourge; it floods these men and women with joy when their bodies are in pain.
After their long internship with Jesus they recognize his Spirit moving within them, something they never thought possible. As he healed, so do they; as he taught thousands and inspired by his teachings, so do they. As he was tortured yet never lost his joy, composure or presence of mind, so do they. As he belonged heart and soul to God his Father, they belong heart and soul to him.
The Paraclete he promised them arrived and took possession of their minds and hearts.
The Church traditionally has understood the "Apostolic Age" as a brief moment of extraordinary blessings. They were given more authority to teach, heal and suffer than we have today.
We can accept that teaching, undemocratic as it sounds, because we have to acknowledge that Jesus and Mary also enjoyed unique blessings. There can be only one Incarnate Son of God in the entire universe; there can be only one Immaculate Conception in the history of flesh.
But, no sooner have we acknowledged that than we learn of men and women today who do great things in the name of Jesus. Some even face martyrdom with a joyful spirit, as Saint Maximillian Kolbe did in Auschwitz. I think also of the Ugandan Martyrs and the Servants of God Michal Tomaszek and Zbigniew Strzalkowski
During these days of extraordinarily rapid change, when millions of people are unsettled and violence threatens to break out anywhere and everywhere, we can expect to see the Holy Spirit moving with amazing energy and joy.
We can pray also that same Holy Spirit will energize us to witness the love of God by our random acts of kindness.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.