What are we to do with these men?
Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign
was done through them, and we cannot deny it.
But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this name."
The fuming and fussing of the Sanhedrin in today's first reading borders on the comical, and especially their decision to give the disciples "a stern warning." Today's word for that might be unacceptable. "This behavior is unacceptable!" Somehow their stern warning will stifle any and all further remarks about Jesus? The Galilean's former disciples will just go back to wherever they came from and resume whatever they were doing?
As if he never were. As if God had not planned this since the beginning. As if Jerusalem had never been God's Holy City where the Almighty lived -- and died -- among the Earth's inhabitants. They would put the toothpaste back in the tube and the genie back in the bottle. They would say what happened never happened, that history can be ignored. Because the Sanhedrin found God's intentions unsettling Peter and John should be silent.
We know what happened. We can't help but laugh at the pathetic men who tried to put an end to Jesus.
Faith teaches us to trust the Holy Spirit as we look to the future. God's plans are being worked out in the present moment as it unfolds. The past cannot be recreated, past actions cannot be reenacted; past institutions cannot be restored. Remakes of old movies are new movies; their stories may be the same but their new context is only similar to the past.
Faith teaches us respect for the precious opportunities of every moment and to be aware of what we say and do. An insult cannot be unspoken or an accident undone.
Faith teaches us that God walks with us in every moment. We have only to hear his word, obey his spirit, catch his drift and go with his direction. Faith teaches us to act without fear. The pathetic men of the Sanhedrin act stupidly because they act out of fear. The Holy Spirit will sweep them aside as the Word of God advances to the ends of Earth.
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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.