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,
"....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.
In today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Gamaliel sounds like one of those respected legislators who used to work in the Congress. We can hope and pray there are still a few among them.
He had witnessed the terror in Jerusalem when the entire city rose up to condemn a Messiah they had welcomed five days before. Influence peddlers, using suggestions, innuendos, vague but catastrophic warnings, and (of course) money, had fomented a crisis which was resolved with crucifixion.
The entire incident revolted responsible leaders like Gamaliel, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and many of the leaders. Their calm, sensible warnings had been overwhelmed by a rush of urban insanity. The killing of Jesus was something like what the horrified world saw on January 6 of this year.
Gamaliel could not have been surprised that fifty days later the disciples of Jesus were preaching throughout the city. Nothing is ever resolved by violence. He knew that.
If he wasn't persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, he was sure that God is still in charge. He urged his colleagues in the Sanhedrin to let the Christian movement play itself out.
As one of those who protested America's undeclared war in Vietnam, I remember thinking that, "If Communism is such a bad idea as our leaders claim, why are we going to war against it? Won't it die of its own accord?" As it did. I was among the many satisfied to see the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the reintroduction of capitalism to Russia, eastern Europe, and China.
There are many really bad ideas ruling our public and private lives today. Some are obviously quixotic. Abortion, trickle-down economics, the invasion of Afghanistan, gay marriage, a wall against illegal immigration, heavy reliance on fossil fuels, parody religions, Fox News, Donald Trump: to name a few bad ideas.
We the Church have seen them come and seen them go, while the Lord remained faithful. We wait on God.
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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.