Prayer in Eastertime

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Christ is risen from the dead
and will die no more.
He awaits us in Galilee!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Acts 4,13-21

They were astonished at the fearlessness shown by Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. 'What are we going to do with these men?' they asked. 'It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a notable miracle has been worked through them, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us threaten them against ever speaking to anyone in this name again.' So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John retorted, 'You must judge whether in God's eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.' The court repeated the threats and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Christ is risen from the dead
and will die no more.
He awaits us in Galilee!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This passage from Acts continues the narration of Peter's and John's interrogation before the elders and scribes after the healing of the crippled man. They are amazed at the "boldness" with which the disciples of Jesus responded to their requests. Their amazement grew also by seeing that the two were standing facing the interrogatory given that they were "uneducated and ordinary men." We too are questioned about our way of witnessing and giving reason of our faith. Repeating is not sufficient. It is indispensable to ask ourselves how today we need to witness our Christian faith so that it may touch the hearts and minds of the men and women of our time. We cannot submit to the power of the majority or of those who are strong and arrogant. There is a surrender to the world that Christians need to flee like a dangerous temptation, as well as that of taming the Gospel according to the self-centred and narcissistic mentality of our time. Our only strength, in every sense, is obedience to the Gospel. Peter responds to the Sanhedrin, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard." It is not an arrogant or annoyed response. Every Christian generation must learn much from Peter's and John's behaviour in front of the Sanhedrin. They knew well that they could not be silent anymore; they were not afraid anymore. Being silent would have meant betraying the Gospel. Those who have the Gospel in their hearts cannot be silent, even at the cost of their life; not only, but they should also find the way to communicate it. The Gospel is not a weapon to be wielded, but a cloak with which to envelop people in love. Christianity is a work of attraction rather than of conviction, said Ignatius of Antioch, especially in the most difficult moments, such as the one we are living in this time.