Readings: Acts 5:17-26, Ps. 34:2-9, John 3:16-21
“The Sadducees, being filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out.” (Acts 5:17-19)
Today’s First Reading tells the story of the first act of persecution against the Apostles. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home.” The persecution of the faith did not start from external forces (such as unbelievers); it started from within - from those who knew Jesus, those who interacted with Him, saw the great signs He worked and even witnessed the resurrection. No wonder Jesus said: “A man’s enemies will be members of his household.” (Matthew 10:36). This brings us to our lessons for today:
1. When You Take Your Faith Seriously, Your Enemies Will Increase: Do not expect people to love you for living a righteous life, keeping God’s commandments or spreading the Gospel. Even if you become a miracle worker like the apostles and large crowds cheer for you, be aware that you will still have some haters. And do not be surprised if those who hate you the most do the same work you do. The enemy of a banker is a banker, the enemy of a businessman is a businessman, and the enemy of a pastor is a pastor. The book of Sirach says: “My son if you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for temptation.” (Sirach 2:1). If you choose to obey God rather than men, if you choose to live above compromise, if you choose to follow God rather than the world, know that it is not going to be an easy ride.
2. Why Will They Fight You for Doing God’s Work? Jesus answered this question in his conversation with Nicodemus in today’s Gospel passage: “This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light.” (John 3:19-20). People will fight you because your righteous deeds make them look bad. Everyone wants to be seen as a good person, even those who commit the worst crimes, so you become a threat when they see you doing what is right (letting your light shine).
3. Secondly, they will fight you when you are gifted. They will fight you for being able to do what they cannot do. The reason the apostles were arrested in today’s first reading can be found in Acts 5:14-16. “More than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”
4. Thirdly, they will fight you when they cannot withstand your superior wisdom. Recall that these Sadducees who arrested the apostles in today’s first reading do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. In an attempt to prove this, they once brought a case to Jesus about a woman who married seven brothers, and all died without any child. “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” (Cf. Mark 12:18-27). Although Jesus spoke to them that day, it was like pouring water on a stone. The Sadducees were bent on stopping the spread of the Gospel because they couldn’t comprehend the possibility of anyone rising from the dead.
5. The More They Fight You, The More Popular You Become: Sometimes, it may seem like the enemies are succeeding, but God knows exactly what He is doing. When the apostles were arrested, God was silent. God allowed the jailers to secure the prison doors because He wanted to prove to them that there was no chain, padlock, piece of metal, wood, bronze or any created object that held down His ministers. Even those who never heard the Gospel heard that the apostles were imprisoned but found in the temple preaching. In other words, throwing the apostles in prison further helped to spread the Gospel. Child of God, don’t be discouraged by the setbacks you face now and then, don’t be discouraged when you go through the narrow road filled with bumps and pot-holes (Cf. Matthew 7:14), don’t be discouraged when you have to go in and out of prison for God’s sake, just “know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) Even after this miraculous release from prison, the apostles were arrested again. This time, the guards were afraid of them.
6. The Battle Belongs to God: Today’s Psalm reminds us that God never turns His back on His children; God is a strong defender of the poor, the weak, and the marginalised. Remember to pray whenever you feel down, and your hands are clean. God hates injustice and oppression. As Mary sang in the Magnificat, God will “scatter the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He will put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalt those of low degree.” (Cf. Luke 1:51-52)
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, deepen my trust in your Divine Protection. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 2nd week of Eastertide. Bible Study: Acts 5:17-26, Ps. 34:2-9, John 3:16-21).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu