Saint George, Martyr
Saint Adalbert of Prague, Bishop, Martyr
Readings for Thursday of the Second Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Acts 5:27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 5:27-33
As in the previous case when they had cured the lame beggar, the Apostles (this time all of them, not just Peter and John) are brought before the Sanhedrin. It is interesting to see that the elders and scribes fear to speak the name of Jesus in these proceedings (“…stop teaching in that name”).
Peter now assumes his role as leader of the Apostles and again boldly professes his faith that Jesus, in whose name they speak and whose name the Sanhedrin fear to speak, is the Son of God (“We must obey God rather than man.”).The intent of the Sanhedrin at this point changes from telling the Apostles to stop to seeking their death in accordance with Mosaic Law Deuteronomy 13:6-10. The Apostles seem to be following the path that their Savior had walked.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
The Psalm and response are of praise and thanksgiving for God’s saving works and his special care for the poor. The Old Testament God of Justice is very visible in this selection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 3:31-36
In this selection provides the conclusion of the discourse with Nicodemus. It is almost a reflection by the Gospel writer on the proceeding dialogue and monologue. The Lord is, in no uncertain terms, telling Nicodemus that the Messiah, who comes from above is of God and with God in his kingship over all creation. He goes on to explain that all he has said and taught, since it proceeds from that authority given by the father, is true and all who believe in this truth shall receive eternal life.
The passage concludes with a formula similar to the “blessings and curses” statements made in God’s covenants with Abraham and Moses. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homily:
“We must obey God rather than men” That is what Peter tells the Sanhedrin. His words echo in that place and strike a chord in us. The whole faith journey each of us travels is about discovering what God wants us to do and then how can we change our selves enough to do His will in all situations.
“We must obey God rather than men” How many times each day are we confronted with choices that test our resolve to carry out this very command? How often are we given a choice between doing what is right and doing what is easy? As we talk with our friends, family or co-workers and the conversation turns ugly or degrading, how often do we go along instead of doing what God asks?
“We must obey God rather than men” Our quest must be to find a way to make that defiant statement within our lives. Some how, we need to tap that gift of the Holy Spirit as Peter did in front of those powerful leaders and tell the world the same thing – I must obey God rather than men. That power is clearly within us. It was placed there at our baptism and sealed in confirmation. It is the dove that is stronger than the fires of hell, able to lift us up and make us steadfast in the face of the evil of this world.
“We must obey God rather than men” Let us make these simple words the mantra we carry with us today and going forward. When we are confronted with a situation that goes contrary to God’s commands let it spring to mind with the force of that dove and guide us in right paths to the glory of the Father so all might see and know we follow Him – and no one else.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “Apostles Before Sanhedrin” by Johann Christoph Weigel, published 1695
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Saint Adalbert of Prague, Bishop, Martyr
Readings for Thursday of the Second Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Acts 5:27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 5:27-33
As in the previous case when they had cured the lame beggar, the Apostles (this time all of them, not just Peter and John) are brought before the Sanhedrin. It is interesting to see that the elders and scribes fear to speak the name of Jesus in these proceedings (“…stop teaching in that name”).
Peter now assumes his role as leader of the Apostles and again boldly professes his faith that Jesus, in whose name they speak and whose name the Sanhedrin fear to speak, is the Son of God (“We must obey God rather than man.”).The intent of the Sanhedrin at this point changes from telling the Apostles to stop to seeking their death in accordance with Mosaic Law Deuteronomy 13:6-10. The Apostles seem to be following the path that their Savior had walked.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
The Psalm and response are of praise and thanksgiving for God’s saving works and his special care for the poor. The Old Testament God of Justice is very visible in this selection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 3:31-36
In this selection provides the conclusion of the discourse with Nicodemus. It is almost a reflection by the Gospel writer on the proceeding dialogue and monologue. The Lord is, in no uncertain terms, telling Nicodemus that the Messiah, who comes from above is of God and with God in his kingship over all creation. He goes on to explain that all he has said and taught, since it proceeds from that authority given by the father, is true and all who believe in this truth shall receive eternal life.
The passage concludes with a formula similar to the “blessings and curses” statements made in God’s covenants with Abraham and Moses. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homily:
“We must obey God rather than men” That is what Peter tells the Sanhedrin. His words echo in that place and strike a chord in us. The whole faith journey each of us travels is about discovering what God wants us to do and then how can we change our selves enough to do His will in all situations.
“We must obey God rather than men” How many times each day are we confronted with choices that test our resolve to carry out this very command? How often are we given a choice between doing what is right and doing what is easy? As we talk with our friends, family or co-workers and the conversation turns ugly or degrading, how often do we go along instead of doing what God asks?
“We must obey God rather than men” Our quest must be to find a way to make that defiant statement within our lives. Some how, we need to tap that gift of the Holy Spirit as Peter did in front of those powerful leaders and tell the world the same thing – I must obey God rather than men. That power is clearly within us. It was placed there at our baptism and sealed in confirmation. It is the dove that is stronger than the fires of hell, able to lift us up and make us steadfast in the face of the evil of this world.
“We must obey God rather than men” Let us make these simple words the mantra we carry with us today and going forward. When we are confronted with a situation that goes contrary to God’s commands let it spring to mind with the force of that dove and guide us in right paths to the glory of the Father so all might see and know we follow Him – and no one else.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “Apostles Before Sanhedrin” by Johann Christoph Weigel, published 1695
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
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