Acts 4: 13-21
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”
So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “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.” After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Transformed by Resurrection
The first few chapters of Acts are filled with excitement and drama, as the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, lead and grow the primitive church in Jerusalem in the months following Jesus’ ascension. We detect this restless, emergent dynamic in today’s first reading, as through their bold witness, healing, and preaching, Peter and John are recognized “as companions of Jesus.”
Where is the fear-filled Peter standing in the courtyard far from his rabbi, denying him three times? We see no sign of this man today; the apostles have been utterly transformed by encountering the risen, resurrected Christ.
And so it is with us as well. With paschal joy, we too have encountered Christ resurrected. With boldness and zeal, do our own lives proclaim that God’s love has triumphed over death? That grace is greater than sin? That the kingdom of God is worth living and dying for? Through the working of the Holy Spirit, may we too never “keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
—Jonathan Jue-Wong, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic and member of the Midwest Province, currently studying philosophy at Loyola University Chicago.
Prayer
God of everlasting love and new life,
In this great season of Easter, we give you thanks for many gifts:
For your Son who for our sake suffered, died, and was buried,
For the saving power of his resurrection,
For the apostles who went forth setting the world on fire,
For the Holy Catholic Church which their labors built,
For your servant Pope Francis whom you have called home to you,
And for the many companions of Jesus who help us witness to Christ in the world today.
Through the intercession of the apostles, help us seek your kingdom of justice and mercy, and to build a Church of welcome and belonging for all.
With both the apostles in heaven and your servants on Earth, grant that we too may never tire of speaking, teaching, and acting boldly in the Holy Name of Jesus.
We ask all this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
—Jonathan Jue-Wong, SJ
Pray with the Pope
The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.