THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

Title

Obeying God rather than Humans

Outline

It is easy to misunderstand one another if the two people or groups are working from contrary presuppositions or experience.

That is what makes today’s readings so interesting.

Look at the contrast

The Sanhedrin presupposes three things

First, that the apostles were working class and thus lacked authority or learning

Second, that those with authority had been disobeyed by the apostles’ teaching

Third, that the apostolic purpose was revolution or at least subversion, consciously or unconsciously, i.e. to “bring this man’s blood upon us”

The apostles presuppose three things

First, “We must obey God rather than men.”

Second, that God was granting “Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins” through the resurrected and exalted Jesus (an offer also open to the Sanhedrin)

Third, that they were not only sufficient witnesses (more than 2) but were impelled to witness by “the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.” (Which implies that the Sanhedrin lacked something) They had divine authority

The Sanhedrin, of course, did not get it, for they came from a different perspective

This accords with what Jesus said in our gospel

There are two perspectives, an earthly and a heavenly, and so the one from heaven “testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony”

From the heavenly perspective God is in the evangelizing and empowering business: “ For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.”

And true authority comes from “the Son”: “The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. 36 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.”

So let us not be concerned if others do not understand us

All baptized believers have the Spirit and he is impelling us to reach out to others: as John Wimber used to say, “The meat is in the street.” versus “in the church.”

All baptized believers have the life of God in them, a life which neither threat nor even murder can take away.

If we follow the impulses of the Spirit and share our experience, living the life of God, others (not touched by the Spirit) will likely not understand us, but we will be living in communion with the Father and the Son and that is a witness to the world.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

FIRST READING

Acts 5:27–33

27 When they had brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 28 “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.” 29 But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

RESPONSE

Psalm 34:7a

7 This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,

and from all his distress he saved him.

PSALM

Psalm 34:2, 9, 17–20

2 I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be always in my mouth.

9 Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.

17 The LORD’s face is against evildoers

to wipe out their memory from the earth.

18 The righteous cry out, the LORD hears

and he rescues them from all their afflictions.

19 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted,

saves those whose spirit is crushed.

20 Many are the troubles of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers him from them all.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

John 20:29

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

GOSPEL

John 3:31–36

31 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]. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. 34 For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. 36 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.

Notes