Saturday within the Octave of Easter
Acts 4: 13-21 Mark 16: 9-15
Theme: When God is with you
The courage and wisdom with which Peter and John preached the resurrected Christ is surprising the elders and rulers of the people, mindful of the fact that they were uneducated, and were fishermen. They could not attack them openly because of the fear of the people, who are already experiencing the healing power of the Apostles. The rulers and the elders and Scribes threatened them not to continue to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus. They are afraid that the preaching of the Apostles is making Jesus popular and indicting them for the killing of Jesus. So, they warned them to stop preaching in the name of Christ. But the Apostles are already empowered by the power of the resurrection, and they were no longer afraid, and was ready to face anything that comes with the choice they have made for Christ. That is why they were courageous enough to tell the leaders that they cannot stop preaching the resurrected Christ, as they directed them to do. Rather, they will disobey the elders and obey God, it takes only one with courage and faith to make such an assertion, given the situation they found themselves.
The position of the Apostles in the 1st reading of today, is a great challenge to Christians in our own time. This is because many of us would have gladly obeyed the elders, just to stay away from trouble. Then we will end up obeying the elders and disobeying God. This is a great challenge for all of us in our world today because situations continue to present itself when we must make a choice to obey God instead of obeying people. Our ability to align with God, needs a lot of faith and courage, just like in the situation that the Apostles found themselves. God came through for them and they did not come to any harm. However, sometimes it can be very challenging and discomforting, but it should not stop us from doing what is good and right in the sight of God. It is always better to obey God and disobey men, instead of the other way round.
To align with God, is one way of obeying the assertion of Jesus in the gospel reading of today, that we should “go into the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation”. As you do this may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.