DAILY PRAYER

“While they were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening”   (Acts 4:1-3).

Power, regardless of the type, is exercised arbitrarily, depending on the whim of the person wielding the power — unless it is based on something greater than itself.

To a person exercising arbitrary power, nobody else’s opinion holds weight. The only opinion that counts is that of someone more powerful.

This was the dynamic with Peter and John in today’s second reading. Without any official judgment, without a jury, and without even accusations of wrongdoing, the apostles were jailed.   They were locked up because those with power judged them to be a danger to their interests, all very independent of whether what they were doing was right.

It wasn’t until the next day, in a mock trial,  that the principal figures among the priests interrogated Peter and John. Peter and John did not back down in fear. They took the opportunity to give testimony for Jesus:  “All of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed” (Acts 4:10).

Are we willing, in the face of danger, to stand up for Jesus?

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 71:4:  “My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked.”

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