Memory of the Church

Memorial of Saint Joseph the worker and World Labour Day.

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I am the good shepherd,
my sheep listen to my voice,
and they become
one flock and one fold.
.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Acts 5,27-33

When they had brought them in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. 'We gave you a strong warning', he said, 'not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt for this man's death on us.' In reply Peter and the apostles said, 'Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, whom you executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.' This so infuriated them that they wanted to put them to death.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The apostles are once again brought in the Sanhedrin in front of the chiefs of the people. This time not only Peter and John but all the apostles are pulled to trial. The entire Church is accused and put under trial. The rebuke is summarized in their disobedience to the order of the Chiefs of the people not to preach the Gospel anymore: "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name." The priest who, maybe out of some fear, does not even mention the name of Jesus, wants to block the path of growth of that community. Indeed, people's esteem for that new group of believers was growing, and many had become its members. The answer of the apostles to the accusation brought by the Sanhedrin is unanimous and compact. Luke underlines it by saying: "But Peter and the apostles" answered together. And this time Peter does not ask their accusers whether it is right to obey men rather than God. But with great clarity and without hesitation he says: "We must obey God rather than any human authority." We could say that it is the entire Christian community that expresses itself in that way before the Sanhedrin. Indeed, in the Christian community it is the Spirit who guides and authorises the communication of the Gospel to the entire city. The words that Peter pronounces - and with him all the apostles - are the summary of the mystery of salvation brought by Jesus to all men and women. Emphasised in this passage is the elevation of Jesus to the right hand of God and the salvific power that he now exercises for all, no one excluded. Of this mystery of salvation that has come to earth, the apostles are witnesses because of the Holy Spirit poured into their hearts.