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Acts 5:17-26
The high priest rose up and all his companions,
that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
“Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life.”
When they heard this,
they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.
When the high priest and his companions arrived,
they convened the Sanhedrin,
the full senate of the children of Israel,
and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,
so they came back and reported,
“We found the jail securely locked
and the guards stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,
they were at a loss about them,
as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them,
“The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area
and are teaching the people.”
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,
but without force,
because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
The Word of the Lord.
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If you want to understand God, then look at nature.
There’s an invisible, persistent force in nature that is determined to thrive. Even in the harshest circumstances, life can be found.
I’ve seen trees growing on the side of a mountain face; flowers blossoming in tiny cracks on a sidewalk; cacti standing tall in the desert heat.
Nature never gives up. Wherever life is possible, growth springs up.
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The same idea is true with God. Wherever there is a heart open to faith, God shows up. The Spirit will not be stopped until disciples are made of “all nations.”
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In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Sadducees have had the Apostles arrested for a second time.
They thought this budding religious movement would’ve been squashed after they nailed Jesus to a tree. But reports are circulating that he’s been raised from the dead.
Making matters “worse,” the Apostles have somehow broken out of prison and are back in the Temple area preaching in Christ’s name, converting crowds by the thousands!
In spite of their best efforts, the Sadducees cannot prevent the Spirit from spreading the Good News. Before the first generation of Christians leaves this world, they will spread the Gospel message into Europe, to the far corners of the Middle East, and beyond.
Wherever belief is possible, God shows up.
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The same is true today. The Holy Spirit is determined to work through us, to make disciples in our homes, in our parish, and in the broader community. We don’t have to be perfect – only willing.
Like the Apostles, in what ways do we share our faith with others?
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God’s Spirit is like a force of nature, causing growth wherever it is possible. May he use our words and actions for his glory today.
Come, Holy Spirit!
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Image credits: (1) QuoteFancy (2) Reddit (3) Saint Peter Preaching in Jerusalem, Charles-Francois Pierson