BRAVELY WITNESSING TO THE TRUTH - C: 3rd Sun in Easter

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 (1 May 2022)

“Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus” (Acts 5:29).

This remark is coming from Peter and the apostles, when they were confronted by the high priest for disobeying his command that they should stop preaching about Jesus. The main reason why they were deterred from speaking in public is because, according to the high priest, the apostles “have filled Jerusalem with [their] teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on [the Jerusalem authorities]” (v. 28). Thus, the Sanhedrin barred them from putting the blame of Jesus’s death on the council; otherwise, the latter would diminish its credibility to govern and lose its influence over the Jewish populace.

In sum, these religious leaders were protecting their own welfare and the status quo when they silenced the apostles.

Meanwhile, Peter and the apostles were unfazed by this threat. Despite being cognizant that the Sanhedrin was successful in orchestrating the crucifixion of Jesus (cf. Lk 22:66-71; Jn 11:48-52), they fearlessly preached about him and accused the council of crucifying an innocent man (Acts 5:28, 30). As a consequence of their resilience, Peter and company were constantly persecuted: they were imprisoned, put on trial, and were about to be put to death (v. 33). Thus, at this point, the apostles were ready to face anything—even physical punishments (v. 40)—and emboldened not to “stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus” (v. 42).

What is noteworthy in this episode is the courage of the apostles, which would be suicidal given that Jesus had just been executed some fifty days ago. The reason why they were audacious in their preaching is expressed in their remark: “we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him” (v. 32). Succinctly, they were convinced that the Holy Spirit is the one protecting them and guaranteeing that they were doing the right thing.

Their bravery is fueled by the Spirit’s indwelling on them that had commenced in the Pentecost (2:1-4). From then on, the Holy Spirit had not left them and continued to guide them in all their activities (v. 38ff.).

In a week’s time, the national elections in the Philippines will transpire. Some are still undecided on whom to vote, and many have not yet publicly spoken on who are the most qualified candidates based on their honest discernment and socio-political analysis. The main reason for this reluctance to speak in the open is that many are still fearful that they would be bashed or ridiculed by some combatant sectors of the society. Meanwhile, the apostles in our reading today enjoin all of us to be “glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name” (v. 41). In other words, a true follower of Jesus needs to bravely witness to the truth even if it means being persecuted and disowned by one’s ingroup. If this election really matters for this generation, any true Filipino should be undaunted in fighting for the truth and for a governance that will bring about lasting justice, upliftment, and concern for the poor. I pray, then, that we will be brave to speak for the truth and for what is right so that more voters will find it easy to select the right candidates without being persecuted by the greater public.

- Rex Fortes, CM