Follow in the Footsteps of the Saints

by David Lins  |  05/05/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Let’s need to revisit the fifth chapter of Acts. Around verse 27, the apostles are dragged before the high priest for preaching in the name of Jesus.

"We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name?”

I can’t help but think of how I talk to my toddler. "I asked you repeatedly, did I not, to stop throwing your sippy cup when the milk is gone?” (She resembles a hard drinker in a pub who smashes her pint glass in the fireplace after chugging it in eight seconds.)

It is a Biblical slap on the hand and Peter isn’t having it.

He responds simply, "We must obey God rather than men.” Then, he starts right back up preaching. (Don’t skip this. READ what Peter proclaims to these authorities who JUST told him to stop talking about Jesus.) “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

::insert awkward silence::

The very next line of the Bible: “The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.”

Don’t tell me there isn’t humor in the Bible… and it gets better.

How do the apostles react? They leave “the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”

Rejoicing. They are probably downright giddy and laughing with one another. “Boy were they mad!” “And Peter? You just preached right at them!” “What can they do? Jesus has overcome death.”

Amazing and challenging all at once. What are we afraid of? We follow in the same footsteps. Not tepidly on our tippy toes, but we plant our feet in the footsteps of the saints before us with conviction. We are the Church of apostolic succession, the communion of saints, and of striving to live the Faith as Christ prescribed.

Questions? Comments? Email David at dlins@oloj.org.