On that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
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THE GOOD MASTER
‘I have a good Master, that is God; it is to Him I look in everything and to none other’ (Saint Joan of Arc).
The Maid of Orleans made the right choice! “One is your Master”, the Lord tells us in Mt 23:8. Although we can receive help from people filled with the Holy Spirit, and should be grateful when we meet them, or even if we have someone to accompany us spiritually, this guidance only becomes a priceless gift when it is imbued with God’s wisdom.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Acts 7:51-60,8:1a): “The speech and martyrdom of St. Stephen”
Stephen’s speech, recorded in chapter 7 of the Acts of the Apostles, is a synthesis of God’s salvific history with the people of Israel. It is worth reading in its entirety. Because of its length, in today’s meditation we will limit ourselves to reading it from verse 51 onwards.
Acts 7:51-60,8:1a
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TO GOD
“I would rather die than revoke what God has made me do” (St. Joan of Arc).
Only those who are deeply united to the Lord and who live in truth can dare to say such words. Joan of Arc spoke them knowing that her life was in danger. She had placed herself completely under the guidance of God, and it was only from Him that she drew her safety. The young Joan had to defend herself against the accusation of witchcraft in an unjust ecclesiastical trial convened by a bishop who collaborated with her enemies. She faced a large number of scholars, most of whom were ready to condemn her.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Acts 6:1-7): “The election of the seven deacons and the persecution of Stephen”
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Acts 5: 34-42): “The counsel of Gamaliel”
A Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher ofthe law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outsidefor a while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. For before these days Theudas arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and a number of men, aboutfour hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is ofmen, it willfail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.
IN HIS STRENGTH I WILL DARE AGAIN AND AGAIN
“It is better to be alone with God. His friendship will not fail me, nor His counsel, nor His love. In His strength I will dare and dare and dare until I die” (Saint Joan of Arc).
These words were spoken by Saint Joan of Arc, to whom the Lord entrusted the great mission of leading the legitimate King of France to his coronation and driving the English occupying troops out of her country. She did everything with her eyes fixed on the Father, and God alone was her consolation during the most difficult period of her life, when, while still very young, she was seized by her enemies, who subsequently condemned her to the stake.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Acts 5:21b-33): “The Apostles before the Sanhedrin”
The high priest came and those who were with him and called together the council and all the senate of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the sentries standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. And some one came and told them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.
YOUR FATHER SEES IN SECRET
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:6).
The Lord says these words in connection with His recommendation to pray and give alms in secret.
Our Father is pleased when we do good in secret, without seeking to attract the attention of others. Certainly, there are works that must be done in public so that God may be praised and acknowledged (cf. Mt 5:16). However, the Lord is not referring to these, but to those works that are most fruitful when they are done in secret for God.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Acts 5:12-21a): “Signs and wonders by the hands of the apostles”
Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison.