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.
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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.
LOVE URGES US ON
“We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
This is the response of the Apostles when the religious authorities of the time tried to forbid them to continue proclaiming the Risen Lord. But how could they keep silent?
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Acts 4:32-37): “Community of goods of the early Church”
The company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
THE TRANSITION TOWARDS OUR FATHER
‘For the just there is no death, but transition’ (St. Athanasius).
How beautiful it would be if we understood this reality better day by day! Indeed, it is like this: if we have centred our life on our Heavenly Father and serve Him with sincerity, death will be the return to our Father’s house, who is waiting for us. And each day that passes in our earthly life brings us closer to eternity.
GOD’S TRUST IN US
“There is no better measure of love than trust” (Meister Eckhart).
The more we trust God, the more we love Him. We can understand this measure well and use it to examine the state of our love. The same can be said in reverse: the less we trust, the less love has triumphed in us. If there is even mistrust in our heart, it is a sign that our heart is closed and our relationship with our Heavenly Father has darkened.