Brought to Task

During the Easter Season, our first reading on Sundays, and throughout the week, comes from the Acts of the Apostles.  During the time of the Resurrection, we relive, each year, the story of the first days and beginnings of the Church.  In this way, the Church today, helps draw us into that Resurrection experience.  It is not something that is meant to be kept to ourselves, contained to a few of the privileged, but to be proclaimed and shared with the world.  From the beginning, and even in the midst of great persecution, arrests and condemnation, the Church sprouted roots and grew forth, as though the blood of Christ sprang forth, enlivening the world.  Today, we hear one of Peter’s testimonies to that very work as they are being “examined” about the healing of a cripple.  They, the Apostles, show us that we will be brought to task and to answer for the works that we do and what we say—even when it is something good, we may be accused of doing something bad.

When we are brought to task, we need to give a good and strong answer for our actions.  As Peter and John were entering the Temple to teach the Good News of the Resurrected Christ, they came to a crippled beggar who had been so since birth, Peter reached out his hand, and with the words of Jesus Christ, raised him up and the man could walk.  Yet, in response to their action of healing, they were arrested and asked to defend their actions.  Although it has not been a result of such miraculous acts of healing, in recent years, we have heard many stories of people, celebrities and professional athletes, giving testimony to the teachings and love that Christ taught. Often it has come in reference to the hot button issues: abortion, same sex unions and transgenderism.  How often have we also heard an apology and retraction of sorts?  How often have we faced similar situations?

I would not say that even in the climate of the cancel culture and threat of loss of job or public prestige, but especially in such a climate that has many similarities to those first days of the Church, when brought to task for our actions done in Christ, we need to answer truthfully and unashamedly.  Peter did not compromise or attempt to defend his actions, nor did he attack his accusers.  Rather, he simply gave credit to where the credit is due—the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

We also give testimony to Christ in the Temple (in the courts and public spaces of our nation).  This is an act of love and when confronted in response to these acts of love done in the name of Jesus, or for proclaiming his teachings, give him credit.  It is by Jesus’ name that we know all life has human dignity, he desires the fullness of that dignity for all, and there is no other name which brings salvation.