So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:18 NABRE)
Despite the miraculous signs they performed, religious liberty was not something the first followers of Jesus Christ were afforded. In today's verse, the Sanhedrin warn Peter and John against speaking or teaching any more in the name of Jesus. In fact, these leaders would have preferred to punish the pair for what they had already done (most recently healing the lame beggar and then preaching in Jesus' name), but they were afraid of the reaction of the crowd that had begun to praise God because of what had happened.
Today, in our culture, our religious liberty is again under threat. We are called not only to live the gospel, but to become educated in the issues eroding our liberty and to take action, to pray, and where we have a voice, to speak out. America was founded on the principle of freedom of religion, but we continue to drift toward a society that prefers freedom from religion. Let us pray that this shift corrects itself by God's providence leading the actions of good people.
Today, on this Easter Saturday, I will pray the final day of the Divine Mercy Novena (Day 9).
Saint Stanislaus, patron of Poland who dared to denounce corruption in high places, pray for us.
Saint Faustina, through whom we have been given deep insight into Jesus' merciful heart, pray for us.
Saint John Paul II, who instituted the feast of Divine Mercy, pray for us.
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