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April 18, 2020Today we read about Peter and John before the Sanhedrin. There has been a great sign in the healing of the man crippled from birth. The Sanhedrin was composed of Sadducees, Pharisees, and elders. They handled matters that did not fall directly under Roman civil law. The Sadducees were a strict priestly sect, accepting only teachings contained in the Pentateuch. They could not accept any of the oral tradition since the Sinai Covenant. Their primary concern was to maintain the temple cult and their position in society. The Pharisees were less tolerant of the outside world and longed for strict separation from foreigners.
We see Peter and John appear before this body of elders that determines how the everyday Jew should live his faith. To their surprise, the Holy Spirit gives Peter and John authority to speak boldly to them. In the presence of irrefutable evidence of a great sign, they cannot accept it as God working among them. They could not repent and put on ashes and sackcloth. Because of their concern to maintain the status quo, they threatened the disciples and ask them to not preach the Gospel.
As we continue to celebrate the Easter Season let us wait for the Holy Spirit to help us discern God’s Holy Will for our lives.