Homily: Seventh Thursday of Easter

Seventh Thursday of Easter (Acts 22:30ff) “Good Trouble”

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read how Paul returns to Jerusalem after he has completed his missionary journeys. He has encouraged gentiles to join the Christian faith. Paul has also taught that the Jewish law is not important when one commits to Christianity. News of his preaching reaches Jerusalem. The followers of Jesus are at odds with the Jewish religious authorities. The leaders of the church want to preserve peace.

Paul must first explain himself to the Christian leaders in Jerusalem. James and Peter have already said they would accept gentle converts with some compromises when Paul does this. Jews need to retain their Jewish identity. Paul is instructed to go to the temple to worship, to show his goodwill.

This maneuver does not produce the desired results. A riot starts when it is revealed that Paul is in the temple. Paul is arrested and is brought before the Sanhedrin for trial. Paul does not temper his Christian preaching for the Jewish authorities. He insults the high priest and like Jesus was slapped across the mouth.

Paul knows that there are two political parties in the courtroom. The Pharisees believe in the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees do not believe in resurrection. Paul boldly professes that Christians believe in the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees do not want to deny their belief and neither do the Sadducees. This leads to an argument between the two groups and physical violence. Paul is pulled to safety. It is decided that he must be tried in a Roman court.

Paul was as gentle as a dove but as shrewd as a serpent. He knows the one of the best ways to spread Christianity is to witness in a public forum. Paul used whatever means he could to spread the Gospel. He was a Roman citizen. He used the legal system of Rome to advance the Gospel of Christ.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Did Paul always look for trouble? How would he get along in the church today?

2.   Do I get into good trouble? What is good trouble?

 Dear Parishioners,     

            Wearing red on Pentecost Sunday is a tradition. It is always good for me to look out in the congregation and see red all around the church. It tells me that people have remembered that we have come to the end of the Easter season.

            Do you have some red clothing you could wear on Sunday? Some of us cheer for sports teams that wear red. This is a great opportunity to wear your fan gear and cheer on the Holy Spirit.

            May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,

            Fr. Mark