2nd week in Easter, Friday – 12th April 2024 – Acts 5,34-42; John 6, 1-15
Signs of Credibility
The first reading presents the wisdom of Gamaliel that favours the apostles. If something is not of God, its importance will end someday. If it is truly of God, then there is nothing which can stop it. He warned his fellow council members not to be too hasty in their judgements. He gave two examples of leaders – Theudas and Judas the Galilean. In both cases the leaders died or were killed and then their movements fell apart and their followers scattered. Gamaliel suggested the above principle, on the basis of these experiences, that this ‘Jesus’ movement should be left alone. Gamaliel gives the positive corollary. Most men in the Sanhedrin would never admit that Jesus could be on God’s side. Instead, they can posture as if taking the high ground, letting God handle things (Acts 5,13). Proverb says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Prov 19,21). Gamaliel accurately applies this to the Sanhedrin’s situation. Obviously, the Church has striven to carry on the ministry of Jesus until now with pointers of faith in Jesus and his saving work. Two thousand years later, the growth and holiness, the fruitfulness, the catholic unity and stability continue to be signs and motives of credibility. Like Gamaliel, we should have confidence in his principle that, in the long run, the truth will always prevail.
