Be Silent Not

Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. 

So, they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, “What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name.”

So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened.  (Acts 4:13-21)

Looks like Peter and John had the leaders, elders, and scribes over a barrel.  Both would not be silent about what they observed.  It was right in the sight of God for them to obey God rather than that trio of censors.

Often we are asked or told to keep quiet and not tell what we have seen – what we know to be true.  The simple question for us to ask is whether our silence is right in the sight of God.  Stern warnings, threats and punishment may be the cost of our speaking up and challenging what is not right.   So be it.

We are all companions of Jesus, our champion of social justice.  Our responsorial psalm gives us our marching orders:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.  My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just.

“The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.” I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Though the LORD has indeed chastised me, yet he has not delivered me to death. 

Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.

Singing this psalm drowns out the censors and gives us courage to go against them – even the powerful among them, especially the unjust, scoundrels, and liars.

Deacon David Pierce