If Their Project Or Activity Is Of Human Origin, It Will Destroy Itself.

"But one of them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law highly respected by the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin.  He ordered the men to be taken outside for a few minutes and then he spoke to the assembly.

'Fellow Israelites, consider, well, what you intend to do to these men.  For some time ago, Theudas came forward, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him.  But he was killed and all his followers were dispersed or disappeared.  After him, Judas, the Galilean, appeared, at the time of the census and persuaded many people to follow him.  But he, too, perished; and his whole following was scattered.  So, in this present case, I advise you to have nothing to do with these men.  Leave them alone.  If their project or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.  If, on the other hand, it is from GOD, you will not be able to destroy it; and you might indeed, find yourselves fighting against GOD.'

The Council let themselves be persuaded.  They called in the apostles and had them whipped; and ordered them not to speak again of JESUS, the Savior.  Then they set them free.

The apostles went out from the Council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name.  Day after day, both in the temple and in people's homes, they continued to teach, and to proclaim, that JESUS was the Messiah." - Acts 5:34-42  

(Gamaliel was one of the most renowned among the masters of the law.  Here we see the open mind of this old Jewish teacher who knows that GOD's ways are not always the ways of humans.

JESUS had said something similar [Matthew 15:13].  Yet that does not seem evident.  Are we not aware of many false doctrines that last?  If they have lasted for centuries, perhaps it is due to the fact that in spite of the error and the evil they sow, they contain useful or necessary principles for a given time, or for certain human groups.  Perhaps they make very important statements that the Church should proclaim but cannot or does not want to do.  Experience shows that the majority of humans are not ready to embrace the Christian faith: must GOD abandon them because of that?  Can we, who have CHRIST, say with certitude that such and such a one is not "the prophet."  Maybe GOD's will is that HE be the prophet of a certain group and help them in their searching for GOD [Acts 17:27].

Gamaliel was Paul's teacher in Jerusalem for doubtless three or four years, a little after these events [Acts 22:3].  Paul's conversion will be providentially prepared through contact with this open and sincere man, and equally so through the death of Stephen [7:54-60].)

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It Is Necessary That HE Increase But That I Decrease

"After this, JESUS went into the territory of Judea with HIS disciples.  HE stayed there with them and baptized.  John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, where water was plentiful; people came to HIM and were baptized.  This happened before John was put in prison.

Now John's disciples had been questioned by a Jew about spiritual cleansing, so they came to John and said, 'Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, and about whom you spoke favorably, is now baptizing, and all are going to HIM.'

John answered, 'No one can receive anything, except what has been given to HIM from heaven.  You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the CHRIST, but I have been sent before HIM.'  Only the bridegroom has the bride; but the friend of the bridegroom stands by and listens and rejoices to hear the bridegroom's voice.  My joy is now full.  It is necessary that HE increase, but that I decrease." - John 3:22-36 

(The Gospel admits that many disciples of John the Baptist did not recognize JESUS.  They had been drawn by their teacher's example: He was intense and outspoken, hard on himself in food, drink and clothing.  Somehow, they had the hope, maybe because of John the Baptist's manner, that GOD's true justice would come and bring about direct punishment of the wicked.  Like militant followers of whatever good cause, John's disciples had this weakness: they were too focused on their own leaders and ways to consider other possibilities.  To become CHRIST's disciples, they would have to give up their own prophets.

It is necessary that HE increase but that I decrease, said the greatest of the prophets.  Only JESUS comes from On High and can fully satisfy the human heart.  In HIM nothing of the good is lost, since HE embodies all.)

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"Yes, GOD So Loved The World That HE Gave HIS Only SON That Whoever Believes In HIM May Not Be Lost, But May Have Eternal Life."

 "'Yes, GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only Son that whoever believes in HIM may not be lost, but may have eternal life.  GOD did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through HIM the world is to be saved.  Whoever believes in HIM will not be condemned.  He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of GOD.

This is how Judgment is made: Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For whoever does wrong hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, for fear that his deeds will be seen as evil.  But whoever lives according to the truth comes into the light, so that it can be clearly seen that his works have been done in GOD.'" - John 3:16-21 

(The Jews had been praying for GOD to come and expected HIM to condemn the world and to punish the bad.  HE, on the other hand, sent HIS own Son to the cross so that the world will be saved.

Other verses of the New Testament say that we should not love the world; which seems to contradict what we have just read: GOD so loved the world.  The reason for this contradiction is that the word world has several meanings.

First, the world means all of creation, which is good since it is GOD's work.  The center of this divine work is humankind, which has come under the influence of Satan [8:34 and 44].  Everything that sinful humanity creates--riches, culture, social life--is influenced, disfigured and used for evil.  Hence, GOD sent HIS Son so that the world will  be saved.

Yet, even though CHRIST's resurrection initiated HIS invincible power over history, a strong current of evil continues, dragging along all who refuse to acknowledge the truth.  This evil current is sometimes called the world.  It would be more appropriate to say: the people who surrender themselves to the Master of the world.  The Scripture points to them in saying: Do not love the world, or You are not of the world [1 John 2:15; 4:6].)

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An Attempt To Share Everything

 "The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind.  No one claimed private ownership of any possessions; but rather, they shared all things in common.  With great power, the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the LORD JESUS, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale.  And they laid it at the feet of the apostles, who distributed it, according to each one's need." - Acts 4:32-37 

(Here we might understand that this sharing had become a rule in the early Church.  JESUS did not ask for this; yet they were doing it, inspired by the desire of every true believer to remove all divisions between brothers and sisters, especially those created by money.  Placing everything in common, however, requires not only a spirit of detachment, but also a sense of responsibility and organization.  The believers in Jerusalem lived at a time when work and foresight were not very important, and they soon consumed what they had, without being concerned about working, and eventually became the "poor of Jerusalem."  Paul was to organize collections in other churches in order to assist them [Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8].)

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The Prayer Of The Community

 "As soon as Peter and John were set free, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them.

When they heard it, they raised their voices as one, and called upon GOD, 'Sovereign LORD, maker of heaven and earth, of the sea and everything in them, YOU have put these words in the mouth of David, our father and YOUR servant, through the Holy Spirit: Why did the pagan nations rage and the people conspire in folly?  The kings of the earth were aligned; and the princes gathered together against the LORD and against HIS Messiah.

For indeed, in this very city, Herod, with Pontius Pilate and the pagans, together, with the people of Israel, conspired against YOUR holy servant, JESUS, whom YOU anointed.  Thus, indeed, they brought about whatever YOUR powerful will had decided, from all time, would happen.  But now, LORD, see their threats against us; and enable YOUR servants to speak YOUR word with all boldness.  Stretch out YOUR hand, to heal, and to work signs and wonders, through the name of JESUS, YOUR holy servant.'

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together shook; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of GOD boldly." - Acts 4:23-31 

(We can meditate on the way this church gathering develops: an event [the arrest] is shared by all.  For them this confrontation with the authorities is something new.  They connect what happened with the word of GOD.  In this case they refer to Psalm 2; then they begin common prayer and ask for courage to continue to do GOD's works.) 

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The First Community

 "They were faithful to the teaching of the apostles, the common life of sharing, the breaking of bread and prayers.

A holy fear came upon all the people, for many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  Now, all the believers lived together, and shared all their belongings.  They would sell their property, and all they had, and distribute the proceeds to others, according to their need.  Each day, they met together, in the temple area; they broke bread in their homes; they shared their food, with great joy and simplicity of heart; they praised GOD and won the people's favor.  And every day, the LORD added to their number, those who were being saved." - Acts 2:42-47 

(Those who have been baptized feel strongly united by the new faith and long for a communal life.  As they gather in private houses and the communities are not too big, they can know each other and share everything.

Luke tells us what they did, and we must note the order of priorities:

- first the teaching of the apostles

- then comes Christian fellowship, with more attention to the weak

- only then may the breaking of bread, that is, the Eucharist, be celebrated

- finally common prayers of thanksgiving to prolong the Eucharist.

The Spirit of JESUS comes to us through the Word and the Eucharist: these are the sources of the Church's dynamism.  By the Word, we do not mean the study of the Scriptures merely to know the Scriptures.  Scripture helps us realize how GOD continues to speak to us through the actual achievements of our life, the community and the world.

The expression breaking of bread could mean any Jewish meal that began with a blessing.  But very early the Christians reserved this word for reference to the Eucharist that they celebrated remembering the last supper of the LORD [Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16].

Joy and simplicity of heart gave witness to the change in their lives and the authenticity of their fraternal sharing.  They were deeply reconciled persons.

It was not the naive joy that is easily found in Christian groups who have no thought for the problems of the world.  Neither they nor their enemies could ignore that JESUS had taken on the problems of national reconciliation.  They were enjoying the favor of the people who considered them to be concerned and responsible persons.) 

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Proclaim The Good News To All Creation

 "After JESUS rose early on the first day of the week, HE appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom HE had driven out seven demons.  She went and reported the news to HIS followers, who were now mourning and weeping.  But when they heard that HE lived, and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this HE showed HIMSELF in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.  These men also went back and told the others, but they did not believe them .

Later JESUS showed HIMSELF to the Eleven while they were at table.  HE reproached them for their unbelief, and hardness of heart, in refusing to believe those who had seen HIM after HE had risen.

Then HE told them, 'Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.'" - Mark 16:9-15 

(The Good News is the seed that will be planted in the world and will flourish, in its proper time, in every field of human endeavor.  Salvation is not a matter of saving isolated souls or individual beings.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all creation in all activities and acts of those who have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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'The Stone Rejected By The Builders Has Become The Cornerstone.'

  "Alleluia!

Give thanks to YAHWEH,

for HE is good,

HIS loving kindness endures forever.

Let Israel say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

Let those who fear YAHWEH say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

The stone rejected by the builders

has become the cornerstone.

This was YAHWEH's doing

and we marvel at it.

This is the day YAHWEH has made;

so let us rejoice and be glad.

Save us, O YAHWEH, deliver us, O YAHWEH!

Blessed is he who comes in YAHWEH's name!

We praise YOU from the house of YAHWEH.

YAHWEH is GOD; may HIS light shine upon us.

With branches, join in procession

up to the horns of the altar."

- Psalm 118:1-2. 4. 22-24. 25-27

('The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone'--so our LORD, rejected by HIS people and raised up by GOD; and so the Church, made up of those whom GOD has raised from death to life, in union with the Risen CHRIST.  The Church is the Temple of GOD, within which each of us sings our praise of GOD who has so loved us.)

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Man The Viceroy Of GOD

 "O YAHWEH, our YAHWEH,
how great is YOUR name throughout the earth!

And YOUR glory in the heavens above.

Even the mouths of children and infants

exalt YOUR glory in front of YOUR foes

and put to shame enemies and rebels.

When I observe the heavens,

the work of YOUR hands,

the moon, and the stars YOU set in their place--

what is man, that YOU be mindful of him;

the son of man, that YOU should care for him?

Yet YOU made him a little less than a god;

YOU crowned him with glory and honor

and gave him the works of YOUR hands;

YOU have put all things under his feet--

sheep and oxen without number,

and even the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,

and all that swim the paths of the ocean."

- Psalm 8:2-9

(This psalm is a lyrical reflection on the making and endowment of man: 'Let us make man in our own image... let him have dominion over the fish, the birds, the beasts' [Genesis 1:26].  He is little less than a god because he has a share in GOD's dominion.  He is much greater than the stars because, child though he is before the Eternal GOD, he has a voice for praise.

Everything speaks to us about GOD, whose Name is admirable, just as HIS works are.  It is a childlike adequate language to praise our Great Master [cf. Matthew 21:16].  No one can build himself if he has not yet sought his mission in the world.  We are nothing without our brothers and sisters who struggle or vegetate in the anthills of the entire world.  Wherever there is a human being, he or she is tenderly cared for by GOD.  This psalm can be sung as a celebration of human dignity and divine greatness.)

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Peter And John Cure A Lame Man

"Once when Peter and John were going up to the temple, at three in the afternoon, the hour for prayer, a man, crippled from birth, was being carried in.  Every day, they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called "Beautiful;" there, he begged from those who entered the temple.

When he saw Peter and John on their way into the temple, he asked for alms.  Then Peter, with John at his side, looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.'  So he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you: In the name of JESUS of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!'

Then, he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up.  At once, his feet and ankles became firm, and, jumping up, he stood on his feet and began to walk.  And he went with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising GOD.

All the people saw him walking and praising GOD; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him." - Acts 3:1-10 

(We might sometimes think that JESUS cured all the sick.  This is not true, since HE did not heal this cripple who was in the temple every day.  This new sign brings about another proclamation.)

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