Eucharistic Readings for Saturday of Easter Week: All Years
Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:14-18 or Psalm 118:19-24; Mark 16:9-15 and 20
“But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4: 19 – 20)
This is something we don’t think enough about, that is, what is right in God’s eyes. No matter where we are or who we are with, God is always present, looking and listening. I will confess that I still find myself in situations where I am saying things about one person to someone else that I wouldn’t say if the subject person was present. I forget that God is standing right beside me. I’m getting better, but not quite there yet.
Sometimes it is hard to hear what God is saying. Many people try to find similar life situations or problems in the Bible in order to discern what God said then and apply it to now. This does not often work and it may not be what God is saying to us now. Each time, each situation and each people have their own, and often, very different responses, from God.
Peter and John learned from our Lord Jesus that prayer brings about the voice of God. And just as they were partnered in their standing before the rulers and elders and scribes as formerly uneducated men being only fishermen, they consoled with God and fed off each other for even wiser counsel with God in the mix.
Each one of us, clergy or not, needs another person, of whom we respect their caring and nurture, that we can voice our concerns with. And then we must be willing to heed their counsel given to us. This is not to take away our own “alone” time. But sometimes God needs to use the voice of a trusted friend to say a word or two that will enhance our discernment and decision making. God is good, all the time. God wants what is good for us. Often our traditions and laws conflict with the good that God wants for us. We must listen to the Holy Spirit of God speaking through others and understand what is right in God’s eyes. It varies from situation to situation.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord God in Christ Jesus, as you were witnessed by Peter and John about Who you are and what is right to do and say, so also be with us in our time that we too may share your truth and love to the world. In Your eternal presence we pray: Amen.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 