Acts 5:34-42
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
John 6:1-15
THE CHURCH IS FROM GOD
"If their purpose or activity is human in its origins, it will destroy itself. If, on the other hand, it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them." —Acts 5:38-39
The apostles had been arrested for teaching the people of Jerusalem about Jesus. They were brought to trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish "Supreme Court." The apostles stood their ground and declared they would continue teaching about Jesus, and would obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). "When the Sanhedrin heard this, they were stung to fury and wanted to kill them. Then a member of the Sanhedrin stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law highly regarded by all the people. He had the accused ordered out of court for a few minutes, and then said to the assembly, '...Have nothing to do with these men. Let them alone. If their purpose or activity is human in its origins, it will destroy itself. If, on the other hand, it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them without fighting God Himself' " (Acts 5:33-35, 38-39).
We who live in the twenty-first century should stop and think about the origins of Christianity. We are asked to give our lives to a Man condemned to death, the equivalent of being put to death today in the electric chair. His main followers were a group of uneducated fishermen. Yet we moderners still continue to follow this Man two thousand years later. This is a great testament to the truth that Jesus is God and His Church is led by the Holy Spirit.
Gamaliel's words echo strongly today, just as they did to the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel and St. Luke are telling us that the Church comes from God. Pour your heart and your life into God's Church.
Prayer: "Lord, remember Your church throughout the world; make us grow in love together with" our Pope, bishops, and clergy.
Promise: "I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living." —Ps 27:13
Praise: St. Fidelis, a priest and martyr, prayed that he be completely faithful to God and not give in to lukewarmness or apathy.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020
The "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the "Nihil Obstat" agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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