The story in the Acts of the Apostles continues today, and we see the aftermath of the healing of the lame man. You will recall some of the names in this passage, namely Annas and Caiaphas, who were present when Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin. Luke writes:
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 1-12).
Annas and Caiaphas, the Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus crucified, are now brought face to face with the reality and the power of the Resurrection. They had Jesus crucified thinking that it would all end, but try as they might, they cannot stop the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Standing before them now are Jesus’ disciples, those who ran away afraid when Jesus was arrested and crucified. They are now empowered to proclaim Jesus risen from the dead. No prison can stop Jesus’ disciples.
To be sure, there are forces in our world today which try to squelch the Truth of the Risen Christ. You and I are Jesus’ disciples now, and we are called to proclaim the power of His Resurrection not only with our lips, but in our lives, making the living Christ known to all. No earthly power or movement can kill the Risen Jesus. They tried it once before; it didn’t work. We are witnesses to that.
Let us pray: Living Father, You raised Jesus Christ from the dead after fear and hatred nailed Him to a cross; we pray that You breathe Your Holy Spirit into our souls so that we may proclaim the Risen Christ to the world and be living witnesses to the Resurrection. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday, 8 August 2010: Come and have your backpack blessed for the new school year. We will also have some book bags available if you don’t have one.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
The Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show: It will be at the end of September. Stay tuned for details.
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
In thanksgiving for Deborah’s doing much better
Baby Alexa and her grandparents
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Cindi Clack
For all those who are traveling
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Lt. Cmdr. Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 1-12).
Annas and Caiaphas, the Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus crucified, are now brought face to face with the reality and the power of the Resurrection. They had Jesus crucified thinking that it would all end, but try as they might, they cannot stop the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Standing before them now are Jesus’ disciples, those who ran away afraid when Jesus was arrested and crucified. They are now empowered to proclaim Jesus risen from the dead. No prison can stop Jesus’ disciples.
To be sure, there are forces in our world today which try to squelch the Truth of the Risen Christ. You and I are Jesus’ disciples now, and we are called to proclaim the power of His Resurrection not only with our lips, but in our lives, making the living Christ known to all. No earthly power or movement can kill the Risen Jesus. They tried it once before; it didn’t work. We are witnesses to that.
Let us pray: Living Father, You raised Jesus Christ from the dead after fear and hatred nailed Him to a cross; we pray that You breathe Your Holy Spirit into our souls so that we may proclaim the Risen Christ to the world and be living witnesses to the Resurrection. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday, 8 August 2010: Come and have your backpack blessed for the new school year. We will also have some book bags available if you don’t have one.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
The Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show: It will be at the end of September. Stay tuned for details.
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
In thanksgiving for Deborah’s doing much better
Baby Alexa and her grandparents
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Cindi Clack
For all those who are traveling
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Lt. Cmdr. Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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