Thursday of the
Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 22:30.23:6-11; John 17:22-26)
Often when feeling criticized, we go on the offensive. We search for impressive words to show off
our wit and to put down the critics. Surely
this is a questionable strategy. We would do
better to listen carefully to what others are saying, pray to the Holy Spirit for
guidance, and speak forthrightly what comes to mind. Jesus tells us to do as much when he says,
“'When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry
about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit
will teach you at that time what you should say.’” In today’s reading from the Acts of the
Apostles, Paul follows Jesus’ advice.
Paul is being held prisoner for allegedly starting a
riot. The crowds want to kill him, and
the Roman officer does not know what to do with him. Paul evaluates the crowd, sees a mixture of
Pharisees and Sadducees in it, and speaks to it with ingenuity. His reference to being a proponent of the
resurrection of the dead divides his persecutors. What starts as an attempt to kill Paul turns
into a debate over the possibility of rising from the dead.
The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind this and all apostolic
activity in Acts of the Apostles. It
brings Christianity from its humble origins in Jerusalem to the corners of the
whole world. The Holy Spirit remains as
God’s eternal presence in our lives. The
Spirit enlightens our minds and orders our wills so that we too might bring the
light of Christ to the world.
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