Friday within the
Octave of Easter
(Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14)
Speaking truth to power often puts one in danger. Martin Luther King, Jr., did it continually and
died by an assassin’s bullet. Archbishop
Oscar Romero of El Salvador also spoke up on behalf of the poor and likewise
died a martyr’s death. Both of these
contemporary prophets no doubt were inspired by Peter’s speech in today’s first
reading.
Peter is being harassed by Jewish authorities for having invoked
the name of Jesus. His persecutors want
to suppress the cult of Jesus, but Peter cannot but proclaim what he experienced
with Jesus’ resurrection. As he says,
God raised Jesus from the dead and there is no salvation other than in him. Peter publicly pronounces Jesus’ salvation
four other times in the Acts of the Apostles.
Although Acts does not tell of his martyrdom, his fate is sealed for so
boldly declaring the primary Christian message.
All of us have opportunity to speak truth to power. When we find ourselves confronting an
injustice, we should prepare ourselves to speak well. We want to make sure that what we say is true. Sometimes the power we are addressing is not
as evil as it appears. Then we must be
ready to endure repercussions. However,
if we know what we are talking about and say it with prudence, we may convince at
least some of the powerful people who oppose us. Finally, we want to pray for assistance. Jesus promises his disciples his continued presence
when they speak what he teaches.
