Thursday, May 1, 2025

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:27-33; John 331-36)

Muslim terrorists believe that they are doing the will of God when they kill so-called infidels.  Of course, as Pope Francis often said, no one committing acts of violence is doing God’s will.  When the apostles say in today’s first reading that they “must obey God, rather than men,” they need to verify that they are really carrying out God’s command.

It is not hard to do.  Before his Ascension, Jesus, who is God incarnate, told them to preach pardon of sins in his name to all nations. The apostles were only carrying out this command when they were arrested.    

Terrorism is not exclusively Muslim.  There have at times arisen Christian terrorists as perhaps terrorists of most religious movements.  Terrorists try to impose their will, not God’s, on others.  Perhaps some of us are guilty of forcing our will on others with whatever leverage we have.  We are wise then to do as Jesus proclaims here.  We are to seek pardon for this sin in prayer and with penitence.