The liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, their passage through the Red Sea, the journey through the desert to Mount Sinai and eventually to the Promised Land are often seen together as an image of the journey of the Church, the new people of God, through history. It is also the image of the life of the individual Christian.
Today’s entrance antiphon is a beautiful expression of this firm conviction: “When you walked at the head of your people, O God, and lived with them on their journey, the earth shook at your presence, and the skies poured forth their rain, alleluia.”
In today’s first reading, Peter and the other apostles are convinced that they are being led through the first days of the formation of the Christian community by the Holy Spirit who was sent by Jesus who had died at the hands of evil men. These same evil men are now questioning their preaching. However, because they believe Jesus and the Holy Spirit are walking at the head of the people, they are bold in their faith and in its proclamation.
Some might question whether Peter and the apostles are not just being incredibly stubborn in persisting to preach the Gospel inasmuch as the highest religious authority of their time is demanding their silence. However, the one consistent thing about their preaching is the fact that they give all the credit for what they have accomplished to God and to the name of Jesus. Their humility backs up their stubborn refusal to obey the High Priest and his council. They stand ready to give their lives for the Gospel. They know how these men treated Jesus and have no delusions about what they could do to them as well.
The conclusion for all of us must therefore be, to borrow the words of a popular hymn, “Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest.”
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator