Paul is in a tight spot in today's first reading. He is standing before the full Jewish Sanhedrin to answer to the charges the Jews are bringing against him, charges that really have no answer, for they are false. The Jews are determined to get rid of Paul one way or another.
So Paul makes a smart move in his own defense. He drives a wedge through his opponents. The Sadducees and the Pharisees don't agree on much, and Paul uses that to his advantage. He makes his case into a question of resurrection, a doctrine the Pharisees accept but the Sadducees deny.
The result is a “great uproar,” and all of a sudden, the Pharisees are firmly on Paul's side. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they announce, "Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
Paul's trials are far from over, but he has won this round. Smart move, Paul.
Friday – Follow Me
“Follow Me.”
Lord, may I follow You in good times and bad.
Lord, may I follow You in joy and sorrow.
Lord, may I follow You in health and sickness.
Lord, may I follow You along the way of the cross.
Lord, may I follow You in Your Word.
Lord, may I follow You in Your Church.
Lord, may I follow You through Your sacraments.
Lord, may I follow You in Your moral law.
Lord, may I follow You all the way to Heaven.
Amen.
Saturday – Many Other Things
In today's Gospel, St. John tells us that he has been selective about what he has included in his Gospel. “There are also many other things that Jesus did,” he explains, “but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.”
Isn't that a remarkable thought? Just reflect on that for a while. The Gospels contain more than we can understand in a lifetime, yet there is so much more. What riches! What beauty! What a treasury of truth! What wonderful things we have to look forward to in eternity when we can ask Jesus exactly what John had to leave out of his Gospel!
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