1. I offered Mass today for all of you, the parishioners, and for the health and strength of healthcare workers.
2. Today on facebook I hosted Through Saints' Eyes, highlighting the personality, contributions, and prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury. I'm planning on doing a different saint each week. You can see the recording here: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyvt/videos/3235717093158013/
Today the book of Acts continues to narrate about the adventures of St. Peter and St. John. The Jewish leaders have them imprisoned. Then, however, during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” So Sts. Peter and John do just that, and then Jewish leaders only realize after they have convened their assembly and order the two to be brought it. The guard arrives at the jail and cannot find them! Only then does news arrive that the two saints are at the Temple, preaching. It's a great moment as the plans of men keep crumbling against the plans of God.
The antagonism between the two groups is intensifying. In anticipation of the conflict as we will see it play out, I'd like to explore how the Apostles approached the situation. It seems to me that there is ample material for edification in their response.
I would summarize their model as 1) do what's right, 2) resist what's wrong, 3) joyfully suffer. So notice that St. Peter and St. John are preaching the Gospel in obedience to God. They are listening to his word. As St. Peter said, We must obey God rather than men. When men begin to oppose them, they continue to pursue God's will. This is number two. They resist the evil command; they do not fold and agree with the Pharisees; they insist on the right. Finally, however, they suffer joyfully for their witness. When they are arrested, they go to jail. When they are punished, they suffer the punishment.
Here's the key point that I really want to hone in on: even as they know their punishment and suffering is unjust, they suffer it joyfully. Even as they know that those oppressing them are acting wrongly, they bear it patiently. Please note: bearing it patiently does not mean complying with the evil. Far from it! The reason they suffer is because they have resisted the injustice. The reason they suffer is because they have continued to preach the name of Jesus. So the very reason for their pain is the suffering of injustice, not compliance with it.
It reminds me somewhat of the serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Perhaps even better would be: God, grant me the patience to joyfully suffer the injustices I cannot change, courage to fight those I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. We do not accept injustice, we suffer it.
This can be especially instructive for us now. All of us in various ways are suffering because of the situation with Covid-19. Some are isolated. Some are sick. Some are scared. Some are angry. Some are upset at injustice. And here's the point: if it's true that there are real injustices or mismanagement, undue measures or unreasonable demands upon us, we must then ask ourselves: how do I imitate the Apostles in this situation? How do I respond as they did? Can I resist and fight the injustice, and also patiently, even joyfully suffer it as well?
May God grant us the patience to joyfully suffer the injustices we cannot change, courage to fight those we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.