In today’s first reading from Acts, we find Peter and the Apostles standing before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin. They are being interrogated for ignoring a direct order to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. Peter’s response is the heartbeat of our faith: “We must obey God rather than men.” Think about the pressure they are under; it is both a legal and physical threat. Yet, Peter does not hesitate. He does not look for a middle ground or a polite compromise. He knows that once you have encountered the Risen Christ, the truth is not something you can just “turn off” to keep the peace.
No Off Button
For us, the “Sanhedrin” might look different from the time of the Apostles. It can be the pressure to stay silent when our values are mocked, or the temptation to prioritize our own comfort over the Gospel. Governments and social movements often claim total jurisdiction over our consciences. Peter’s response reminds us that the State is not God. If a policy requires us to lie, to harm the vulnerable, or to call “good” what God has called “evil,” our first loyalty should be towards God, who has the final word in our lives.
Called to be Witnesses
The Apostles were “witnesses of these things” because they had seen the empty tomb. We are called to be witnesses today because we have felt His mercy. When the world tells you to quiet down, remember that the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him. Our joy is found not in pleasing everyone, but in being faithful to the One who gave everything for us. When we face modern policies or societal shifts that aim to normalize what the Scriptures clearly call us to reject, Peter’s testimony remains our shining model.
Obey God
Peter didn’t say, “We must obey God,” and then run away. He stood his ground and accepted the lashes that followed. For us, “obeying God rather than men” might mean losing a promotion, facing social “cancellation,” or being labelled “intolerant” or “discriminatory”. We cannot claim Peter’s courage if we aren’t willing to share in his sacrifice. In accepting the “lashes” of the “Sanhedrins” of the contemporary age, we are called to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel. Peter didn’t just complain about the Sanhedrin’s unfairness. He used the moment to preach the Gospel. Our response to unjust agendas shouldn’t just be an angry “no,” but a beautiful “yes” to a better way of living. We counter a culture of death or confusion by being witnesses to the Truth that sets people free.
Thank you for this homily 🙏
Thanks for your time and God bless you.