There is a theme today in the readings: obedience. We hear Peter and the Apostles talk about it in the first reading from Acts 5. And in the Gospel reading from John 3 we read, “Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life.”
Peter and the Apostles are dragged before the Sanhedrin, the high court of the Jews. The high priest reminds them that they were given strict orders to “stop teaching in that name.” But Peter and the Apostles answer, “We must obey God rather than men.” While that seems like a pretty simple statement on the surface, let’s dig a little deeper. Because this can very often be much easier said than done.
To be obedient to God, we must first know what God desires. An awful lot of people are very confused about this. Some folks think God desires whatever they desire. This becomes worshiping the god of self. To know what God desires, we must first be in regular conversation with God. (This is referred to as prayer.) Then we must be in tune with the mind of Christ, which He has given us in His holy Church. So the Really Big Question is: What does God desire? If I had to boil it down to its essence, my answer would be: holiness.
Father, may we always be obedient to you. Help to always strive for holiness above all things. Amen.
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