Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 1, 2025

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Scripture Text: Acts 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today from the Acts of the Apostles recounts Peter’s and the other Apostles’ response to the Sanhedrin when ordered to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. They challenge the Sanhedrin by proclaiming that they “must obey God rather than men” and indicate that they will not cease in giving witness to Christ. They credit the Holy Spirit for their courage to defy the Sanhedrin and obey the LORD’s urging.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How obedient am I to the LORD’s will for me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save us of our sins though He himself was without sin, and You exalted Him through His resurrection and ascension, and He serves as our leader and savior at your right Hand. You send the Holy Spirit as our Advocate and Sanctifier, to gift us and grace us for the challenges of this world as we seek to follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son as His disciple. Grant that we may cooperate with your divine will, that we may give witness to the Son’s redeeming sacrifice for all, and that we will live the lives You created us to live as your daughters and son this day and all days. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.