The episode of the council of the Jews in today’s first reading from the Acts sheds light on Christian struggles in our times here in Canada. Here in Canada, Christians or even other traditional religions are threatened to abandon religious truths and teachings, particularly about sexuality, life, and family. Christians are not merely opposed but also threatened not to express or teach their religious views. Many activists, academics, and elected officials try to ban Christians from expressing and teaching their religious truths. They want Christian views outlawed. In other words, they want to criminalize Christian ideas. Either in public or private, expressing, teaching or advising Christian truths may well become a criminal act soon.

The Church presents her teaching as divinely revealed truths, not arbitrary or artificial opinions or agreements among men. And she teaches the Christian truth is objective and transcending times and cultures. However, the Church does not force her teachings. She does not even persuade people on her teachings. Instead, she explains and teaches.

Two thousand years ago, a council of the Jews made a prudential decision about Christians. They let the truth speak for itself. God’s truth proves itself. As Gamaliel, a renowned Pharisee, warns, it is foolish to fight against God’s truth.

The apostles continued to proclaim Jesus. They did not because the Jews permitted them but because Jesus mandated them to do so. As St Peter expressed, they chose to obey God rather than human authority. Christians in the 21st century may well have an honour to testify to Jesus and his teachings by losing their livelihood. That hour may come much sooner than we imagine. Then, once again and as always, the Holy Spirit will reveal his presence in many blessed ones in our times.