DAILY HOMILIES #present

When the authorities told Peter and John never to speak again in the name of Jesus, Peter said: “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20). Peter and John were aware that they were standing before those who conspired to kill Jesus, but they were not scared of them as much as they were frightened of disobeying God. Peter and John remembered the words of Jesus: “My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him!” (Luke 12:4-5).

Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the temple to do what the law prescribed. They knew that Jesus is God, yet they obeyed the law, presenting God to God. In other words, they knew there was no need to bring the baby Jesus to the temple, but in humility (not wanting to appear like the special ones in their community), they followed the law.