(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)
Look at the humor. The authorities say, “Lock them up.” An angel says, “Go back where you started from and keep on teaching.” The authorities cannot find them. The authorities send to arrest the, but they go freely. The authorities forbid them to preach in he name of Jesus, but the apostles refuse to comply. Who is going to win? We cheer for the apostles.
What does it mean to speak or cure in the name of Jesus? If we can call someone by name, we have some control over that person. The people of Israel did not call God by name. The name revealed to Moses at the burning bush is translated, “I am who am.” It was like saying, “Put-in-tain; ask me again and I will tell you the same.” The authorities could not control God and they did not want the apostles controlling Jesus. Perhaps the authorities had more than an inkling about who Jesus was. One group was smart enough to “go with the flow” while the other had to give up.
Look at the funny things in our lives, how often we try to control God and how often God slips through our fingers to continue on God’s merry way.
The angel says, “Go back and keep on doing what you did yesterday; no need to stay in prison. If God could lead the Israelites out of Egypt with power and might, and if God could rescue Christ from death, then God can surprise you and every one else by taking up your case and protecting you.”
God took up the case of Israel and lead them out of Egypt. God also took up the case of Jesus and lead him through death into life. God likewise took up the case of the early Church. These facts challenge us.
How does God surprise us in many ways throughout our lives? How has God sent us out into our lives; how has God supported us, protected us and surprised us. The God who appeared to Moses, the God who revealed in Jesus and who rescued the apostles from prison, this God will continue to surprise us by the amazing things God does to promote the kingdom through us. Each of us is called back to proclaiming the word of God in the temple where we were yesterday.