20260415 ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE THE GOOD NEWS
15 April 2026, Wednesday, 2nd Week of Easter
First reading | Acts 5:17-26 |
The men you imprisoned are in the Temple, preaching to the people
The high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol.
But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out, ‘Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.’ They did as they were told; they went into the Temple at dawn and began to preach.
When the high priest arrived, he and his supporters convened the Sanhedrin – this was the full Senate of Israel – and sent to the gaol for them to be brought. But when the officials arrived at the prison they found they were not inside, so they went back and reported, ‘We found the gaol securely locked and the warders on duty at the gates, but when we unlocked the door we found no one inside.’ When the captain of the Temple and the chief priests heard this news they wondered what this could mean. Then a man arrived with fresh news. ‘At this very moment’ he said, ‘the men you imprisoned are in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people.’ The captain went with his men and fetched them. They were afraid to use force in case the people stoned them.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 33(34):2-9 |
This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
or
Alleluia!
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad.
This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
or
Alleluia!
Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free.
This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
or
Alleluia!
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called, the Lord heard him
and rescued him from all his distress.
This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
or
Alleluia!
The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
He is happy who seeks refuge in him.
This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamation |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ has risen and shone upon us
whom he redeemed with his blood.
Alleluia!
Or: | Jn3:16 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son:
everyone who believes in him has eternal life.
Alleluia!
Gospel | John 3:16-21 |
God sent his Son into the world so that through him the world might be saved
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost
but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved.
No one who believes in him will be condemned;
but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already,
because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.
On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world
men have shown they prefer darkness to the light
because their deeds were evil.
And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it,
for fear his actions should be exposed;
but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light,
so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.’
ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE THE GOOD NEWS
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ACTS 5:17-26; PS 34:2-9; JOHN 3:16-21 ]
The Christian Gospel is truly Good News. The Gospel today encapsulates the heart of this Good News, which is simply this: “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through Him the world might be saved.” Indeed, it is wonderful to know that God loves the world. In other words, God loves us all. He has never abandoned us in our suffering and misery. His love is directed toward us for all eternity. He wants to save the world. He wants us all to find the fullness of life. He does not wish to condemn us or give up on us.
However, God does not love with words alone, nor even with gifts. He loves us with His entire being. He shows us His love by giving us Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ. No greater love can one give than oneself. We can do things for people, and we can give them our money and resources, but true giving is the giving of oneself — one’s life and being. This is how the Father demonstrates His love for us. He gives us all that He is. Jesus, in turn, gave His life for us — His body and soul — for our salvation. Such is the love of God. So much so that St Paul remarked, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also give us all things with Him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn?” (Rom 8:32-34)
But not all accept Jesus or believe in Him. To accept Jesus is more than just a verbal or even an intellectual assent to Him as the Son of God. Jesus said, “On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world, men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil.” To accept Jesus is to walk in the way of truth and love as revealed by the Lord in His life and teaching. This is why the Lord said, “No one who believes in Him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.” Rejection of Jesus is ultimately a rejection of all that He stands for — His identity as the revealer of the Father’s love, and as the Way to the fullness of truth and life. This was what St Peter and St John were instructed by the angel to proclaim to the whole world: “Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.”
Why are there many who are against Jesus and the Gospel? Jesus Himself explains why: “Indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear that his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.” Christianity is under persecution — covertly or overtly — in the world today because the Gospel stands in contrast to what the secular and materialistic world advocates, namely individualism, consumerism, and hedonism. There is a movement to silence the Gospel by removing Christianity from public life. This is particularly evident in the West, where Christianity was once closely associated with Europe. Many are uncomfortable with Scriptural teachings, especially on sexual morality, marriage and fidelity, and justice for the human person from conception to natural death.
This was also the case with the Jewish leaders during the time of the early Church. The Apostles were likewise persecuted for preaching in the name of Jesus. The Jewish leaders and the Sanhedrin knew that there was something significant in the Apostles’ preaching. When the paralysed man was healed, they could not deny the fact: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognised that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition” (Acts 4:13f). Again, when they put them in jail, the next day they “found the goal securely locked and the wardens on duty at the gates,” but when they opened the doors, they “found no one inside.” The evangelist remarked, “When the captain of the Temple and the chief priests heard this news, they wondered what this could mean.” Thus, they had ample evidence to conclude that divine intervention was at work, yet they refused to accept it.
However, instead of seeking the truth of the matter and getting to the bottom of it, they sought to suppress the truth. The reason given was that they were “prompted by jealousy.” We can appreciate where they were coming from. They belonged to the highest strata of society. They held important political and religious positions and were well protected in their interests. With the Apostles’ teaching, their religious and social standing in society was challenged and threatened. Regardless of the truth of the matter, they felt the need to protect their interests. Thus, they tried to silence the truth by silencing the Apostles from proclaiming the name of Jesus. They did not stop them from healing the sick, but only from announcing the name of Jesus, as this would place them in a bad light. Worse still, people might come to believe in Jesus, and their religious institution would be at risk.
This is still happening in our world today. Christianity is being persecuted in many parts of the world, even in the so-called free world. In some countries, Christians are oppressed, persecuted, and prevented from practising their faith. They are marginalised, discriminated against, and often lack the freedom to worship and to practise and propagate their faith. The irony is that, in so-called Christian countries, Christians are more subtly suppressed through the promotion of secularism and relativism.
However, what is even more challenging for us in proclaiming the Gospel today is the opposition from the mass media, especially social media. Whatever Catholics teach or believe is often challenged by unbelievers, including some Catholics who are dissatisfied with the Church’s teachings and doctrines. They demand that we conform to their values and their perspective on moral issues and the meaning of life. The truth is that our teachings are freely available and widely circulated on social media. When we proclaim what the world does not wish to hear, some take offence and respond by accusing us of creating division, promoting discrimination, or causing insult. Unless we agree with their views, we are often criticised. They expect us to adopt relativism — the idea that truth is subjective and that there is no absolute truth. In other words, we are told that we cannot say that anything is better than something else, or that anything is right or wrong.
But the truth is that light cannot be overcome by darkness, and truth cannot be kept imprisoned. No matter how much the religious authorities sought to conceal their ignorance and sins, it was not possible. This is the significance of the Apostles being released from jail and later found again in the Temple, preaching to the people. Despite the world’s hostile opposition to the Gospel of truth and life, the message assures us that evil and unenlightened man cannot chain the Good News. We must not allow the world to silence the truth and the Good News. We must have courage, like the Apostles.
Consequently, as Catholics, we must remember that being Christian entails suffering persecution. This should not surprise us. Even the Apostles were persecuted despite their power to perform miracles and preach boldly. If we stand against the world, we will be marginalised. Being Christian does not mean that we will not suffer; rather, it means that we will not be defeated. Faith gives us the vision and hope that God will protect us, just as He protected Peter and John. This is what the psalmist experienced: “Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise His name. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; from all my terrors He set me free. Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress. The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere Him, to rescue them.”
While we must certainly be sensitive to the feelings of those who do not share our faith, we must not allow the truth to be stifled or prevented from being proclaimed. We should be respectful of others and offer reasons for our faith. St Peter exhorts us: “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.” (1 Pt 3:15f). We strive to live in harmony with society. As St Paul said, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:1f).
Best Practices for Using the Daily Scripture Reflections
- Encounter God through the spirit of prayer and the scripture by reflecting and praying the Word of God daily. The purpose is to bring you to prayer and to a deeper union with the Lord on the level of the heart.
- Daily reflections when archived will lead many to accumulate all the reflections of the week and pray in one sitting. This will compromise your capacity to enter deeply into the Word of God, as the tendency is to read for knowledge rather than a prayerful reading of the Word for the purpose of developing a personal and affective relationship with the Lord.
- It is more important to pray deeply, not read widely. The current reflections of the day would be more than sufficient for anyone who wants to pray deeply and be led into an intimacy with the Lord.
Note: You may share this reflection with someone. However, please note that reflections are not archived online nor will they be available via email request.
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
