When they heard (this),
they were furious and
began to want to kill them.
So a certain person
in the Sanhedrin
a Pharisee
called Gamaliel
a teacher of the Law
respected by all the people
got up,
and ordered them
to be put outside
for a while.
He said to them:
‘Men of Israel,
be careful for yourselves
about what you
are about to do.
For before these days
Theudas arose, saying about himself
that he was someone,
who was joined by about 400 men,
and he was executed
and all who followed were scattered
and it came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean arose
in the days of the census,
and he incited the people to follow after him.
That one was killed and all who followed him were scattered.’
And now I say about these present day events –
stay away from these men
and release them.
Because if this plan or undertaking comes from people
it will fail but
if it is of God
you will not be able to overthrow them,
you might even be found to be opposing God. ‘
They were persuaded by him
and having summoned and beaten
the apostles
they commanded them not to speak
in the name of Jesus
and released them.
So then they left the Sanhedrin
rejoicing
because they had been counted worthy
to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
and every day in the temple
and in each house
they did not stop teaching,
and proclaiming the good news
that Jesus was the Christ.
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us;
that with all our heart and mind
and soul and strength we may seek thy face
and be brought by thine infinite mercy
to thy holy presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alcuin (735-804)