Acts 1

Acts 1:2

THE ELECTION OF MATTHIAS.—DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST

[Acts 1, 2, 3, 4]

RETURNING from Mount Olivet on the day of the Ascension, the apostles repaired to the upper chamber, or supper-room, of the house in which they usually assembled. There they remained in prayer¹ for ten days, with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, several other holy women, and a great number of disciples, the number of persons being about one hundred and twenty.

During those ten days² of prayer, Peter, rising up, said it was necessary, according to the scripture which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas (Ps. 68, 26 and 108, 8), that a new apostle should be chosen in his stead, one of those “who had companied with us all the time³ that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us from the baptism of John until the day wherein He was taken up from us.” Two⁴ of the disciples were then proposed: Joseph, called Barsabas,

¹ In prayer. All exciting in their hearts the same desire for the Holy Ghost, and the same confidence that the promise of His Coming would be fulfilled.

² Ten days. Between our Lord’s Ascension and the Day of Pentecost

³ All the time. In other words, one who had known our Lord and been with Him during His public life, for he had to be, equally with the other apostles, a witness to the words and actions of our Lord, and especially to His Resurrection.

⁴ Two. Who, in the opinion of all present, had the necessary qualifications for the apostleship. However, as the call to be an apostle could only proceed from our Lord Himself, they prayed to Him to decide by lot and show them which of the two He had chosen.

— LXXXIV. THE ELECTION OF MATTHIAS.

and Matthias. After praying¹ for light from above, they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, who was numbered with the eleven apostles, and filled the place left vacant by the lamentable fall of Judas.

Ten days after the Ascension, the Jews celebrated the feast of Pentecost².

On that day the apostles were assembled³ together, persevering in prayer, when suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them parted tongues, as it were, of fire⁴, and it sat upon every one of them. And they were filled⁵ with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in divers tongues⁶.

Now there were at that time in Jerusalem Jews from every nation under heaven, who had come for the celebration of the feast. These, having heard of what had taken place, hastened with a great number of the inhabitants of Jerusalem to the house wherein the apostles were assembled. Each one was astonished⁷ to hear them speak in his own tongue. But some of the people mocked them, saying that they were full of new wine.

Then Peter, going forth from the house with the other apostles, lifted up his voice, and spoke: “These are not drunk, as you suppose, but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.’ Ye men of Israel,

¹ After praying. “Thou, Lord”, they prayed, “who knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two Thou hast chosen!” The “Lord”, to whom they thus prayed, was our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, of whom St. Peter had just been speaking.

² Pentecost. About this feast see Old Test, XXXIX. This year it fell on the first day of the week, Sunday.

³ Assembled. In the same upper chamber which has been mentioned before.

⁴ Of fire. These cloven tongues had the appearance of fire, but it was no natural fire.

⁵ Filled. They now received the Holy Ghost with all the fulness of His grace and gifts: before this they had only received single and isolated gifts, such, for example, as the priesthood and the power to forgive sins.

⁶ In divers tongues. Up to that moment each had been able to speak only his own native language. The Holy Ghost imparted to them the marvellous gift of being able to speak various languages which they had never learnt.

⁷ Astonished. “What meaneth this?” they said one to another. They felt that what was occurring before their eyes could not be anything natural.

— LXXXIV. DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as you also know; Him you have crucified and put to death by the hands of wicked men. God hath raised Him up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being exalted therefore, by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath poured forth this which you see and hear¹. Therefore, let all the house of Israel know most assuredly² that God hath made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified.”

The words of Peter had a divine power that penetrated all hearts, and many, repenting of their sins, asked Peter and the other apostles what they ought to do³. Peter said to them: “Do penance, and be baptized⁴, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” They received his words with joy, and, on that day, about three thousand persons were baptized.

COMMENTARY.

The Divinity of Jesus Christ. Not only did Peter call Him ‘Lord’ (i. e. God), but they supplicated Him as One who is omniscient, and knows the hearts of all men. This shows us how living and real was the belief of the first Christians in our Lord’s Divinity.

Mary is especially mentioned as being one of those who were assembled together in expectation of the coming of the Holy Ghost. It was but natural that the early Christians should hold the Mother of Jesus in the highest honour.

The Primacy of Peter. We can see that St. Peter, immediately after our Lord’s Ascension, entered on his office of visible head of the

¹ Which you see and hear. You can recognise the action of the Holy Ghost by its effects, by our courage and inspiration, and by the miracle of the gift of tongues.

² Most assuredly. For it is proved by His Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Descent of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is “the Christ”, i. e. the promised Messias, and “the Lord”, i. e. the Son of God, of whom David prophesied: “The Lord said to my Lord: si: Thou at My right hand &c.”

³ They ought to do. They were confounded and horrified by the thought that they had killed the Messias, sent by God. They now addressed the apostles, whom they had despised, as “brethren”, anxiously asking them: “What shall we do, men and brethren?” i. e. what shall we do to make amends for the evil we have done, and to avert God’s judgments from us?

⁴ Be baptized. Not with John’s baptism, but with the baptism instituted by Christ. By this baptism you shall receive forgiveness of your sins, and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

— LXXXIV. DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

Church. He declared in the presence of a hundred and twenty of the faithful that another apostle must be chosen in the place of Judas, and they did exactly as he told them, without seeing any pretension or arrogance in his thus putting himself forward; for they, one and all, knew that our Blessed Lord had appointed him to be the chief pastor of His Church.

Let us see what virtues were exercised by the apostles and disciples in the history of the election of Matthias, and in their conduct, while waiting for the coming of the Holy Ghost.

1. Obedience, for they obeyed our Lord’s command to remain in Jerusalem, until He should send the Holy Ghost.

2. Hope (and confidence), for they trusted the word of the Lord that He would send the Holy Ghost, although He had not told them at what time He would come.

3. Piety, for they prayed earnestly and perseveringly that the Holy Ghost might come.

4. Brotherly unity, for they kept together in unity of spirit.

The number (twelve) of the apostles (see also chapter XXXI). So significant was this number that the gap made by the apostasy of Judas had to be filled up before the Holy Ghost descended, and before the preaching of the apostles began.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The earnest preparation made by the disciples for the Descent of the Holy Ghost ought to serve as an example of how we ought to prepare ourselves for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Holy Ghost was sent to the Church to maintain her in her threefold office, doctrinal, priestly and pastoral, and to impart to individual souls the graces won by Jesus Christ. He preserves the Church free from all error in the exercise of her doctrinal office, and blesses the preaching of the word of God, making it penetrate the hearts of men for the improvement of their lives. He works in the priestly office of the Church by bestowing grace through the holy Sacraments, and by thus enlightening, sanctifying and strengthening individual souls. He protects and governs her in her pastoral office by giving to her a supernatural vitality, so that the gates of hell cannot prevail against her.

The outward signs of inward graces. The effects of the Holy Ghost were signified by the outward signs which accompanied His coming. Fire, which enlightens, warms and purifies, and under the form of which He descended, was intended to show that the Holy Ghost inwardly illuminated the apostles (and through them the faithful) with the light of faith, inflamed their hearts with love, and purified them from sin. The gift of tongues proved that the Holy Ghost could make the uneducated apostles eloquent in speaking to the hearts of men. In

KNIGHT, Commentary. v. ed. — LXXXIV. DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

the holy Sacraments also He makes use of outward and visible signs, by which He imparts inward and invisible graces and gifts.

The wonderful workings of the Holy Ghost were made manifest: 1. in the apostles themselves, and 2. in the people.

1. The uneducated fishermen of Galilee, who had so often misunderstood our Lord, were suddenly illuminated, so that they were able to understand the great truths of the Christian Faith, and to expound the prophecies contained in Scripture. They, who had been so timid, were all at once filled with courage and holy zeal, and boldly confessed their faith in Jesus Christ, before thousands of people. Peter, who but a short time ago was afraid to confess his faith before a maid-servant, now openly preached faith in Him who was crucified and who had risen from the dead.

2. The very people who seven weeks before had cried out: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” were now impelled to believe in our Lord and repent of their share in His crucifixion, and were received by holy Baptism into His Church. So wonderfully can the Holy Ghost transform the hearts of men!

The effects and necessity of grace. How came it that the words of Peter made such an impression on his hearers? How came it that the Jews, who but a short time before cried out in their frenzy against our Blessed Lord: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” were suddenly converted and were ready meekly to do whatever the apostles prescribed? The reason was that the Holy Ghost, with whom Peter was filled, enlightened with His grace the understanding of those who heard his words, and moved their hearts and wills to believe and to do what was right. He enlightened the understanding of the unbelieving Jews by His grace, to enable them to believe in the Godhead of Jesus Christ, by means of His Resurrection and Ascension, by the Descent of the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues. He moved their hearts to repent of their wickedness towards Jesus, for Scripture says: “They had compunction in their heart”; and He moved their wills to humbly ask the apostles: “Brethren, what shall we do?” This question of theirs proved that they desired to do what was right, and they proved their good intention by doing penance and being baptized. If the Holy Ghost had not enlightened and moved the hearts of the hearers, St. Peter’s discourse would have borne no fruit.

Resistance to grace. All the assembled Jews were witnesses of the gift of tongues, all heard the mighty, rushing sound, and all heard St. Peter’s inspired discourse; but not all were baptized, some remaining obstinate and satirical. These men resisted grace, because they hated Jesus and were resolved not to believe in Him.

Pentecost (fifty days after Easter). In the liturgy of the Church the season of Pentecost lasts till the end of the ecclesiastical year, in the same

— LXXXIV. DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

way that the workings of the Holy Ghost abide in the Church, and will abide till the end of time.

The meaning of Pentecost. The Jewish Pentecost, as explained in Old Test. XXXVI, was a type of the Christian Pentecost. The object of the Jewish feast was to remind the people of the giving and writing on stone of the Ten Commandments upon Mount Sinai. The Christian Whit-Sunday, or Pentecost, is to remind us that God the Holy Ghost came down on the Church, and inscribed the law of love on the hearts of the faithful. The Jewish Pentecost was also the harvest festival, on which the first-fruits of the harvest were offered to God. The Christian Pentecost is also a harvest festival, though in a much higher sense, for on that day the apostles, as their Lord had commanded them (chapter LXXXI), came forward openly to teach and to baptize, and by the assistance of the Holy Ghost reaped a rich harvest, converting and baptizing three thousand on that one day. Whit-Sunday may well be called the birthday of God’s holy Church, because 1. it was upon that day that the Holy Ghost came down on the Church to remain with her and assist her in her threefold office till the end of time, and 2. because on that day the Church was first openly made manifest, and won several thousands of souls for Christ. The seed of corn, watered by the Holy Ghost, sprang up, and began to spread itself.

What aspect did the Church bear in those days? She appeared as a visible body of believers, gifted and governed by the Holy Ghost, with Peter as her visible head. And for what end was she made manifest among men? To bring them salvation by the preaching of the faith and the administration of the Sacraments.

The Primacy. On Whit-Sunday Peter came forward as the supreme head of the Church. As chief pastor, he was the first to preach and to bring the sheep into the fold.

Proofs of the Divinity of Jesus Christ were drawn by Peter 1. from His Resurrection, when he said: “That God hath raised Jesus from the dead, we all (apostles and disciples) are witnesses”, and not one of the unbelieving Jews ventured to contradict this assertion, or to deny our Lord’s Resurrection; 2. from His Ascension into heaven, where He sitteth at the right hand of God; and 3. by His sending down the Holy Ghost; for were Jesus not God, He could not have sent forth the Holy Spirit.

All sins are remitted by Baptism. St. Peter declares this in his exhortation to his hearers: “Be baptized for the remission of your sins.”

The following prophecies were fulfilled by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost: 1. That of Joel 2. 28; 2. that of Jeremias: “I will give My law in their bowels, and I will write it in their heart. I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer. 31, 33, 34; Old Test. LXXV); 3. that of Ezechiel: “I will put My Spirit in you,

— LXXXIV. DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

and you shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezech. 37, 13. 14; Old Test. LXXV); 4. that of our Lord Himself: “I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Paraclete, that He may abide with you for ever, the Spirit of Truth” (John 14, 16. 17; New Test. LXVI).

The gift of tongues bestowed by the Holy Ghost on the Apostles was a great marvel. Why was this wonderful gift bestowed? 1. To enable the apostles to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and in all languages. 2. To signify that, by the preaching of the Gospel, all men of all nations and languages were to be bound together in one family and one universal Catholic Church. (For the contrast between the gift of tongues at Pentecost, and the confusion of tongues of Babel see Old Test. VIII.) The gift of tongues was often bestowed during the first Christian centuries, so as to facilitate the rapid spreading of the Faith; but once the Faith had been spread by means of miracles, and sealed by the blood of martyrs, the gift of tongues became more rare. It has, however, never entirely ceased in the Church, for St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Francis Xavier, and others possessed this wonderful gift.

APPLICATION. How happy were the first Christians to have Mary in their midst, praying with them, interceding for them, and supporting them by her merits. Share their happiness! Ask her intercession, and implore her to present your petitions at the throne of God. You will pray far more humbly and confidently, if you obtain the intercession of Mary.

How immeasurably great is the love of our God! Not only did He give His only-begotten Son for us, but He also sent the Holy Ghost to remain with us till the end of time. Just think how many graces both the Church and individuals owe to the Holy Ghost! Whenever you say the third glorious mystery of the Rosary, the Descent of the Holy Ghost, thank God with all your heart for this priceless gift.

Most of you have received the Holy Ghost in the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, and Confirmation. Have you kept Him in your hearts, or driven Him from you? It would be a terrible sin to drive away the Holy Ghost from us. St. Paul says (Eph. 4, 30): “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God!” Do not resist His grace! Obey His inspirations! Thank Him for all the precious gifts which He has bestowed on you, and pray to Him daily to enlighten and govern you. “Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful” &c.

The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth: the evil spirit is the spirit of lies. Which of the two governs your life? Whom do you obey? Whenever you tell lies you obey the devil, who is

— LXXXV. A LAME MAN CURED BY PETER AND JOHN.

the father of lies, and you “grieve the Holy Ghost”. Hold, therefore, to the truth, for it is shameful and sinful to tell lies. St. Augustine says that we may not tell a lie, even if by the lie we could save a man’s life.

THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS

[Acts 1, 2, 3, 4]

THERE lived in Casarea¹ a man named Cornelius², a Roman centurion, a devout and God-fearing man, who gave much alms to the poor, and prayed continually. One day an angel appeared to him and said: “Thy prayers and thy alms have ascended for a memorial in the sight of God. Send men to Joppe³, and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He will tell thee what thou must do.” Then the angel disappeared, but Cornelius sent three men, who feared the Lord, to Joppe.

On the following day, as these men were drawing near the city, Peter, waiting for his mid day meal, went up to the house-top to pray. During his prayer he was rapt⁴ in ecstasy. He saw heaven opened, and behold, a great sheet, as it were, was let down by the four corners from heaven to earth. In the sheet there were all manner of four-footed beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and birds of the air. Then a voice came from heaven, saying⁵: “Arise, Peter, kill and eat!“⁶ Peter replied: “Far be it from me, Lord, for I have never eaten any common and unclean thing.“⁷ But the voice spoke to him again: “That

¹ Casarea. Casarea Palastinae (so called to distinguish it from Casarea Philippi, mentioned chapter XXXVI) was situated on the Mediterranean, about a day and a half’s journey north-west of Jerusalem (see Map). This town was the residence of the Roman governor, and was garrisoned by Roman soldiers.

² Cornelius. Cornelius belonged to one of the noblest families of Rome. He was a Gentile, for though he worshipped one God he was neither a Jew (not having been circumcised), nor was he a proselyte or affiliated to the Jews, like the Ethiopian officer of queen Candace.

³ To Joppe. Where Peter had remained, as mentioned in last chapter, after the raising of Tabitha.

⁴ Rapt. His spirit was, as it were, removed from the earth, and he was entirely absorbed in supernatural things.

⁵ Saying. To Peter, who was still kneeling, absorbed in prayer.

⁶ Eat. “Whatever you fancy”. Peter knew that the voice came from God, and thought that God was putting him to the test whether he were faithful in the observance of the Mosaic laws regarding food. Therefore he answered: “Far be it from me, Lord &c.”

⁷ Unclean thing. Anything forbidden by the law to be eaten (see Old Test. VI).

49* — XVII. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS.

which God hath purified$^(1)$ do not thou call common!” This was done three times$^(2)$, after which the vision disappeared.

Whilst Peter was wondering$^(3)$ what this vision might signify, the Spirit of God$^(4)$ spoke within him, saying: “Behold, three men seek thee; arise, therefore, go down, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them."$^(5)$ Immediately Peter went down and met the men whom Cornelius had sent.

Next day he set out with them, and with some of his own disciples, for Caesarea. Here he was met by Cornelius, who, bowing down before Peter, told his vision and all that the angel had said.

Peter then understood his own vision about clean and unclean animals; that is to say that the Gentiles, who had hitherto been considered as unclean, were to be received henceforth into the Church of Christ. Whereupon he announced to Cornelius and his household the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

And opening his mouth, he said: “In very deed I perceive$^(6)$ that God is not a respecter of persons$^(7)$. But in every nation he that feareth Him$^(8)$, and worketh justice, is acceptable to Him. God sent the word$^(9)$ to the children of Israel, preaching peace$^(10)$ by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all$^(11)$). You know$^(12)$ the word which hath been published through all Judæa: for it began from Galilee.

$^(1)$ Hath purified. God has purified all things by the blood of His Son.

$^(2)$ Three times. In order to remove all doubt from Peter’s mind. This vision signified to Peter that all distinctions between clean and unclean food were removed under the New Covenant; and that likewise the distinction between clean and unclean men, between Jew and Gentile, was to cease in the kingdom of God.

$^(3)$ Wondering. For he did not feel at all clear about it. But as soon as the three Gentile messengers came to invite him to go to Cornelius, he understood what the vision had meant, and that the Gentiles as well as the Jews had direct access to the grace of the kingdom of heaven.

$^(4)$ Spirit of God. The Holy Ghost.

$^(5)$ I have sent them. For I have commanded Cornelius, through an angel, to send some one to fetch you.

$^(6)$ I perceive. By experience, by the fact that God has sent me to you.

$^(7)$ A respecter of persons. Whether they be descended from Abraham or not.

$^(8)$ Feareth Him. And obeys the voice of his conscience. $^(9)$ The word. i. e. the revelation of Jesus Christ or the Gospel. $^(10)$ Peace. Redemption and reconciliation. $^(11)$ Of all. All people, not only the people of Israel.

$^(12)$ You know. For Cornelius and his friends, who were, like him, Roman officials, lived in Judæa and often visited Jerusalem, and must have heard a good deal about Jesus.

— XCI. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS.

after the baptism which John preached, Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed¹ by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses² of all things that He did in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they killed, hanging Him upon a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave Him to be made manifest, not to all the people, but to witnesses pre-ordained³ by God, even to us who did eat and drink with Him after He arose again from the dead, and He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it was He who was appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and of the dead. To Him all the prophets⁴ give testimony, that by His Name all receive remission of sins who believe in Him.”

Whilst Peter was yet speaking, the Holy Ghost⁵ came upon all who heard him. Peter and his disciples⁶ were astonished to hear these Gentiles speak in divers tongues, even as the apostles had done on the day of Pentecost. Then Peter said: “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” And he commanded⁷ them all to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From that time forth the Gospel was preached to the Gentiles in various other places. Paul, as Saul was now called, and Barnabas,

¹ Oppressed. Or possessed.

² Witnesses. What you know about Jesus you know only by hearsay, but we, the apostles, know it by experience, having seen with our eyes and heard with our ears all that occurred. Moreover we are not only eye-witnesses, but we are official public witnesses, because sent by Christ to bear witness before the world.

³ Pre-ordained. The apostles were pre-ordained by God, i. e. were chosen from all eternity to be witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

⁴ All the prophets. The prophets foretold this, as, for example, in that passage quoted in Old Test, LV: “In His days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace”, and again in Old Test, LXXV. “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

⁵ The Holy Ghost. When Cornelius and his friends accepted with faith Peter’s words, Almighty God visibly interposed to confirm what His apostle said, and sent down the Holy Ghost in the same manner as He had been sent on the Day of Pentecost.

⁶ His disciples. Who had been Jews, and were known as the Jewish Christians.

⁷ Commanded. This may mean that he ordered his assistants (perhaps deacons) to baptize the household of Cornelius.

— XVII. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS.

his companion, preached especially at Antioch¹, the ancient capital of Syria. There the number of the faithful increased very much; and there, for the first time, the believers in Christ were called Christians², after the Name of their Divine Master and Founder Jesus Christ.

COMMENTARY.

The Catholicity of the Church. The events just related were of the highest importance for the development of the Church. The apostles had known that the Gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles. Soon after their Lord’s Birth, Gentiles had come from afar to worship Him and hail Him as the Saviour of the world; and just before His Ascension Jesus had commanded His apostles to “go and teach all nations”; but the manner and conditions under which Gentiles were to be made Christians, were not yet clearly and distinctly perceived by the apostles. A further and special revelation was necessary to shew that nothing but sincere faith was required, and that none of the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament were to be imposed on them. Peter, therefore, was taught by this wonderful vision that the Jewish ceremonial law was done away with by our Lord; and God’s marvellous and direct interposition in the case of the call of Cornelius taught the apostle that the Gentiles were to be admitted directly into the Christian Church, without first submitting to the rite of circumcision. Thus the reception of Cornelius and his friends into the Church was a most important and decisive moment in her history, for it proved not only her Catholicity, but also her entire independence of Judaism. Moreover, by the conversion of the Roman centurion and his friends a link was formed between the Christian Church and Rome, the capital and mistress of the ancient world, and a road to the centre of civilisation was thrown open to the vicar of Jesus Christ; the development of the infant Church into the Church of the whole world being thus facilitated. God, by giving the impulse to her further development, by His direct intervention in the conversion of the first Gentiles, proved that He ever governs her, and that our Lord was faithful to His promise: “Lo, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.”

The Primacy of Peter. Why was the revelation that the Old Law was done away with, and that Gentiles were to be received into the Church, given to Peter only, and not to the other apostles? And why

¹ Antioch. See Old Test. LXXXIV. The inhabitants of this city numbered about 700,000.

² Christians. The pagans had hitherto regarded the Christians as a mere Jewish sect, but they now perceived that theirs was a religion by itself, and an independent Church, to which the Jews were opposed, and into which both Jews and Gentiles were received. To make, therefore, a distinction between Judaism and Christianity, they gave the name of Christians to the followers of Jesus Christ.

— XII. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS.

did Almighty God refer Cornelius to Peter for instruction, and not to the other apostles, or even to the deacon Philip, who was living in the very same town (Caesarea)? He did so, because to Peter was given the power of the keys of His kingdom, the Church. Peter was the chief pastor of the Church, so to him was assigned the office of receiving the first Gentiles into her fold, even as he had been appointed to admit the first Jews on the Day of Pentecost. He it was who had authority to throw open the gates of salvation to the pagan world.

The graces of Redemption can be received only through the Church. When our Lord Jesus revealed Himself to Saul, He might Himself have imparted to him all necessary instruction, and the grace of regeneration. He did not, however, do so, but sent to him the priest Ananias to teach him and baptize him. Our Blessed Lord acted in the same way regarding the conversion of Cornelius. He neither taught him directly Himself, nor by the mouth of an angel, but commanded him to send for Peter, and hear his words. Nor did the wonderful outpouring of the Holy Ghost on Cornelius and his companions make Baptism superfluous; for each one had to be baptized, and be thus received into the Church by her ministers. It is only by the exercise of the three-fold teaching, pastoral, and priestly-office of the Church, that men can be united and reconciled to our Lord Jesus Christ. He who despises and neglects the means of grace entrusted to the Church cannot receive grace; and he who says that the priesthood is unnecessary, fails into a most fatal error. St. Paul writes thus (1 Cor. 4, 1): “Let a man so account of us as the ministers of God, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.”

Baptism is the first and most necessary of the Sacraments. The Holy Ghost descended visibly on Cornelius and his companions, and imparted to them the gift of tongues, in order to convince the Jewish Christians that the Gentiles need not first become Jews before they could receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost. This outpouring of the Holy Ghost prepared them for a worthy reception of holy Baptism, but it was only by their Baptism that they received the grace of regeneration, and became members of the Body of Christ, that is, His Church.

The good works of sinners. Cornelius was convinced of the nothingness of the pagan gods, and believed in One Invisible God, the Creator of heaven and earth. He also observed the moral law which God has written in the hearts of men, and which He revealed in the ten Commandments. He constantly prayed to God for guidance and knowledge of the truth; and he supplemented his prayers by works of mercy and almsgiving. Now, these good works of prayer and almsgiving were indeed supernatural good works, but still could not directly merit for Cornelius everlasting happiness, for only those good works which are performed in a state of sanctifying grace have meritorious value for heaven. Because Cornelius corresponded with divine grace, he received the further gift of faith, and by Baptism received sanctifying grace.

— XVII. THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS. The following virtues are to be found in Cornelius:

1. He was religious, for he prayed continually, and honoured God, and according to his lights strove after religious truth.

2. He was conscientious, for, as far as his conscience taught him, he observed God’s commandments, obeyed the will of God, and kept himself from sin.

3. He was charitable and compassionate, working for the good of his neighbour. He practised not only the corporal but also the spiritual works of mercy, by inviting his friends to hear the words of Peter, and thus leading them to the true faith.

4. He was obedient to God’s command to send for Peter, and he thereby obtained salvation.

5. He was humble. If he had said to himself: “What can an uneducated fisherman like Peter do for me, a cultivated Roman?” he would not have obtained the gift of faith in Jesus Christ.

6. He believed the word of God, as it was announced to him by Peter, and therefore he received the gift of faith from the Holy Ghost, and the grace of Baptism.

Indifferentism in matters of faith. The sentence in Peter’s discourse: “In every nation he that feareth God and worketh justice is acceptable to Him”, has been interpreted by people either indifferent about, or weak in faith, to mean: “It is all the same what people believe, or what religious creed they profess, if only they live good lives.” Now is this principle, that religion and faith are matters of indifference, correct? No! it is utterly false and un-Christian, and that for these reasons: 1. Peter did not say: “Faith does not signify”; for he was, on the contrary, most anxious to convert Cornelius to the true faith; but his words meant rather that nationality does not signify—it does not matter what nation a man belongs to, for all nations are called to believe in Jesus Christ, and all persons, to whatever nation they may belong, are acceptable to Him, if, as Cornelius did, they keep the commandments and strive after a knowledge of the truth. Such men, being acceptable to God, are called by Him to believe the true faith, and thereby obtain salvation. 2. Peter, at the end of his discourse, expressly teaches that no one can obtain forgiveness of sins but through faith in Jesus (compare with this his words in chapter LXXXV: “There is no other Name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved”; Acts 4, 12). 3. If no account was to be made of holding the true faith, St. Peter need not have preached to Cornelius, and need not have baptized him. 4. If it be a matter of indifference what faith a man holds, then the whole revelation of God would have been unnecessary, and it would have been quite superfluous for our Lord Jesus Christ to have come into the world, to have taught the true faith, and founded His Church. 5. The principle that it does not signify what a man believes is in direct opposition to the teaching of the Gospels, in which we find our

— XCHL. PETER IN PRISON.

Blessed Lord so often demanding faith in Himself and His doctrine (see, for example, chapter XV). There is only one true God, one Saviour, and one true faith, which Jesus Christ taught and bequeathed to the Church that He founded. Any indifference in matters of faith, or any admiration of it in others must come from a want of firm religious convictions, and is a grievous sin against faith.

The name of Christian means a disciple and adherent, a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a glorious title to bear, and is a continual exhortation to us who do bear it, to cling to our Lord by a firm faith and true love, to keep His commandments, and to follow His example.

APPLICATION. You may take example from the centurion Cornelius. He was not a Christian, and yet he feared God; he prayed continually, and did good to his neighbour. You are a Christian, and yet how lukewarm and negligent you are in your prayers! How little account you make of sin! How little love you bear to your neighbour!

CHAPTER XCHL. PETER IN PRISON (A. D. 42). Acts 12, 1-25

HEROD Agrippa¹, grandson of that Herod who had caused the little children of Bethlehem to be slaughtered, was now reigning in Judaea. Wishing to find favour with the Jews, he began to persecute the disciples of Jesus; and having put James² the brother of John to death, he caused Peter³ to be arrested and thrown into prison.

As it was the time of the Jewish Passover, Herod gave the apostle in charge to four files⁴ of soldiers, that they might guard him till after the festival time, when he meant to put him to

¹ Herod Agrippa. Was a brother of the wicked Herodias (see chapter XXXII). He had been brought up in Rome, and was the friend of the Roman emperors Caligula and Claudius. These emperors gradually gave him complete dominion over Palestine, as well as the title of king. The Jews detested him both for his pagan tendencies and for the favour in which he stood at Rome, and it was in order to make himself more popular with them that he persecuted the Christians.

² James. Known as St. James the Greater. He was the first among the apostles to give his life for his Master.

³ Peter. Who, as supreme pastor of the Church, was especially hateful to the unbelieving Jews.

⁴ To four files. Each file consisting of four soldiers. — XCHL. PETER IN PRISON.

death publicly. But prayer$^(1)$ was made unceasingly by the infant Church for Peter.

Now, on the night preceding the day on which he was to be put to death, Peter, being bound with two chains, slept between two soldiers$^(2)$. The other soldiers kept watch at the door of the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter, and a bright light shone all around. The angel struck Peter on the side and awakened him, saying: “Arise quickly!” He did so, and the chains fell from off his hands. Then the angel spoke to him: “Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals and follow me!” Peter obeyed, not knowing, however, whether it$^(3)$ were a dream$^(4)$ or a reality.

Going out, they passed through the first and second ward or watch, and came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened of itself before them. But when they came out of the prison yard, and had passed along one street, the angel disappeared.

Then Peter, coming to himself$^(5)$, found it was not a dream, and exclaimed: “Now I know in very deed that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation$^(6)$ of the people of the Jews.”

He then went to the house of Mark$^(7)$, where many Christians were assembled in prayer. When Peter knocked at the door, a young girl named Rhode came to listen$^(8)$. On hearing and recognising Peter’s voice the girl was so delighted that she forgot to open the door, and ran in haste to tell the others. But they supposed that she had lost her mind. Yet she insisted that

$^(1)$ Prayer. That he might be delivered from death.

$^(2)$ Two soldiers. With one hand chained to each soldier. He slept soundly and calmly, in spite of the knowledge that he was to be put to death next morning; for his conscience was at peace, and he was entirely resigned to the will of God.

$^(3)$ It. i. e. what he saw and heard.

$^(4)$ A dream. For he was still heavy with sleep, and had not quite come to the right use of his senses.

$^(5)$ To himself. To a full and clear consciousness.

$^(6)$ The expectation. From all that the Jews expected to happen to him, i. e. his execution.

$^(7)$ Mark. Or of Mary the mother of Mark, in whose house a number of the faithful had assembled, in the stillness of the night, in order to pray for their chief pastor. This Mark was in later years one of the Evangelists, and was the special follower or disciple of St. Peter.

$^(8)$ Listen. Who was outside. — XCH. PETER IN PRISON.

Peter was really at the gate. Then they said that it must be his angel¹.

Meanwhile Peter continued knocking. When the door was at length opened, and they saw that it was indeed Peter, every one was struck with amazement. Their wonder increased when they heard how the angel of the Lord had delivered him from prison.

When morning came, and Peter was not be found, the guards were filled with consternation. And well they might be, for Herod, hearing of Peter’s escape², caused them all to be put to death.

Herod himself did not long escape the punishment which his impiety and cruelty deserved. He had gone to Cæsarea³ and was seated on his throne in kingly state, to receive some foreign ambassadors⁴. He delivered an oration which drew from the people⁵ the wildest acclamation. They said he spoke as a god and not as a man. This absurd and senseless flattery was very acceptable to the tyrant. He was well pleased to be considered as a god⁶. But immediately the angel of the Lord struck him with a terrible and loathsome disease, and he expired in fearful torments. “But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.“⁷

COMMENTARY.

God’s protection of His Holy Church. Herod and the Jews thought that by putting her head to death they would deal a death-blow to the

¹ His angel. His guardian angel. The assembled Christians thought it far more probable that the apostle’s guardian angel should have assumed his voice for the purpose of delivering some last message from him, than that Peter himself should be standing outside, alive and free.

² Peter’s escape. Peter had, at once, gone to “another place”. As he was not safe in any part of Herod’s territory, he left Palestine (A. D. 42) and went to Rome, where he preached the Gospel to the many Jews who lived there, and founded a Christian community in the capital of the pagan world.

³ Cæsarea. Cæsarea Palestine (see chapter XCII). ⁴ Ambassadors. From Tyre and Sidon. ⁵ The people. The pagans who were present.

⁶ As a god. Herod took pleasure in this fulsome and blasphemous flattery, instead of repudiating it and giving the glory to the One True God. So the angel of the Lord struck him with a loathsome disease similar to that of which his grandfather (chapter IX) and, earlier still, the tyrant Antiochus (Old Test. LXXXV) had died.

⁷ Increased and multiplied. That is, the Christian faith increased in power and in the numbers of its adherents.

— XCH. PETER IN PRISON.

Church of God. But God confounded their wicked plans by miraculously freeing Peter from prison on what was meant to be the last night of his life, and when everything was made ready for his execution. Every precaution had been taken to prevent his escape; he was actually chained to two soldiers: a guard stood before the door of his prison, and a little further off there was placed a second guard; and the iron gate which led into the outer street was firmly barred and bolted. The unbelieving Jews were looking forward with jubilation to the coming morning, when the apostle whom they so bitterly hated was to be put to death; they never even thought of his rescue and escape as a possibility! However, man proposes, but God disposes. The Lord God exercised His almighty power, the chains fell from Peter’s hands, the iron gate was thrown open, and Peter, guided by an angel, passed out of the prison into the city, without anyone being able to stop him! This great miracle increased the number of believers, and was the cause of the further extension of the Church.

The power of prayer. Peter’s wonderful deliverance was the fruit of the common and persevering prayer of the Christians. The captivity and approaching death of its Supreme Pastor was a terrible trial to the infant Church. The faithful, however, did not give themselves over to sadness and discouragement, but prayed earnestly and confidently to the Lord of the Church to help them in their distress. The Christians of Jerusalem sent the sad news of the danger which threatened their common father to all the other Christian communities at Samaria, Joppe, Damascus, Antioch, and so forth; and everywhere the faithful joined together to pray in common for the head of the Church. The whole Church was on her knees supplicating Him who had said to her: “Lo, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.” Scripture says that the faithful prayed without ceasing. They prayed by day and by night, and did not lose hope although the days were running by without, apparently, bringing help. Then - in the middle of the very last night Peter was set free and given back to the sorrowing Church. When the need is greatest, God is nearest!

The sins of Herod Agrippa. Herod sinned grievously, 1. by mercilessly persecuting the Church of God; 2. by allowing divine honour to be paid him, without protest. Although he was a Jew and knew the true God, yet, blinded by a senseless pride, he complacently accepted the blasphemous flattery that he was a god and not a man! This filled the measure of his sins, and the punishment of divine justice overtook him. Hardly had he accepted the blasphemous adulation before he was seized with the most intense physical pains, and died after five days of terrible agony. Thus Almighty God proved to him and his flatterers that he was no supernatural being, but a truly miserable mortal man.

Sharing the guilt of the sins of others. The Jews, by expressing satisfaction at the murder of St. James, made themselves participators

— XCIV. PAUL’S FIRST MISSION.

in Herod’s sin, and incited him to proceed to violent measures against the prince of the apostles.

Guardian angels. It is evident that the very earliest Christians believed in guardian angels, this being proved by the words which escaped from the lips of those assembled in the house of Mary, the mother of Mark: “It is his angel!”

The depravity of paganism. The pagans of the Roman Empire had, at this time, sunk to such a depth of depravity that they paid divine honour not only to the emperors who were dead, but also to those who were living, and even to the favourites, dancers, and wrestlers of the emperor, no matter how debased and immoral they were.

APPLICATION. You should learn from the example of the first Christians how great a duty it is for all the faithful to pray for their bishops and priests, and especially for the supreme head of the Church, our Holy Father the Pope. Our present Holy Father (Pius X.) is also surrounded by enemies. He is outraged, calumniated, hated, robbed of his possessions and liberty, and is virtually a prisoner. He needs the prayers and assistance of all his children.

Acts 1:12

THE TWELVE APOSTLES IN PRISON.—GAMALIEL’S COUNSEL

[Acts 1, 12—47]

THE apostles wrought many signs and wonders among the people. The sick were brought out into the streets on beds and couches, so that at least the shadow¹ of Peter might fall upon them, and they might be cured. By the daily repetition of these prodigies, the number of believers was wonderfully increased. “Then the High Priest² rising up and all they that

¹ The shadow. Of Peter it is recorded that even his shadow sufficed to work a miracle upon those who believed. This is noteworthy.

² High Priest. Caphas. — LXXXVII. THE TWELVE APOSTLES IN PRISON.—GAMALIEL’S COUNSEL.

were with him (which is the heresy of the Sadducees) were filled with envy. And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.”

But an angel of the Lord came by night, and opening the doors of the prison led them forth, saying: “Go, and, standing, speak in the Temple to the people the words of life!“¹ Hearing this they went into the Temple, at the dawn of day, and taught.

The chief priests were enraged when they heard that the apostles were again teaching in the Temple. They gave orders to have them immediately arrested, and put in prison. Then the apostles were again brought before the Council, and the elders said: “We commanded you that you should not teach in this Name². Behold you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.” Peter³ and the apostles answered: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus whom you put to death, hanging Him upon a tree. Him God hath exalted with His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel⁴, and remission of sins.”

When the priests and ancients heard these things they were filled with anger⁵, and thought to put the apostles to death. But one of the Council, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, and respected by all the people, rising up, commanded the men to be removed for a little time. He then addressed the Council, saying: “Ye men of Israel, consider with yourselves what you are about to do with these men. If this work⁶ be of men, it will fall to nothing. But if it be of God, you are not able to

¹ The words of life. Namely, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is life, and gives life to all who believe.

² In this Name. They spoke in this way, because they hated Jesus so much that they could not bring themselves to pronounce His Name.

³ Peter answered in the name of the other apostles. He now boldly confessed our Lord before the High Priest himself, whereas, but a few weeks before, he had not had the courage to confess Him before one of his maid servants.

⁴ To Israel. Our Lord was primarily the Saviour of Israel, that people being called before all others to receive remission of their sins, to do penance, and be converted.

⁵ With anger. They remained hardened, and resolved to kill the apostles. And they would have carried out their resolution, had not Gamaliel warned them against doing anything rash.

⁶ This work. The apostles’ mission and doctrine. — LXXXVII. THE TWELVE APOSTLES IN PRISON.—GAMALIEL’S COUNSEL. 751

destroy it¹, lest, perhaps, you be found to oppose God.” They agreed with Gamaliel, and calling in the apostles, they scourged them² and charged them to speak no more in the Name of Jesus.

But the apostles went forth from the presence of the Council rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the Name³ of Jesus. They went daily to the Temple, and from house to house, teaching and preaching to the people, proclaiming everywhere the glory and power of the Crucified Saviour of the world.

COMMENTARY.

Jesus is King and Lord of all the redeemed, and the Supreme Head of the Church, Militant, Suffering, and Triumphant. Jesus being our Lord and King, it follows that we ought to serve Him, do His will in all things, and follow His example.

The Primacy and Supremacy of Peter. God gave special miraculous powers to Peter, so as to distinguish him as the supreme head on earth of His Church. If the sick were brought near him — even within reach of his shadow — they were cured. There is nothing less substantial or less real than a shadow, and yet our Lord worked miracles by even the shadow of His vicar. The primacy of Peter was also signified by his being always the one to speak in the name of the other apostles.

The Indestructibility of the Church is a proof of her divine origin, or, in other words, that she is founded by God. The wise Gamaliel’s words were very true! “If this work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it.” All human works, doctrines and contrivances pass away in time, and only those which have their foundation in the Eternal God endure. The Church of Christ has survived all persecutions, all heresies, and all the divisions of kingdoms and races, and is spreading herself continuously, in spite

¹ Not able to destroy it. Even if you kill the apostles, Gamaliel, therefore, admitted the possibility that the teaching of the apostles came from God. Tradition tells us that Gamaliel himself subsequently became a Christian

² Scourged them. To satisfy their hatred to some extent they had the apostles scourged. The Jewish scourging was not such a terrible punishment as the Roman scourging which was inflicted on our Blessed Lord, but nevertheless it was painful and degrading. As the Jewish law (Deuteronomy 25, 3) prescribed that the number of strokes given was not to exceed forty, the scourge used was divided into three things, with which thirteen strokes were given, so that the total number of strokes received was thirty-nine.

³ For the Name. On account of their faith in Jesus. — 752 LXXXVII. THE TWELVE APOSTLES IN PRISON.—GAMALIEL’S COUNSEL.

of antagonism and pressure from without. She is at this day, after more than nineteen hundred years of existence, as full of vigour as ever, and in a wonderful state of unity and stability. She is the pillar and ground of Christian truth, and is deeply loved by the millions who have the happiness of being her children. She has no armies to protect her; but she is overshadowed by the protection of the Most High, whose only-begotten Son founded and built her on the rock of Peter. As, then, the Church is indestructible, and as the gates of hell cannot prevail against her, she must be a divine work and institution.

How a Christian ought to regard sufferings. The apostles did not merely suffer patiently, for the sake of Jesus, but they suffered joyfully. Sufferings were a joy to them, and they esteemed ignominy an honour! That which the children of this world would look on as a misfortune, the holy apostles considered to be a happiness! And why? 1. Because faith taught them that Christ would reward their present sufferings with eternal happiness. “Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 2. Because their love of Jesus made all suffering sweet to them. As their Lord had suffered so much shame and pain for them, they were willing to suffer something for Him, in order to return love for love, and to be like their Master even in His sufferings.

Courageous performance of duty. The council first threatened the apostles, and then, when they persisted in preaching, cast them into prison, and finally scourged them. They could plainly see that they would be persecuted and punished further still, unless they refrained from preaching the Gospel, but all the same they fearlessly continued to do the work which their Lord had given them to do. They did not allow threats, or punishment, or even the fear of death to turn them from doing the will of their Divine Master.

The Liberty of the Church. By His miraculous deliverance of the apostles from prison, Almighty God showed it was His will that they should be free to preach the Gospel, and that no human power was to interfere. The Church in her threefold office is instituted by God, and is independent of all human authority; and therefore St. Peter solemnly affirmed: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” “This solemn and authoritative repudiation of obedience in face of the synagogue was”, says Reischl, “one of the most splendid episodes in the world’s history. By it the Church, on God’s authority, asserted her independence. At the same time she challenged the secular power, and opened the chapter of her long history of martyrdom.”

— — —

APPLICATION. Is Jesus King of your heart? Do you love Him above all things? Do you do His holy will in all things? Does the Spirit of Christ reign in your heart, or the spirit of

— LXXXVIII. ELECTION AND ORDINATION OF DEACONS.

worldliness, pleasure and pride? Each morning at Mass, during the priest’s communion, say: “Come, O Jesus, into my heart; reign in it, and drive from it all that is displeasing to Thee. Make it humble, pure, and holy.”