The Holy Apostle James, Brother of Saint John the Theologian (c. 44)
Acts 5:21-33; Acts 12:1-11; John 6:14-27; Luke 5:1-11
Polyeleos Feast
Read Acts 5:21-33
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
This story should sound familiar to us! At Pascha we celebrated an empty and guarded tomb while in today’s reading we hear about an empty guarded prison. If we have been following our Lord throughout the Church year we shouldn’t be surprised, as He told His disciples (and us!) that they would do what He did and even greater things than Him!
Just as our Lord taught in the temple and enraged the authorities so to do His disciples. Just as He was obedient unto death the disciples also remain obedient to the Father’s will despite the threats of the chief priests. We have been given an example by our Lord, not as a history lesson or a museum exhibit, but as an example to be followed. The cross is for all Christians and so is the Resurrection!
St. John Chrysostom comments:
And observe, by report of others they are apprised of all the circumstances: they see the prison remaining closed with safety, and the guards standing before the doors. A twofold security is here, as was the case at the sepulcher, having both the seal and the men to watch. See how they fought against God! Say, was this, that befell them, of human doing? Who led them forth when the doors were shut? How did they come out with guards standing before the door? In truth, they must be mad or drunken to talk so. Here are men whom neither prison nor bonds nor closed doors had been able to keep in; and yet they expect to overpower them. Such is their childish folly! Their officers come and confess what has taken place, as if on purpose to debar them from all show of reason. Do you mark how there is miracle upon miracle, differing in kind, some wrought by them, others on them, and these more illustrious than the others? (HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13.11)