SPEAKER_00: In the first reading, Peter says, We must obey God rather than men.
SPEAKER_00: That sounds strong, clear, convincing.
SPEAKER_00: Until you actually have to live it.
SPEAKER_00: Because it's easy to follow God when it doesn't cost you anything, when everyone agrees, when it fits your life, when it's comfortable.
SPEAKER_00: And in some way it fits your narrative.
SPEAKER_00: But that's not this moment.
SPEAKER_00: The apostles are standing in front of the same leaders who had killed Jesus.
SPEAKER_00: They're being told very clearly stop.
SPEAKER_00: Stop speaking, stop teaching, stop using his name.
SPEAKER_00: But they have a decision.
SPEAKER_00: Stay safe or stay faithful.
SPEAKER_00: And Peter answers, we must obey God rather than men.
SPEAKER_00: Now don't miss this.
SPEAKER_00: He doesn't say, I feel like this is the right thing to do.
SPEAKER_00: He doesn't say, Well, this is my personal truth.
SPEAKER_00: He says, We must.
SPEAKER_00: Meaning, this is no longer an option.
SPEAKER_00: Once you've encountered the risen Christ, once you know what is true, you don't get to pick and choose anymore.
SPEAKER_00: And that's exactly what the gospel is getting at.
SPEAKER_00: Jesus says, the one who comes from above is above all.
SPEAKER_00: In other words, there is truth that is not ours to create.
SPEAKER_00: There is a truth that lies outside of you.
SPEAKER_00: There is a voice that is not equal to all others.
SPEAKER_00: There's a reality that does not just adjust to our preferences.
SPEAKER_00: And here's where this becomes real.
SPEAKER_00: Because we live in a world that says, follow your feelings, follow your instincts, follow what seems right for you.
SPEAKER_00: Look out for number one.
SPEAKER_00: But the gospel says, no, no, follow him.
SPEAKER_00: Because there will be moments in your life, and you already know this, when what God is asking of you and what the world is telling you are not the same thing.
SPEAKER_00: And how you live your relationships, how you respond to your spouse, and how you handle truth and what you say and what you refuse to say by the standards you choose to live by.
SPEAKER_00: It's in those moments you will feel pressure.
SPEAKER_00: Pressure to blend in, to stay quiet.
SPEAKER_00: Don't make any waves.
SPEAKER_00: Go along to get along.
SPEAKER_00: But there's this moment.
SPEAKER_00: That's the Sanhedrin.
SPEAKER_00: That's the world saying, just stop.
SPEAKER_00: Don't make any noise.
SPEAKER_00: Blend in.
SPEAKER_00: Peter says, we can't.
SPEAKER_00: Not because he's stubborn, but because he's a changed man.
SPEAKER_00: Remember, this is the same Peter who denied Jesus, the same Peter who backed down under pressure.
SPEAKER_00: And now he stands firm.
SPEAKER_00: Why?
SPEAKER_00: Well, because he knows something.
SPEAKER_00: We are witnesses.
SPEAKER_00: That's what he says.
SPEAKER_00: He's not defending an idea.
SPEAKER_00: He's not promoting some beautiful, nice philosophy.
SPEAKER_00: He's speaking about a person that he has encountered.
SPEAKER_00: And that's the difference.
SPEAKER_00: Because when your faith is just an idea, you can adjust it.
SPEAKER_00: You can soften it.
SPEAKER_00: You can keep it private.
SPEAKER_00: But when your faith is an encounter with a person, you can't pretend it didn't happen.
SPEAKER_00: So here's the question for you today.
SPEAKER_00: Whose voice is shaping your life?
SPEAKER_00: When you make decisions, when are you pressure under pressure?
SPEAKER_00: When it would be easier to compromise?
SPEAKER_00: Do you follow what is easiest?
SPEAKER_00: Or do you follow what is true?
SPEAKER_00: Because at some point, every disciple has to answer that question.
SPEAKER_00: And let's be clear.
SPEAKER_00: This is not about being loud, it's about being faithful.
SPEAKER_00: It's about having a quiet, steady conviction, something that is worked on in baby steps, one foot in front of the other.
SPEAKER_00: Even if it costs me, even if it's uncomfortable, even if I stand alone, I'm gonna follow Christ.
SPEAKER_00: Because here's the promise in the gospel: whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.
SPEAKER_00: That's the promise.
SPEAKER_00: Not temporary approval, not comfort, life.
SPEAKER_00: So don't trade that.
SPEAKER_00: Don't trade that for something smaller.
SPEAKER_00: Don't trade it for what the world wants to convince you of.
SPEAKER_00: Stay grounded.
SPEAKER_00: Stay clear.
SPEAKER_00: See the objective.
SPEAKER_00: Stay faithful.
SPEAKER_00: Make Christ your priority.
SPEAKER_00: And when you choose to obey God, you don't lose your life.
SPEAKER_00: That's when you finally begin to live life to the fullest.
SPEAKER_00: Amen.