When we talk about the leadership groups among our ancient Jewish ancestors, we are often left asking: who were the Sadducees, who were the Pharisees, who were the Essenes, how many groups of leaders were there, and what distinguished each?
The Sadducees were unique for several reasons, one of which was that they only accepted the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch) as inspired, and they rejected later teachings accepted by others. Nor did they believe in a personal Messiah, but only in a “Messianic age.” They also were seen as collaborators with the Romans, and it was partly because they feared the reaction of the Romans that they wanted to get rid of the new “Jesus movement” which could arouse the suspicions of the Roman authorities. Caiaphas had said during Jesus’ trial: “It is better that one man die for the people than that our whole nation be destroyed.” The Acts of the Apostles (5, 17-26, for example) describes just such a situation.
Acts 5 tells us that the main motive for the Sadducees’ displeasure with St. Peter and the others was jealousy. The Apostles were attracting large crowds, apart from the fact that they were disseminating a “doctrine” which the Sadducees denounced. So they had the Apostles arrested, punished, and thrown into the public jail.
This is a pattern that recurs throughout the entire history of the Church and indeed among all those who fight in this world today for truth and justice. Untold numbers of Christians (and others) in every part of the world have found themselves in jail for their faith. Across the world today, there are believers in jails, detention camps, and labor camps. Our hope is that they will experience the protection of God who can give them courage and peace and a sense of liberation (even if they may not always be miraculously released, as were the Apostles). Let us never to forget to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith.
“Eternal Father, you created us in your own image and likeness, but sin has warped the minds and hearts of many. Throughout the world there is so much injustice and so much carelessness of the rights of people. We pray that you will right all the wrongs that are taking place in our world and vindicate those that are being treated unjustly. Keep us from trying to take matters into our own hands, for vengeance is yours and you will repay – but, Lord, in your grace and mercy we pray that you would give justice to all those that have been unfairly treated or persecuted for their faith. Please draw them into your loving and saving arms. We ask this in the Name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.”
