In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructed His disciples to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16). The first reading shows how that is done in the person of Paul. Arrested and cornered, Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin to be tried. Knowing that the odds were stacked against him, Paul saw an opportunity for escape when he noticed that half of the council was made up of Sadducees and the other, Pharisees. For the benefit of the modern believer, both groups were Jews but with a fundamental difference in their beliefs. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, angels or spirits, while the Pharisees professed the existence of all three. By proclaiming that he was on trial for being a Pharisee who believes in the resurrection, Paul unwittingly divided the Sanhedrin with the Pharisees supporting him. This split what was previously a united council out for his blood. In the mayhem that ensued, Paul was safely brought back to the fortress by the Roman tribune whose idea it was to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin in the first place.

Jesus assures His disciples who witness to the Good News that not a hair on their heads will perish (cf Lk 21:18) when persecution comes. Coupled with the astuteness of disciples who are wise as serpents but innocent as doves, the Holy Spirit will give each an eloquence that no enemy can match.