"Be as cunning as serpents ..."

As I was reading the memorable story of Paul creating havoc in the Sanhedrin where the Jewish elders were called to a meeting to make clear what their charges were against Paul, I am reminded of Jesus saying from Matthew 10:16 - "Behold I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Paul's cunning exploitation of the division between Pharisees and Sadducees brought about a riot because Paul urged his fellow Pharisees to reject the claim that he should be put on trial for professing faith in the resurrection of the dead. At times it may be necessary to exploit divisions or conflicts if it helps to bring out the truth. We can think of the words and writing of such great prophets as Dietrich Bonhoeffer or Óscar Romero who were not afraid to challenge their own peoples, in Germany and El Salvador, and speak the truth. They both paid the price and so did Paul. But their words, their claims, came from the ability to look through to the heart of the systems that were responsibility for killing so many people. Let us pray for those who continue to act with cunning, even at the risk of their own lives, in order to ensure that people hear the truth and be challenged to make a stand for goodness and life.