Peter was being challenged and persecuted because he was doing a good deed, and the political establishment didn’t like it! How often in our world does the political establishment persecute people doing good things while it supports those doing bad things? Which side do we support?
The second reading follows up on this when it states, “the reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” How many people call themselves believers in God, or even believers in Jesus who do not live like they do or treat others as Jesus has taught?
How many people are willing to do the right thing in the face of adversity or political opposition? How many are in politics because they do so for pay, self-advancement, or other agenda and have no concern for the sheep? Do we pay attention to that or elect or keep re-electing them anyways. I remember someone telling me the only reason they voted for one person, who they admit wasn’t a good person, was because if they didn’t their brother would be out of a job.
Are we following the good shepherd and willing to lose money, power, position, to do the right thing for the sheep instead of other agendas?
Countenance of God 