If you happen to be with an atheist
who tells you that he does not believe in God, you can read him the whole
library, where it says that God exists, and where it is proven that God exists,
and he will not believe. [However] if in the presence of this same atheist you
witness to a consistent, Christian life, something will begin to work in his
heart…. It will be your witness that brings him the restlessness on which the
Holy Spirit works.—Pope Francis Homily, Domus Sanctae Marthae, February 27,
2014
Scripture Text: (ACTS 4:13-21)
Observing the boldness of Peter and
John
and perceiving them to be uneducated,
ordinary men,
the leaders, elders, and scribes were
amazed,
and they recognized them as the
companions of Jesus.
Then when they saw the man who had
been cured standing there with them,
they could say nothing in reply.
So they ordered them to leave the
Sanhedrin,
and conferred with one another,
saying,
"What are we to do with these
men?
Everyone living in Jerusalem knows
that a remarkable sign
was done through them, and we cannot
deny it.
But so that it may not be spread any
further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this
name."
So they called them back
and ordered them not to speak or teach
at all in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John, however, said to them
in reply,
"Whether it is right in the sight
of God
for us to obey you rather than God,
you be the judges.
It is impossible for us not to speak
about what we have seen and heard."
After threatening them further,
they released them,
finding no way to punish them,
on account of the people who were all
praising God
for what had happened.
Christ is at work in my life. This I
know. Lent and Easter have given me the opportunity again this year to
reflect on the promise of life everlasting, and how that promise has been made
to me through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. How can I deny it and
how can I not willingly, gratefully share it? In Star Wars, Yoda
admonished “There is NO 'try' – there is only 'do'”. I need to exercise
in this apostolic effort the same discipline necessary for any other
healthy behavior like eating well or moving my body every day. Perhaps this is
true for you, also?
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