4/1/2016 – Acts 4: 1-12 – Friday of first week of Easter –

       The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the formation of the Early Church.  In the first days of the Easter season, we always hear first readings from Acts, about the formation of the Early Church after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  For the last couple of days during the first week of the Easter season, we have been hearing about how the healing of a lame man gave Peter and John the opportunity to address the crowds about their need for repentance, about the reality of the risen Christ, and about how our faith in Jesus can work miracles in our lives.  Not only did Peter and John attract the attention of the crowd, but they also attracted the attention of the Sadducees, the head of the temple guards, and the chief priests.  John and Peter were afraid after the death and crucifixion of Jesus, afraid that the same thing would happen to them.  Their fears were justified, for the authorities take Peter and John into custody.  However, like Jesus himself, they use these opportunities for evangelization and as moments where they can minister to others. Peter and John take advantage of this opportunity to address the elders and to proclaim their message, specifically that the name of Jesus is the only name that truly saves.  Although the disciples were terrified and fearful for their own lives, they use that feat as the starting point to make sense of the resurrection after the risen Christ starts appearing to them.  Little by little, they become more energized and more confident, courageously bringing the message of Christ’s resurrection to the world, even to those important elders of the Jewish community in Jerusalem who held all of the power & influence in that society, those who are so reluctant to hear this message.   We may be holding onto fears.  We may be struggling with doubt and confusion and a lack of understanding about our faith, about our vocation, about where God is leading us, about where the world is headed.  Let us use those things as starting points to grow in our faith, to reach out to others on our journey.