During Lent, we heard from different prophets in our first readings, prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. These prophets called the people of Ancient Israel to repentant and convert their hearts. During the Easter season, we hear about the establishment and growth of the Early Church after the death and resurrection of Jesus in the first readings of the daily masses. In our reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about 3,000 people who were baptized in response to the message that they heard preached by Peter. Think of how, just several days ago on Good Friday, we heard the crowds cry out in the midst of Christ’s passion, “Crucify him” Some of those in those crowds who wanted Jesus to die could have been some of the very ones who responded to Peter’s call of repentance & baptism after Christ’s death and resurrection. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that the people “were cut to the heart” when they realized that Jesus, who was just crucified, was made Christ and Lord by God.
We never know what is going to change someone’s heart and bring him to the faith. Sometimes we hear about a dramatic conversion that happens in an instant, such as Paul being knocked off his horse. However, most conversions are more gradual and occur over time. For example, the conversion of St Francis of Assisi was not accomplished in an instant, but developed over time. Francis spent long period of time in prayer, he spent solitary time in a cave, and gradually respond to a call from God to reach out to the poor and the outcast. Sometimes, it is an seemingly ordinary act in the course of our day that have the most profound affect upon us. Like the crowd that Peter addressed that day, may we also be cut to the heart as we contemplate the mysteries of Christ’s resurrection during this holy season of Easter. May the Lord speak to us during the Easter season. May he continue to convert and touch our minds and our hearts.
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