Saturday within the Octave of Easter

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.

It is amazing to think that in less than three days, Peter has gone from denying and fleeing from the trial of Christ to proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. So, too, John has gone from fleeing from the guards in the garden to standing before the people who put Jesus to death. The Sanhedrin might perceive Peter and John as uneducated and perhaps even weak, but they get caught up in their own superiority and fail to see the truth before them. These men have been changed. Their hearts have been deeply converted and this in combination with the gifts of the Holy Spirit gives them a power the elders and scribes can’t anticipate. They think that just like Jesus, this upstart faith will die, but they don’t understand what the Resurrection means to the disciples of Christ. It means hope and hope can’t be told to be quiet. No. Hope shouts the truth that sets us all free. That Jesus is arisen.

How has the Resurrection of Jesus changed our lives? How can we proclaim the Good News like Peter and John? How can we make ourselves into embodiments of hope for all whom we meet?

O Lord, make us bold in proclaiming your holy word.

Amen.