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Acts 5:17-26

The high priest rose up and all his companions,
that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
“Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life.”
When they heard this,
they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.
When the high priest and his companions arrived,
they convened the Sanhedrin,
the full senate of the children of Israel,
and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,
so they came back and reported,
“We found the jail securely locked
and the guards stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,
they were at a loss about them,
as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them,
“The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area
and are teaching the people.”
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,
but without force,
because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

The Word of the Lord.

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If you want to understand God, then look at nature.

There’s an invisible, persistent force in nature that is determined to thrive. Even in the harshest circumstances, life can be found.

I’ve seen trees growing on the side of a mountain face; flowers blossoming in tiny cracks on a sidewalk; cacti standing tall in the desert heat.

Nature never gives up. Wherever life is possible, growth springs up.

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The same idea is true with God. Wherever there is a heart open to faith, God shows up. The Spirit will not be stopped until disciples are made of “all nations.”

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In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Sadducees have had the Apostles arrested for a second time. 

They thought this budding religious movement would’ve been squashed after they nailed Jesus to a tree. But reports are circulating that he’s been raised from the dead.

Making matters “worse,” the Apostles have somehow broken out of prison and are back in the Temple area preaching in Christ’s name, converting crowds by the thousands!

In spite of their best efforts, the Sadducees cannot prevent the Spirit from spreading the Good News. Before the first generation of Christians leaves this world, they will spread the Gospel message into Europe, to the far corners of the Middle East, and beyond.

Wherever belief is possible, God shows up.

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The same is true today. The Holy Spirit is determined to work through us, to make disciples in our homes, in our parish, and in the broader community. We don’t have to be perfect – only willing.

Like the Apostles, in what ways do we share our faith with others?

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God’s Spirit is like a force of nature, causing growth wherever it is possible. May he use our words and actions for his glory today.

Come, Holy Spirit!

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Image credits: (1) QuoteFancy (2) Reddit (3) Saint Peter Preaching in Jerusalem, Charles-Francois Pierson

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Acts: 4:32-37

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the Apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the Apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.

Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas
(which is translated “son of encouragement”),
a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,
sold a piece of property that he owned,
then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.

The Word of the Lord.

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Throughout the Easter Season, we read from the Acts of the Apostles, which describes what life was like within the first Christian communities.

As we hear today, “The community of believers was of one heart and one mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.”

Barnabas, for example, sells all of his property and places the profits at the feet of the Apostles, to be used at their discretion.

Today that’d be like selling your home and your car, downsizing to the basics, UBER-ing around town, and giving all of the proceeds to charity.

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It sounds extreme, but that’s who we are as a Church.

We are generous people who consistently offer our time, treasure, talent, and occasionally lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel. 

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The Church has commissioned more missionaries, founded more hospitals, schools, orphanages, soup kitchens, high schools and universities than any other institution in human history.

Occasionally, these sacrifices are highlighted by the lives of Saints like Barnabas or Mother Teresa, but most often these sacrifices are made by ordinary people like us who live out their faith in little ways day by day.

We may not sell our homes or die as martyrs, but how many of us offer little sacrifices for the Lord, which when added up count for something significant?

Some of you purify our linens for Mass; others bring communion to the sick or homebound; others are staff, catechists, intercessors, SPX bakers, choir members, counters, ministry leaders, Christian parents, and so on.

May the spirit of Barnabas – a spirit of generosity and encouragement – continue growing in our community of faith through us because together we are doing something beautiful for the glory of God.

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Image credits: (1) LIfehack (2) Bibleinfo.com (3) iStock

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Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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What would have happened if Mary said “no?” 

Would we ever celebrate Easter? Would the Lord have taken on flesh, died on a cross, or have been raised?

How might the world have changed if Mary said, “no”?

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Put yourself in her shoes.

She’s a teenager, preparing to get married. Out of the blue, an angel appears to her, dropping the biggest bomb imaginable. 

“Hail, favored one! Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus… and of his kingdom, there will be no end!”

While that sounds nice – and quite impossible – I’d imagine that most of us would’ve responded to Gabriel, not with the words, “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”

But with something like, “Gabe, how long before you need an answer? Can I get back to you? I know that God has a plan, but this sounds terribly last minute.”

“Besides, now is not the best time for me. I’m really busy planning a wedding. I have to fit into my dress, which won’t fit if I’m pregnant, not to mention how angry Joseph would be!”

“Please, tell God I’m honored, but let’s iron out some of the wrinkles and talk after the wedding.”

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Mary could’ve said, “no.”

Which also begs the question, what happens if we say, “no”?

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For example, an estranged family member may ask us for forgiveness. Instead of clinging to hurt feelings or putting that person off, do we live those words of Mary, “Let it be done unto me, according to your word?”

Or do we say “no,” choosing to cling to those hurt feelings, instead?

When there’s an unexpected turn of events – someone intrudes into our schedule, an old acquaintance shows up, a family member asks us to change our plans – do we freely offer our time like Mary? Or do we say, “no?” 

When stricken by grief, do we invite the Lord into our doubt and sorrow, asking that he churn our grief into gratitude? Or do we burrow in that rabbit-hole of self-pity?

An entire spirituality of surrender can be built around the word, “yes.” Or, in Mary’s words: “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”

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This is her greatest moment – greater than giving birth that first Christmas, greater than standing at the Cross on Good Friday, or receiving word of the empty tomb.

When she surrenders to God through the angel Gabriel, she becomes the first – and most faithful – disciple of Jesus because of her willingness to offer her body, her marriage, and her future to God, giving us all a model to follow.

Say, “YES.”

May it be done unto us according to God’s Word today.

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Image credits: (1) The Annunciation, Leonardo Da Vinci (2) The Annunciation, Henry Ossawa Tanner (3) Go Be Radiant