4 May 2014
Third Sunday of Easter
St. Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus is what we call a “Hollywood” moment. Saul (as he was called then) is thrown to the ground, experiences a blinding light, hears the voice of Jesus, and is never the same again.
But in contrast, how does Peter come to be the fearless witness to the resurrection of Jesus
as he appears in today's reading? We can tell from Peter’s forceful words in the reading from Acts that he has been changed from the man who, just last week (as it were), denied even knowing Jesus.
We are left to imagine exactly how Peter has been transformed by his eyewitness encounter with the mystery of Christ's resurrection. Suddenly he is speaking and acting with a new confidence in the life and promises of Christ. The power of Christ’s resurrection gave Peter a new spirit, the Holy Spirit, which enabled Peter boldly to proclaim the Good News.But what about us? If we've received the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation, do we have confidence to proclaim the Risen Christ? Does our encounter with Jesus lead us to confidence in our own resurrection?
Peter speaks of us and all future generations when he says: “God raised this Jesus; of this
Can we take some cues from Peter’s newfound confidence? Do we have the confidence to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus by our words and deeds, in our families, at our workplace, and as citizens of our nation? If so, how do we go about it?
we are all witnesses.” Peter makes it clear that we all must give witness by our words and deeds to the power of Christ’s resurrection.
If we're not comfortable with this task, then ask yourself: What keeps me from it? If I don't respond as Peter did, living and testifying boldly to the truth of my own salvation, why not? What is lacking? Is there something that holds me back? What could be more important to me? What is worth trading my own resurrection for?
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
