When Paul had proclaimed to the Athenians that Jesus had been risen from the dead, "some sneered, while others said, 'We must hear you on this topic some other time' " (Acts 17:32). Today, the reaction to Jesus' resurrection is similar. Over a month ago, we began the Easter season. We may have tried to proclaim that Jesus is risen. Yet "who has believed what he has heard from us?" (Rm 10:16)
We may feel like blaming those that we've talked to about Jesus' resurrection for hardening their hearts. But how do we know their hearts? Rather, we ought to remove the planks from our own eyes by repenting of not witnessing more for Christ, and not backing up our witness with a radical life of faith (see Mt 7:5). Maybe the first persons to believe in the risen Christ this Easter season will be those who claim to already be believers.
We can bear witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with power (Acts 4:33). Let's ask the Spirit to prove us wrong about our compromises with the world (see Jn 16:8). He will guide us to all truth (Jn 16:13). Then we will be able to guide others to the ultimate truth: "Jesus is risen!"
| PRAYER: | Father, make these next ten days among the most eventful of my life. Give me a new Pentecost. |
| PROMISE: | He "will announce to you the things to come." –Jn 16:13 |
| PRAISE: | Teenagers Sam and Monica, brother and sister, read the Bible each evening before going to sleep. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College