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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for April 5, 2021

BELIEVE AND WITNESS

"This is the Jesus God has raised up, and we are His witnesses." –Acts 2:32

Jesus once made the statement that even if a person should rise from the dead, some will not be convinced (Lk 16:31). He was referring to those who would not believe the Scriptures. The soldiers who took the money knew well Jesus had risen from the dead; they knew no one could have stolen the body. They also had been paralyzed with fear at the appearance of the angels. Even the chief priests knew the disciples had not stolen Jesus' body; they simply chose to hide a truth which didn't fit into their plans.

Perhaps this is why Jesus did not appear to everyone, but only to those who believed in Him. He appeared to those who would faithfully witness to Him.

God's plan is to spread the Good News through faithful and faith-filled, obedient witnesses. That is to say, God plans to spread the Good News through each of us. So, the question is, and has always been, "Do you believe in the risen Jesus? And will you change your life to live according to the truth, so that the world will believe in Jesus risen?" (see Jn 17:21)

"We are His witnesses" (Acts 2:32). People are watching you for evidence of the Resurrection. Will they believe in the risen Jesus by what they see in your lifestyle?

PRAYER: Father, change anything in my life in any way so that everyone who thinks of me will believe in You.
PROMISE: "Exalted at God's right hand, He first received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, then poured this Spirit out upon us." –Acts 2:33
PRAISE: Alleluia! Jesus is risen! For now and for always, He is with us. Alleluia!

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Acknowledgement

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