When Sts. Peter and John proclaimed Jesus' Resurrection after healing the man born lame, the Sadducees' reaction was anger (Acts 4:1-2). As the apostles proclaimed the risen Christ through signs and wonders, the high priest and the Sadducees reacted with jealousy (Acts 5:17). They expressed this by having the apostles whipped (Acts 5:40). When St. Stephen proclaimed the risen Christ, the onlookers responded with violence. They ground their teeth, put their hands over their ears, attacked Stephen, and beat him with stones until they murdered him (Acts 7:54-58).
The more Jesus' disciples proclaimed His Resurrection, the more they suffered persecution. The more intense the persecution, the more the disciples continued to proclaim the Resurrection. They considered it a privilege to be judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of Jesus' name (Acts 5:41). "Both in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news of Jesus" (Acts 5:42).
Are you witnessing for the risen Jesus? Are some people responding with faith and love? Are others filled with anger, jealousy, or violence toward you? How are you taking this? Are you rejoicing in suffering rejection and hostility for love of Jesus? Are you intensifying your proclamation of the risen Christ?
| PRAYER: | Father, may I react to rejection by forgiving and by witnessing for Your Son with increased zeal. |
| PROMISE: | "A vast crowd kept following Him because they saw the signs He was performing for the sick." –Jn 6:2 |
| PRAISE: | During the Fourteenth Century, several popes chose to reside in Avignon, France, rather than Rome. In 1377, St. Catherine successfully persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome.She was named a Doctor of the Church in 1970. |
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