Word to the Wise
Sunday, April 11, 2021 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - B
[Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31]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. [Acts of the Apostles] "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." [John]
The Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel According to John were composed roughly 40 and 60 years, respectively, after the death and resurrection of Jesus. They were written to encourage their respective Christian communities to be steadfast in faith and continue to bear witness to events that members of these communities would not have experienced firsthand. This would include us now 2000+ years later! On what does our faith rest?
The Acts of the Apostles speaks of the actions that were motivated by faith in Jesus. Faith gave birth to lifestyles and outreach that attracted attention in the places where early Christians were settling, especially when the first persecutions led to a dispersal of believers around the Mediterranean world. The connection between faith and lifestyle becomes a powerful preaching that can draw others to belief in Jesus.
I once saw a poster that read: "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" The questions we ask in Lent every year persist in the rest of the year. Is our faith a "private" matter which has nothing to do with our lifestyle and relationships? St. Paul's letters consistently challenge the communities he wrote to in matters of lifestyle and behavior. Baptism alone is not a sufficient witness. A copy of the Bible in the living room or a copy of the Catechism on the shelf will not get the job done. Pulpit preaching will have no effect if our lives do not draw others to come and hear it! The description in the Acts of the Apostles (first scripture for today) is a challenge to us to do some serious discernment that leads to action. AMEN