Acts 5: 27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Renew Your Easter Joy
Believe it or not, Easter was only 11 days ago. Do you still feel that Easter joy like the apostles? Are you a witness to Jesus' resurrection, or has that joy and excitement faded? Yet, as of today, we still have 38 days of Easter left before we celebrate Pentecost. The Easter season is longer than Lent, but it often feels shorter. It doesn't take long for the joy of Easter Sunday to fade into the background as we move on with our lives. Lent can be more attentive because we have our penances and are conscious of an Easter countdown. However, with Easter, it can be easy to drift back into old habits. To let our day-to-day life return to a mundane routine. Therefore, what's one thing you can do today to renew your Easter joy? How can you be a witness to Christ’s resurrection like the Apostles?
—Austin Kleman, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province working as a therapist at Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago.
Prayer
Help Us to Remain Close to You
Lord Jesus, we ask you now to help us to remain with you always,
To be close to you with all the ardor of our hearts,
To take up joyfully the mission you entrust to us,
And that is to continue your presence and spread the good news of your resurrection.
—Carlo Maria Martini, SJ