The Word Amon Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Saturday, 11 April 2015

The Word Amon Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Saturday, 11 April 2015

Meditation: Acts 4:13 When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained ‘am-ha’aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua. 14 Moreover, since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there beside them, there was nothing they could say to discredit the healing. 15 So they told them to step away from the Sanhedrin while they discussed the matter privately. 16 “What can we do with these men?” they asked each other. “Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them — we can’t possibly deny that. 17 But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name.”
18 So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua. 19 But Kefa and Yochanan answered, “You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God. 20 As for us, we can’t help talking about what we have actually seen and heard.” 21 They threatened them some more but finally let them go — they couldn’t punish them because of the people, for everyone was praising God over what had happened,
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
… what we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20)
What is your first reaction when you see something fascinating or when something really exciting happens to you? Do you try to capture the moment by writing about it online, taking a picture, or telling all of your friends? In today’s first reading, Peter and John didn’t have access to modern technology, but they still made it a point to tell everyone about their exciting experience of Jesus and his resurrection.
Isn’t this a good way to look at our call to evangelize? The thought of talking about our faith can be daunting because we don’t always know where to start. But we can all follow Peter and John’s example by talking about our own experiences of the Lord.
But Peter and John had a huge advantage, you might say. They lived with Jesus for three years. They saw him perform lots of miracles and free countless people from guilt. Well, that’s true, but you have experiences of Jesus too, right? Think about the times that you have felt his encouragement, seen his blessing, or even witnessed a miracle in your life or the life of a loved one. Maybe he sent a stranger to help you at just the right moment, or maybe a friend called you to say just the right thing at just the right time.
Your experiences may not be as dramatic as Peter and John’s, or maybe they are. But they are your personal experiences of the Lord. No one can take them away from you. What’s more, experiences like these touch people and inspire them—often more powerfully than if you were to rattle off a list of Catholic doctrines. A lot of your co-workers and neighbors might have heard about Jesus and all he did two thousand years ago, but they will sit up and take notice when they hear that he is still at work today.
Take it one step at a time. Share with a friend a little story about something God has done for you recently, and see where the conversation goes. You can take courage knowing that God rewards even the smallest effort. Remember: he wants people to know the gospel!
“Lord, help me to step out and tell people about what I have seen and heard.” Amen!
Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to Adonai; for he is good,
for his grace continues forever.
14 Yah is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.
15 The sound of rejoicing and victory
is heard in the tents of the righteous:
“Adonai’s right hand struck powerfully!
16 Adonai’s right hand is raised in triumph!
Adonai’s right hand struck powerfully!”
17 I will not die; no, I will live
and proclaim the great deeds of Yah!
18 Yah disciplined me severely,
but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open the gates of righteousness for me;
I will enter them and thank Yah.
20 This is the gate of Adonai;
the righteous can enter it.
21 I am thanking you because you answered me;
you became my salvation.

Mark 16:[a]9 When Yeshua rose early Sunday, he appeared first to Miryam of Magdala, from whom he had expelled seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they were crying and mourning. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and that she had seen him, they wouldn’t believe it.
12 After that, Yeshua appeared in another form to two of them as they were walking into the country. 13 They went and told the others, but they didn’t believe them either.
14 Later, Yeshua appeared to the Eleven as they were eating, and he reproached them for their lack of trust and their spiritual insensitivity in not having believed those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 Then he said to them, “As you go throughout the world, proclaim the Good News to all creation.[Footnotes:
Mark 16:9 Verses 9–20 are found in many ancient Greek manuscripts but not in the two oldest ones.]
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