Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
(Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21)
In today’s first reading, the apostles are rescued from
prison by an angel. They do not go home
to avoid more trouble. Rather they are
sent back to the temple area to “tell the people everything about this life.” In
the gospel Jesus does exactly that.
He says that one must believe in him to escape condemnation. Jesus knows that humans on their own are
hopelessly selfish. Like thieves in the
night, they make friends with sin and darkness.
They cannot hope to overcome evil tendencies without divine help. For this reason he has come into the
world. He brings humans light to repent
of their sins and to know God’s love.
This is the life which the apostles are to preach.
We may find life within the Church not as pleasant as we imagined. Differing ideas and the vestiges of sin may
hamper our experience of life with Christ.
But he is there as our solace and help.
We will always find peace in him.
