Have you ever found yourself in a situation either good or bad and said to yourself, \u2018I just don\u2019t believe this happened\u2019\u2026 \u2018How could this situation turn out in this way?\u2019 \u2018This is impossible\u2019?<\/p>\n
Well, in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5: 17-26), this is exactly what happened to the high priest and the authorities. The high priest supported by the supporters from the party of the Sadducees were jealous and annoyed, that the apostles Peter and John continued to teach the people about the resurrection of Jesus; in spite of being forbidden to teach. The high priests and supporters did not like what they saw or heard. They imprisoned Peter and John in gaol. Something unbelievable happened. The \u2018angel of the Lord\u2019 opened the prison gates and released them with this instruction, \u2018Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.\u2019\u00a0 The apostles obeyed and went to the Temple to preach.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the high priest asked for Peter and Johns\u2019 release from prison. When the officials went to release them, the prison was empty. They went out and reported to the high priest. The captain of the temple was perplexed. A man arrived with an update on the situation. He said, \u2018the men you imprisoned are in the Temple preaching to the people.\u2019 The captain went with his men to fetch Peter and John. They were afraid to use force in case the people stoned them.<\/p>\n
Why would the assembly of people not shout aloud the lines of the psalm in the presence of God, \u2018I will bless the Lord at all times\u2019, \u2018I sought the Lord and he answered me\u2019, \u2018Taste and see that the Lord is good.\u2019 \u2018He is happy who takes refuge in him\u2019? Christians believe that with God everything is possible.<\/p>\n
The Gospel (Jn 3:16-21) continues with Jesus\u2019 conversation with Nicodemus. The listener hears that God gave his Son Jesus, \u2018so that believers in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.\u2019 That meant that believers would be with God forever in heaven. God also sent Jesus so that through Jesus \u2018the world might be saved.\u2019\u00a0 God sent Jesus because Jesus is the light. However, people preferred darkness to light and did not live by the truth. Jesus invites all people to live by the truth \u2018so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.\u2019<\/p>\n
When Christians say they have faith in God, they believe even though they cannot see. It is just like the experience that Thomas had in his encounter with Jesus after the resurrection. Jesus said to Thomas, \u2018Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.\u2019<\/p>\n
VERITAS provides online resources on the Grow in Love<\/em> website to support the season of Easter on the Grow in Love<\/em> website including the Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/em> e-book.<\/p>\n Website: www.growinlove.ie<\/a><\/p>\n