A New Birth, a Living Hope

April 27 Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy): A thought for those who want to bear prophetic witness through lifestyle

Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

Peter wrote: “Although you have not seen him, you love him, believe in him, rejoice with an indescribable joy, as you attain the goal of your faith.” Witnesses do that visibly.

People saw that the disciples “devoted themselves to the teaching”; to “meeting together” every day; to “the breaking of bread and to the prayers… All who believed… would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.” No wonder that “every day the Lord added to their number.” Their life was proof that Jesus was real—not only to them, but in them.

 

Their lifestyle bore witness to the risen Jesus. So does every authentic Christian life today.

Christian living is characterized by discipleship—reflecting on God’s words in private and together with others; by assembling for Eucharist; and by a detachment from this world’s benefits that lets us put the needs of others—especially the poor—ahead of our own selfish interests.

This makes visible our “new birth,” our “living hope.” This offers a hope to others that there is more to human existence than living and dying in this world. Christians bear witness to “new birth” by a new way of living.

PRAY: Lord, let me live so that others may believe.

PRACTICE: Make your relationship with Jesus visible by being “devoted to the teaching,” to “meeting together,” and responding “to each one’s need.”