Category: Daily Reflections

“None of them ever claimed anything as his own; rather, everything was held in common.” –Acts 4:32 Early Christians “shared all things in common” (Acts 2:44). This work of the Holy Spirit was a powerful witness to Jesus’ Resurrection (Acts 4:33). Sharing all things in common requires a miraculous unity. “The community of believers were of one heart” (Acts 4:32). Furthermore, sharing all things in common is motivated by such zeal for evangelization that we pool our resources to maximize our evangelistic outreach. When we become one in heart, mind, and possessions, we begin to be one as Jesus and...

“Clothe yourselves with humility, because God ‘is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness.’ ” –1 Peter 5:5 After Mark quit the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), he changed his mind and was willing to be taken on the second missionary journey (Acts 15:37). This may have been an act of repentance and humility. When St. Paul refused to take St. Mark (Acts 15:38), Mark must have eventually accepted this, for Mark was later on good terms with Paul (see Col 4:10; 2 Tm 4:11). This reconciliation required acts of humility from both Mark and Paul....

“These have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you may have life in His name.” –John 20:31 Alleluia! Jesus is risen! Has this last week been one of the greatest weeks in your life, not because of what you’ve done, but because of what the risen Lord has done? Or are you still locked in the upper room with all the doubting Thomases and fearful disciples? “Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!” (Jn 20:27) “There is nothing to fear” (Rv 1:17). Jesus is “the...

“Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows what a remarkable show of power took place through them. We cannot deny it.” –Acts 4:16 How do we know that Jesus has risen from the dead? The historicity of the Resurrection accounts in the Bible is more credible than other ancient documents because of the number and accuracy of the manuscripts of the Gospels and the reliability of the authors of the Gospel. This has been confirmed by the Gospel’s internal consistency and by archaeological discoveries. We have an intellectual, factual basis for believing that Jesus has risen. However, to know the significance...

“If we must answer today for a good deed done to a cripple and explain how he was restored to health, then you and all the people of Israel must realize that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ.” –Acts 4:9-10 “Many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles” after the first Pentecost (Acts 2:43). The few healings recounted in Acts of the Apostles were chosen to be proclaimed not just because they were healings, but because of their special significance. The man lame from birth is someone we all can identify with. We may not be...