Jesus is risen from the dead, and we are His witnesses. Like Peter and John, we should be standing up for Jesus and proclaiming, even in the worst circumstances, that "there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved" (Acts 4:12).
However, some of us have already forgotten about Easter. It's "business as usual." We're not even thinking of witnessing for the risen Christ. Jesus is trying to get us to repent. He could make our business go bankrupt or give us some of the dreadful wages of our sins. On the other hand, He may decide to "kill us with kindness," to love us into repentance.
Perhaps He may do both, as He did with Peter and his fishing partners. Peter and his crew went through the frustration of a whole night of catching nothing (Jn 21:3). Yet later they caught more fish and made more money than they had ever made in one day (Jn 21:11). They soon realized it was the Lord Who was responsible for the great catch of fish (Jn 21:7). This reminded the apostles that Jesus had previously called them to catch people for His kingdom instead of fish (Mt 4:19). They repented and became witnesses for Jesus.
What will it take to get us "out of business" for the world and "down to business" for Jesus?
| PRAYER: | Jesus, change my financial situation so as to maximize my proclamation of Your resurrection. |
| PROMISE: | "This marked the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after being raised from the dead." –Jn 21:14 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Whose risen victory transformed Peter's fearful "no" to a resounding "yes." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College