St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr
Acts 5:17-26  +  John 3:16-21
April 11, 2018

But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

What is the meaning of a single act done by a Christian?  This might seem so simple a question as to be dismissed, but it’s really at the heart of living as a Christian.  A short yet true answer might be that the “Christian act” is “done in God”:  that is, within the Mystical Body of Christ.  In fact, it is done by Christ through the Christian.

Acts of the Apostles offers many examples for us to ponder.  This book also illustrates the natural consequences of “doing works in God”:  misunderstanding, persecution, and eventually liberation.  This book presents Saint Paul above the other apostles as an example of these dynamics.  Although his martyrdom in Rome is not recounted in Acts, Paul’s willingness to embrace martyrdom is his ultimate example of “living the truth”.

Read today’s First Reading as an illustration of your own vocation.  Recognize in the apostles’ imprisonment the dangers posed to you by living your vocation authentically.  Recognize in their being freed the consolations that you will receive in this world, even short of the reward of Heaven.