The readings from the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter season never cease to amaze me. Today’s first reading is no exception. Paul had just been stoned by a crowd of people and was dragged out of the city. They thought he was dead, but “when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city.” Wait…what? How can a man presumed dead simply get up and start walking?
I have to believe it was through the power of prayer. The disciples had gathered around him and Jesus promised that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). I find it interesting that they did not wail in loud lament over Paul. It appears that their faith was so strong that they knew God would heal him. And the very next day, Paul was on the road again, heading to spread the Good News to another town.
Just as Jesus speaks of doing all that the Father commands in today’s Gospel, so Paul and his companions continued doing the Father’s will despite this near death experience, and so we are called to do as well. The world may deter us with its evil and persecution, but Jesus assures us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Jesus grants us a peace that defies all worldly logic. We could be in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances just like Paul was and still be at peace. Because peace does not come from the world and its wiles, but from God and His grace.
Las lecturas de los Hechos de los Apóstoles durante el tiempo de Pascua nunca dejan de asombrarme. La primera lectura de hoy no es la excepción. Pablo acababa de ser apedreado por una multitud y fue arrastrado fuera de la ciudad. Pensaron que estaba muerto, pero “Cuando lo rodearon los discípulos, Pablo se levantó y regresó a la ciudad”. Esperate, ¿¡cómo!? ¿Cómo puede un hombre que se creía muerto simplemente levantarse y empezar a caminar?
Debo creer que fue por el poder de la oración. Los discípulos se habían reunido a su alrededor, y Jesús prometió: “Donde dos o tres se reúnen en mi nombre, allí estoy yo en medio de ellos” (Mateo 18,20). Me parece interesante que no se lamentaron a gritos por Pablo. Parece que su fe era tan fuerte que sabían que Dios lo sanaría. Y al día siguiente, Pablo ya estaba de camino de nuevo, dirigiéndose a otra ciudad para difundir la Buena Nueva.
Así como Jesús habla de hacer todo lo que el Padre manda en el Evangelio de hoy, así también Pablo y sus compañeros continuaron haciendo la voluntad del Padre a pesar de esta experiencia cercana a la muerte, y a eso también estamos llamados nosotros. El mundo puede desanimarnos con su maldad y persecución, pero Jesús nos asegura: “La paz les dejo, mi paz les doy. No se la doy como la da el mundo. No pierdan la paz ni se acobarden”.
Jesús nos concede una paz que desafía toda lógica mundana. Podemos encontrarnos en medio de circunstancias extremadamente difíciles, como le sucedió a Pablo, y aun así estar en paz. Porque la paz no proviene del mundo y sus manías, sino de Dios y su dulzura.
Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adult she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.
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