Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Jn 3:16-21
Sometimes— when you walk in the dark,
you feel it.
Something is not right.
In April 1999, during the unrest in East Timor,
I was traveling at night with another priest.
We moved quietly, trying not to be noticed.
Because we knew—
as priests, we were targets.
Then it happened.
A group of militiamen blocked our road.
Drunk. Aggressive.
They surrounded the car.
And began to ask:
Who are you? Where are you from? What are you doing here?
In that moment—
you don’t know what will happen.
But we were let go.
And we continued.
We continued the mission.
Today’s reading says:
God’s angel stands around those who trust Him.
In Acts of the Apostles 5,
the disciples are thrown into prison.
But at night—
the door opens.
They are led out.
And they are told:
Go. Stand. Speak.
Tell the people about this life.
Not hide.
Not stay silent.
But continue.
Why?
Because the message matters.
“God so loved the world…”
That’s it.
That’s the center.
God loves this world.
Not just the good. Not just the religious.
Everyone.
That is the Good News. That is the Gospel.
And yet—
this message is often rejected.
Back then:
the leaders tried to silence the disciples.
Today:
ignored. pushed aside. silenced.
Why?
No one really knows.
Augustine of Hippo said:
We love the light when it comforts us.
But we resist it when it exposes us.
So some stay in the dark.
But you can’t really live there.
Life grows in the light.
So those who have stepped out— those who have been set free—
have a mission:
Go. Stand. Speak.
Not with anger.
Not with force.
But with light.
With love.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.
So don’t be afraid.
God’s presence is still with you.
Unseen—
but real.
You are not alone.
The world may not change overnight.
But light—
has never needed numbers.
It only needs to appear.
So—
step into the light.
Live it. Speak it.
Because—
God still loves this world.
Through you.
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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© 2025 Krakus.
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