For most any remarkable event, people can remember where they were. We often hear people ask one another, “Where were you when man walked on the moon?” Many can describe what it was like when the USA beat the Soviet Union in Olympic hockey. With fondness and great detail, parents can tell the story of their child’s first steps and first words. It is no wonder then that the Acts of the Apostles are filled with recounts of Jesus’ Resurrection, the most remarkable event of human history.
It is impossible to read the Acts of the Apostles and not feel the excitement and wonder that the early Christians experienced at the Resurrection of Jesus. That is why I was disappointed in myself when, on the Saturday within the Octave of Easter, I found myself bored with the Easter story. As I sat down to pray with Acts 4:13-21 I thought, “Oh, I know this. I have heard this before.”
And, just as I was about to quickly pass over the story of Peter and John being brought before the leaders and scribes for speaking about Jesus, the Holy Spirit pricked my conscience. I was brought back to my senses. And I felt sorrow for not being amazed at the story. I thought, how often I have told the story of canoeing on a family vacation over and over or how many times I have read stories and watched highlights of the Twins winning the World Series. And I feel the excitement without boredom. Yet I am bored by the story of Jesus’ Resurrection? It was then and there that I prayed to the Holy Spirit for the grace to be amazed.
Seeing Jesus raised from the dead changed the lives of the first believers and motivated them to live for the Lord. We, too, should be amazed and convicted! We should never tire of hearing the Good News, nor should we ever tire of telling the remarkable story. Like Peter and John, may it be “impossible for us not to speak about [it]” (Acts 4:20).
