I remember coaching my “happy go lucky” soccer team. They showed up for practice and then did as little as possible in terms of work. Soccer was time to joke around with friends and enjoy balmy fall afternoons. Then we walked out onto the field to play our first game. Boom! Pow! Slam! The opposing team ran all over us, and our “happy go lucky” faces turned into angry frowns. We needed opposition to wake us up and bring out our strength.
During these Easter days we are reading the exciting adventures of the early Church. At first things were going along smoothly as they enjoyed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Then Boom! Pow! Slam! The opponents of Jesus came after Peter and John the way they did with Jesus—they were arrested, beaten, and sanctioned. How did the Church respond to this?(Acts 4:23-31).
“… they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, you said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentles rage and the people entertain folly? The kings of the earth took their stand…against the Lord and against his anointed.’”
They were excited that God’s promises were coming about. They were living right in the middle of Scriptural prophecy. The leaders were raising their heads against God’s anointed one, just as kings stood against David. This day of victory was proving to be much greater than they expected.
And so, as one team, they prayed.
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Today we read about the fruits of persecution (Acts 4:32-37).
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind…With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus…There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them…”
The most unbelievable social order ever suddenly emerged. The “team” was so committed to each other that they gave all their possessions to the Church so that all needs were met. And the Apostles became stronger than ever in preaching Jesus and displaying signs and wonders. In a short moment of time the Church grew to a whole new level—it grew strong!
Who was it, Mother Angelica, who prayed for persecution? She realized that persecution challenges the Church to take a new, bold step forward in proclaiming the gospel, in coming together in unity, and releasing the full power of the Holy Spirit in the world. Just as with my soccer team, it took getting “whipped” by another team to tap into our hidden strength and commitment.
How many of us Catholics “tip toe” through life trying to avoid persecution at all costs? We hide our rosaries, keep our Bibles concealed in our backpacks, and make sure not the mention the holy name of Jesus in our conversations, much less lay our hands on someone’s shoulder in public to pray for their healing.
It is time for us to come out of hiding and be strong in our faith. Are we ready to give up our spirituality of “well being” (as Pope Francis calls it) and walk onto the playing field to get our shoes dirty for Christ?
“Holiness befits your house O Lord for length of days” (Ps 93:5).
