The final song from the Broadway hit musical Hamilton has a titular lyric that is, simply, “Who tells your story?” In the context of the musical, it’s a reminder about how historical figures don’t have control over how they are remembered, and how others can make a huge difference in preserving our memories into the future.
In the context of the show, it’s a tear-jerker ending. But that one line — who tells your story? — came to mind as I reflected on today’s readings. The reading from the Book of Acts details how the Apostles are put in jail, but the angel of the Lord frees them, saying, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” So the escapees went to the temple the next morning and taught.
Then the court officers tried to find them and couldn’t (seeing as how they escaped), so they reported, “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” Then someone else associated with the Sadducees came in and said, “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.”
The reading ends with the captain and court officers bringing them back in, “but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.”
If we think that spreading the message of Christ is a vital and worthy goal — which I hope at least some of you do — then think of how word of God’s teachings and miracles spread in this one brief passage. Of course, you have the Apostles themselves, teaching. You have the witness of the guard who saw them no longer there. You have the person reporting where they were. And you have the people the Apostles taught in the temple, who must have been so inspired by the Apostles that the authorities feared violence (which, admittedly, isn’t great, but shows the passion the Apostles must have inflamed in such a short time).
Each one of those participants in the scene contributes something: the teachings of Christ, news of God’s miracles, examples of how to live peacefully amid adversity, reports of acting in the Word without fear.
Today’s selection from the Gospel of John is one of the most famous in our faith, beginning with John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” And if you consider that statement a cornerstone of our faith — and that would certainly be reasonable — then the conclusion of the Gospel selection is an equally essential conclusion: “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
In other words, the “works” of those who live in Christ — what we do, how we act, how we treat others — can be clearly seen as done by God, and those actions should stem from our sincere belief in Jesus.
In an ideal world, we shouldn’t act different when others can witness us; a well-known anonymous aphorism is, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.” But we also need to recognize that others do witness us. They will report back on what they experienced. In the same way that the Apostles witnessed the death and return of Christ millennia ago and went on to report what they saw — sowing the seeds of the Faith that bloom to this day — those you interact with will remember. And those memories can form the foundation for growing their own faith and perhaps reporting on what they witnessed; a version of this exact process is how we recognize saints.
Who tells your story? Those with whom you interact. And if your heart, mouth, and hands live in the Word, the stories they can tell should reflect the promise of salvation that John 3:16 offered you:
- “I learned a lot from her. She was always well-prepared for religious education class, and she had fun crafts that drove the message home.”
- “I was at a low point in my life, and he was just willing to listen to me for hours. I wasn’t religious at the time, but . . . well, it really made a difference.”
- “I’m so grateful these volunteers are here. The event just wouldn’t be possible without them.”
- “I just feel so angry and hopeless all the time, but — even though I know she’s been going through the same hardships I have — she has this peace about her. I really want to learn why.”
- “I always thought of faithful people as being boring and humorless, but he is really funny and great to be around. And I know what the faith means to him, but he’s not ‘weird’ about it, I guess? Maybe I’ll accept his invitation to go to Mass.”
You shouldn’t live your life worrying what other people will think or say, per se. (The Apostles in today’s reading weren’t doing so; they were just living genuinely in the Word.) But it can be helpful to reflect on how others might witness on — and report about — your life in Christ. This is especially true if it gives you the courage to speak up in defense of the faith, volunteer for that activity you’re nervous about trying, or seek help for yourself or a loved one in a time of need.
The realization that our lives touch so many others is the cornerstone for countless popular stories. But this oft-told-tale isn’t just fiction; it’s based in fact, as witnessed in today’s first reading. Who can tell your story? Everyone you interact with . . . so try to make sure those interactions reflect the love and motivation of Christ you hopefully feel in your heart.
Today’s readings: Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9; Jn 3:16-21
