Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
The Courage to Live Our Faith
In today’s readings, we hear a clear and challenging message: Who do we listen to—God or the world?
In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles are ordered to stop preaching about Jesus. They are threatened and pressured to remain silent. But Peter responds with courage and conviction:
“We must obey God rather than men.”
That’s a bold statement. And it’s not just for them—it’s meant for us, too.
Because even today, we face moments when our faith is tested. Not usually in dramatic ways, but in quiet, everyday situations. Moments when honesty costs us something. Moments when standing up for what is right makes us uncomfortable. Moments when living as a Christian sets us apart from others. In those moments, we are faced with the same choice: Do we follow God, or do we follow the crowd?
That same courage is needed today. We may not stand before a tribunal, but we do stand before the pressures of modern life—social expectations, cultural trends, and the temptation to keep our faith private. The world often tells us to stay quiet about what we believe. But the Gospel calls us to live it openly and authentically.
It’s the courage to make the Sign of the Cross before a meal in a crowded restaurant…
to refuse to participate in gossip at work…
to stand up for what is right even when it’s unpopular…
to bring our families to Mass each Sunday…
to speak kindly when others are harsh…
and to forgive when it would be easier to hold a grudge.
These simple moments are where faith becomes real. These are the ways we obey God in our own time.
In today’s Gospel, John reminds us why the apostles were so fearless. He tells us that Jesus comes from above and speaks the words of God. And then we hear this powerful promise:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”
Not “might have.” Not “could have.”
But has—right now.
Eternal life isn’t just something that begins after death. It begins the moment we place our trust in Christ. When we believe in Him, follow Him, and live according to His teachings, we already share in His divine life.
That is what gave the apostles their courage. And it is what gives us strength today.
The world may pressure us to conform, to remain silent, or to keep our faith private. But the Resurrection reminds us that Christ is alive—and because He is alive, we have nothing to fear.
So today, let us ask for the grace to live our faith with quiet confidence and sincere hearts. And when we are faced with the pressures of our time, may we have the courage to say—not only with our words, but with our lives:
“We must obey God rather than men.”