Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.
Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 4:1-12)
TEACHING AND PROCLAIMING: Wow! Peter sure has come a long way!
Just days earlier, Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus. Now here he is in today’s first reading, healing a crippled man in the name of Jesus and “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”
Then, after being arrested for doing this, he was brought before his accusers, the most powerful Jewish leaders of the time. He proceeded to tell them in no uncertain terms that he had been able to heal the cripple “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified.”
Where did this sudden boldness come from? The reading also tells us that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Being open to, and receiving, the gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to speak and act with confidence. When the Holy Spirit is at work in us, we speak and act on behalf of Jesus Christ.
From the Deacon's Desk 
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